Narnia Tears Apart The Golden Compass December 10, 2007
Posted by peak9 in Atheism, Movies, Religion.Tags: Atheism, atheist, Christian, Christianity, entertainment, faith, Money, movie, satan
trackback
Here is the opening weekend box office returns for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe versus The Golden Compass.
- Narnia ($65,556,312 between 3616 screens)
- The Golden Compass ($26,125,000 between 3528 screens)
Atheism could only muster up 40% of C.S. Lewis’ Christian masterpiece.
Related Posts:
Yeah because people went to see both films because of their religious beliefs or lack of them! How many people have read the Lion the Witch and Wardrobe compared to the “His Dark Materials” trilogy? Don’t you think that might have something more to do with the box office receipts?
Or maybe perhaps you are going to declare that people are really into the Occult because the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix took $44.2 million in its opening night. (Which by the way was a Wednesday not a weekend.)
Box Office receipts are not an endorsement of faith ore religious beliefs, particularly not Christianity, they are a measure of the popularity of book, story on which the film is based or how well the movie is promoted.
To be honest I’m surprised the Golden Compass has done so well considering US Catholics are supposed to be boycotting the film.
You are right about more people being familiar with the the writing of C.S. Lewis versus Philip Pullman. It is possible this is a reason for a lower box office take. It is also realistic to say not everyone who saw the Harry Potter films is into Wicca and the Occult. I saw the first three and got bored with the whole thing, but others take it seriously. Just look at all the websites devoted to spells. Witchcraft has certainly received more positive exposure in recent years and the Harry Potter movies have played a part in that.
I believe you are wrong though about box office stats not symbolizing an endorsement of religious belief. The Passion of the Christ raked in almost $84 million in its opening weekend, in part because Christians flocked to theaters in support of Christ’s crucifixion, not because of the Bible’s popularity or the movie’s promotion. Non-Christians saw it for the entertainment value. It has made over $600 million worldwide since.
Fahrenheit 9/11 has made over $111 million thanks to the religion of anti-Americanism which is related to the religion of anti-Conservatism. If Al Gore is president on 9/11, Michael Moore does not make that film.
If you factor in the religion of secularism, the box office receipts are in the billions of dollars. Religious belief has been so watered down that anything can constitute a religion. When we purchase movie tickets we endorse a film’s agenda, harmless or not. The Golden Compass and the The Chronicles of Narnia both have agendas tied to them. They are both packaged as fantasy films and not religious films, but they are both religious films.
I am not Catholic, but I will not see the film because doing so would be giving support to a self-described atheist (Pullman). Some people in America still choose movies based on an absolute morality.
People not familiar with the Golden Compass.
I have only recently heard about it on wired.com when it was discussing the controversy.
I personally say, why have a controversy. If its not a movie that floats your boat, then no need to see it.
Jesus never advocated a kingdom on earth - or to enforce a ‘moral standard’ through politics, influence and power. (seems to have gotten him killed as the zealots and Judas were not to happy with the fact that he didnt come to over throw Rome.)
Again, no biggy, I just find it funny that there is always someone protesting something. We tend to get what we focus on, and for the most part a lot of Christians (groups) focus on trying to kill of the heads of the hydra, and 7 more pop out. - not the way Jesus meant for us to approach this…I dont think.
As far as the last comment “…would be giving support to a self-described atheist.” Well, if indeed God does exist in the way that many believe he does, then no one really is supporting anything. - in other words, the Truth needs no defense. It just is. ;-)
Peace
dAlen
Congratulations. Hollywood was able to exploit your beloved novel for millions-both novels.
Dalen…all excellent comments.
I also knew nothing about “His Dark Materials” or Philip Pullman before all the media hype started. Whenever Christianity is attacked, which is everyday, and even if subtly by association as in the case with The Golden Compass, I just feel like defending it. In the end God comes out on top and will be victorious.
Actually, C.S. Lewis has exploited Hollywood, using it to spread the message of Christ, and he isn’t even alive. The millions of dollars are an added bonus.
