# The Golden Compass

> 2007 film directed by Chris Weitz

**Wikidata**: [Q637021](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q637021)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Compass_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-golden-compass

## Summary
*The Golden Compass* is a 2007 fantasy adventure film directed by Chris Weitz, based on Philip Pullman's novel *Northern Lights*. It is the first installment in the *His Dark Materials* trilogy and follows the journey of a young girl named Lyra Belacqua in a parallel universe where human souls manifest as animal companions called daemons.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates**: Premiered on November 27, 2007 (London) and December 6, 2007 (United States).
- **Director**: Chris Weitz, an American filmmaker known for works like *About a Boy* and *The Twilight Saga: New Moon*.
- **Production Companies**: New Line Cinema, Scholastic Corporation, Depth of Field, and Rhythm and Hues Studios.
- **Budget**: Approximately $180 million.
- **Box Office**: Grossed $372.2 million worldwide.
- **Runtime**: 114 minutes.
- **Genre**: Fantasy film, adventure film, science fiction film.
- **Country of Origin**: United Kingdom and United States.
- **Starring**: Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra Belacqua, alongside Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, and Sam Elliott.
- **Awards**: Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
- **Wikidata Description**: "2007 film directed by Chris Weitz."
- **Sitelink Count**: 47 Wikipedia language editions.
- **IMDb ID**: tt0385752.
- **Freebase ID**: /m/04w7rn.
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 42% (critics), 51% (audience).
- **Metacritic Score**: 51/100.
- **Cinematography**: Henry Braham.
- **Music**: Alexandre Desplat.
- **Editing**: Anne V. Coates.

## FAQs
**Who directed *The Golden Compass*?**
*The Golden Compass* was directed by Chris Weitz, an American filmmaker born in 1969. Weitz is known for his work on films like *About a Boy* (2002) and *The Twilight Saga: New Moon* (2009). His direction in *The Golden Compass* brought Philip Pullman’s novel to life with a blend of fantasy and adventure elements.

**What is the plot of *The Golden Compass*?**
The film follows Lyra Belacqua, a young girl living in a parallel universe where human souls exist as external animal companions called daemons. Lyra embarks on a journey to the Arctic to rescue her kidnapped friend and uncover a sinister plot involving kidnapped children and a mysterious substance called Dust.

**Which production companies were involved in *The Golden Compass*?**
The film was produced by several major companies, including New Line Cinema (an American film studio founded in 1967), Scholastic Corporation (an American publishing and media company), Depth of Field (a production company), and Rhythm and Hues Studios (a visual effects and animation company).

**What awards or nominations did *The Golden Compass* receive?**
*The Golden Compass* was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, recognizing its groundbreaking work in creating the daemons and other fantastical elements. The film’s visual effects were a significant aspect of its production, contributing to its immersive world-building.

**How did *The Golden Compass* perform at the box office?**
The film had a production budget of approximately $180 million and grossed $372.2 million worldwide. While it performed moderately well financially, it received mixed reviews from critics, with scores of 42% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51/100 on Metacritic.

**What genres does *The Golden Compass* belong to?**
*The Golden Compass* is classified under multiple genres, including fantasy film, adventure film, and science fiction film. These classifications reflect its blend of magical elements, exploratory themes, and speculative fiction.

**Who are the main cast members of *The Golden Compass*?**
The film stars Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra Belacqua, alongside notable actors such as Nicole Kidman (Marisa Coulter), Daniel Craig (Lord Asriel), and Sam Elliott (Lee Scoresby). The cast also includes Eva Green and Ian McKellen as voice actors for key characters.

**What is the significance of the daemons in *The Golden Compass*?**
Daemons are a central concept in the film, representing the external manifestation of a person’s soul in the form of an animal companion. They are unique to each individual and can change form in children but settle into a fixed form in adulthood. This concept plays a crucial role in the film’s exploration of identity and human nature.

## Why It Matters
*The Golden Compass* is significant for its ambitious adaptation of Philip Pullman’s critically acclaimed novel *Northern Lights*, bringing a complex and imaginative world to the screen. The film’s exploration of themes such as free will, authority, and the nature of the soul resonates with audiences, making it a thought-provoking fantasy adventure. Its groundbreaking visual effects, particularly the depiction of daemons, set a new standard for fantasy filmmaking and influenced subsequent works in the genre. Additionally, the film’s international production and cast highlight its global appeal and cultural relevance, making it a notable entry in the fantasy film canon.

