...S Lewis's 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe' at school he was keen on seeing this latest Disney collaboration film at the cinema in his Christmas holidays. It has been directed by Andrew Adamson who has also directed the 'Shrek' movies which are my sons all time favourites so we had high ... Read review
C.S. Lewis's classic novelThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobemakes an ambitious and ... more
long-awaited leap to the screen in this modern adaptation. It's a CGI-created world laden with all the special effects and visual wizardry modern filmmaking technolog...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
C.S. Lewis's classic novelThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobemakes an ambitious and ... more
long-awaited leap to the screen in this modern adaptation. It's a CGI-created world laden with all the special effects and visual wizardry modern filmmaking technolog...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
C.S. Lewis's classic novelThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobemakes an ambitious and ... more
long-awaited leap to the screen in this modern adaptation. It's a CGI-created world laden with all the special effects and visual wizardry modern filmmaking technolog...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
C.S. Lewis's classic novelThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobemakes an ambitious and ... more
long-awaited leap to the screen in this modern adaptation. It's a CGI-created world laden with all the special effects and visual wizardry modern filmmaking technolog...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
C.S. Lewis' timeless adventure The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion The Witch and The ... more
Wardrobe follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings - Lucy Edmund Susan and Peter. Set in World War II England the children enter the world of Narnia through...
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Two Enchanted Tales. One Timeless Collector's Set.Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media ... more
invite you to discover C.S. Lewis' timeless and beloved adventures in this stunning Blu-ray two movie collection of The Chronicles Of Narnia. Venture into mystical lands made more magical with sword-sharp detail and sumptuous sound as Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy meet countless colourful characters and learn valuable life lessons along the way/ It's brilliant entertainment in Disney Blu-ray- Magic in High Definition.In The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, join the four siblings as the step through a magical wardrobe and find the land of Narnia. There, they discover a charming, once-peaceful kingdom that has been plunged into eternal winter by the evil white witch. Aided by the magnificent lion Aslan, the children lead Narnia into battle to be free from her glacial powers forever!The Magic continues in the second instalment of The Chronicles Of Narnia series, Prince Caspian. The children join forces with the mighty and magnificent Aslan, and a brand new hero, Prince Caspian, as they lead the Narnians on a remarkable journey to restore peace and glory to their enchanted land.
Action/Adventure - Director: Peter Jackson - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Andy Serkis
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Advantages: A great adventure story, seamless CGI effects Disadvantages: None significant
...reading C.S Lewis's 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe' at school he was keen on seeing this latest Disney collaboration film at the cinema in his Christmas holidays. It has been directed by Andrew Adamson who has also directed the 'Shrek' movies which are my sons all time favourites so we had high expectations of this particular adaptation.
We sat in a full cinema, shoulder to shoulder, the audience primarily made up of children, ... ...definitely a film of the classic genre which no one is embarrassed to admit liking, and child accompaniment is not necessary as an excuse.
~Let's get the Christian allegory out of the way~
I can't side step this, much as I'd like to because it's been done to death in every press review, but it is undeniable, C.S Lewis was famously a reborn Christian who felt he had to share his faith. Basically and crudely put Narnia is in purgatory, ... more
As my seven year old son was reading C.S Lewis's 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe' at school he was keen on seeing this latest Disney collaboration film at the cinema in his Christmas holidays. It has been directed by Andrew Adamson who has also directed the 'Shrek' movies which are my sons all time favourites so we had high expectations of this particular adaptation.
We sat in a full cinema, shoulder to shoulder, the audience primarily made up of children, but a good smattering of all age groups. It's definitely a film of the classic genre which no one is embarrassed to admit liking, and child accompaniment is not necessary as an excuse.
~Let's get the Christian allegory out of the way~ I can't side step this, much as I'd like to because it's been done to death in every press review, but it is undeniable, C.S Lewis was famously a reborn Christian who felt he had to share his faith. Basically and crudely put Narnia is in purgatory, always winter but never Christmas. The white witch represents the devil; the lion Aslan represents Christ the saviour who will sacrifice his life to save others. The children are the only ones who can save Narnia, and they are referred to biblically as sons of Adam and daughters of Eve. This is why many churches have stuck promotional posters up outside and some have even financed trips for disadvantaged children to see it. All I will say is that my son has not been informed that the story is a Christian allegory and has enjoyed it purely as an adventure tale; I suspect it's the same for other children. So if you're not keen on Christian allegories I wouldn't let this aspect put you off, the film can have as much of an agenda as you want it to.
