quote:Originally posted by Prime: Narnia kicks ass. Can't wait for the movie!!!
quote:Originally posted by CJ Taylor: Movie? Whachou talking 'bout Kippers?
They doing all 7 books? The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe? Details dagnabbit.
quote:Originally posted by Lightning Lad: The best place for info is http://www.narniaweb.com/ since they have an up-to-date cast list and news. The movie started filming in New Zealand in June and, I believe, is expected to be ready for release the end (maybe Christmas) of next year.
quote:Originally posted by RTVU2: The casting for the White Witch is perfect. The kid playing Peter just dosen't look likes peter too me but all the other kids look great. Maybe we should start a new discussion thread about this?
Discuss!
[ October 13, 2004, 09:02 AM: Message edited by: Lightning Lad ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Never read any of these, although I've heard a little about them here and there.
What's the premise? Will I like it?
In case you don't remember, I LOVED the Harry Potter books and am I big Veritgo fan if that helps...
Posted by Reboot on :
Heh. I knew nothing about this either
Read LWW when I was a kid, and enjoyed it (although I didn't read any of the other books for years. Still haven't read the last two). The adaptation to date that sticks in my head, tho, is the live-action BBC one from something like 10 years ago (Still got the double-VHS of that somewhere), so it'll be interesting for me to compare the two.
Posted by Reboot on :
quote:Originally posted by Cobalt Kid: What's the premise? Will I like it?
LWW? Four siblings (two boys, two girls) get evacuated to a big house in the country during WW2. While they're exploring it one day, the youngest kid (Lucy) finds a magic wardrobe that she can walk right through into Narnia, a country where there's no humans, but most of the animals are Talking Beasts. She meets a faun, he takes her home for dinner, but although he was ordered by the White Witch (evil ruler of the land, who keeps the land in perpetual winter) to turn over any humans (there's a prophecy that when two "Sons of Adam" and two "Daughters of Eve" are crowned on the Four Thrones of Cair Paravel, she'll be rendered powerless [or die, I forget]) to her, he can't go through with it & helps her home. And, since she arrives back less than a second after she left and the wardrobe seemingly doesn't work, none of the others believe her.
She tries again, on her own, later, and gets through again. But this time Edmund (next-youngest) follows her, meaning to taunt her and actually makes it in too. He meets the White Witch and gets enthralled. Lucy meets him on their way back, but he denies all knowledge of Narnia to the others.
Eventually, all four get in (they're trying to hide from the housekeeper who doesn't like them), and cue the rest (what, you thought I'd spoil it all? )
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
I kind of like hearing about things like this when they're well into the seventh book. This way I don't have to wait for the next one
I'm dying for the next Harry Potter and the next Camulod Chronicles installments...
Posted by Quislet, Esq. on :
From the pictures I saw all the kids look spot on. Although I think "Lucy" looks a bit too young.
Posted by Pov on :
Narnia! Yay! Alsan rocks and roars! Woo!
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Thanks 'boot! I'm interested a little already, and I'm thinking of starting a new series of books...
Posted by Director Lad on :
quote:Originally posted by Cobalt Kid: I kind of like hearing about things like this when they're well into the seventh book. This way I don't have to wait for the next one
Well then, you're all set. There's only seven books in Lewis's Narnia Chronicles and there will never be any more ('cause he's dead, and 'cause he ended the series very nicely in book seven). However, you should make an effort to read the books in the order in which they were written. Lewis didn't tell the story of Narnia in a strictly chronological progression and I think that works for the overall story. The original order of publication is as follows:
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Prince Caspian Voyage of the Dawn Treader The Silver Chair A Horse and his Boy The Magician's Nephew The Last Battle
Though Magician's Nephew is chronologically first, LWW is really the introduction to the series, and MN is mostly there to give you, finally, the background on Narnia that puts the previous books into a larger perspective and sets the stage for the final book. HahB chronologically happens during LWW, but the flow of stories from LWW through SC shouldn't be interrupted. Later editors have reordered the books into the chronological order, but I think that's a disservice to the series and the readers.
