A Guide to The Golden Compass

Compiled by the Diocese of Joliet Religious Education Office

"The Golden Compass" (New Line) is a holiday movie scheduled to be released on Friday, December 7, 2007.  The film is based on the first book of a trilogy of children's novels by Philip Pullman, which has caused some concern among several Catholics and Christians for a variety of reasons. 

USCCB Review of the Golden Compass

We highly encourage Catholics to read the review of the movie from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Office of Film and Broadcasting.  Go to the USCCB website, and from the top menu, click on "Movies," then on "Movies in Wide Release."  The review should be posted by the December 7th release date.

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The Diocese of Joliet Religious Education Office has also compiled some additional resources that might be helpful in understanding the issues surounding this movie's release (and its connection to "His Dark Materials," Philip Pullman's book trilogy upon which this movie is based), and in how to work with and teach Catholic children, youth, and adults about the film, the books, and their content.

Catholic News Services (CNS) article by Denis Grasska

This CNS article, featured here from the Archdiocese of Boston's diocesan newspaper, gives an overview of the controversy and issues surrounding "The Golden Compass." 

Entertainment Weekly article on Catholic Controversy (Aug 2007)

This Entertainment Weekly article is a secular assessment of the same story.

Catholic League Guide to the Golden Compass

The Catholic League has advised Catholics to use this guide on "The Golden Compass" as a way for parents and educators to respond to the film and the book series.

Catholic League Bill Donahue Video re: Golden Compass

This short video explains the Catholic League's position on this issue.

My Movies: Online Blog by Sr. Rose Pacatte, FSP

Sr. Rose Pacatte, FSP, is the Director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies and an prolific Catholic author, presenter, and film reviewer; this is her regular "blog" on movies which contains some articles on "The Golden Compass."

Catholic Movie Review by Sr. Rose Pacatte, FSP

This is Sr. Rose Pacatte's Study Guide and Film Review for "The Golden Compass," and includes discussion questions for parents, educators, and faith sharing groups.

"Shedding Light on His Dark Materials," by Kurt Bruner & Jim Ware

This is the link to the "Shedding Light" book, a general Christian response to "The Golden Compass" published in October 2007 by Tyndale Press (a non-denominational Christian publishing company); in their book, the authors provide some great gospel-driven "teachable moments" contained in the film and the books. 

 

For more information or for a media consultation on how to use the film, how to respond to the film, or other matters, please feel free to contact the Religious Education Office at (815) 727-6411.