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The Golden Compass (Full-Screen Single-Disc Edition) | 
| Director: Chris Weitz
Actors: Kathy Bates, John Bett, Jim Carter, Tom Courtenay, Daniel Craig
Studio: New Line Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $28.98
Buy New: $0.97
You Save: $28.01 (97%)
New (86) Used (81) Collectible (1) from $0.49
Rating:  282 reviews
Sales Rank: 6797
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd, Subtitled, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 113 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.7
MPN: TRNDN37810D
UPC: 794043120015
EAN: 0794043120015
ASIN: B0013A1T8I
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: April 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
A fantasy epic with more than a passing resemblance to the Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia film franchises, The Golden Compass takes place in an alternate universe where each human's soul is embodied in a companion animal called a daemon. Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards), an orphan who's lived most of her life among the scholars at Oxford, is intrigued when her uncle, Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig), announces his plans to travel north to investigate the source of some mysterious particles called Dust. Lyra has little hope of following her uncle until a mysterious woman named Mrs. Coulter (Nicole Kidman, at her most icily beautiful) asks Lyra to travel north as her personal assistant. All is not as it seems, however, and the disappearance of Lyra's friend Roger (Ben Walker) sets her on a dizzying adventure. She does have an alethiometer, or golden compass, that can help her see the truth, and a number of companions, including her shape-shifting daemon, Pantalaimion (voiced by Freddie Highmore of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), polar-bear warrior Iorek Byrnison (voiced by Ian McKellen), Texas aeronaut Lee Scoresby (Sam Elliott), and witch queen Serafina Pekkala (Craig's Casino Royale co-star, Eva Green). Even before its release, The Golden Compass was the subject of controversy over its perceived anti-religious themes. While it does involve an oppressive institution called the Magisterium, it's not overtly religious, particularly to a young viewer. The movie's PG-13 rating should be taken seriously, however. Suitable for an older audience than Narnia (though younger than The Lord of the Rings), it deals with complex concepts, violence (though largely bloodless) and implied death, children and animals in peril, and an unrelentingly ominous and unsettling mood. Despite a few changes and rearrangements, the overall plot of the movie is remarkably faithful to its source material, the first installment of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. It doesn't finish the book, however, and--much like The Fellowship of the Ring did--leaves the viewer hanging in anticipation of the next film, The Subtle Knife, due in 2009. So even though The Golden Compass is impressive--especially with its spot-on cast and terrific visual effects--we probably won't know its full emotional impact until the story is complete. --David Horiuchi
Product Description
Movie DVD
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| Customer Reviews: Read 277 more reviews...
 very weird July 1, 2009
Michelle W. Ford
well i have to say this was a very weird film. the fact that they callled their souls deamons was very odd. i do not think that the creater of the golden compass wanted to include any message that would be against god (for all you who didnt know the author of the books doesnt believe in god but i dont think he believes in saten either.)um so yeah very weird movie i didnt get the concept of dust and what it is or why the gobblers wanted to take the children and remove them of there souls was odd and that "cut" was removing the dust which i still dont get!!!!! watch the movie see what ya think but i just happen to not like this movie with a burning passion because well it is very very confusing.
 A Feast for the Eyes June 28, 2009
Chris (Montana)
I did not read the book(s)--but I did read all of the controversy regarding the author's anti-Christian sentiments contained in his trilogy.
Thankfully the movie does not "go there." The movie was enjoyable, lots of action and the animation of the animals was wonderful. Nicole Kidman was captivating, and what little we saw of Daniel Craig was intriguing.
The only disappointment I had with the movie was the ending--there was no ending. It was not just left open for a sequel--it felt unfinished, as though they lost the last reel. As viewers we deserve more.
The movie may be too intense for small children, but I'm an adult and I really enjoyed it.
 An enchanting and a golden gem of a film! June 21, 2009
Robert Badgley (London,Ontario,Canada)
This is a review I have deferred for about two years to let the initial controversies surrounding this film subside.I loved this movie upon its' theatrical release and New Line has done the movie proud by the release of this two disc set.
Like the uproar by certain Church groups and related organizations over the Da Vinci Code material,this movie too was attacked by the same or similar groups for its' supposed "heretical" and/or "anti-religious" themes.I find these groups rancour quite specious and founded,on many occasion,on sheer ignorance of the material at hand for the single purpose of fear mongering in the name of "truth".It is appalling and disgusting at the same time.
Here is a quote by the author Phillip Pullman in an interview from Time magazine around the time of the films' initial release:"I wouldn't want to be a part of any movement that had an agenda...I'm not arguing a case. I'm not preaching a sermon. I'm not giving a lecture. I'm telling a story. Any position I take is that of a storyteller who says, 'Once upon a time, this happened.'".