In general, the Chronicles of Narnia is a wonderful, uplifting story for all ages. I credit it for my on-going love of fantastic fiction more than any other influence.
Posted by CJ Taylor on :
CK, they were written by C.S. Lewis. Recently, they've been republished in an order more in line with the overall story's chronology, not the order in which he wrote them. However, Lewis does an incredible job of creating awe in his first book, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.
It's a great series set in a fantastical realm where animals think and talk along with humans, where magical creatures are the norm, and people are a rare breed. There's been talk of Christian undertones, but the age group of kids these were written for won't necessarily pick them up. It's Harry Potter for a more innocent, less jaded time.
There's seven books, you could finish them in a month. It's worth the effort.
Posted by CJ Taylor on :
Okay, so DL is faster than I am.
quote:Originally posted by Reboot: Heh. I knew nothing about this either
The adaptation to date that sticks in my head, tho, is the live-action BBC one from something like 10 years ago (Still got the double-VHS of that somewhere), so it'll be interesting for me to compare the two.
I was first introduced in a PBS animated feature some 20 years ago. It made me track down the books. I never saw the BBC versions, and haven't been able to locate the animated feature.
Manoman, this has made my week!!!!!
Posted by Quislet, Esq. on :
IMO, A Horse and his Boy, although set in Narnia and with cameos by the other characters is the one book that could stand on its own.
Posted by Reboot on :
quote:Originally posted by CJ Taylor:
quote:Originally posted by Reboot: Heh. I knew nothing about this either
The adaptation to date that sticks in my head, tho, is the live-action BBC one from something like 10 years ago (Still got the double-VHS of that somewhere), so it'll be interesting for me to compare the two.
I was first introduced in a PBS animated feature some 20 years ago. It made me track down the books. I never saw the BBC versions, and haven't been able to locate the animated feature.
I've only seen LWW of the BBC adapations - although I've seen stills from Prince Caspian and Voyage of the Dawn Treader, so I know they did at least those two as well). Apart from Aslan (and a few cel-animated background creatures), it's all guys-in-suits for the animals, but I still enjoyed it
quote:Originally posted by Quislet, Esq.: IMO, A Horse and his Boy, although set in Narnia and with cameos by the other characters is the one book that could stand on its own.
LWW itself could certainly stand on it's own as well, even if the sequels were never made (cue "as if"s ). But yeah, Horse and His Boy is extremely tangential (more of a "Narnian Universe" story than an outright Narnia tale.) And I don't like humans being introduced into the Narnian past in Magican's Nephew Posted by Lightning Lad on :
I've recently seen both the animated version and the BBC live action version available on DVD. A real nice boxed set was produced for the BBC version. The BBC version, though, only covered four books; LWW, Prince Caspian, the Voyage of the Dawn Treader and the Silver Chair. PC and VofDT were done as one production.
[ October 13, 2004, 10:54 AM: Message edited by: Lightning Lad ]
Posted by RTVU2 on :
I once read that the Narnia books should be read three times in a person’s life span. First when they are young and can still believe in fanciful places and people, second as they reach adulthood and are capable of understanding what the books are trying to communicate, and third before they die to rediscover their childhood and innocence.
Well I read them when I was younger and again about a year ago as I transition from college student to quasi-adult. I do have to say that LWW has a huge biblical undertone, something I would never have seen when I was younger. And reading the books actually did help me understand what was going on in my life and appreciate what is to come.
My favorites would have to be Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. And I remember reading the Last Battle and feeling sad that I would never get to read about Narnia again. Guess that will be the same feeling when the last harry Potter book comes out.
Posted by Prime on :
I just love the Narnia series.
