Update on Chronicles of Narnia film(s)

[Mrs. Maggott]

This may not be the correct venue for this thread, but I received the following information via e-mail. It may be of interest for those who have wondered whether the upcoming CoN film(s) would be "true" to Lewis:

The following is some film news from the latest edition of "CBA Marketplace":

'Narnia' Film True to Lewis

Disney and Walden Media showed a production preview of the upcoming film of C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" to representatives from more than 30 faith-based and educational organizations. Motive Entertainment's Paul Lauer, who hatched "The Passion of the Christ" grassroots marketing campaign and plans a similar one for 'Lion's' late 2005 release, assured attendees the story's Christian content won't be watered down.

The film's director, Andrew Adamson (Shrek, Shrek 2) said, "I want to be very faithful to the book ... true to my childhood memories of the book."

The Lewis estate approved the sript, and Lewis' stepson, Douglas Gresham, regularly reviews aspects of the production.

CBA Advance attendees at Independents Day saw a sneak preview of the film's production.

If this is true, it is good news indeed. Let's hope that all of the series is done in the same spirit! :p

[Corvis]

Hmm, if the director of Shrek is directing this CON film I wonder if he'll make the films humorous.

[Mrs. Maggott]

Hmm, if the director of Shrek is directing this CON film I wonder if he'll make the films humorous.
Of course, there are "humorous" moments in the CoN series, but it would seem that the director remembers the stories from his youth and wishes to present them "faithfully". Still, Lewis was famous for his moments of gentle humor and their inclusion will not in any way denigrate or weaken the message in the stories.

[Hammersmith]

The film's director, Andrew Adamson (Shrek, Shrek 2) said, "I want to be very faithful to the book ... true to my childhood memories of the book."
I think that's the most promising quote. I think the film could easily be spoiled by over emphasising the Christian aspects just as easily as vice versa. That he's Shrek's director doesn't faze me either. After all, Peter Jackson was a horror director and look what he accomplished.
*Notices the thread's starter*
Er...moving on, you must also remember that the Narnian films do have many humourous moments. Take Reepicheep and Trumpkin for example. Solemn and brave characters who are nonetheless rather funny. Well, who can tell? But I'm expecting a well balanced and faithful account. Thanks for the quotes, Mrs M!

[Mrs. Maggott]

I think that's the most promising quote. I think the film could easily be spoiled by over emphasising the Christian aspects just as easily as vice versa. That he's Shrek's director doesn't faze me either. After all, Peter Jackson was a horror director and look what he accomplished.
*Notices the thread's starter*
Er...moving on, you must also remember that the Narnian films do have many humourous moments. Take Reepicheep and Trumpkin for example. Solemn and brave characters who are nonetheless rather funny. Well, who can tell? But I'm expecting a well balanced and faithful account. Thanks for the quotes, Mrs M!
I think you're only trying to scare me! :p

Of course, you can't over emphasize the "Christian" theme of the stories since, in fact, that is the overall theme. And because CoN is so much less complex than LOTR, any character changes will be that much more noticable and have an even greater impact on the meaning of the story! However, as long as everyone involves is on the same page - and that page is Lewis's page, I think we can (timidly and hopefully) expect good things. However, having been equally prepared for good things before FOTR, I will not build up my hopes until I see the "finished product", so to speak. ;)

[ASLAN THE GREAT]

yep i can't wait any longer for them to come out, i think they well be vey good and got a lot of awords just like lotr did, the time of tolkien has passed and the time of cs.lewis is here

[Mike]

And I'm still waiting for the time of Lloyd Alexander...*sigh*

(Don't tell me Disney's "The Black Cauldron" was this saga's adaptation. It definately was not.)

Well, we'll just see how Narnia turns out and see if it was as good as the "Wiedzmin" shows adaption-wise.

[Mrs. Maggott]

I didn't read the book on that one, but I couldn't help but feel that Cauldron - like Beauty and the Beast - was an exercise in feminism. After all, the villain in B&B wanted children - and worse yet, sons - for heaven's sake!

You know, unless the book has an agenda, it resent it when the film has one - especially if the film's agenda is diametric to the book's meaning.

[Mike]

I didn't read the book on that one, but I couldn't help but feel that Cauldron - like Beauty and the Beast - was an exercise in feminism. After all, the villain in B&B wanted children - and worse yet, sons - for heaven's sake!

