His Dark Media
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SherlockChronicles.orgCHRISTIANS say cinematic versions of a series of what they were anti-religious novels will prove as controversial among churchgoers as Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code.
Philip Pullman's trilogy His Dark Materials, which went into production yesterday, has prompted outrage among religious groups, who dismissed it as blasphemous anti-Christian propaganda.
The Catholic Herald condemned his work as "fit for the bonfire", while Rupert Kaye, chief executive of the Association of Christian Teachers, has said Pullman's "blasphemy is shameless".
The controversy follows that surrounding The Da Vinci Code - earlier this year Pope Benedict XVI was among religious leaders who denounced the novel as distorting history.
Many Christians were upset by the central premise of the book and film - that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene married and produced a child, and that their bloodline continues to the present day.
Simon Jenkins, editor of the online Christian newsletter Ship of Fools, says the film version of His Dark Materials has the potential to prove every bit as offensive to some religious groups.
But Mr Jenkins said he believes those opposed to Pullman's books should use them as a platform for a debate about faith instead of dismissing the work as heresy.
Work on filming the first of the three novels began at Shepperton Studios and the production will star Nicole Kidman as Mrs Coulter, Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel and the unknown Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra.
The Hollywood film will be titled The Golden Compass, which was the US name chosen for the first novel in the trilogy - it was known as Northern Lights here. It is being directed by Chris Weitz, who made About a Boy and Antz.
Mr Jenkins said, "I'm sure this new film will launch 100 anti-film and anti-book websites going through all the detailed reasons why they are wrong and why they are dangerous and pose a threat to civilisation as we know it.
"But that's not my view of it. I think that is counter-productive. I think it's better to engage with the books on all the issues."
Pullman, who was educated in Harlech in North Wales, yesterday agreed the books had upset some Christians, but said he was unconcerned about the prospect of the films doing the same.
"I don't think anybody took any notice of them anyway. There is absolutely no comparison between my work and Dan Brown's and I'm not worried (about the reaction to the film)."
But Mr Kaye said the author was treating Christianity as a soft target and would not dream of attacking Islam in the same way.
If the books become three separate films, then Christians will be far less offended by the first instalment than the following two - The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass, he said.
Mr Kaye said it's only in the final novel in the trilogy that Pullman's "blasphemy is unfurled for all to see".
"Pullman uses the names many people will recognise as referring to the God of the Christians and Jews, like Yahweh, the Almighty, and then goes on to say that the same God is not the creator of the universe and hence a liar.
"My guess is that while filmmakers are willing to mock the beliefs of Jews and Christian, they dare not mock Islam. I confidently predict that Philip Pullman will not be bold enough to insist that Allah is added to the list of names."
But Western Mail film critic Gary Slaymaker said any religious controversy over the film would simply make it more successful.
"When people were offended by The Da Vinci Code it just inspired people to see the film - even though it was the most boring two-and-a-half hours."
What they say about Philip Pullman
"Philip Pullman. Is he the best story-teller ever?"
Banner headline, The Observer, November 2000
"Some very big ideas, fearlessly explored"
Robert McCrum, The Observer, October 2000
"Philip Pullman has completed his extraordinary tour de force, the trilogy His Dark Materials. What he has written will undoubtedly become a classic. Lyra and Will... have far more blood and guts in them, than the inhabitants of Narnia or Middle Earth ever had."
William Waldegrave, The Daily Telegraph, October 2000
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Comments (1) — Add Yours
It seems to me that more and more people are coming to realise that religion is nothing more that a method of contolling people through fear.
# Posted by October on 8:14, 27 September 2006
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