Though C.S. Lewis is mainly known for his writings on Christianity, he sure knew how to spin a great kids' fantasy yarn. I HIGHLY recommend these seven books for anyone who is looking for something new to read. I also agree with Director Lad that The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the place to begin the series, even though now the publishers are putting The Magician's Nephew first in the series. I think The Magician's Nephew works best in flashback, as it was intended. There are a lot of characters and a lot of interactions in the saga, but let's face it: the central human character in the series is Lucy, and she deserves to be the focal point of that first book.
I think my fave book is still The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (Christian overtones and all,) but A Horse and His Boy is certainly a lovely, lovely tale.
My favorite moment is when Lucy finds the book of magic in the upstairs hall of the magician in Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Especially the story she reads there that she can never remember again. Lyrical, beautiful stuff, and we never even get to find out a word of it.
My least favorite character is probably Jill. I just never felt for her like I felt for the other children. My favorite character is Reepicheep. And the eventual fate of Susan is one of the saddest things ever to be found in a book. I hope somehow she found her way back to Narnia in the end.
Narnia is just great.
Posted by Faraway Lad on :
Narnia is a great place. Written in a simpler time and, especially in the LWW, the four are definatly upper middle class British. This series introduced me to fantasy and led ultimatley to the Lord of the Rings. Both are fully rounded worlds with a history and background that informs and colours the stories.
One thing I liked was the way in which the "evil" races are not totally evil (like the orcs in LOTR) but indivduals make choices between good and bad.
Also there is, in Horse and his boy I think, a plea not to hate other religions, for if a good perosn worships the devil figure then he is worshiping Aslan and vice Versa an evil person worshiping Aslan, is really worshiping the devil. (Now whats was that bird headed deity called?)
Posted by the boy with UltraPowers on :
i loved "TLTWATW" as a kid, and cried when ASLAN died !!! although i didn't read any of the other ones, and i haven't seen the BBC version, only the animated one !!!
if this new version has a good budget, it should be really good !!!
i remember as a child climbing into my parents wardrobe [ many times ] in the hope it would lead me to NANIA .....
Matthew.
Posted by Blacula on :
My God did I love these books!
I got chills down my back reading some of the other responses on here! Its fanatastic to know that other people were as deeply affected by these books as I was. I think 'The Magicians Nephew' was probably the first book that I can conciously rememeber reading on my own without my mother there to help me. And I loved it! I loved them all! And I loved them just as much the second time I read them a couple of years ago. SOOOOO worth taking the time to read them if anyone here hasn't yet!
My favourite is still probably 'The Magician's Nephew' (and I'm not sure if I agree with those comments that this book shouldn't be read first - I liked seeing how all the little elements of this one came into play in the later ones) with 'Voyage of the Dawn-Treader', 'A Horse and his Boy' and 'The Last Battle' all coming in a close second.
This comment by Prime stands out to me -
quote:Originally posted by Prime: And the eventual fate of Susan is one of the saddest things ever to be found in a book. I hope somehow she found her way back to Narnia in the end.
- I couldn't agree more! I was heart-broken by what happened to Susan! It was so, so utterly sad and yet so horribly true-to-life. We do all grow up and forget the magic of our childhoods. Its the huge injustice of life. But the last book was just really sad all round. You know there's not going to be any more books when...
. . . S P O I L E R S . . .
... everyone dies!
I'm really looking forward to the films!
Posted by Prime on :
All I have to say is if Heaven truly exists, gosh, I hope it's like the last chapters of The Last Battle (the final book in the series.)
Posted by Dev_Em on :
This is truly a magnificent series.
They can seem simplistic, but there is so much depth to what happens, it's amazing.
I want to get these out and read them again now...
Posted by CJ Taylor on :
They start out simplistic (TLWW) but grow as the reader would. For HAHB, we readers have to form some of our own conclusions on morality, as well as learn to question the status quo. And in the Last Battle, we learn that good things do come to an end. And that growing up doesn't mean losing some of the wonder of youth.
It's said that Lewis wrote these for himself. He wanted to recapture the joy he felt reading as a kid. I can't imagine anyone doing a better job.
