I don’t know about John, but in spite of my love of mythopoeic literature, I have thus far acquired no interest in seeing this “controversial” movie or reading the Pullman books on which it is base. Other, perhaps, than to discover if the author & moviemakers can somehow manage, unlike their other anti-Catholic storymongering brethren, to tell an interesting tale without relying on the very Catholic tropes, imagery and story arcs one would think honest atheists would wish to eschew, but never seem to do. Perhaps it has something to do with the nature of three-act story structure, and the fact that it is far more reliant on the Judeo-Christian “story” than even most Christian storytellers realize. As someone once asked, have you ever read a really good Buddhist novel? (Poetry, yes, novel…not yet, but I’m open to suggestions.)
But others have seen The Golden Compass and taken pen in hand; indeed, considering how much is being written on the film, one begins to suspect that critics must have made up the better part of of the viewing audience opening weekend, given its (by Hollywood Big Movie-standards) dismal take of a mere $26 million. At any rate, one of them, Harry Forbes, director of the bishops’ Office for Film and Broadcasting, liked the movie very much, in spite of its themes, and said so on the Bishops’ office film website. But if you go there, you will search in vain for the review, because it was pulled following a wave of protest from individual bishops and Catholic laity.
But the horse had already galloped leagues from the barn–Mr. Forbes’ comments have been plastered everywhere anyway, particularly by folks eager, apparently, to defend the movie from charges of overt anti-Christianism.
Pulling the review from the site no doubt smacks to outsiders, who know little of the Wild West atmosphere that prevails in the sphere of Catholic Opinion (whatever that is) of de haut en bas clerical censorship. In which case, perhaps the moviegoing audience would have been better served if the Bishops Office had let the review stand, with a caveat saying that it didn’t represent the opinion of the USCCB; better yet, set up some forum on the site for comments–of which I have no doubt there would have been many many many.
Our Sunday Visitor has an article on the kerfuffle, and Forbes’ original review can still be read on CatholicOnline.
I feel we as Catholics are behind when it comes to informing our brothers and sisters of why certain films are bad. It is not enough to say a film is anti-Catholic…we need to give strong reasons on why certain films are bad. I just got finished seeing the movie, the Golden Compass and was surprised to see that the movie is not promoting atheism (giving that atheist don’t believe in anything) but instead Satanism. The movie first begins by indicating that they live in parreal worlds where each person has an animal instinct soul which is their demon. The demon is an animal that is part of them and follows where ever they go. The magisterim (the church) is trying to take away the children’s demons. So in this film demon are considered to be one’s good friend and informs children that demons are good and to summon them when needed. The witches are portrayed as angel like helpers always willing to help. Also indicating to young viewers that witches are good. The witches work against the magisterim and accuse it of controlling everything even man’s free will. The little girl seems troubled as she lies and manipulates those around her to do her will. The evil woman tells the young girl that people should not have to follow the rules of the magisterim but instead should do whatever they want. These and all of the anti-Catholic messages make this move unsuitable for any children to see, Catholic or not.
Left by Christina on December 15th, 2007