Peak9 - I think my main objection to the original post is that The Golden Compass is dubbed “an atheists film” and comparably the “Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe” is dubbed a Christian Film. The vast majority of cinema goers are wholly unaware of the religious symbolism in either film, especially the Golden Compass, which compared to the books is a heavily sanitised screenplay and if taken on its own (without the books) would not offend Christian sensibilities. So any declaration that one is an endorsement of a religious belief or lack of, is sketchy at best.
“The Passion of the Christ”, essentially Mel Gibson’s Anti-Semitic version of of Christ’s Crucifixion is a story (which until you realise what a Jew-hating propagandist Mel Gibson is,) had broad appeal. Atheist or Christian you cannot not have heard the story of Christ’s death. Such a unambiguous version of such a well known story will generate box office receipts.
Religious stories do draw cinema goers, but we are a discerning bunch and we like to see the church kicked even more than we like to see it praised. “The Da Vinci Code” took $224 million in its opening weekend and $758 million worldwide which completely dwarfs the takings of “The Passion of the Christ”.
Ultimately its about good stories, that’s what puts bums on seats, if people were turning out just for Christian stories then churches would be full every Sunday and congregations would be swelling, they are not.
[...] Posted December 13, 2007 I’ve been participating in a debate over on a blog called Without Politicians. Which in a recent post implied that the poor box office performance in the US of “atheist [...]
I enjoy this debate going on. David has some good points. I will comment further when I can sit down and do so.
I’m with you! We can’t support atheists! In fact I don’t get flu shots or use most pharmaceuticals because they were created by atheist scientists. I reject the discovery of DNA because of Watson and I won’t get x-rays because of Madame Curie’s beliefs. Nor do I read stories or see movies based on the works of Mark Twain, Aldous Huxley, Ernest Hemingway or Robert Frost because of their attempts to influence people with their points of view. Star Trek is out of the question, Star Wars too. In fact I spend so much time figuring out what NOT to watch and what NOT to do that I don’t actually have time to do anything constructive. I just make judgments based on what other people tell me things are about and trust that it’s the word of God.
I won’t enter the city of Philadelphia and most places in Portland are off limits. I also refuse to enter buildings influenced by architecture from Frank Lloyd Wright and thanks to Benjamin Franklin I won’t go to a library, a public school and I certainly can’t call the fire department when my house is burning down. One bad atheist’s idea just ruins the whole thing. It’s the least I can do because that is obviously what God wants for all of us.
i’m jewish and i haven’t seen either film…didn’t even know either of them had anything to do with religion. i think you are assuming that everyone who went to see them knows what the background of them is…
and you know what “assume” means, right?
C.S LEWIS and Tolkien Kicks Philip Pullman’s ASS!
Pullman has some serious issues if he thinks his little series of books can top Lord of the Rings or Narnia.
For Fantasy movies I don’t care what RELIGION the writer/Author is. I just want the final result to be great. The Golden Compass kinda ok but no detail and no Character build-up. The viewer gets lost without history of where or who the creatures or people are made from. Tolkien and C.S.Lewis even created new languages for the movies.
Not to hark on, but another thought, going back to the original reference to “The Golden Compass” as an “Atheist film” - can I just ask where that corollary came from?
Atheism is ultimately about reason and refusal to accept unfalsifiable claims. A fantasy film is ultimately the completely wrong genre to associate with Atheism. If I were to associate any film genres with Atheism it would be factual documentaries and true stories.
Not that you don’t find atheists who enjoy fantasy stories, I’m currently reading Northern Lights and I think its a good read, but I do not for one moment accept its fantastical premises such as form-changing Daemons or parallel universes which “touch” one another. Equally as a child I enjoyed reading C.S. Lewis, but not because of the Christian symbolism or because I believed any of it was real or even possible. Its simple because they are well told stories which capture the imagination.
I compared both films because of their similarity. Both are fantasies. Both are first parts to a multi part series. Both are religious (atheism is a religion). Both films have similar budgets. C.S. Lewis was a Christian (a former atheist who opened his eyes to the Truth). Philip Pullman is an atheist with his eyes still shut so he is not blinded by the Light. Pullman has even expressed his contempt for the Narnia series and his desire to counter it with his own fantasy story.