Posted by Dev_Em on :
But TLTWATW is a much deeper work than it appears to be on the surface as well.
Posted by Zombie STU on :
I would really, really like to try Turkish Delight one of these days.
Posted by CJ Taylor on :
Rumour has it, they are the best cure for the common cold...
Posted by Invisible Brainiac on :
I read them at the wee age of seven... I'd really like to read them again. They were really magical.
Posted by Director Lad on :
quote:Originally posted by Zombie STU: I would really, really like to try Turkish Delight one of these days.
It's actually kinda gross. It's like overly dense marshmallows, flavored with an almost sickly sweet syrup. Perfect for Edmund and quite sickening in large quantities.
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
Strangely enough, I've read all of Lewis's other fiction, but never read the Chronicles of Narnia.
I highly recommend Till We Have Faces, his retelling of the Cupid-Psyche story, however.
Posted by CJ Taylor on :
EDED, since you read it, will I have to?
Posted by Stargazer on :
I can not wait to see the visuals on this. These books were great and I read them over and over.
Was surprised they were not going to start with the Magicians Nephew..but it is not one that most people remember.
Posted by Yellow Kid on :
I saw the televised series quite a long time ago and thought they were wonderful. I had reservations when I saw actors in animal costumes but just a few minutes into it it was far less important than the story. It worked beautifully and didn't detract from the story at all. Having read the series a couple of times it worried me at first, I've seen some fantastic ideas ruined by cheap production but this one was masterful. It's quite lovely, all the emotion and as much depth as possible is left in the series and it's an extremely pleasant television experience to watch it. I'm really picky about what I put on and I'd watch it again if I had a copy.
Posted by Zombie STU on :
quote:Originally posted by Director Lad:
quote:Originally posted by Zombie STU: I would really, really like to try Turkish Delight one of these days.
It's actually kinda gross. It's like overly dense marshmallows, flavored with an almost sickly sweet syrup. Perfect for Edmund and quite sickening in large quantities.
Yuck! Kind of like Cadbury Eggs, then. Posted by CJ Taylor on :
Funny, it is time for Halloween candy. Maybe some Turkish delights to hand out this year.
Posted by Jorg-EM on :
I saw the british tv version (I rented) with my gf. We fell asleep and when we woke up at about 1am the actors in animal outfits kind of freaked us out. We swore never to speak of it again.
But now Disney is coming out with one we have to check it out...with my daughter. Nice to see special effects really blossom and enhance story telling.
Posted by Yellow Kid on :
Not much in the way of an article really. This the first I've heard of it in quite a while but if these pics are any indication it should be quite a treat.
[ May 02, 2005, 08:40 AM: Message edited by: Yellow Kid ]
Posted by Rurouni KJS on :
I'm slightly terrified about the upcoming Narnia film(s). I wonder if its allegorical message will come through intact -- because if it doesn't it may lose its real impact.
Having reread the series in recent years as a Christian adult, I see that the Christian message is far stronger in the Narnia series than I ever realized as a boy. It's part of why it (along with Lord of the Rings) is such a moving series; it gives us a taste of who God and Jesus Christ is and the soul-satisfaction that comes from Him. I'm astounded at how so much of Aslan's speech springs directly from the Bible.
But in today's P.C.-conscious days, will the filmmakers try to bury that? They'd be incredibly foolish to do so, IMO. The stories are eminently enjoyable and worthy as they are -- I certainly know the Christian allegory was mostly lost on me as a kid.
We shall see...
Oh, and BTW: as a boy, my favorite was Peter from LWW and Prince Caspian -- I wanted to be him. As an adult, I liked Edmund in the latter book more. But my favorite both times is actually Jill, who starts out as quite the little rhymes-with-bitch (uh...ah...did I type that out loud? ) but becomes a very decent young lady after Aslan is through with her.
