True story. Two years ago, I returned from a very early screening of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and my editor asked me what I thought of it. I told him I really enjoyed it, even though it was supposed to be a film for children.
“No, I meant how you felt about the religious aspects of the movie. Were you offended?” he asked.
“What religious aspects?” I responded.
No lie. I had no idea. I was unaware of the religious implications of the movie, in which a group of children step into a magical world through the back of a wardrobe in their home. Among the magical creatures they meet is a mystical lion. My editor explained that the lion was supposed to be a Christ figure.
“Oh, now I see it,” I believe I said after it was explained to me.
My point is that I might not be the best person to tell you that I saw no religious implications in “The Golden Compass,” the controversial film that is causing such a fuss with certain catholics.
In particular, the Catholic League has been having a snit over this film, which is based on the immensely popular book trilogy “His Dark Materials” by Philip Pullman. The British author is apparently an atheist, and the Catholic League doesn’t want its children exposed to this man’s anti-church sentiments.
I’ve seen the film (I liked it), and found nothing to offend catholics or members of any other religion. In fact, there is no mention of anything catholic in the movie. The villain is an organization called the Magisterium, a change from the book.
Pullman and the filmmakers have made an obvious attempt to appease the religious critics, but the Catholic League will have none of it. Their leaders have released statements to the effect that they don’t want their innocent children tricked into reading the evil books after watching the “watered-down” movie.
Why does this matter to anyone? Well, the studio wants the support of these types of religious groups because their support can sell tickets. “Narnia” grossed $739 million. On the other hand, the author has responded that the Catholic League’s stance has sparked a controversy that might be excellent for business.
The movie opens Dec. 7. Then we’ll know who was right.
As for me, I’m still trying to decide whether “The Passion of the Christ” had religious overtones.
