Project Detail

The Golden Compass

Synopsis

Based on author Philip Pullman's bestselling and award-winning novel, The Golden Compass tells the first story in Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. The Golden Compass is an exciting fantasy adventure, set in an alternative world where people's souls manifest themselves as animals, talking bears fight wars, and Gyptians and witches co-exist. At the centre of the story is Lyra (played by newcomer Dakota Blue Richards), a 12-year-old girl who starts out trying to rescue a friend who's been kidnapped by a mysterious organisation known as the Gobblers - and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well.

Details

Year
2008
Type of project
Features
Running time
tbc
Format
35mm
Director
Chris Weitz
Producer
Bob Shaye, Michael Lynne, Toby Emmerich, Mary Ordesk, Ileen Maisel, Andrew Miano, Paul Weitz
Editor
Anne V. Coates
Screenwriter
Chris Weitz, Philip Pullman (Novel)
Director of Photography
Henry Braham
Production Designer
Dennis Gassner
Composer
Alexandre Desplat
Principal cast
Nicole Kidman, Dakota Blue Richards, Sam Elliott, Eva Green, Tom Courtenay, Ben Walker, Adam Godley, Simon McBurney, Nonso Anozie, Jim Carter, Clare Higgins, Jack Shepherd, Magda Szubanski, Ian McShane, Daniel Craig

Categories

Production Status

Production Company

New Line Cinema

116 N. Robertson Blvd.
Ste. 200
Los Angeles, CA 90048
USA

www.newline.com

Ingenious Film Partners (UK)

Scholastic Productions (US)
Depth of Field (US)
Rhythm and Hues(US)

Sales Company

New Line Cinema

116 N. Robertson Blvd.
Ste. 200
Los Angeles, CA 90048
USA

www.newline.com

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