THE GOLDEN COMPASS is an adaptation of the first book in the beloved but controversial fantasy series by Phillip Pullman. The story opens with Lyra Belacqua (Dakota Blue Richards) an orphan girl who lives in an alternate world that is similar to earth, but where people's souls exist outside of their bodies in animal form. The people are ruled by a shadowy and oppressive council known as the Magisterium, which is doing it's best to keep everyone from getting information about what is called "Dust." Lyra's Uncle Asriel (Daniel Craig) has been researching Dust, and he has seen to it that Lyra is given safe shelter at Jordan College. But when the visiting Mrs. Coulter (Nicole Kidman) arrives, she asks Lyra to accompany her on a trip to the North to meet the Panserbjorne, a race of armored bears. Before Lyra leaves, the Headmaster gives her a golden compass, a device which only she can read, and from which she can intuit the truth. Lyra leaves with Mrs. Coulter, but when she learns that her friends have been kidnapped by "Gobblers," she heads out to find them, and soon joins forces with the nomadic Gyptians, some witches, and an armored bear called Iorek Byrnison (voice by Ian McKellen). Lyra finds her friends, and so discovers the evil plans the Magisterium has cooked up for the world's children. By the film's end, she has vowed to track down her Uncle Asriel, and to discover the true power of Dust.

Hollywood had a tricky time of taming this tale, as Pullman's books portray religion - the Catholic Church in particular - in a less than flattering light. The film version carefully steers clear of these themes, and instead puts its enormous budget into creating visually stunning effects. While fans of the books may find fault with this streamlined version, children are sure to revel in the many talking animals and whimsical airships.

DVD Features:

2-Disc Set; O-Sleeve
Anamorphic Widescreen
Audio:
DTS-ES 6.1 - English
Dolby Surround 5.1 EX
Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitles - English, Spanish
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - Chris Weitz - Writer/Director
Behind the Scenes - Making of Featurettes (11)
Theatrical Trailers (3)

Nicole Kidman: Actress, TO DIE FOR
Dakota Blue Richards: Actress, THE GOLDEN COMPASS
Sam Elliott: American Actor, MASK
Eva Green: Actress, THE DREAMERS (2004)
Daniel Craig: British actor, THE POWER OF ONE/The 6th James Bond
Tom Courtenay: British actor, DOCTOR ZHIVAGO
Derek Jacobi: Shakespearian actor best known for "I, Claudius"
Ben Walker: 
Adam Godley: British Actor, COR BLIMEY (2000)
Simon McBurney: AMERICAN SUPPORTING ACTOR
Clare Higgins: British Actress
Ian McShane: British Actor
Jim Carter: 
Christopher Lee: British actor, DRACULA (1958)

Chris Weitz: Director/Actor/Writer, DOWN TO EARTH (2001)
Robert Shaye: Producer/Executive

Deborah Forte: 
Bill Carraro: Producer
Ileen Maisel: Producer

Chris Weitz: Director/Actor/Writer, DOWN TO EARTH (2001)
Tobias Emmerich: Screenwriter-producer
Paul Weitz: Director/Playwright/Screenwriter, AMERICAN PIE (2000)

Alexandre Desplat: Composer

"[A] formidable piece of craftsmanship, using some 1,100 effects shots to bring forth a physical space that has the ability to take your breath away."
"[D]irector Chris Weitz makes a spirited job of transferring Pullman's vision to screen..."