You know, unless the book has an agenda, it resent it when the film has one - especially if the film's agenda is diametric to the book's meaning.

Actually, Lloyd Alexander's books are far more femenist than the cartoon. The character of Eilonwy comes across as more strong, and with much more personality.

Read the Prydain Chronicles. They are my favourite fantasy stories after the big one (and we all know what that is)

Disney, literally, killed the story. They combined the first two books into one with little sense. Believe me, that cartoon does not resemble the book at all.
(Kind of like the "Earthsea" movie...)

[Hammersmith]

I think you're only trying to scare me! :p
Never! :eek: Would you say Narnia contains more comedic moments than LOTR? I haven't read it in a while, but I'd say it does.

Of course, you can't over emphasize the "Christian" theme of the stories since, in fact, that is the overall theme. And because CoN is so much less complex than LOTR, any character changes will be that much more noticable and have an even greater impact on the meaning of the story! However, as long as everyone involves is on the same page - and that page is Lewis's page, I think we can (timidly and hopefully) expect good things. However, having been equally prepared for good things before FOTR, I will not build up my hopes until I see the "finished product", so to speak. ;)
I think that it would be very easy to over emphasise the Christian themes in the Narnia books, especially with executives slavering over the Christian filmgoing population of America in a post Passion world. I wasn't thinking of character changes so much as giving over emphasis to certain lines, or even inventing even more overt and less analogous dialogue. It all depends whether or not everyone involved is on the same page as Lewis, or whether they try and beef up the message to overly obvious levels in an attempt to focus more specifically on a particular audience. As you say, it's fair to expect a good result, and while I am certainly building my hopes, I'm bracing for the possibility of disappointment.

[Firawyn]

oh boy, I'm going nuts waiting for this to come out!! *grin* Dec. 9th is the release date in my area! Yay! Anyway, I wanted to post a link to the best Narnia Movie Site I know! www.narniaweb.com :cool:

[Narsil]

I think that it would be very easy to over emphasise the Christian themes in the Narnia books, especially with executives slavering over the Christian filmgoing population of America in a post Passion world. I wasn't thinking of character changes so much as giving over emphasis to certain lines, or even inventing even more overt and less analogous dialogue. It all depends whether or not everyone involved is on the same page as Lewis, or whether they try and beef up the message to overly obvious levels in an attempt to focus more specifically on a particular audience. As you say, it's fair to expect a good result, and while I am certainly building my hopes, I'm bracing for the possibility of disappointment.

I agree that there is the distinct possibility that the Christian themes in CoN could indeed be overdone. Yes, it's a central theme in the books but it's written in a way that you are swept up in the story and not be thinking about it as an expression of Christian symbolism. You don't have to know and understand Christianity to enjoy the books. They are and can be portrayed as a good fantasty story. I think they should concentrate on making a good story and sticking to Lewis' version. The rest will come naturally.

In other words, while I'm watching these movies I don't want to be feeling like I'm in CCD class. ;)

I look forward to seeing The Horse and His Boy onscreen. I'm wondering if they are going to be PC and change the Calormenes so as not to resemble modern day Arabs. :p

Oh, and you have to add Puddleglum to that list of comedic characters. :)

[Narsil]

the time of tolkien has passed and the time of cs.lewis is here

Don't count out The Hobbit! ;)

[Hammersmith]

I look forward to seeing The Horse and His Boy onscreen. I'm wondering if they are going to be PC and change the Calormenes so as not to resemble modern day Arabs. :p
That and The Last Battle are my favourites. I agonise that in making them less blatantly racist they won't damage the feel of them too much.

Oh, and you have to add Puddleglum to that list of comedic characters. :)
If only Dr Who could play him again! :cool:

[Mrs. Maggott]

Actually, the Calormen were more "Turks" than Arabs. They were definitely Arabian Nights exotic people living in an Arabian Nights setting. I hope that the film doesn't change that since not all of them were villains and their colorful garb and accoutrements make them "stand out" against the more medieval England Narnians and Archenlanders. Of course, with the first book, the Witch and her demon horde are the villains, so there is no need to worry about the others quite yet.

I hope that the director and his writers simply "tell the story" as Lewis wrote it. In that way, no important matters would be "overemphasized" or "left out". Indeed, had Jackson been willing to do just that, I think a lot more Tolkien lovers would have liked his films far better than they do - that is, if they do. :rolleyes:

[Corvis]

Of course, there are "humorous" moments in the CoN series,

I can't really think of any with the exception of perhaps Mr. Tumnus and Edmund eating the turkish delight so much.

