The Golden Compass [2007] | ![The Golden Compass [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51%2BkTzME3xL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Chris Weitz
Actors: Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Dakota Blue Richards, Ben Walker, Freddie Highmore
Studio: Entertainment in Video
Category: DVD
List Price: £19.99
Buy New: £7.98
You Save: £12.01 (60%)
New (18) Used (6) Collectible (1) from £4.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  93 reviews
Sales Rank: 84
Format: Pal
Languages: English (Unknown), English (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: Parental Guidance
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 109
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5017239195600
ASIN: B0010X8FLM
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: April 28, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Pre-Order (0-0 Business Days)
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Perhaps it didn't ignite the box office in quite the way it'd been hoped, but that's little reason to pass over the qualities of The Golden Compass now it arrives on DVD. Based on the Phillip Pullman novel His Dark Materials--itself the start of the Northern Lights trilogy, the film isn't without a few problems, but emerges as a quality adaptation. And you certainly can't fault The Golden Compass for sheer ambition. The story, for those new to the series, is primarily that of 12-year old Lyra, who is in search of her friend who has been kidnapped. Naturally, this proves to be quite a challenging adventure, not least because it's through Pullman's vividly imagined world, crossing dimensions as Lyra travels. The film, while toning down and fiddling with some elements of the source material, stays quite close to the book, and it proves to be a good, if not Lord Of The Rings-standard, adaptation. What helps The Golden Compass, on top of the strong effects work and scope of the production, is a solid cast, featuring the likes of Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman and Dakota Blue Richards. And it certainly whets the appetite for the next instalment in the series. Whether the muted box office returns put pay to that remains to be seen: for now, at least, The Golden Compass is a good, solid family movie that's easy to enjoy. --Jon Foster
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| Customer Reviews: Read 88 more reviews...
 rubbish November 10, 2008
This movie is an unimaginative, disjointed, incomprehensible waste of time. Very poorly edited, it's a real botched version of Pullman's story which is itself far, far less 'special' than most Amazon reviewers would have you believe. If my child was entertained by this dross, I'd be concerned! I'm just glad I didn't pay to see it.
 Fantastic November 1, 2008
Well I thought this film had a fantastic story line and full of energy. Can not wait for the follow up!
 Pretty good version of the book October 24, 2008
I had read the books, and was not sure if I was looking forward to this..... would it be a Lord of the Rings or one of the many failures. I was happy to say that it was a very good adaptation without seeming to miss out anything major. One thing I would say is that it gave away too many secrets in the opening you dont find out till book 2, and then it finished at a different place to book 1 which I found rather strange. Still cant figure out why they changed the name from Golden lights though..... All in all, it would have been 5 stars apart from those small issues, but well worth a purchase!
 dissapointment. October 24, 2008
I read 'His Dark Materials' a couple of years before the film hit our screens, it is one of my favorite novels of all time and was literaly a life changing experience reading it, when I first heard about a movie adaptation I was very excited...and I waited in anticipation for this for what seemed like ages, I was expecting a 12 or 12a rating for this movie and I was a little shocked when I saw it has a 'PG' rating......this was what first put doubts in my head. Then I saw the running time, after the 'epic' Lord of the Rings I was expecting at least a 200 min film for the Golden Compass.....on release I went to the Cinema not expecting much for these reasons alone, what can I say? 'Average' is the word that springs to mind, it wasn't terrible, just average.. which considering it's based on one of the greatest books ever written is a shame. After watching it really does feel like you've only seen the beggining of the film, if you want a similar experience pick up any DVD watch the first 20 mins and eject it, that's what it feels like...why not make the film longer and tell a bit more of the story?
As an adult I never felt like I was reading a children's book, the same can't be said for this film, it's a children's film and make no mistake about it. Very dissapointing, very average.....and I'm also a little angry that they've turned something as wonderful as 'His Dark Materials' into DVD bargain bin fodder.
I really think it's going to take one of the big Japanese animation companies to pick this up and do a screen version that does the books justice. After watching 'Spirited Away' all I can say is Hayao Miyazaki help us please!!! I dare anyone to say that wouldn't be amazing.....
A bronze compass October 19, 2008
Mah. I have not read the original book and so I dont make a confront with it. In my opionion from good books sometimes a good director make a better film, but not always. And, in this case, maybe so. A good cast, little underemployed, a good scenario, made of a "central bad power" (the Magisterium) and it's enemies, with the struggle between good guys (a delicious Dakota, a powerfull white bear and so on) and bad guys (with the Kidman perfect for the role). But the plot is a little confused and the film is only the first chapter of a more complex story. Only sometimes the new episodes maybe better than first, but in this case ?
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