His Dark Materials: is TV the best place for Pullman's fantasy?
After Golden Compass voted most disappointing movie adaptation, critics hope BBC can do better
BBC One has commissioned an eight-part television series based on Philip Pullman's fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials, eight years after The Golden Compass failed to impress fans of the books.
The story of Lyra and her daemon alter ego Pantalaimon living in an alternate world has been retold on stage, on radio and in the 2007 Hollywood film The Golden Compass, starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig.
However, the film was voted the most disappointing movie adaptation by Entertainment Weekly in 2008, and plans to adapt Pullman's follow-up books The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass were shelved.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Critics are hoping that the BBC might be more successful in bringing the fantasy novels to life.
The series is set to be filmed in Wales and will be the first commission for production company Bad Wolf, run by former Doctor Who producers Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner.
Pullman is on board and said he is "delighted" at the prospect of a television adaptation. "In recent years we've seen how long stories on television, whether adaptations (Game of Thrones) or original (The Sopranos, The Wire), can reach depths of characterisation and heights of suspense by taking the time for events to make their proper impact and for consequences to unravel," he said.
One of the problems critics had with the film was the way it was cut in post-production, but The Guardian says producers have promised to "sound 'every note' in the much-loved trilogy and stay true to the source material".
Den of Geek says television already seems to have a "distinct advantage over cinema in terms of giving Pullman's story room to breathe". However, it warns the television writers against "writing to avoid upset", as the BBC is expected to reawaken controversy over the books' portrayal of established religion. It upset various arms of the Christian church, prompted protests and from 2000 to 2009 sat among the ten books people tried most often to ban across America.
The Golden Compass director, Chris Weitz, previously admitted to having a "bad experience" making the film and blamed the studio for "emasculating" the project when they "took the religion out of it and tried to turn it into a popcorn movie", notes Digital Spy.
Den of Geek warns the BBC makers: "It would be understandable, if regrettable, if His Dark Materials' anti-religious ire was made less potent, but this should not be the case."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Aitch or haitch: the linguisitic debate that 'matters a lot'
Talking Point 'University Challenge' host Amol Rajan has promised to change the way he pronounces the letter 'H'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Secret Army: the IRA propaganda film forgotten for almost 50 years
Why Everyone's Talking About 'Chilling' BBC documentary reveals how US TV crew documented the inner workings of paramilitary group in 1970s
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Inseparable Sisters: uplifting BBC documentary about conjoined twins
The Week Recommends A 'refreshingly human and optimistic' portrayal that balances reality with positivity
By The Week UK Published
-
Annie Nightingale obituary: the trailblazing DJ who was Radio 1's longest-serving presenter
Obituary The first female DJ on BBC Radio 1, Nightingale paved the way for Annie Mac, Jo Whiley, Zoe Ball, Sara Cox and many more
By The Week Staff Published
-
Doctor Who: 60 years of time-travelling tomfoolery
Why Everyone's Talking About Special episodes celebrate show's past as Whovians look forward to new seasons ahead
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Jimmy Savile: is The Reckoning a dramatisation too far?
Talking Point Steve Coogan's BBC series deemed a 'lurid story told mainly for ratings'
By The Week Staff Published
-
Henpocalypse! review: ‘bawdy’ BBC Two comedy set in remote Wales
The Week Recommends It may be ‘a bit coarse’ but the characters become more likeable as the series goes on
By The Week Staff Published
-
Television: the great British turn-off
Talking Point TV viewership in the UK has seen its sharpest ever decline, latest figures suggest
By The Week Staff Published