Waiting for Lyra: More Intelligent Life

When Philip Pullman started his tale of two 12-year-olds, he thought it would appeal to a few clever kids and a few adults. So far “His Dark Materials” has sold 15 million copies. Robert Butler has lunch with the author …

AN INTERVIEW WITH PHILIP PULLMAN | More Intelligent Life

Advertisement

Waiting for Lyra: Philip Pullman in conversation on the BBC

Amid the media furor surrounding the release of the Hollywood blockbuster, The Golden Compass, author Philip Pullman took time out to chat to breakfast show presenter, Jeremy Sallis…

BBC – Cambridgeshire – Entertainment – The Golden Compass: Philip Pullman in conversation

Waiting for Lyra: And Still Another Thoughtful Exchange on Religion

“His [Jesus’s] omission from HDM was deliberate; I’m going to get around to Jesus in the next book. I have plenty to say about him.”

From a very interesting email interview with Philip Pullman by Peter Chattaway, a reviewer for Christianity Today. The interview was for an article, “The Chronicles of Atheism” that I think is also very worthwhile reading. And here is his review of the movie.

Waiting for Lyra: A Well-Done Pullman Profile

Here is, what seems to me, an even-handed profile of Philip Pullman. One reason for me is because it mentions the notebook paper. What notebook paper? you may ask. Well, years ago I started a thread on child_lit about procrastination devices and Philip mentioned the notebook paper — that he had to write on a particular paper that had two holes in it. When they stopped making the two-holed variety, he had to buy four-holed paper and cover two of the holes — doing that for hundreds of sheets of paper turned into a very nice procrastination device. (He said he would stop up all that paper and then it would be time for a cup of tea.) Sometime later I heard him speak at a convention; we met and he happily showed me the paper in question.

Profile: The devil in Philip Pullman – Telegraph

Waiting for Lyra: His Dark Materials Stage Production

With the movie just about out some may be interested in seeing some of what went into the National Theater’s stage version. In that case here is a marvelous website all about it. In particular there are many videos of the rehearsals, Philip Pullman reading sections from the books, and some videos of the finished production too. This is from the original production which I saw. It starred Anna Maxwell Martin as Lyra (and whenever I see her as someone else now, say Esther in Bleak House, I still think “Lyra”), Dominic Cooper as Will (yep, he was indeed Dakin in The History Boys), and Timothy Dalton as Asriel among others.

The Golden Compass Movie: Random First Impressions

It is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Go see it in the biggest theater you can. I loved the settings, every single one of them. The time, thought, care, and money spend on them was worth it. They are spectacular and also perfect for the book. My favorites were the flight to town in the zeppelin and the Far North scenes. Fantastic! I look forward to seeing it again (as I will this Friday with two former students) just to have more time to examine them all. The care taken with creating this world is clear and it was worth it.

The actors are terrific. Dakota Blue Richards is Lyra (although not as grubby as she is in the book). Her accent which some reviewers have complained about worked for me. I liked that it was just a bit gutter-snip, but not too much. After all, Lyra is being raised among scholars. So while she plays with the servants she also is studying with scholars. So it stands to reason that her accent would be a mixture of the two. She comes across just as you want her to — smart, energetic, concerned, and fun. She’s great.

Then what can I say that others haven’t already said about Nicole Kidman? She is all Philip Pullman (who long ago nailed her for the role) could want for one of the most complicated characters in children’s literature — Mrs. Coulter. Gorgeous, chilling, smart, and frightening all at once.

I adored Sam Eliot as Lee Scoresby and Kathy Bates as his daemon Hester (who got the only laugh of the night from the Times Square audience I was with). And Ian McKellen was terrific as Iorek Byrnison. Freddie Highmore also was excellent in the challenging role of Pantalaimon (as it was all voice). Can’t think of a single character who felt miscast. They all looked and sounded right to me.

And that takes me to the special effects. These make the movie. Cheaply done and the movie would be dreadful. But no expense seems to have been spared and it shows. The daemons are great (that golden monkey is scarier than in the book!), the bears beyond wonderful, and I think those involved deserve awards for what they’ve done.

As for the script and directing — I applaud Chris Weitz’s effort. It took a long time to make and I can only imagine how much he had to fight to get it made the way it now is. That said, having to present concisely a lot of information about Lyra’s world, the many characters, and plot points did make the first part of the movie feel a bit disjointed and I could see it being a bit confusing to those unfamiliar with the books. Not that I know how else they could have done it, mind you! But once Lyra leaves Oxford the film picks up and when she gets to the far North — all hell and action breaks out. There are so many wonderful scenes: Lyra and Iorek dashing across the snow, Iorek fighting Iofur Raknison (and Lyra tricking him at Svalbard), Lee in his balloon, the Gyptian craft, and the horrific actions at Bovangar just to name a few. These are all so true to the book and truly wonderful to see and hear.

Can’t say I was wild about the mystical stuff that happened when Lyra consulted the alethiometer, but again I’m no filmmaker. (I also have to note that I hated the tinkly music used for those same moments in the stage version — both were too, too something for my taste. Not that I know what to do instead.) On the other hand I loved the daemons melding with Dust when they died in the battles. That was so cool!

So , all in all, I’m happy. I sure hope Chris gets a chance to make The Subtle Knife. With the basic information in place he would be freed up to really get going with this amazing and wonderful story!

Waiting for Lyra: Pullman Weighs in on the Film

My Golden Compass sets a true course – Times Online

Waiting for Lyra: Highly Recommended Pullman Interview

Philip Pullman was interviewed by Eleanor Wachtel for the CBC program, “Writers & Company.” Parts One and Two can be heard here.  They are both outstanding.

Waiting for Lyra: The Grandfather’s Rocking Horse

Here’s a lovely profile of Philip Pullman in The Guardian.

Waiting for Lyra: Superb Pullman Interview

You can view five sections of Donna Freitas’ excellent interview with Philip Pullman here. Or by going to the following pages on youtube:

Advice to Parents

Let the Events Tell the Story

Cutting Edge Theologian

“On Dust”

“On his ‘agenda'”