The Golden Compass

Complete Movie Details

What's The Story

12-year-old Lyra is an orphan who lives in a parallel world, where human souls take the form of animal companions called daemons. When her best friend disappears, Lyra promises to find him. Her uncle, Lord Asriel, doesn't want her to go, but the mysterious Mrs. Coulter offers to bring Lyra along for the adventure of a lifetime. One thing Lyra packs for the trip: the alethiometer -- a mysterious compass that many people are violently determined to possess. When the compass reveals to Lyra the truth about her friend's kidnapping and the evil force behind it, it's up to her to stop the war that threatens her world.

Three Good Reasons

• 1It's a unique take on the fantasy genre: no old wizards in pointy hats, but loads of talking, fighting, shape-shifting animals.


• 2Dakota Blue Richards beat out more than 10,000 other girls for the role of Lyra. Clearly, the kid's got something.


• 3Casino Royale stars Daniel Craig and Eva Green reunite, but this time he's an aristocratic explorer and she's a witch.

Bet You Didn't Know

In addition to Nicole Kidman, the cast includes another Oscar winner and two more nominees, but they'll just be heard and not seen. Kathy Bates provides the voice for Hester, the hare; Kristin Scott Thomas voices Stelmaria, the snow leopard, and Ian McKellen does the voice of Iorek Byrnison, the polar bear.