[Hammersmith]

Actually, the Calormen were more "Turks" than Arabs. They were definitely Arabian Nights exotic people living in an Arabian Nights setting. I hope that the film doesn't change that since not all of them were villains and their colorful garb and accoutrements make them "stand out" against the more medieval England Narnians and Archenlanders. Of course, with the first book, the Witch and her demon horde are the villains, so there is no need to worry about the others quite yet.

I hope that the director and his writers simply "tell the story" as Lewis wrote it. In that way, no important matters would be "overemphasized" or "left out". Indeed, had Jackson been willing to do just that, I think a lot more Tolkien lovers would have liked his films far better than they do - that is, if they do. :rolleyes:
Cheap shot on Tolkien, Mrs M :p
I think the line, "I must have the beautiful yet accursed barbarian queen, whose skin is white and lovely" or whatever Rabadash says, needs to be struck from the script. I'm glad I'm not in the position of writing the screenplay of The Horse And His Boy

I can't really think of any with the exception of perhaps Mr. Tumnus and Edmund eating the turkish delight so much.
Mr Tumnus didn't eat any Turkish Delight *drool*. Just Edmund.
The BBC version cast King Miraz as a rather amusing oaf ("Give it ME!") without ruining the movie. His lords Glozelle and Sopespian were rather comedic in the book and who could forget Reepicheep and his aversion to cuddles, or the hilariously blusterous Eustace demanding to be taken to the British Consul? As Narsil points out, Puddleglum is a genius character, and one of the funniest in the series. I wonder if he'll still get drunk? Uncle Andrew is a pathetic but funny character, and his upright and British diplomatic words with Jadis are side splitting. There is definitely for amusing tensions between Shasta and Aravis, and Prince Cor is outrageously funny. Shasta's berating of King Lune's horse is fairly comedic and Bree's terrified conversation with Aslan is fairly funny. Then we have Trumpkin. Say no more. He's pure comedy! The good Doctor Cornelius is dryly sarcastic and the limited conversation of the third lord at the Beginning of The End of The World adds well needed levity to a rather spooky scene. Prince Rillian under enchantment offers opportunity for some loud and crass humour for the American audience (sorry, couldn't resist!), with Puzzle a delightfully cuddly and funny addition to the otherwise sombre Last Battle.

You can keep Tumnus and his Turkish Delight :p

[Corvis]

Mr Tumnus didn't eat any Turkish Delight *drool*. Just Edmund.

Sorry, didn't type it clearly. I meant just Mr. Tumnus himself was amusing and the part where Edmund was eating the Turikish delight with the Witch was also amusing.

What does *drool* mean?

[Hammersmith]

What does *drool* mean?
Me drooling (dribbling saliva) and wishing that I had some Turkish Delight. One of the most delicious pieces of confectionary ever manufactured :eek:

[Corvis]

I've never had Turkish Delight before. Though you make it sound good, I should try it.

[no1liz]

Would you like the recipe? Liz in Aberdeen

[Firawyn]

there's an acctauly recipie? Awsome! I'l take it even if he doesn't want it! :D

[Corvis]

I would love to have the recipe.

[Hammersmith]

As would I. Normally I can only get it from Sainsbury's.

[Arthur_Vandelay]

I would love to have the recipe.

Turkish Delight

1lt (1¾ Pints) Water
900g (2lb) Sugar
285g (10oz) Corn Flour
225g (8oz) Icing Sugar
1½ tbsp Rosewater
2 tsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Cream of Tartar
Red Food Colouring (optional)

Place the sugar, 285ml (½ pint) water, and lemon juice in a heavy saucepan over medium heat.
Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils.
Reduce the heat and simmer gently, without stirring, until the mixture reaches the soft-ball stage 114 - 118°C (238 - 245°F).
See: Sugar boiling basics (http://thefoody.com/sweets/sugarboilingbasics.html)
The sugar mixture will form a soft ball which can be squashed flat.
Remove the saucepan from the heat.
In a second large heavy saucepan over medium heat, stir together 225g (8oz) cornflour and the cream of tartar.
Gradually stir in the remaining water until no lumps remain.
Stir constantly, until the mixture boils and forms a thick, gluey paste.
Slowly pour the hot sugar syrup into the cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly.
Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring often, to prevent sticking, for about 1 hour, or until the mixture has become a pale golden colour.
Stir in the rosewater and add food colouring (if used).
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking tin and spread evenly.
Cool to room temperature, uncovered, allow to stand overnight to set.
Sift the icing sugar and a little cornflour onto a large cutting board.
Turn out and cut into 1-inch squares with an oiled knife.
Roll pieces in the icing sugar mixture to coat well.
Store in an airtight container with sheets of waxed paper, dusted with the sugar mixture, separating every layer.
Makes approx.80 pieces.(source (http://thefoody.com/sweets/turkishdelight.html))

