Defending the movie The Golden Compass

[Little_Mary]

I was talking with someone the other day who has already seen this movie twice, arguing that the Church approves of it because it emphasizes “free will”…

We were interrupted before I could find out where she got that information.

Has anyone else heard of this?

 

[alessandro]

Harry Forbes has for some time been director of the USCCB Office for Film and Broadcasting. Of note, he once wrote a glowing review of Brokeback Mountain.

With regard to The Golden Compass, Forbes’ original review said,

“Most moviegoers with no foreknowledge of the books or Pullman’s personal belief system will scarcely be aware of religious connotations, and can approach the movie as a pure fantasy-adventure. . . . Religious elements, as such, are practically nil.”

Moreover,

In what the [Catholic] League calls “mind-boggling”, the USCCB review actually congratulates the screenwriter for portraying the characters as demonstrating “free will” for their opposition to the Magisterium and then suggests that this is a reflection “entirely in harmony with Catholic teaching”.

“To the extent, moreover, that Lyra (the central character) and her allies are taking a stand on behalf of free will in opposition to the coercive force of the Magisterium, they are of course acting entirely in harmony with Catholic teaching,” writes Forbes. “The heroism and self-sacrifice that they demonstrate provide appropriate moral lessons for viewers.”

After initial publication of his favorable review of The Golden Compass on November 29, (and due in large part to the Catholic League’s diligent efforts), the review was repealed on December 7. The USCCB no longer supports the movie.

More details here.

 

[Little_Mary]

Thank you Alessandro!