Fantasy films are much more conducive to indirect communication. Both films are indirect in pushing religious beliefs. C.S. Lewis was telling the story of Christianity in his Narnia series while Pullman is trying to undermine Christianity in his Dark Materials series.
It is correct to assume not everyone will be familiar with either author when viewing the movies. It is also not necessary for the films to achieve their objectives. It is when the movies generate enough interest to steer people to the authors’ more direct work that the films really achieve their goals. This is why I did not include The Passion of the Christ, it is direct communication.
Taking the movies at face value, or even the books, with no perspective on either author, they are just fantasies and not religious. The Golden Compass ceases to be an atheistic film and Narnia loses its Christian perspective. They are just entertaining stories. This is were the majority of Americans are concerning the films. The media hype surrounding each film blew the benign facade off each. Some people just do not care one way or the other.
I felt both films made for a perfect comparison given the variables I mentioned above. Neither film is benign fantasy. They both have the potential to change lives, but not in an immediate fashion. The potential change happens through further investigation of the authors’ work.
http://www.imdb.com/boxoffice/alltimegross?region=world-wide
How many Christian oriented films are on the list? Two maybe? It joins the also overwhelming but inspiring majority of secular films including “American Pie”, “The Blair Witch Project”, and “The Exorcist.”
The Golden compass is only telling the truth. Organized religion represents the most vile aspects of collectivised religion. The Compass wants to warn us about the Council of Nicea and all of the other nefarious plots. The Crusades were an excuse to pillage and plunder the armies of Muhammed (peace be upon him).
samuelpablo, I love your sarcasm. Great comment.
madmonq, I would not call the fact that most films are secular very inspiring. The decay of America is not very inspiring to me, but maybe it is for others.
Have to give a shout out to the blog Christianity - A Global Perspective for the linking to this post. Sorry for taking so long.
[...] and the man behind the story, Philip Pullman. Check out the discussion going on concerning my post “Narnia Tears Apart The Golden Compass”. I gathered up some quotes from Pullman that I came across in my attempt to give him some benefit [...]
Madmonq states: “How many Christian oriented films are on the list? Two maybe? It joins the also overwhelming but inspiring majority of secular films including “American Pie”, “The Blair Witch Project”, and “The Exorcist.””
Uh, what? What constitutes a “secular” film, anyway? Please consult a dictionary. Also, isn’t “The Exorcist” effectively an endorsement of the validity of Catholic dogma–that there are devils who possess people and priests with the ability to cast them out?
Peak9: by definition, atheism is not a religion. I would invite you to explain how you and other religious folks have come to this conclusion, as it’s a talking point I’ve heard quite a lot recently. I am asking an honest question here, because I don’t understand it.
Lastly, I would just like to echo the point that to compare box office receipts with regard to some kind of culture war is absurd. To make actual comparisons, you’d have to interview people about their reasons for going, you’d have to adjust the numbers of inflation, evaluate the relative budgets and scope of advertising, the differences in screen distributions, etc. etc. And as many have pointed out, familiarity with the source material is very key. For this reason I would also point to the fallacy in the above post concerning Da Vinci Code: I think its numbers are less about church bashing so much as the INTRIGUE of church bashing and the accompanying story, in addition to the fact that the book is ubiquitous.
Can we please go back to fighting “culture wars” over something that actually matters, like how all of us, regardless of religious affiliation, can fight poverty or something?
To the coloradokiwi:
I was using the standard set by the host, not my own. Secular was meant to include any film not meant to be Christian. If you want to call the Exorcist pro-catholic, that’s fine. I’m just not sure it’s something they’d show in churches, catholic or otherwise, to edify the flock. But I thought both points would be self evident. The sarcasm as well.
My apologies madmonq: I’ve read a lot of insane things on blogs and forums–I think it’s the medium that seems to make sarcasm lose its luster, haha.
Labelling “Compass” as anti-Christian and then assuming that this is the reason it didn’t do well at the box office is total nonsense. How can you expect anyone to buy into Christianity if it’s sold with that sort of un-thought-out sound bites? Or more importantly, why do you feel you need to think in terms of illogical sound-bites?
