Been REALLY busy lately, have so much going on I've not had time for Ciao of late but I'll get writi...
Been REALLY busy lately, have so much going on I've not had time for Ciao of late but I'll get writing reviews and looking at everyone's as soon as I can!
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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 tell her all about The White Witch's cruel reign over Narnia. When Lucy goes home to tell the others, nobody believes her, but then Edmund finds himself in the Wardrobe, and meets The White Witch, who gives him instructions to bring his sisters and brother next time he comes back to Narnia. Edmund rather likes the White Witch, not understanding her true motives. Before long, the four children find themselves in Narnia, and become friends with Mr & Mrs Beaver, who tell them all about Aslan, who is a wonderful and caring King of Narnia. Edmund here's about Aslan, and then goes to meet the White Witch. He tells her all he knows about the coming of Aslan, and she sets out to kill Peter, Susan and Lucy, so they don't get to meet Aslan at the Stone Table (the meeting place). However, the three children, along with Mr and Mrs Beaver, arrive to Aslan
safely. Edmund is in danger of being killed by the White Witch, but he is rescued by Aslan's 'men'. Aslan sacrafices his life in return of Edmund's, and the White Witch thinks he is dead, but he rises again, and during a battle, the White Witch is killed. Aslan revives everyone she had turned to stone, and the children are made Kings and Queen's of Narnia in the castle of Cair Paravel. They apparently live there for years and years, because we see them as adults on horses riding through the woods when they stumble upon the entrance to the wardrobe, which leads back to England. They go through the wardrobe and end up back in the house as children again.
THE ACTORS
There have been many critical reviews of the cast of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe over the years, however I think all of them do a great job. Richard Dempsey plays the part of Peter with passion - Peter is the responsible, calm, strong one, who takes care of the group. Dempsey portrays him brilliantly, and I believe my sister and many of her friends had a bit of a crush on him in their childhood years! Sophie Cook, who played Susan, was also a great actress in this film. She portrays sweet, gentle Susan brilliantly, and she is perfect for the part of mild-mannered Susan. Jonathan R. Scott is great as Edmund - he plays the sulky, ill-mannered child with ease, and it was as though Scott was born to play the part of Edmund. He fitted the character perfectly. Sophie Cox, who played Lucy, is my favourite, though. So many people have said she was useless as Lucy, and resembled one of the beaver's more than that of a little girl, but I think she was wonderful. The new Lucy, in the modern version of the film, isn't a patch on Sophie Cox. Cox had a natural likeability, and she may have been a bit tubby, but that was what made her so loveable and likeable. She has always been my favourite character. The connection she had with the others on screen was evidently just right, and she never gave a less than brilliant performance. Mr Tumnus, played by Jeffrey S. Perry, was an adorable, likeable Faun, who was Lucy's saviour (he put himself at risk to save Lucy from the White Witch). Barbara Kellerman, who played The White Witch, was the best actress for the role. The icy White Witch was terrifying, chilling, and evil. Kerry Shale and Lesley Nicol played Mr & Mrs Beaver respectively, the beavers that took the children in to safety and made that infamous dessert of 'marmalade roll!'.
Old vs New
There is no doubt in my mind that the old version is a million times better than the new. I was sorely disappointed when I saw the new film. It had more special effects, but to be honest, the lack of special effects was what made the old film more enthralling and magical. The actors in the new film just didn't suit the characters, either. It was as though the director just picked someone cute for Lucy, when the actress who played her (despite getting great reviews for her acting) just didn't suit the character of Lucy Pevensie. I like special effects on most films, but it really didn't matter that in the old film it was drawn cartoons in some places, because they couldn't make magical animals in those days using computers. Also, Aslan is two men in a lion's suit, but did it matter? I didn't even notice as a child, and I still only smile when I see it today. Lets remember that it's mostly children who will watch this sort of thing. It's the magic of the film that counts, not the special effects.
Who Would I Recommend It To?
Anyone who has young children, you must let them watch this film. It's so enchanting, so magical, that they will undoubtedly love it, male or female. Teens may love it too, and older people, but as it's not very well-known (the newer version has overshadowed it), they may not have even heard of this version, but it really IS worth the watch. It's not violent, there's no swearing, no sexual innuendo's, which is rare today. Usually, even in most kids films, there are parts for "Mum's and Dad's" which have a slightly rude double meaning, but this film is completely clean of anything like that. It's not scary, despite the presence of the White Witch, but there is nothing in this movie which will terrify anybody! However, I would recommend children 5+ watch this, because SOME may be a little scared of the White Witch.
Religious Theme
I didn't know this until a few years ago, but this movie is based on the religion of Christianity. This may interests some fans which didn't know this either, or religious people who would like a nice story to show to their family. Aslan represents God, the children are his followers, they are doing good and avoiding evil to reach him, one of them strays to the evil side (Edmund) but is brought back on the right path by God, Aslan sacrafices himself on the stone table for Edmund (as God sacrificed himself for all mankind), but he later comes back to life (the resurrection). Ultimately, good wins over evil.
Any Bad Points?
My only gripe with this film is the fact it is a little too long in length. It's over three hours long, and to make children sit still and watch it can prove a little difficult! My advice is to watch it in two halves, because three hours can really feel like forever to young children who may really want to watch it, but end up growing tired. Movies usually only last 90-120 mins (1hr 30mins - 2 hours), so this one is very lengthy.
OVERALL
Overall, I adore this film. It's a good family movie to watch with everyone of all ages, who I can almost guarantee will love the story. If you were/are a fan of the novel by C.S. Lewis, you will be pleased to find that the film follows the novel almost identically. I would recommend this over the new movie. If you've seen the new movie and haven't seen this one, give this one a try, and see what you've been missing!
My rating: 10/10 movie
Thank you for reading, and I really hope you have found this interesting and helpful. Sonic4290.
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![The Chronicles Of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe [DVD] [1988]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78233259.jpg "The Chronicles Of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe [DVD] [1988]")
Dec 26th, 2008
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