Or Google "turkish delight recipe."

[Corvis]

Thanks Arthur.

[Raithnait]

As a kid, I had a thing for turkey, and so assumed they meant 'Turkey Delight'(which I took to be small squares of lunch meat...). It's so wierd for me to think of it as a sweet thing...

[Barliman Butterbur]

Good lord, a recipe for Turkish Delight :D , also known as lokumu (lo-KOO-mu). Fortunately, I need not actually make it, as it is easy enough to buy if you know where to look. Try any Greek, Turkish or Armenian deli or confectionary (in which, very fortunately, Los Angeles abounds). In fact, you can purchase some online right here (http://www.tasteofturkey.com/mystore.php?Page=Home&Category=Turkish+Delights+%28Lokum%29). If you've never tasted it, you owe it to yourself to try it!

The most usual flavor is rose, but it also comes in lemon, lavendar, and even anise! The consistency is something like a gumdrop, but cut in cubes and coated with powdered sugar, sometimes embedded with pistachios.

But I digress...

I saw a very short teaser on TV for the Narnia movie last night (I am very intrigued), and guess who's doing the weapons and armor: none other than Richard Taylor and the Weta Workshop!

"In order to assure that the world of Narnia is given the full and proper attention it well deserves, Disney has brought together a very impressive team to get the task done. Howard Berger and his KNB EFX (Lemony Snicket, Kill Bill) will be handling the creature creations; Richard Taylor and his WETA team (Lord of the Rings, King Kong) are taking on the thousands of swords, shields, staffs and the like; and visual effects supervisor Dean Wright (Terminator 2, Lord of the Rings) will be handling most of the computer-generated effects."

Source: http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/552/552416p1.html

The movie will be my intro to Narnia and CS Lewis, just as many fans were introduced to Tolkien through the movie. Never having read the books first and classified them as a branch of Holy Writ, it will be interesting (1) to see if they will move me to read the books, and (2) reach interstellar levels of outrage at the differences between books and movie. ;)

Barley

[Findulias]

i'm very much looking foward to seeing the movie(s). i think the main problem will be that disney's doing them. i don't have anything against disney, but they have tortured other books so why not this one? i am very happy, however, that WETA is going to be doing the props and such, at least that part will be good.

i don't really think that they'lll overdo the religious veiws, in any case they might underdo them. also, the books aren't way religious, so if they do bring out that aspect more i don't think it would hurt very much.

[Corvis]

When I saw Star Wars Episode III they played a trailer for CON. And whoa, it looks so good. I can't wait to see it. The battles look awesome and the scenery looks incredible.

[Firawyn]

OMG! I forgot they were playing the trailer on Ep. III, wow. I'm going to see Ep. III tomorrow morning with soe friends. We're spending this eveing watching Ep I and II. Yay!!! I cant wait!! :D

[Corvis]

People should go see Star Wars just to see the trailer of CON. The movie doesn't look like a little kiddie movie. It's got some awesome looking action in it.

[Eledhwen]

See full article here (http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/comments/narnianews/2005/05/narnia-film-ends-afa-boycott.html).

THE MISGUIDED DISNEY BOYCOTT ENDS


***********
Narnia Film Ends AFA Boycott
By Greg Wright
***********

Narnia Film Ends AFA Boycott

Donald Wildmon's American Family Association has declared Disney "on probation," officially ending its nine-year boycott of the media giant. The AFA cites three "positive signs" as motivation for its decision: first, that Disney CEO Michael Eisner plans to step down in September; that Disney has dissolved its partnership with Miramax, which has historically released controversial films like Priest, Dogma and Fahrenheit 9/11; and that Disney is co-producing and distributing this December's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The Baptist Press News has run a detailed article on the story—which makes sense, because the AFA was only one of several religious organizations backing boycotts of Disney. The Southern Baptist Convention, for example, adopted a "resolution" called "On Moral Stewardship and the Disney Company," which would need consent of the full convention to overturn. The next SBC meeting is this June in Nashville. So will the SBC follow suit with the AFA? Says Richard Land, president of the SBC's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, "I learned a long time ago not to predict what a Southern Baptist Convention meeting in session may or may not do."