~The Pevensie children~ The story begins with the middle class Pevensie children living in London during the Blitz with their mother. The opening scenes are of an air raid and the family are running to the shelter. I found the opening scenes some of the most powerful, horrifying and touching - the darkness, the noise, the panic. The world the children are living in is one in which they are powerless. Peter the eldest is trying to be the 'man' while his father is away; younger Edmund constantly disobeys and confronts his brother refusing to accept his authority, nothing out of the ordinary there. The sisters Susan and Lucy are to some extent stereotyped in subservient feminine roles, although to change this too much would alter the original story. 21st century parents (especially those with daughters) may have to take this with a large dose of historical salt. The familial relationship is at the centre of the story, whenever the children are divided there is danger and weakness, they discover it is only when they unite that they are strong. The child actors themselves were previously virtual unknowns and are on the whole unremarkable, I mean that in the nicest sense, considering Disney's involvement their performance is restrained and the 'cute' factor underplayed.
The children's subsequent evacuation sees them unhappy guests in a huge rambling country mansion, with many corridors and curious unknown rooms. The housekeeper is a cold strict dragon of a woman, and the professor who is their host is a mysterious rarely seen eccentric but kindly old fellow (yes, Jim Broadbent was made for this part, it is a brief appearance but a delight), the children occupy themselves with a game of hide and seek through which their lives take on a whole new meaning.
*~The Wardrobe~* A suitably wooden performance from the wardrobe as the ordinary looking doorway to an extraordinary new world. As Lucy the youngest and most guileless makes her way through an unfeasibly vast array of fur coats she is transported to another world of Narnia. Glistening thick twinkling snow hanging from the trees, everything looks beautiful yet there is something in the eerie silence of the place that lets us know it's not quite right. Fatefully Lucy makes friends with a shifty looking faun, who strangely wears a scarf yet has a naked chest and goes to tea. James McAvoy (of 'Shameless') actually plays him with a bit of sexy twinkle in his eye (maybe that's just me!) so much so I felt distinctly uncomfortable during scenes between himself Susan and Lucy.
*~The Witch~* The white witch is not a benevolent looking woman, the make up department have excelled themselves, it's as if she is made of ice, her skin has a cadaverous translucency, her eyes appear to be black (and the get blacker when she is angry), and she has the disdainful look of someone with a permanent bad smell under her nose. Tilda Swinton plays this part with a chilling detached calculated cruelty rather than screeching dramatically, it's very effective.
*~The Lion~* Aslan the CGI lion voiced with suitable gravitas by Liam Neeson is the representation of strength and truth, and the children's moral guidance. The CGI is quite elaborate and he had a range of expressions plus his mouth moves with the speech, this works sometimes, but I did find some of the longer close up scenes a bit unrealistic and comic, what with him chatting away and his brows shooting up. The long shot scenes of him bounding along are impressive however.
Overall verdict **************** It is 2 hours well spent, a riveting adventure story all ages can enjoy, predictable and formulaic but no less enjoyable. The CGI has created some impressive effects and it's been put together seamlessly, this is a film of sweeping landscapes and epic battle scenes best viewed on a big screen so I would advise catching it at the cinema if you can. My son didn't have too many fiddly moments (he tends to fidget in his seat when he gets bored), which is very good considering the length of the film.
On a slight critical note there is constant stereotyping throughout the film. The pleasant, sweet looking or noble creatures were all on the side of good, and the unattractive and deformed were on the white witch's side; this is particularly obvious during the epic battle scene at the end. This is undoubtedly one of the things which appeals particularly to children, it is less confusing they can work out who is good and who is evil without having to think. But if this kind of stereotyping bothers you then you will likely be irritated. Also, as a Christian allegory and moral tale it is a paradox that ultimately it is violence and war which is necessary to rescue Narnia, and Father Christmas himself gives the children weaponry as gifts. Bloodthirsty viewers will not be disappointed, pacifists may be less impressed.
That said, most of my criticisms originate from the book, and had the studio deviated from this too much and tried to put a modern slant on it fans would not have been happy. As it is Narnia purists are bound to be largely pleased with this faithful film adaptation, considering it is a Disney production it is respectful and restrained.