[ May 03, 2005, 09:24 AM: Message edited by: Rurouni KJS ]
Posted by RTVU2 on :
well considering CS Lewis is a well known Christian writer I am not really that surprised. I too reread the books as an adult and was amazed to see the Christian idealogly, especially in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. That one you would have to be really dense not to get it.
As a non-Christian, I got something a bit more different and more of a universal messge out of the books. Hopefully the filmmakers will approach the movie from a childs prespective and teach but not preach.
Posted by Reboot on :
quote:Originally posted by Rurouni KJS: But in today's P.C.-conscious days, will the filmmakers try to bury that? They'd be incredibly foolish to do so, IMO. The stories are eminently enjoyable and worthy as they are -- I certainly know the Christian allegory was mostly lost on me as a kid.
We shall see...
It's subtle enough, I think - it's there when you half-look for it, but I didn't notice it as a kid either. It's not as if it was written by a Deep South Born Again Bible Belter or anything on that sort of from-the-rooftops level.
Posted by Kid Prime on :
I think as long as they tell the story, it'll come through as strongly or as weakly as the viewer chooses to take it, much like the books.
It's not like Aslan was running around yelling "I AM REALLY JESUS!!!" on every page or anything.
[ May 03, 2005, 07:49 PM: Message edited by: Kid Prime ]
Posted by l.e.g.i.o.n.JOHN on :
**First Look @ Narnia**** found these in yesterdays USA Today!!! Posted by RTVU2 on :
well that looks great!
Was that really a cgi Aslan? That pic was awesome! And that pic of the White Queen is fierce!
Posted by l.e.g.i.o.n.JOHN on :
going buy what the article said Asland is cgi, but i agree with you about the White Queen pic it looks AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! BTW is Disney going to Make all the Narnia books into movies?
Posted by RTVU2 on :
well, if the first one is succesful I don't see why not. best thing is wiht different kids running around, there won't be the probelm of the kids growing up quickly before they can start the new ones...
Posted by Kid Psychout on :
was kinda worried when i heard this was coming because the article promised that it was going to feature 'spectacular battle scenes'.
Apart from the ever-present threat of cgi pointlessness, TLTW&TW always read more intimately to me, though the battles are certainly in the material, i hope they're not gon'ta dwell on them LOTR style.
S P O I L E R
Possibly not neccesary, but i'm being blunt about the end of the series here, The Last Battle, wow that's gonna be an interesting concept to film: it's got a happy ending because everybody dies in a train wreck and never has to leave Narnia again.
Except Susan, who will never be able to go to Narnia again because she discovered lipstick and is now alone because every member of her family has died. Woah.
yo'll understand why this freaked me out as a kid, love the books even as i did.
Posted by Lightning Lad on :
Tomorrow (5/7) is supposed to be a worldwide, multi-media premier of the first trailer. From the Sci-Fi wire:
quote:The trailer will premiere on American TV network ABC during the broadcast of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, will subsequently hit the Web via America Online and will appear on cell phones via Verizon Wireless, the company said.
The trailer will also air simultaneously on Disney Channel and on four channels across the Starz Entertainment Group network. Disney says that is a potential audience in 32 countries of more than 200 million for the first trailer for the film, based on C.S. Lewis' beloved Narnia books.
The trailer will appear around the world in a 48-hour period, dubbed in a dozen languages, during popular TV programs in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Korea and Latin America., as well as on Web and wireless services around the world.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe opens Dec. 9.
Posted by Lightning Lad on :
And as for first looks, Apple has had two featurettes up for months here and here.
Posted by Yellow Kid on :
Surfing through Linkfilter I was delighted to see someone had posted this link today. http://www.narniaweb.com/
You beat me to it, Scott... I LOVE Lucy's face as she approaches the wardrobe door.
I think these kids are going to be great!
Posted by matlock on :
There was a preview for this before Revenge of the Sith, and I probably enjoyed it more than the whole dreary feature. I got a tingly feeling. I hope this is as well done as the preview made me think.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Saw the trailor before Star Wars too and it looked REALLY good. I might have to try and read the books before the first movie comes out...