Anyone can find just about anything in what they read,see and hear.As long as one is educated and armed with the facts,no one needs to be running off willy-nilly tilting at windmills.
The story here involves a parallel world to ours where "dust"(the stuff of life) connects everyone and everything in the universe.Lyra Belacqua(Dakota Richards)is an 11 year old whose "Uncle" Asriel(Daniel Craig)is a professor at a university who has discovered what he believes is the secret to this "dust" and mounts an expedition to the far north to prove it.However the Magisterium(the ruling body)wants him stopped as it would mean an end to their power and influence.During his trip he is captured and Lyra,befriended by Mrs Coulter(agent for the Magisterium)starts on her journey not only to rescue him but many friends and other young people who are mysteriously disappearing;courtesy of the Gobblers, the agents of the Magisterium.The head of her school(and friend to Asriel)gives her an Elithiometer(Golden Compass)which reveals the reality of any notion or event of the users wishes;the only one known to exist.When Mrs.Coulters' real and assumed purpose in "helping" Lyra becomes clear,Lyra escapes.During this time a group of water-faring nomads called the Egyptians step in and rescue her and assist her on her journey north.Along the way she enlists the help an aeronaut by the name of Mr Scoresby(Sam Elliot) and a polar bear in exile by the name of Iorek Byrnison(voiced by Ian Mckellin).Also a representative of the witch clan,Serafina Pekkala(Eva Green),joins in the quest.Iorek becomes invaluable to Lyra who in turn helps him re-unite with his polar bear brothers and claim his rightful place as king.After this she infiltrates the Bolvingar prison where all the children have been taken in order to seperate their bodies from their souls.A gigantic battle ensues near the end of the film with Lyra and her compatriots winning the day.The battle is not yet over though and as the movie ends she,a friend and Iorek sail away in Mr Scoresbys' air machine to continue their quest.
The movies' special effects are seamless in this film and constitute a big part of its' charm.Things like the retro but futuristic vehicles(both ground and air),the myriad of different animals that appear which contain people's souls and that constantly walk,crawl and/or fly beside them and most especially Iorek the bear that comes to astounding but believable life and who is an integral part of this film.All in all amazing to behold.
This set contains two discs and the first contains the film.Beautifully transferred with its original 2:35:1 aspect ratio and surround 5:1 sound.The second disc is chock full of specials including featurettes on Phillips the author,director Chris Weitz's screenplay,the character of Lyra,costumes,music,production design,a behind the scenes look at the films'opening in Cannes and promo tour,a closer look at the bears,the golden compass itself,daemons(the name for the animals that human souls inhabit),and many others.
In conclusion this a film for the family(for children of about 10 and up) to enjoy and savour.Its' storyline is lush and it grabs you almost from the outset.It is a time honoured good versus evil film done in a most imaginative way,with Lyra,Prof.Azriel,Iorek,Mr.Scoresby,et al on one side and the Magisterium,the Gobblers,its' rep Mrs Coulter and all their assorted henchmen on the other.The acting is top notch by everyone involved and the special effects are fabulous and bring to life one of its' chief and most beloved characters,Iorek the polar bear.This is definitely one that belongs on everyone's shelf.
 Bland, dull, boring June 21, 2009
Bozhoo
I had hopes for this film, but it certainly left me lacking, especially the generally unemotional interactions between characters. Most of the movie seemed dark or washed of color. The concepts had so much unexplored potential or was missing some meaty back-history that would have given the present moments more meaning. Some of the CG was nicely done, but not exceptional. Overall, I was just plain bored while watching this film.
Fantastic Movie if the Critic's would let be !!!! June 21, 2009
Lincoln County MT (Extreme NW Montana)
What does religion have to do with this movie let alone the series the books make up. Pullman does a fantastic job in the books telling this imaginative story and the movie just was the creme on top. I so was looking forward like so many hundreds of other people for the Subtle Knife to be made....now all we hear is but it didn't do well in the USA. So the second is sort of-maybe-possible not-don't know- gibberish.....I so feel bad about the author...poor fella would like to see this series made. Fans which there are plenty of want to see this made. And perhaps the so called keepers of Christianism aren't helping it but the likes of Harry Potter and Tolkien works all have been hit with the same anti-Christian rhetoric. Real Christians don't need the gate keepers to interpret what the Lord has us understanding. Only those who fear they don't trust themselves enough or worse they gain some sense of superiority over fellow believers yet they are the only ones and only true believer......manages once again to step on someone else's parade and fun. Remember our Puritanical founders banned dance too in the name of their Lord. How quaint then...today we should know better.....we should know better. My bet is God thinks we should know better too and think freely for ourselves....we don't need the gate keepers telling everyone else what is good or bad for us. They need to keep their own house not others. Bring on the Sequel....we can't wait. Warner now that you've merged what is keeping you? Surly good money even if not a killing is still in your pockets profitable.
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