“Compass” has been so sanitized that it can hardly be considered anti-anything, except being against an all-powerful organization trying to control everyone’s lives. Last I checked in both the Bible and history, these were things that Jesus himself gave his life to save us from! Even Pullman’s books, which take on the Catholic Church quite explicitly, don’t challenge anything Christ taught, but simply the abusive monolith the church has become and how far it has strayed from the principles that Christ embodied. If anything, Pullman is anti-oligopoly, anti-dictatorship (religious or not), anti-non-questioning compliance, and pro-Christ, since he’s trying to wake us up to the same things that Christ stood for. It’s only because the universally abusive power-hungry churches cloak themselves in the mantle of Christ that people are fooled and forget that they’re power structures just like dictatorships or rogue governments (perhaps even ours!), run by power-hungry people seeking to control the masses. Jesus never taught or advocated central control structures, and preached against them. Remember that the next time you sit in church and watch the priest telling you what to do!
I saw “Compass” and I felt it was a poor adaptation of the books to the screen, which is more than enough explanation for why it isn’t doing well. Poor character development, a rushed plot, and a chopped-off ending all contributed to my feeling very unsatisfied with it. I’ve read the books and they’re as rich and engaging as Tolkien, and even more so than Narnia. It would be shame if people didn’t read them because they unquestioningly accepted someone else’s opinion that they shouldn’t. If one’s faith in God is true and based on personal experience, then nothing in a book can threaten it.
seer, Good comments. I do not believe The Golden Compass is threatening to those strong in their faith and do not think I even implied that. Pullman’s goal is too prevent faith in the first place, which is why His Dark Materials is labeled as a “young adult” book series.The Golden Compass, like The Chronicles of Narnia is a movie that can potentially lead a person Pullman’s more direct work. Pullman comes from an atheistic position, even if the movie is not soaking with it. C.S. Lewis comes form a Christian perspective, event if Narnia is not dripping with it.
All these comments above are missing the point. Who cares if the movie is a poor adaptation of the book, it is irrelevant. All that matters is that it is entertaining and attractive, leading people to investigate Pullman’s work further. The nice display of Pullman’s books in the center aisle at Barnes & Noble prove the movie is accomplishing this. The store did the same when Narnia was released.
I do agree with Pullman that the Church has morphed into something it was never meant to be—a center of political power on earth. But, as I said in reference to a different post, I believe Pullman is out to discredit Christianity, not just the Church’s authoritative political power.
I have been reading a lot about this movie, and have decided not to bother seeing it. It is NOT because it might be “anti-christian”, but because it doesn’t sound fun to me. I am a Christian. I love Terry Pratcherts works, despite the fact that he is an antheist. Yes, I get some of his underlying “views” on “gods” (small g), but I also know that just because I don’t agree with him, doesn’t mean I feel he doesn’t tell a ripping good tale. I don’t feel he is “forcing” me to go against my beliefs. I don’t agree with him (and he wouldn’t either, in the “magical” sense), but it is interesting to think that a “god” needs someone to believe, and that if more believe, the gods strength grows. He or she or it becomes more “real”. I don’t believe it, but it is a cool (in an intellectual sense) concept. Heck, I do not believe in past lives, or re-incarnation, but I still think that the concept is darned interesting, I still respect the human imagination that came up with it in the first place, and i respect that the concept “means” something very real to some people, and is intertwined with their basic world view.
Generally, I am not offended by messages in stories, whether they are their intentionally, or unintentionally. No author can avoid putting his or her own world view into his or her stories, where or not their are “actively” promoting their views. I choose not to read Mr. Pullman’s trilogy, not because it would weak me, or make me question my beliefs, but because there is a lot of good books to read, and I am not going to live forever. I might as well read something that speaks more to my world views, rather than something the author intends (by his own statements) to undermine it. I will NOT, however, argue about his world view or state that I KNOW what it is (except by his own public statements in the past), based upon his novels, since I don’t want to read them. (Starfall I LOVED, and it doesn’t matter if the author is an atheist or not. It is fantasy after all, so there is a willing suspension of disbelief not mater what you believe in Real Life.) Is it bad that I would avoid something that was designed to make me question my beliefs? Is it bad that people might avoid Lewis for the same reason? I don’t know, but I am still to busy re-reading the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series (which, yes all you Christians out there I know has some bad stuff in it…. thanks for letting me know, because I wouldn’t have figured it out on my own) to care.
