His Dark Materials writer Philip Pullman defends unpopular Golden Compass film: ‘I don’t want to be too critical’

His Dark Materials author Philip Pullman has defended the 2007 film adaptation of his novel The Golden Compass.

The film, which starred Nicole Kidman as Mrs Coulter and Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra, scored an unfavourable 42% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

A new BBC adaptation of the fantasy series written by Jack Thorne, however, has been very well received by critics and the public.

Pullman took to Twitter on Sunday morning (10 November) to speak out in defence of the film, praising its cast.

“Delighted as I am with the TV adaptation of HDM,” he wrote, “I don't want to be too critical of The GC movie. A magnificent cast, among whom Dakota Blue Richards shone like the polar star, did the best that could be done with the time they had, which simply wasn't enough.”

The mediocre box-office gross of The Golden Compass wiped out plans for two sequels, and the film was criticised for not being provocative enough in demonstrating Pullman’s anti-religious themes.

Thorne’s new series is led by Ruth Wilson and Dafne Keen, and was awarded five stars by The Independent’s critic.

His Dark Materials continues on Sunday nights on BBC1 at 8pm.