HisDarkMaterials.org
HisDarkMaterials.org is one of the leading His Dark Materials websites, including information about The Golden Compass movie, the book trilogy, extensive fan art galleries, photographs of Philip Pullman, and related visual resources. It also contains a dæmon name generator, an active chatroom, a His Dark Materials role playing game, and an interactive encyclopedia. News is updated daily, with members being able to discuss news items. The website is also home to Cittàgazze.net, the world's largest His Dark Materials forum.
Movies
The Golden Compass
Books
Overview
The Golden Compass / Northern Lights
The Subtle Knife
The Amber Spyglass
Lyra’s Oxford
The Book of Dust
Features
The Golden Compass World Premiere
Cannes Filmfestival 2007
Alethiometer
Cartography
News Archive
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The Golden Compass: New Teaser Trailer
July 14, 2007 in His Dark Materials Movies
New Line has released a new teaser trailer for The Golden Compass. The trailer has a few new snippets we've not seen yet including Lyra spitting at the Tartar guards in Bolvangar and a scene of Lord Asriel and Mrs. Coulter about to kiss.
Golden Compass Posters: Exclusive First Look
July 13, 2007 in His Dark Materials Movies
Cinematical reports: The recent trailer release gave us plenty of reasons to geek out over the promise of The Golden Compass, New Line Cinema's winter tentpole and hopeful torchbearer in the franchise department: The talking polar bear, the emergence of another young talent named Dakota, Daniel Craig's reunion with fallen Bond babe Eva Green, Daniel Craig's (post-Invasion) reunion with Nicole Kidman... Now we have some pretty artwork to feast our eyes upon, along with four character posters that are essentially puzzle pieces enlarged from the key art. Not that we mind: Check out the shoulders on Kidman! Salty. Green's poster gives us a nice view, too, of the scenic parallel universe. I suppose the ladies will dig on Mr. Craig's Wright brother-in-the-wilderness look as well. And yeah, the kid on the bear's cute and all. Safe to say this one's already shaping up to appease all ages...
Craig Accidentally Injures Cameraman On Set of Golden Compass
July 13, 2007 in His Dark Materials Movies
ZeeNews.com reports: New Bond star Daniel Craig showed just how dangerous he can be, when he inadvertently left a crewmember with broken bones on the sets of his new movie The Golden Compass. Craig, who plays the character of Lord Asriel in the movie adaptation of Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' trilogy, caused the accident when fiming a scene in Oxford he ran straight into the path of a rickshaw that was carrying the cameraman. The rickshaw swerved to avoid hitting Craig, and as a result the cameraman was thrown out from it.
Dundee Book Festival with Philip Pullman
July 7, 2007 in Philip Pullman
The Scotsman reports: I was lucky enough to chair an event at the Dundee Book Festival with Philip Pullman, who was receiving an honorary degree, in Dundee. He is a seasoned performer, so much so that the occasion felt unique and tailored to its audience, despite the fact that Pullman must have answered many of the questions many times before. He gave a few insider snippets about the new film, The Golden Compass, which is based on his novel Northern Lights - Daniel Craig, who plays Lord Asriel, became rather more prominent (on account of 007) between casting and filming; and, since his role is rather limited in the original, some new scenes had to fill the "Daniel Craig shaped hole". One of these, Pullman revealed, cost £12m to realise. He also had a bone to pick with Russell T Davies, who was "inspired" by the ending of His Dark Materials for the departure of Billie Piper from Doctor Who.
The Golden Compass Game Trailer
July 7, 2007 in His Dark Materials Videogame
Sega and Shiny Entertainment have released a trailer for the upcoming The Golden Compass videogame. It offers a 3 minute insight in the progress of the game, including in-game footage and interviews with key artist and designers working on the game at Shiny as well as a detailed look at some of the characters.
Rallying Call Over Jericho Boatyard Site Plans
June 26, 2007 in His Dark Materials Related
The Oxford Mail reports: A rallying call has gone out in a bid to save an Oxford canalside site from the latest threat from developers. Last summer the Castle Mill boatyard site, in Jericho, was the scene of dramatic evictions as boaters protested against the closure of the yard. But now the land has been sold to a developer by British Waterways and residents are concerned that blocks of flats proposed by the firm will overshadow St Barnabas Church.
Jenny Mann, secretary of Jericho Community Association, said most residents were opposed to the plans. A public meeting is being held tomorrow night at 7.30pm in St Barnabas Church. Ms Mann said: "This is currently a towpath walk of great character and historic interest and, of course, the canalside is the setting for Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy."
Pictures of shooting in Oxford
June 26, 2007 in His Dark Materials Movies
The Golden Compass crew has landed in Oxford again for another shooting session. Ted Weiland was in the neighbourhood, and he shot a few pictures. They include mostly pictures of lights, green screens and scenery.
They are available on his Flickr page. Filming will continue tomorrow, so keep an eye on Ted's Flickr for an update!
Pullman Posts Midsummer Message
June 25, 2007 in Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman writes on his website: Carnegie of Carnegies
This award, which was voted for by the public, was announced on Thursday 21 June. It came as a great surprise and a great delight to me. People from several countries voted for `Northern Lights`, and it came top out of a shortlist of ten very good novels that have won the Carnegie Medal during that award`s 70-year lifetime. It was a great pity that I couldn`t be in London for the event and the announcement. I did write a few words to be read out on my behalf, but I had to write them in a hurry, and perhaps I wasn`t as clear as I like to be.