PG rating The official guidance for this rating is that the film should be suitable for 8 years and over, but contains scenes which younger or more sensitive children may find distressing. There are a couple of jump in your seat moments caused by sudden wolf snarls (well it made me jump anyway), and the battle scene at the end is violent although there is not much gore actually shown. I wouldn't recommend this film for under 5's as the story would be too complicated (we had a little boy sitting behind us aged about three who was totally bewildered and asked questions all the way through).
flumpet 03.02.2006
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Review of The Chronicles Of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (DVD)
Advantages: Great adaptation, good special effects Disadvantages: Some will find it too long
When the Pevensie children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, are evacuated to the countryside during the war, they think they are in for a deeply boring time. Then during a game of hide and seek, Lucy goes into a wardrobe to hide and finds herself in a magical, snowy world called Narnia. At first, none of the others believe her, thinking that she is playing make-believe. But then they all end up in Narnia, which is in the middle of a Civil War, with ... ...representing Evil. The Pevensies are tasked with helping Aslan win the War - but is this possible when they are only children? Especially when the White Witch is doing her best to cajole Edmund over to her side...
As a child, I loved all the Narnia books, written by C S Lewis, and have fondest memories of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. It was always going to be a tall order to make a quality film adaptation - I remember a TV version of the ...
sunmeilan 23.10.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Chronicles Of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (DVD)
Advantages: Wonderful story, great acting and effects Disadvantages: Some very noticable added back drops
The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, The witch and The Wardrobe is something which I vaguely remember watching when I was little. There was a television series on every weekend but now all these years later I cannot remember what happened in the end so when I came across this DVD I decided to give it a watch. Hubby was very pleased with my film choice as well as he too watched this when he was little. The film is set around 4 children, Lucy, Edmund, ... ...massive wardrobe in one of the rooms and decides that it would be a good hiding place. Lucy goes into the wardrobe as is shocked when she finds herself in a magical kingdom where she meets Mr Tumnus who is a fawn.
Mr Tumnus invites Lucy to his house for tea and when there he send word to the White Witch that a human is in the land of Narnia. Mr Tumnus regrets doing this and helps Lucy to get back to the wardrobe and home again. Lucy makes it back ...
sewbizzie 04.04.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Chronicles Of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (DVD)
Advantages: entertaining, funny, sticks to the plot of the novel Disadvantages: One line I would have changed, Aslan could have had more presence
I loved the books for The Chronicles of Narnia, I loved the BBC TV adaptation, so there was no way I could not go to the cinema and watch this when it came out. It's definitely aimed more at the children, but I think it's a family film that all ages will enjoy, especially those who have liked Narnia in its earlier incarnations. I found the story entertaining, the acting excellent (especially considering the age of two of the lead actors) and the ... ...book, but on the whole I think they worked. ~~~ The Plot ~~~
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe is set during the Second World War. Four children, Peter Edmund, Susan and Lucy are evacuated to a large house in the country owned by a Professor Kirk. While playing hide and seek Lucy hides in an old wardrobe. Suddenly, she finds herself in the magical land of Narnia and meets a fawn called Mr Tumnus. It turns out that Narnia is ruled by an evil witch ...
87degrees 01.02.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Chronicles Of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (DVD)
Advantages: Great film, great cast, great effects Disadvantages: None for me
I remember reading the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S.Lewis when I was 10 years old and I loved the book. I also read Prince Caspian but didn’t go on to read any more of the series after that as two of the main characters left at the end of Prince Caspian and I remember feeling as though I had lost two of my friends!
I was thrilled when I heard that Walt Disney had decided to make a film of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for release ... ...I didn’t get to see the film at the cinema but we did purchase it on DVD as soon as it was available.
As I am currently watching it again I thought I would tell you all about it and why I enjoyed it so much.
Cast List – main characters
Georgie Henley Lucy Pevensie
Skandar Keynes Edmund Pevensie William Moseley Peter Pevensie
Anna Popplewell Susan Pevensie
Tilda Swinton The White Witch
James McAvoy Mr Tumnus
Jim Broadbent Professor Kirke
...
SusanLesley 08.04.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Chronicles Of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (DVD)
Advantages: Casting, acting, writing, story, special effects Disadvantages: not for ssensetive children
Synopsis As the story begins, Mrs. Pevensie in order to keep her children safe during World War II sends Lucy, Edmond , Susan , and Peter off to stay at a professor's country estate. Away from London and under the care of a strict housekeeper, they are instructed to stick to themselves and stay out of trouble. But when an innocent game of hide-and-seek leads young Lucy to a spare room containing a large wardrobe, she discovers something that will ... ...magical beings. Known as Narnia, the land is stuck in eternal winter at the hands of the cruel White Witch. . When she steps back into reality, Lucy struggles to convince her sceptical siblings of the things she's seen. After much disbelief, the others finally enter the world as well, learning that the creatures of Narnia have long been waiting for humans like themselves to appear and break the witch's spell. But in order to be of any help to the ...
hollywoodmum 03.07.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Chronicles Of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (DVD)
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Advantages: Fantastic tale, acting, costumes. Disadvantages: Special effects, re-mastering.
the White Witch ? a woman who had scared the life out of me as a youngster! So, £11.99 later, I was back at home eager to re-live what I remembered as one of the most enjoyable childrens dramatisations I could remember.