Posted by Aven on :
Saw this last night before Star Wars. I think this looks good. Lets just hope they dont mess around to much with the story.
Battles, talking animals, magic and evil queens. Looks like a great mix.
Posted by matlock on :
I hope they don't try to make it too "epic" in scope. Part of the great charm of the book is that it's written in a very kid-friendly, chummy way.
I read a little of it last night to Maddy to see how she does with a non-picture book. She fell asleep soon, which was after all the desired effect.
Posted by Kid Prime on :
for the old thread!
Posted by Director Lad on :
I'm very worried about this movie.
First of all, BEARS?!? What the hell are those polar bears doing there? They're supposed to be reindeer! Does anyone here really beleive that Edmund wouldn't have been scared silly of a woman in a sleigh pulled by BEARS!?!
Second, I don't like how the entry through the wardrobe is being depicted in the trailers. I like how, in the book, Lucy getting into Narnia seems almost accidental at first. Again, does anyone beleive that she would really go through by herself if it looked the way it does in the trailer, with the light streaming out and all.
Next, it's clear in the book that Mrs. MacCready would rather the children stay out of her way (particularly when she leads tours of the house), but the Professor is generally depicted as rather welcoming (if, with his heavy beard, a bit alarming to Lucy and amusing to Edmund). When the four end up in the wardrobe, it's for the very specific reason that Mrs. MacCready is leading a tour of the house that seems to drive them there (an example of the magic of Narnia exerting influence on the children). I'm not thrilled about how the children seem to be so unwelcome in the house. It makes it seem like that's why they go to Narnia, which isn't the case at all.
Finally, I'm unimpressed by the shots of them striding through snow-covered mountains. While such shots are ideal for LotR, they really don't fit the image I have of their flight to Aslan. I'm not saying that Narnia doesn't have such landscapes, just that the book describes a journey along the valley of a small river. It's probably just my own experience prejudicing me, but I've always pictured that landscape they traverse as being a lot like the forests of western Massachusetts as they look in the wintertime: close and intimate, with lots of trees, lots of snow, and rolling hills and valleys.
All of these points are just indicators to me of how the filmmakers are approaching the story. Based on these factors (and others), I'm fairly convinced that they've missed the stuff that has always made the books so meaningful to me.
I imagine I'll still go see the movie, but I'm really nervous about it.
[ November 07, 2005, 09:35 AM: Message edited by: Director Lad ]
Posted by CJ Taylor on :
DL, I hear ya. Lewis wanted something much simpler than his buddy's grand epic. He wanted something kids would be awed by, that would appeal to and capture the innocence of youth.
It's hard to tell from the trailer, but I think they are going to work the youth angel. But it's harder today then when the books first came out. And the original readers are more cynical. So it takes more to get us awed.
Least, that's what I'm hoping.
Posted by STU on :
I'm assuming the movie will do well enough to justify at least one or two sequels.
Does anyone know the order they're planning to film them? I suppose it makes sense to film Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and The Last Battle in sequence, since those feature the Pevensie children and the series would flow better using the same actors throughout...
I also think they should definitely make The Magician's Nephew at some point, since it sets up a lot of backstory for Narnia/the Witch/the lamppost/the wardrobe, etc.
Posted by Director Lad on :
Plans are already in the works for Prince Caspian. I agree that it makes sense to do Dawn Treader and Silver Chair next. After that, I think I'd do Magician's Nephew, followed by Horse & his Boy, then Last Battle. Doing them in this order would provide some time for the Pevensies to grow up a bit, since in AHahB they're young adult kings and queens and in Last Battle, they're also young adults. Also, the Pevensie's appearance in AHahB is essentially a cameo, so could build interest for the final film. If you look at about two years to produce each film, the actor playing Peter will be in his late twenties at least by the time they do Last Battle, which is just about right.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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) but becomes a very decent young lady after Aslan is through with her.
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for the old thread!