Meanwhile, elements of the UK press that love painting American Christian conservatives as combative and narrow-minded have predictably painted the AFA's announcement as a victory for Disney. In an article titled "Out of the lion's den: CS Lewis film saves Disney from Christians," the Guardian notes that "conservative Christians" are "heartened by Disney's decision to adapt The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." Naturally, they get some facts wrong—such as the assertion that "Lewis's tales are traditionally read as thinly-veiled Christian allegories." That's not how they're read. It's what they are. That's like saying The Communist Manifesto is traditionally read as a thinly-veiled political tract.

But let's also be clear on this fact: Disney is not responsible for bringing Narnia to the screen. Walden Media is; Disney merely signed on as a producing and distribution partner. Walden Media commissioned the script, and hired the director. Walden Media initiated the project, and the film's executive producer is Douglas Gresham—who just happens to be C.S. Lewis' devoted stepson, and a passionate Christian. And Disney is doing nothing outrageously new in hiring publicists to promote the film to Christian audiences.

What Disney is doing is simply making good business decisions.

Business decisions, not religious or moral decisions. Do we get that? And that's what businesses in America, by and large (particularly publicly-held companies) are expected to make. They are, after all, in business: to make money. If Disney didn't think they'd make money backing the Narnia films, they wouldn't be doing it.

From where Greg Wright (that's me) sits, the continuing story in the AFA's announcement is the shallowness and convenience of much Christian activism. In the same way that "Christian" media outlets quickly scuttled their proud refusal to air ads for "R" rated movies when one they actually liked finally came along (last year's The Passion of the Christ), the AFA is now dropping its boycott in part because Wildmon knows "there are a lot of evangelicals who are going to want to go and see" the Narnia film (as quoted in Reuters): evangelicals whose support for the AFA might crumble if the AFA kept telling them to boycott Narnia due merely to its association with Disney. Yet the AFA knows that "troublesome stains on the Mouse House," such as the Magic Kingdom's annual Gay Day, aren't going away anytime soon.

Personally, I believe the Disney boycotts to be wildly misguided; and to be fair, Wildmon has said that "the boycott of Disney is now a matter of personal conviction, rather than a matter of AFA ministry emphasis... We encourage people to continue boycotting if they believe that to be the right thing to do."

Boycotts should always be a matter of personal conviction, pure and simple. All matters of principle should be highly personal. And if, on principle, you believed that "R" rated movies should be avoided (which I obviously don't), then you should have avoided Gibson's Passion, too. If you didn't, you compromised your principles.

Likewise, if you believed Disney was worth boycotting nine years ago, you should make your boycott really count and vow right now not to see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Why? First, because Disney has not substantially changed its tune. Disney doesn't really care about Christians, or the Christian themes of Narnia. And it shouldn't, any more than it really cares about gay themes. What Disney does care about is ticket sales. That's merely good business sense—which I also consider generally misguided, by the way.

Second, and more importantly, your boycott now has real meaning because sticking with it will actually cost you something. What good is boycotting something you don't want in the first place?

[Barliman Butterbur]

See full article here (http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/comments/narnianews/2005/05/narnia-film-ends-afa-boycott.html).

THE MISGUIDED DISNEY BOYCOTT ENDS

Whoo! Good post! BUT — how is it permitted, when it carries such a heavy fragrance of both religion and politics???

Eledhwen me dear, me dear, you are cordially invited to the PROJECT EVIL site (see link in my sig), where politics, religion, and other adult Subjects Of Controversy are held in high esteem and respect... :)

Barley

[Hammersmith]

Eledhwen! Now there's someone we haven't seen in a long time! By all means, do join us in Project Evil - and bring that fascinating article with you!

[Eledhwen]

Whoo! Good post! BUT — how is it permitted, when it carries such a heavy fragrance of both religion and politics???