The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe is a BBC dramatisation of the second book in the much loved series The Chronicles of Narnia and for me, was the reason I read the books in the first place so its for that reason I hold the program so high up in my memories of my childhood. The screenplay was written by Alan Seymour (based on the book written by the wonderful C.S Lewis) and his influence can easily be seen by looking at his later work on the House of Elliot as he works hard to capture the essence of the time in which it was based and very much succeeds in this.
The costumes design fits very nicely with the writing ...
Advantages: Magical, brilliant story, clean family fun, a classic Disadvantages: A long film, which might test young childrens concentration
I remember being four years old and renting this out on video, every single week, from the video shop in my local town. I was obsessed with "The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe" and I could never stop watching it. The tale captured my imagination and everything about it was so magical and lovely.
Years later, this is still one of my all-time favourite films.
BRIEF PLOT SUMMARY
Peter, Susan, Edmund & Lucy are evacuees from London, and move to stay with the Professor in a large house, where Lucy discovers the land of Narnia inside a wardrobe whilst exploring the house. Here she meets Mr Tumnus, who is under instruction by The White Witch (who calls herself The Queen) to capture and bring to her any son/daughter of Adam & Eve. Mr Tumnus, however, can't capture Lucy, as they have become friends, and instead he decides to ...
Advantages: Its a brilliant family film Disadvantages: None
Professor in the Country. The housekeeper is a bit of a frightening woman, well I was a bit scared of her! The children are instructed not to make any noise as it will disturb the professor.
Whilst playing a game of hide and seek, Lucy (the youngest) hides in a wardrobe in the attic room and suddenly finds herself in a forest in winter. Here she meets Mr Tumnus, a fawn, who informs her that she is in the land of Narnia, where it is always winter but never Christmas. She goes with Mr Tumnus to his home where he makes her a cup of tea and plays her a lullaby. When Lucy wakes up Mr Tumnus tells her that the White Witch has ordered that any children in her forest must be taken to her at once but Mr Tumnus takes Lucy back to where they met and she returns home back through the wardrobe.
She tells her brothers and sister about her ...
Bloopers Of Narnia, Discover Narnia Fun Facts, Director And Kids Commentary, Filmmakers Commentary, Audio Described
Aspect Ratio
2.35 Wide Screen, 16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 Danish English Norwegian Dolby Digital 2.0 Hindi
Professional reviews
Review
The spirit of the book is very much intact....[The film uses] available technology to capture both the mythic power of Lewis's tale and, even better, its charm. (New York Times, )
Swinton is magisterially wonderful as the witch-queen of Narnia. (Sight And Sound, )
Its epic scope and elaborate battles will raise comparisons with Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy... (USA Today, )
DVD Description
Director Andrew Adamson gives a new dimension to C.S. Lewis's enchanting story with this long-awaited Disney adaptation. As the story begins, Mrs. Pevensie in order to keep her children safe during World War II sends Lucy (Georgie Henley), Edmond (Skandar Keynes), Susan (Anna Popplewell), and Peter (William Moseley) off to stay at a professor's country estate. Away from London and under the care of a strict housekeeper, they are instructed to stick to themselves and stay out of trouble. But when an innocent game of hide-and-seek leads young Lucy to a spare room containing a large wardrobe, she discovers something that will change their lives forever. Inside the wardrobe there is a world frosted with ice and filled with magical beings. Known as Narnia, the land is stuck in eternal winter at the hands of the cruel White Witch, played with great force by the pale, strong-featured Tilda Swinton. When she steps back into reality, Lucy struggles to convince her sceptical siblings of the things she's seen. After much disbelief, the others finally enter the world as well, learning that the creatures of Narnia have long been waiting for humans like themselves to appear and break the witch's spell. But in order to be of any help to the lovable talking beavers, fawns, foxes, and centaurs that they meet, the four will have to face betrayal by one of their own as Edmond cracks under the witch's tempting offer of unlimited Turkish Delights. Under the leadership of the great lion Aslan (voice of Liam Neeson), can Lucy, Edmond, Susan, and the oldest, Peter, prove themselves heroes in the ultimate battle of good vs. evil? High-budget special effects, impressive performances by the film's young newcomers, and beautiful set design move this film far beyond previous television adaptations.
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