## Notable For
- **Groundbreaking Visual Effects**: Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, particularly for its depiction of daemons.
- **International Production**: A collaboration between American and British production companies, showcasing a blend of cultural influences.
- **Star-Studded Cast**: Features prominent actors such as Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, and Sam Elliott.
- **High Budget**: One of the most expensive films of 2007, with a budget of $180 million.
- **Mixed Critical Reception**: Received varied reviews, with praise for its visuals but criticism for its pacing and narrative deviations from the source material.
- **Cultural Impact**: Introduced a wider audience to Philip Pullman’s *His Dark Materials* trilogy, sparking interest in the books and subsequent adaptations.
- **Unique Concept**: The portrayal of daemons as external souls adds a distinctive and philosophical layer to the fantasy genre.

## Body
### Overview and Production
*The Golden Compass* is a 2007 fantasy adventure film directed by Chris Weitz and based on the novel *Northern Lights* by Philip Pullman. The film is the first installment in the *His Dark Materials* trilogy and was produced by New Line Cinema, Scholastic Corporation, Depth of Field, and Rhythm and Hues Studios. With a budget of $180 million, it was one of the most expensive films of its year.

### Plot and Themes
The film follows the journey of Lyra Belacqua, a young girl who lives in a parallel universe where human souls manifest as animal companions called daemons. Lyra’s adventure begins when her friend Roger is kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers. Her quest to rescue him leads her to the Arctic, where she uncovers a sinister plot involving kidnapped children and a mysterious substance called Dust. The film explores themes of free will, authority, and the nature of the soul, making it a thought-provoking fantasy adventure.

### Cast and Characters
The film stars Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra Belacqua, alongside a notable cast including Nicole Kidman as Marisa Coulter, Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel, and Sam Elliott as Lee Scoresby. Other key cast members include Eva Green and Ian McKellen, who provide voice acting for important characters. The performances bring depth to the film’s complex characters and themes.

### Visual Effects and Cinematography
*The Golden Compass* is renowned for its groundbreaking visual effects, particularly the depiction of daemons. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, highlighting its technical achievements. The cinematography by Henry Braham and the musical score by Alexandre Desplat further enhance the film’s immersive world-building.

### Reception and Legacy
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its visual effects and performances but criticism for its pacing and narrative deviations from the source material. Despite this, *The Golden Compass* has had a lasting cultural impact, introducing a wider audience to Philip Pullman’s *His Dark Materials* trilogy and sparking interest in subsequent adaptations.

### Related Entities
- **Chris Weitz**: The director of *The Golden Compass*, known for his work on films like *About a Boy* and *The Twilight Saga: New Moon*.
- **New Line Cinema**: An American film studio founded in 1967, involved in the production of *The Golden Compass*.
- **Scholastic Corporation**: An American publishing and media company that co-produced the film.
- **Dakota Blue Richards**: The English actress who played the lead role of Lyra Belacqua.
- **Academy Award for Best Visual Effects**: The award for which *The Golden Compass* was nominated, recognizing its technical achievements.

### Technical Details
- **Runtime**: 114 minutes.
- **Release Dates**: Premiered on November 27, 2007, in London and December 6, 2007, in the United States.
- **Budget**: $180 million.
- **Box Office**: $372.2 million worldwide.
- **IMDb ID**: tt0385752.
- **Freebase ID**: /m/04w7rn.
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 42% (critics), 51% (audience).
- **Metacritic Score**: 51/100.

### Cultural and Academic Significance
*The Golden Compass* is studied in the context of film theory and fantasy literature, particularly for its adaptation of Philip Pullman’s novel and its exploration of philosophical themes. The film’s unique concept of daemons and its visual effects have made it a subject of academic interest in the fields of film studies and visual storytelling.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385752/)
2. [Source](http://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/filme-112381/)
3. [Source](https://www.siamzone.com/movie/m/4606)
4. [Source](https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film567194.html)
5. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/zloty-kompas)
6. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=112381.html)
7. [Source](http://www.ofdb.de/film/136235,Der-Goldene-Kompass)
8. [Source](http://www.interfilmes.com/filme_17196_A.Bussola.de.Ouro-(The.Golden.Compass).html)
9. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/07/movies/07comp.html)
10. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-golden-compass)
11. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385752/fullcredits)
12. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2008)
13. Museum of Modern Art online collection
14. Virtual International Authority File
15. Letterboxd
16. The Movie Database
17. The Golden Compass. Rotten Tomatoes
18. Freebase Data Dumps
19. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385752/releaseinfo)
20. [Source](https://www.filmratings.com/search-results/?cn=43880)
21. Box Office Mojo
22. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/the-golden-compass/)
23. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
24. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
25. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/119271)
26. [Source](http://portal.mj.gov.br/ClassificacaoIndicativa/jsps/DadosObraForm.do?select_action=&tbobra_codigo=29023)
27. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
28. Bechdel Test Movie List
29. mymovies.it
30. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/E117-0FA6-A921-B654-F3A7-8)
31. Danish Film Database
32. TheTVDB
33. Trakt.tv
34. FilmVandaag.nl