I have a few more comments, but I will split them up.
>>>Peak9: by definition, atheism is not a religion. I would invite you to explain how you and other religious folks have come to this conclusion, as it’s a talking point I’ve heard quite a lot recently. I am asking an honest question here, because I don’t understand it.
Someone asked this question. I did my best to answer it, without being reactionary. It is a long answer, so I posted it to the new blog I started. The post is called Narnia Vs The Golden Compass Part 2.
http://oldmountaingorilla.wordpress.com/
I welcome comments. It is my hope that I did the honest question justice. I tried to be as logical as possible, given my own world believes, and that even if someone else doesn’t agree with my believes, that they can at least try to follow my line of reasoning and realize that I was making an honest attempt to answer the question, without resorting to tricks or dogma.
http://oldmountaingorilla.wordpress.com/
>>>>>It’s only because the universally abusive power-hungry churches cloak themselves in the mantle of Christ that people are fooled and forget that they’re power structures just like dictatorships or rogue governments (perhaps even ours!), run by power-hungry people seeking to control the masses. Jesus never taught or advocated central control structures, and preached against them. Remember that the next time you sit in church and watch the priest telling you what to do!
1. I take it that you have read the four gospels then, since you know what Jesus taught? That is good, since it means you can make an informed argument.
2, I have sat and listened to many different religious leaders in many different churches. Some I didn’t agree with. Some were sexist, or homophobic. Some I did agree with. The pastor of the church where I currently attend spends most his is sermons exhorting us to reach out to the poor, to visit the sick and to live out a life of love and service to others. He isn’t a rich man. He doesn’t tell me who to vote for. (I am a democrat with socialist leanings.) He has never advocated anything but love for people who are gay. I guess he missed his lessons in mass repression and conformity.
By making that statement, you have made the very same error that so many religious bigots have made over the centuries. You have made sweeping generalizations. You have broadly catagorized many people into your organized boxes with a blind paint brush. Congratulations. The Spanish Inquisition and those at the Salem Witch Trials worked the same was, in “God’s name”, but you have managed to do it on your own, without divine justification.
That came across as harsh. I apologize. Just consider that not every single person with some sort of believe in something spiritual and/or mystical can be lumped into the same pool. Humans are wonderfully diverse creatures. We may all be fools, and make mistakes, but we make a wide variety of mistakes in our own special ways.
A good fantasy movie should have a good character base, lots of violence and most of all good acting with a interesting plot. At this point I’m not concerned about what Religion the Authors are, or if they are trying to sell you something. The Lord of the Rings is an All time classic!
Pullman is nowhere near the perfection of a writer. As usual Religion just gets in the way for most things. I try to live life to the fullest and enjoy as many things as I can. All this fighting and comparisons are irrelevant.
People should watch these films with an open mind and focus on each individual movie. Then rate them accordingly. By Pullman’s statements, putting down other authors and religions, then that makes him look like an ASS. His movie wasn’t even close to Lord of the Rings or Narnia. [as a movie ignoring the hidden messages or religion points].
I will continue to watch adventure / fantasy and try to enjoy as much a I can. If I compare movies, then of course I’d have to place LOTR or Narnia far up the scale from the Golden Compass. All I can say now is “try again Pullman”……….
I hope the overload of fantasies will not doom The Prince Caspian, but I know Christians will go out and watch it no matter what. We will see soon.
Prince Caspian looks like it will be a good movie. The actors and the special effects look amazing. Not worried about what its trying to sell everyone, I’ll go on opening night and rate it just like any other movie. I hope it keeps everyones attention. I always like the battle scenes and almost fall asleep at the slow parts. [only time well tell]
Another movie I’d like to get to watch would be “the Hobit”. I know Jackson won’t be producing it, but with Weta Workshop and the crew from LOTR, it would be a great movie.