I've been watching the trailer more or less constantly for a couple of months now and I'm rediculously excited! I got into the books through the BBC TV dramatisations. Whilst they were pretty cheap on the graphics front, they really were charming and now that there has been some serious money put into a film version, I think it's going to be amazing. I'm particularly pleased with the casting of the White Witch. So yes, I'm excited and enthusiastic

I not only remember the BBC serial, I remember my excitement when they wheeled Aslan out on Blue Peter!

The books themselves are a childhood favorite of mine, which is funny for a staunch Atheist, but I have a sneaking admiration for CS Lewis' deft use of a rich fantasy world packed with memorable characters to evangelise by stealth. And beyond that, they're damn good stories. It'll be interesting to see what direction The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe adaptations takes: will it faithfully adapt the book's skillful Christian propaganda, or play it down to make a safe adventure story? I hope it doesn't. Despite my distaste for the nature of the book's message, it'd be half the story without it.

As an aside, CS Lewis was also an accomplished adult writer. If anyone wants to understand the brand of Christian ideas underlying the Narnia books, The Screwtape Letters is very revealing, and well worth a read in its own right.

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by Maffrew
Liam Neeson is playing Aslan the Lion. Anyone who's read the books want to comment on that casting?

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He feels just right to convey Aslan's blend of fatherly wisdom and Old Testament wrath. He's a strong actor that seems to be relegated to near cameos these days (Gangs of New York, Kingdom of Heaven). A CGI talking lion could be exactly what he needs.

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by Byron
He feels just right to convey Aslan's blend of fatherly wisdom and Old Testament wrath. He's a strong actor that seems to be relegated to near cameos these days (Gangs of New York, Kingdom of Heaven). A CGI talking lion could be exactly what he needs.

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My thoughts exactly. Neeson's carved himself a very profitable 'mentor' niche, and it's a role he does very, very well. He did star in Kinsey, but that got a fairly small release. I've yet to see it, but it's on my list.

It was the cartoon I watched, which made me read the books. When I saw it again a few years ago, it hadn't aged well, but not as badly as the BBC version.

I wonder if there'll be a debate about racism, like we had with Lord Of The Rings when it came out, or will parallels with Christianity vs. Islam be the thing?

I used to love it as a child, although my memory is that I was pretty scared of the ice queen woman and Aslan but I will definetly see it. I love The Chronicles of Narnia.

Through studying the sexual imagery in this book I feel slightly uneasy at the thought of going to see this, because I really liked the book!

Although I can never look at Mr Tumnus in the same way...

Anyone seen this yet?

I saw it on Sunday night and was mightily impressed. One of the best films I've seen this year. It follows the storyline from the book very closely and the acting by the kids is good, although 'Peter' is a bit clunky, and he holds a sword like a gun which is just weird The music is good as well.

Overall I really enjoyed it and will be buying on DVD next year

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by Milky
he holds a sword like a gun which is just weird

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How does a gun hold a sword?

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by Yvonne
(quotes)
How does a gun hold a sword?

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He holds it like he's pointing it at someone as you would with a gun. He doesn't really move it either, just holds it and hopes that someone is going to stick themselves on the end of it(which is what happens) He gets better as the film goes on but it is weird

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by Milky
He holds it like he's pointing it at someone as you would with a gun. He doesn't really move it either, just holds it and hopes that someone is going to stick themselves on the end of it(which is what happens) He gets better as the film goes on but it is weird

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I was being sarky, but your explanation did make me laugh - it reminds me of Zorro:

Don Diego de la Vega: Do you know how to use that thing?
Alejandro Murrieta: Yes. The pointy end goes into the other man!

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by Yvonne
(quotes)
I was being sarky, but your explanation did make me laugh - it reminds me of Zorro:

Don Diego de la Vega: Do you know how to use that thing?
Alejandro Murrieta: Yes. The pointy end goes into the other man!

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You!! Sarcastic!!..colour me shocked

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by Milky
Anyone seen this yet?

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Yup, enjoyed it too. However I disagree with you on the kids, they need some acting lessons i'm afraid. Not so bad that I didn't enjoy the film though

In my book The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe scores highly as an impressive adaptation and throughly entertaining movie. It captures all the flavour of the book but isn't afraid to make a few tweaks for the benefit of the screen (particularly by kicking off with that spectacular Blitz sequence). Perhaps Peter was a bit wooden, but then he's a rather one-dimensional hero figure in the books, and all the other children were strong, particularly Lucy and Edmund. Tilda Swinton's White Witch was, well, bewitching. From deadly temptress to black-magic executioner to her Boudica-style battle garb, that aloof, etherial screen-presence made the perfect villainess.

Directing was superb, Andrew Adamson didn't let himself get distracted by the New Zealand scenery like mate Peter Jackson, and the pacing was spot on, moving swiftly through the story but not afraid to slow down for quiet scenes like Lucy taking tea with Mr Tumlus and the beavers. The final battle was, as expected, spectacular, but I liked how Adamson didn't get lost in all the chaos but gave the audience a clear picture of what was going on strategically. The balletic Peter-Javis duel, when it finally came, was mightily impressive.

The only real flaws (besides underusing the always welcome Jim Broadbent) are down to the original source. Obviously Aslan's role as Christ allegory ensures his return was a forgone conclusion, but the mentor-to-protege torch passing convention is there for a reason; it seriously undermines the Narninan army's victory when you know the big cat's there to leap in when things get sticky. But then that's why I'm an Atheist and Lewis wasn't. (Well at least not by the time he wrote The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.)

Looking forward to the inevitable sequels.



(Edited by Byron 25/04/2006 21:52)

I have to say, I loved it. I really did, it fulfilled all my memories of the original TV series and took me back to my childhood. The child actors were amazing, and I felt guilty for thinking Peter was hot, then I found out he's the same age as me, so that's ok

Anyways it was my film of 2005.