His Dark Materials

[AllGoodDogs]

New BBC adaptation, looks so good, can't wait trailer here -

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10162256439035553&id=683285552&sfnsn=mo

I enjoyed it last night, but had to keep stopping it to ask dd for explanations/clarification. I have actually read the first book (and a tiny bit of the second) but I'm rubbish at remembering details. DD has read the first trilogy three times over, and is now working her way through the second book of the second trilogy, so she knows a lot more.

Overall, we enjoyed it, but I agree that there weren't enough daemons and that they seemed more like talking pets - I hope that the importance of the relationship will be made clearer in later episodes.

I also agree that there wasn't enough build-up about the gobblers, but I guess it's inevitable that some bits get rushed because they only have eight hours to cover the whole book.

I find the world that PP has created quite fascinating, and am looking forward to the next episode!

I really enjoyed this, good casting all round, and it feels right. Like other posters though I’m disappointed that there are not daemons all over the place as there is in my imagination!

Pullman has been a vocal critic of C.S. Lewis for the religious layer to his children's' books, but Northern Lights is like a sub-par anti- religion riposte that is nowhere near as enthralling as the Narnia books. Over complicated with laboured metaphors, it just doesn't pull me in.

I watched with dd, neither of us have read the books.
I'm not sure I know exactly what's going on so far. I can't say it's sucked me in, but I will probably watch next week to give it another chance.

Pullman has been a vocal critic of C.S. Lewis for the religious layer to his children's' books, but Northern Lights is like a sub-par anti- religion riposte that is nowhere near as enthralling as the Narnia books. Over complicated with laboured metaphors, it just doesn't pull me in.

Really? I loved the Narnia books as a child, but found the complex world of Northern Lights infinitely more fascinating. I literally couldn't put the book down when I first read it.

I've read the first two chapters and even I know that James McAvoy is far too nice in the role. I liked imagining Jude Law watching at home though, fizzing with jealous rage.

I'm glad to discover it's pronounced demons not damons, which felt a bit Brookside to me.

I thought the actress playing Lyra was absolutely bloody brilliant.

I have no idea why they basically gave away all the central plot points coming up in the 'next week' bit at the end. I'd so much rather discover these as they unfold.

Just listened to the BBC Sounds podcast about the show and in it, Philip Pullman explains why the daemons aren’t more visible on screen: in the books, you know everyone has a daemon, but it’s only when they speak or do something to move the story on that they’re referred to directly. So, on screen we must assume they are there for everyone, but we’ll only see them when they need to be seen or heard.
It sort of makes sense, although doesn’t hold up for me when it comes to the witches and other characters being able to separate from their daemons. That is certainly a concept that is seen as unnatural in the books.

I found PPs comments about CS Lewis deeply hypocritical.

And wasn’t he also stonkingly rude about AAMilne?

I came on this thread to see if it is worth persevering with, but maybe you have to be a fan of the books, which I haven't read.

It all seemed a bit self-consciously over produced; look, look at this lush CGI, have you noticed The Details? Wonder at the magnificence of our created world. Yawn!

I found it quite dull, but maybe it's worth watching the second episode now the introductory scenes are set.

Also, how do you think that I'd get on with the books as a Christian? I know that Philip Pullman is very anti-religion and anti-church. Did his world view hinder the enjoyment of any other Christians who have read this series? Did you find he had interesting things to say on that theme?

I'm interested in other people's view points but some people are so militantly atheistic that they become crashing bores on the topic (looking at you Stephen Fry). I haven't warmed to Philip Pullman in interviews but hopefully that doesn't carry over to his writing.

I haven’t read the books but DP did as a child, I didn’t really have a clue what was going on and who was who, but I still found it fascinating even though I’m not a fan of fantasy type stuff. Looking forward to next week, might put the books on my Christmas list.

I don’t think it’s really fair to say “you wouldn’t understand the show unless you’d read the books” when quite a few people have commented saying they’ve never read them but understood them fine.

*understood IT fine

Really disappointing I thought. I know they can't put everything from tge book in to a series but they added things that were not in it and didn't improve it. The acting was rather stilted too. I actually preferred the film! I won't be watching anymore episodes.

We enjoyed it a lot. Must be about 20 years since we read Northern Lights and The Subtle Knife. I dimly remember waiting impatiently for The Amber Spyglass to be published. Time for a re-read, I think, as the details are extremely hazy now! May give the next trilogy a go after that.

I thought the young actors playing Lyra and Roger were very good. Ruth Wilson excellent (as ever). James McAvoy is a lot younger than I'd thought of Lord Asrael but I forgot about that quite quickly.

Roll on episode 2!

@KitchenDancefloor

I’d give the books a try. I don’t think your religious beliefs would be offended.

Was excellent!

So much better than that shitty "Golden Compass" film.

The trilogy is a superb and gripping read, but very complicated - probably why it couldn't be filmed without ruining it.

Hope this standard keeps up.

no idea why they basically gave away all the central plot points coming up in the 'next week' bit at the end

That was utterly ridiculous! I hate the "next week" bits anyway but this was even worse than usual.

The film was awful but i did prefer Daniel Ceaig as Lord Asriel.

There were definitely a few niggles but I'm willing to give them a couple of episodes to set the scene

Thanks for the reply @UrsulaPandress

I'm not so bothered about being offended (I've been on MN too long to care!) but relentless antitheism can get a bit tedious if not done with a light touch.

If anyone hasn't read the books, they are absolutely worth reading.
For one thing, Philip Pullman somehow writes better dialogue than whoever did the script. Or the same words fit better with the prose, I don't know. I was cringing at some points.
It's nitpicky but I loathed the music. Did not add to the stilted script in parts.
Overall good though - just found the added layers of BIG EMOTION didn't build the world as well as PP managed to.

I’d give it a go kitchen. Even as a Catholic it doesn’t bother me much, but someone else I know won’t touch them on principle.

KitchenDanceFloor - he definitely does NOT have a light touch on that score There's no doubting his antitheistic stance

I’m going to reserve judgement until I’ve seen a few more episodes, but so far I’m disappointed.

I’ve got major issues with the lack of daemons. It’s obviously to do with budget, but seeing as they’re one of the most important aspects of the story you’d think they’d make them a priority?

Am I the only person who didn't really like the books? I find them laboured and heavy handed. And the machine animals in the last book were just awful, like the worst of A level english essays

I enjoyed the first book but the subsequent ones I enjoyed less.