His dark materials

Not being interested in what is in a particular person's mind does not mean that one's own is closed.

Sometimes, avidly following someone else's thoughts could be described as a cult.

Actually, I think that watermeadow has demonstrated quite clearly that she (or he) does not have a closed mind Marjgran as she/he has read the books, thought about them deeply and rejected Pullman's ideas.

Loislovesstewie

It is said demons .

I know it is now. I watched the prog.

“Bigoted” “militant”. Watermeadow is the one using extreme language...

My son read the books as an early teen and loved them. Never got round to them myself. Saw the film with boys. We all enjoyed it, including a fairly young son at the time. But it got panned by critics. I’ve recorded bbc version. Can’t say it’s top of my list to watch! But I will give it a go.

I thought it was well done. I loved the books. Thought Ruth Wilson was a great choice for Mrs Coulter she has that knowing enigmatic look. I always turn the trailers off. can't stand them.

Ruth Wilson better than Nicole Kidman for the role. But i imagined Lyra as blue eyed!

bigoted militant
as many religions


I can't comment as I haven't read the books
But someone who reads them and then forms an opinion on that basis surely cannot be said to have a closed mind.

If I said that I could understand the accusation as I haven't read the books.

I am interested I all opinions.

I have not read the books, but have just watched the first episode. Prepared to switch off after a few minutes, I found it strangely compelling, put my tablet and the newspaper to one side and concentrated on it. I do not pretend to understand it but it really drew me in. I found the 'daemons' fascinating and kept wondering what mine would be or which creature I would like to be mine. Will be following next week.

Lyra is supposed to be 12 apparently, but looked much older.

I think I'd like a bear of some kind.

Worth watching “Imagine” programme on him. Age 12 I was a lot bigger (and more mature) than Lyra seems. (All downhill since then). She convinced me - apart from the eyes....

I will look on iPlayer

What was it that made you feel the books were deeply flawed watermeadow, and in what way?

(This is a genuine question and not intended as something else - they are books my family have loved for years.)

Just watched it and will watch it a second time. Loved it!

Loved the trilogy and La Belle Sauvage. Next book is on my shelf.

I'm a big fan of fantasy and thoroughly enjoyed Ep.1. Wish there was more on the TV. Excellent production and the daemons were brilliantly done.

Pleased it is being shown at 8:00 . I have 12 year grand-daughter who was so looking forward to it.

I haven't time to read all the foregoing comments, but you will not understand the TV version of His Dark Materials unless you read the trilogy of books first. And you may be still baffled by the meaning of Dust at the end of them. You also need to think about parallel worlds and Paradise Lost. It's best to look up literary explanations of this and Philip Pullman. These books captured my imagination 20 years ago at the age of 70 and still do. The idea of a soul companion animal, bird or even reptile which accompanies everyone in Lyra's world, embodies the personality of that person and is inseparable in life and death is a very beguiling one. These are the daemons, not demons. Lyra's world is not the only one which h occurs in the books and includes our own version of Oxford reached by means of the subtle knife in book two.

LullyDully I didn’t like The Golden Compass-either. I recorded the first episode of Sunday’s production, but haven’t got around to watching it yet. I was wondering whether to bother with it, but your recommendation has encouraged me to give it a go, when I get time. I don’t watch a lot of tv.

Lxrl. I don’t like horror films, and abandoned watching ‘The Shining’ because it was so frightening. Then I read the book, which was even worse. It scared the living daylights out of me!
I enjoyed reading the Pullman books, though. Very thought-provoking.

His Dark Materials is aimed at tweenish age children - not young children, just as well given the 9pm time slot. I read the books a long time ago and recall not being interested enough to give them a second read. What is bothering me is the fact that BBC have spent fifty million on what is a fairly niche market - and they apparently cannot afford to pay for TV licences for ALL over 75s!

I think it will sell well, but not in America...

I can’t even understand this world no room in my brain to try and understand one that doesn’t even exist Good job we re all different eh

Callistemon, if you rather like the idea of a bear daemon, keep watching. Not for bear daemons but for the armoured bear, who is a hero of mine after reading the trilogy.

Eight o'clock seems the ideal time to me, the little children should all be in bed by then and the older one's can watch with their parents. I read the books years ago, on the recommendation of a 14 year old boy - loved them, as did my own teenage children. Pullman's views on religion are interesting. The books led to lots of discussions amongst our family and friends.

Great to see a series like this on BBC Sunday evening, good family viewing. Beautiful to watch, enthralling and the ongoing debate about good - v evil, light and dark, power and its abuses, what's not to like.

I'm sure the books would have been banned at my catholic convent school, which would have made them an absolute reading must

Thanks Iam64

Terribull

NotSpaghetti wrote:For those of us brought up as Christians I think the religious and theological parallels are impossible to ignore as they challenge and question, but I’d expect the first trilogy to read well irrespective of religion, as they can be taken simply at face value."

Pullman addressed a Sea of Faith meeting in the East Midlands. He does disapprove of authoritarianism in religion and approves of exploring faith as a human endeavour, and he reveals the seamy side of life ,besides Lyra's humanity and courage.

Planete mentioned Rowan Williams who had real life experiences and has mellow faith and compassion.

I am sure the established authority of religions is not Pullaman's main or only target.Lyra has been compared with Greta Thunsberg.