- "There are worlds beyond our own
The compass will show the way." - —Official tagline
The Golden Compass is the film adaptation of Northern Lights, the first book of the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. The film was released on December 5, 2007 by New Line Cinema. The project was announced in February 2002, following the success of other recent adaptations of fantasy epics. With a budget of $180 million, it is one of New Line's biggest-budget projects ever after a series of box office disappointments preceding the release.
Before its release the film received criticism from both secular organizations and fans of His Dark Materials for the dilution of the religious elements from the novels, and also theist organizations - in particular, it was the subject of a boycott campaign by the U.S. Catholic League due to perceived anti-Catholic themes.
Cast
Lead Roles
- Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra "Silvertongue" Belacqua
- Nicole Kidman as Marisa Coulter
- Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel
Children
Jordan College staff
The gyptians
- Jim Carter as John Faa
- Tom Courtenay as Farder Coram
- Clare Higgins as Ma Costa
- Steven Loton as Tony Costa
- Michael Antoniou as Kerim Costa
- Mark Mottram as Jaxer Costa
Witches
Bolvangar staff
- Paul Antony-Barber as Bolvangar Doctor
- Jason Watkins as Bolvangar Official
- Jody Halse as Bolvangar Orderly
- Hattie Morahan as Sister Clara
Others
- John Bett as Thorold
- Sam Elliott as Lee Scoresby
- Christopher Lee as First High Councillor
- Edward de Souza as Second High Councillor
- Simon McBurney as Fra Pavel
- Derek Jacobi as Magisterial Emissary
Armoured Bears
- Sir Ian McKellen as the voice of Iorek Byrnison
- Ian McShane as voice of Ragnar Sturlusson
Dæmons
- Freddie Highmore as the voice of Pantalaimon
- Kristin Scott Thomas as the voice of Stelmaria
- Kathy Bates as the voice of Hester
Differences between the novel and the film
Physical appearances of the characters
- Marisa Coulter is supposed to have black hair, but Nicole Kidman was blonde for this film.
