The Golden Compass [Blu-Ray] [2007]

I bought this for my granddaughter, who was reading the book that the film is based on. It is no longer available on streaming service, so this video was a good substitute. Enjoyed by the whole family.

The Golden Compass is a very entertaining film with great special effects,saying that the story is a bit strange,probably why there was no follow up.

Not watched it yet but arrived in perfect condition.

Please, do not immediately stop reading- I am not the person who watches the films instead of reading the books, and then judges the author for a crap storyline. I usually hate book-movie films, such as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings (which were all drivel compared to the books).However The Golden Compass (Northern Lights as the book is called) steps forward as an amazing step to adapting books into films. I personally though the casting was superb- I could easily see and feel which character was which instantaneously. The acting was really good, the special effects were great, and the Daemons were done incredibly well! It was gripping and every aspect, from the sad to the action scenes were amazing.As far as the proper story goes (as in the book), the film follows is almost PERFECTLY. Everything bar TWO scenes in the film were 100% exactly how they were in the book. Even 90% of the key conversations were WORD BY WORD adapted from the book to the film (trust me, straight after I saw the film, I reread the books, and they were bloody identical!I was SO pleased with this film from every minute of it! Looking forward to the next 3 (probably.- this is because I think they are cutting the ending of the book out of the film, and saving it for the next film- so as to make 1 extra film for a bigger franchise? Who knows..?)Anyway, if anyone has kept reading through all of my rambling, hope you found it useful! Cheers all.

The film is well directed by Chris Weitz, and he gets an endearing performance from newcomer Dakota Blue Richards. However, New Line Cinema became worried about how the film would perform at the box office in the USA, partly because of the story's anti-religious themes; so it re-edited the film, chopping away a lot of scenes including the story's end, and swapping some scenes around. Weitz lost control of the project, and the film lost much of its coherence. US audiences didn't take to it much, and - despite stronger box office takings overseas - New Line Cinema cancelled its plans to complete the trilogy. Ironically the film received criticism from religious and secular institutions alike. This is the story of how a studio, as is so often the case, destroys a film because of its lack of faith in the film-going public.So the themes of the film, together with some of its characterisations and plot points are a bit of a dog's dinner. The prophesy about Lyra is extremely condensed, taking up about thirty seconds of screen time, meaning that we don't really understand her significance in the film. The full horror and implications of intercision are missing because the religious aspect of it is downplayed. A lot of the supporting roles (e.g. Lee Scoresby, Serafina Pekkala) feel merely like cameos, and much of Daniel Craig's performance as Lord Asriel ended up on the cutting room floor. The action scenes are not balanced by reflection scenes, meaning that we lose interest in what happens to the characters. Why do the Samoyeds take Lyra to the bear-king instead of to the Experimental Station? They are mercenaries after all, and their explanation that she is a 'gift to the bear-king' doesn't really cut it. The ice bridge across the ravine has been used as the passage to Bolvangar when it was clearly originally intended to be used as the passage to Lord Asriel.Why tone down the religious references anyway? Why are they tolerable in book form but not in film? Is it because more people - especially children - watch films than read books? New Line Cinema's self-censorship destroyed The Golden Compass, thereby undermining the freedom of thought/expression that Pullmans' trilogy is all about.None of this was Chris Weitz's fault, and it is a credit to his skill as a director that the film is still watchable and enjoyable.

I've been really surprised at the negative reaction to The Golden Compass movie. I for one, really enjoyed this film. The performances are highly impressive, Dakota and Sam Elliot are perfect, the production design is second to none and the atmosphere of the piece is beautiful. The story does move on a little too quickly, but that's a minor quibble when appreciating that at the end of the day, this is a popcorn movie, not an arthouse movie. I'm amazed that the book was ever adapted in the first place, considering the controversial themes it deals with. I'm normally quite cynical when it comes to Hollywood adaptions. I thought that the first few Harry Potter films were terribly overhyped compared to this and when compared to other family fantasy movies of the past few years, it comes out closer to the top of the list, rather than the bottom. The only film of its type that I'd put above it, is the LOTR trilogy. This is a great story with themes of friendship, love, truth, sacrifice and the never ending quest to question all those in authority. It would be a shame not to see that continued on the big screen.

A wonderful story. DVD quality excellent.

Good movie

Fun movie for all to enjoy

Offenbar hat der Vor Nutzer das Etikett unprofessionell abgeschnitten und sie dann returniert. Ich habe sie deshalb wieder returniert und verwende jetzt eine von Ohropax. Die ist wirklich gut und da sind ab Werk keine Etiketten dran.

Ottima qualità e puntualità.

I'm 80 years old. And still can appreciate beautiful things. I also own well over a thousand movies on dvd and BluRay. If pushed I would place this movie, this story, and above all, the amazing, incredible, astonishing creativeness in the beautiful cinematography of this work as the most enjoyable, exciting one. It is number one. Most of the scenes are simply breathtaking in their originality, the vast grandeur, the variety of settings, and their core richness of concept. NearIy all the characters are magical. Always enjoy almost anything Sam Eliot does. His is a particularly great role in this story. Fits him perfectly. I never tire of re-watching this. It has no equal. As a retired aviator, I was fascinated by the miraculous 'airbus' used by Lyra and Mrs. Coulter. Impossible combination of 17th century and 29th century technology. I can't imagine the creativity of the geniuses who produced this. Who created this amazing alternate universe. The "Lyra" song during the end credits is yet another stunning surprise. Something about it has brought me to tears of joy, and peace! Seems almost like a lullaby of sorts.I was also greatly encouraged by, and enjoyed the premise of the story. Since childhood, I've always looked with sadness, and great dismay on the machinations of any organization bent on subverting truth to further its own goals. This story is a gorgeously done allegory that depicts a physical, as well as a psychological conflict with dishorable, corrupt would-be masters of a different, but similar reality to our own. The parallels are unmistakably clear. If the Catholics of this world see this movie, a simple fantasy, as a threat, then what further indictment is needed? Villainy exists in our world as clearly as it does in Lyra Belacqua's.The conflict in the story that many see as pitting deeply religious thought against free-thinking, seems subtle enough that unless it's used as some kind of proselytizing tool by adults, most kids wouldn't be the slightest bit aware of the imagined import. Just good guys versus bad guys for them. And a wonderful, wild adventure for some kids. Lyra Belacqua sets a superb example of supreme courage and perseverance that I would think any parent would be glad to have kids witness.I highly recommend this movie.I came back here a few years later to add to my original review. Only to add that I just re-purchased this disk! I wanted a backup to be sure that should the first fail. Even here years later, I've come to feel that this work is a masterpiece.

Not usually into family fantasy movies but absolutely love this one.Dakota Blue Richards is brilliant.