Beyond the Golden Compass

Editor's Pick for April 22, 2008

By Eric Pasteur, Peoria P.L., IL -- Library Journal, 4/22/2008 4:46:00 PM

Beyond the Golden Compass: The Magic of Philip Pullman. color. 72+ min. Jean-Pierre Isbouts, Bill Schwartz Prod., dist. by Koch Vision, 22 Harbor Park Dr., Port Washington, NY 11050; www.kochvision.com. 2007. DVD ISBN 978-1-4172-3026-6. $19.98. FILM
The Golden Compass, the first book in British novelist Philip Pullman’s "His Dark Materials" trilogy, was recently adapted as a big-budget film starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. As an introduction to Pullman’s work, it delights with mysterious story lines and fantastic special effects. However, the pure entertainment value of the feature film is given meaning in Beyond the Golden Compass, which provides scholarly analysis of Pullman’s underlying philosophies. The documentary offers detailed exposition on the elements found in his stories (alethiometer, Magisterium, dust, daemons, etc.), uses computer-generated animation and reenactments of scenes from the book, and includes academic interpretations of the contextual symbolism used by Pullman to convey his personal views on religion. Notably, the sources for Pullman’s ideas are well researched; scientific and theological viewpoints highlight the complex origins of his themes. One technical drawback to the film: audio tracks on the DVD were recorded and/or mastered at differing sound levels, consequently requiring constant volume adjustment. Owing to recent media controversy surrounding the feature film, this documentary will be of interest to both public and academic libraries.