Edain, the 1st book is published under the title "the Golden Compass" in North America... I dont mind that the movie is called that. But nowhere in the book does a character refer to the Alethiometer as "the golden compass"... and they have the Master doing it in the trailer... sigh... ah well.
Alatar I just heard about that. Makes me very mad. I agree with Sharky, the book ending is perfect... and gives a nice lead-in into the second book/film (crossing the bridge, going into a new world)... I heard some comments that they did it because they thought the ending was too dark and would turn people off the next movie...
Its the logical conclusion of the main plot arc of the first novel... In my opinion it wont really make sense and will significantly weaken the movie to have it end before that scene... Hollywood and its stoopfid love of cliffhangers. UGH.