Work on the film of `The Golden Compass` continues, but meanwhile there`s another film being prepared from a novel of mine, and that`s the production of `The Butterfly Tattoo`. This is a very different thing in many ways - a different scale altogether, a realistic story rather than a fantasy, and so on. It shows a side of Oxford that `His Dark Materials` doesn`t. I like the script very much (the writer is Stephen Potts), and I met the production company recently and was very taken with their enthusiasm and evident talent. You can read about what they`re planning at www.thebutterflytattoo.co.uk.
IGN AU Preview of Golden Compass
June 22, 2007 in His Dark Materials Movies
IGN reports: Currently slotted for a Boxing Day release in Australia (and December 7 in most other, more fortunate regions), The Golden Compass is the first of three films based on author Philip Pullman's celebrated and cherished all-ages fantasy trilogy, 'His Dark Materials'. Since the public trailer contains moments expanded on in the sneak preview, that's our focus for this feature. Unlike the immediate start of the public trailer, the extended look at The Golden Compass opens with a fly-over of Oxford. As the bronze airship passes silently over the art-deco-machina, alternate 1920s cityscape, you'll push aside your doubts. The Golden Compass and the subsequent releases are going to be fine films. This will not be another Eragon pratfall, nor the overblown fluff offered by The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Northern Lights Wins Carnegie of Carnegies
June 22, 2007 in His Dark Materials Books
The Guardian reports: Philip Pullman has cemented his place as one of the stars of children's literature this evening, triumphing in a poll to choose book lovers' favourite winner from the Carnegie medal's 70-year history.
Pullman's Northern Lights (Carnegie winner 1995) beat off competition from Carnegie winners including Mary Norton's The Borrowers (1937), Philippa Pearce's Tom's Midnight Garden (1957) and David Almond's Skellig (1998).
Pullman Set to Headline Inaugural Dundee Literary Festival
June 21, 2007 in Philip Pullman
The BBC reports: Literary stars Philip Pullman and Jacqueline Wilson are set to headline the first ever Dundee Literary Festival. During the two-day event the authors will also receive honorary degrees from the University of Dundee.
Philip Pullman, author of the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy, and Children's Laureate Jacqueline Wilson will both read from their novels at the festival.
Pullman Signs Letter Urging Gordon Brown to Transfer Power to People
June 21, 2007 in Philip Pullman
The Independent reports: More than 100 celebrities, academics and pressure groups challenge Gordon Brown today to give ordinary citizens a direct say in overhauling Britain's democracy.
The call follows a promise from Mr Brown to re-engage people in the political system by reforming the constitution. The independent Power inquiry, which has warned about the dangerous gulf between the public and politicians, is urging Mr Brown to match his words with a real commitment to involve ordinary voters in modernising the way they are governed.
Signatories include the novelists Philip Pullman and John le Carré, the singers Damon Albarn and Billy Bragg, the radio presenter Emma B, the comedian Mark Thomas, the actors Miriam Margoyles and Patricia Hodge and the anti-poverty activist Bianca Jagger. The statement has also been backed by prominent figures from across the political spectrum, more than 20 academics and an array of pressure groups.
Buzz Report reports: New York’s Scholastic will release seven formats of books around the release of New Line Cinema's The Golden Compass in December, which the publisher is co-producing. Additional products will include multi-platform video games from Sega, figures from Corgi, collectibles from Master Replicas, trading cards from Inkworks, playsets from Mega Brands and games from Sababa Toys.
"We're reaching all these different ages," says Leslye Schaefer, senior vice president of Scholastic Media, told Playthings. "This property has such a large fan base." The first push of product will debut about six weeks prior to the release of the film, with additional promotions and support throughout the subsequent release of the DVD and, hopefully, ahead of another movie in the series, since Compass is the first book of a trilogy, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials.
Community Meeting on Jericho Development
June 19, 2007 in His Dark Materials Related
The Oxford Mail reports: Residents in Jericho, Oxford, are meeting tonight to discuss new plans to build flats in the area. Spring Residential has applied to the city council for planning permission to build 54 flats on a narrow strip of land next to St Barnabas church.
Jenny Mann, secretary of the Jericho Community Association, said the "This is currently a towpath walk of great character and historic interest, enjoyed by local people and visitors to Oxford alike, and the canalside here is the setting for the famous "Gyptian" episodes in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy."
His Dark Materials Excluded from Free Book Scheme in Britain
June 19, 2007 in His Dark Materials Books
The Telegraph reports: Children will be able to choose a free novel when they start secondary school in September - but they may not recognise most of the authors. The list of the 12 books from which they can choose, published yesterday, excludes the best-selling authors J K Rowling (Harry Potter), Anthony Horowitz (Alex Rider) and Philip Pullman (His Dark Materials). Instead, the 620,000 children aged 11 in the first term of year seven will select from books chosen by a panel of authors, publishers and teachers to provide diversity of style and difficulty.
Popular reads have been excluded to give children an opportunity to try something new, said Booktrust, the charity implementing the £2.8 billion Government-funded initiative announced by Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, last December.