Eledhwen me dear, me dear, you are cordially invited to the PROJECT EVIL site (see link in my sig), where politics, religion, and other adult Subjects Of Controversy are held in high esteem and respect... :)

BarleyReligion, politics, and childrens' stories! Quite a mix! I had a quick look at Project Evil, after spotting it at the end of your signature. I can imagine there being some virtual punchups before long with those subject matters. I also noted that there were four moderators whose job seemed to be to monitor the posts of your good self and scotsboyuk; there being no other obvious posters. I'll look again when I have more time - keep the link on your sig. :cool:

[Hammersmith]

Cast and crew members of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe have played down the significance of Christian symbolism in their version of CS Lewis's novel.
The Narnia books are often viewed as a religious allegory, with Aslan the lion representing Jesus Christ. But director Andrew Adamson said it is "open to the audience to interpret". "Faith is in the eye of the beholder," added British actress Tilda Swinton, who said the original book was more "spiritual" than religious. "You can make a religious allegory out of anything if that's what you're interested in," she told the BBC News website. Swinton, who plays the White Witch Jadis in the film, was speaking at a press event held at Cliveden House, Berkshire on Wednesday.

Sacrifice
In the film, the first in a planned series based on Lewis' Narnia Chronicles, Aslan sacrifices himself in order to save the life of a human boy, or "Son of Adam". He later rises from the dead to lead his troops to victory in an epic battle against the White Witch's forces. But New Zealand-born Adamson - director of the Shrek films - said resurrection was a common theme in the fantasy genre, citing The Matrix and Star Wars as examples. "The religious aspect is something the press is more interested in than the world at large," he said. "When I read the book as a child I accepted it as a pure adventure story. When I first read it, it never occurred to me Aslan was anything more than a great lion," agreed producer Mark Johnson. "Christian themes were very important to CS Lewis and imbued everything he did, but he himself denied any religious implications." Despite the producer's comments, his film has already received pledges of support from evangelical groups in the US. "We believe that God will speak the gospel of Jesus Christ through this film," Lon Allison, director of Illinois' Billy Graham Centre, said last month.


'False issue'
Other parties have been less embracing, with author Philip Pullman calling CS Lewis's fiction "racist" and "misogynistic".
"If the Disney corporation wants to market this film as a great Christian story, they'll just have to tell lies about it," he told the Observer. Johnson, though, said any controversy surrounding the film was "a false issue".
"We're not selling the movie to any particular group," he added. "With a movie this size, we're trying to sell it to everybody." Swinton, meanwhile, described the themes of the story as more "classical" than overtly Christian. "It feels like an ancient myth," she said. "It's about finding self-sufficiency in difficult circumstances and finding the capacity to dig deep, survive and prevail."

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe opens in the UK on 8 December.
Article Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4443248.stm)

*Singsong voice* I smell a controversy :rolleyes:

You have no idea how long it took to format that stupid article. For some reason it wanted to split the quote block in two?

[Firawyn]

Eh, it can't possably be that bad. Hey, I stumbled across this artical a while back, of what the Chronicals of Narnia would be like if they totally took Christ out of it. I found it quiet funny, acctaully. And since they're trying to make the Narnia movies 'epicish', it wont be that funny. *grin*


What would the stories be like without the Christian influence?

Here's my attempt:

Once there were four children whose names were Peter--oh, wait, he was a disciple. Keys to the kingdom and all that.

Well, then: Once there were four children whose names were Percy, Susan--oops, that name's based on the Biblical Susanna. And wasn't there a Santa Lucia, too?

So: Once there were four children whose names were Percy, Sybil, Edmund, and Lana.

Moving right along, these four kids entered a magical land via armoire. There they became involved in an epic struggle of good versus evil--oh, wait, there's no such thing as absolutes. No one is all evil. The Witch is just misunderstood. She probably had an unhappy childhood. Oh, and we can't keep calling her the Witch. The implies censure. We'll call her pagan--no, that might remind people that there's an opposite to paganism, such as religion. Ah! We'll call her a Child of Nature.

So, these four kids join forces with the local inhabitants and try to overthrow the Witch--er, Child of Nature (despite her very stable and mutually beneficial reign.) However, lacking any true leadership (That would mean Him, and we certainly can't include Him.), the children and other rebels soon are turned into overlarge paperweights.

Huh, well, that won't sell. Let's try this: We'll include him, but only after a fashion. So, the children go to meet Aslan and Edmund is rescued. Then Nature Girl comes to claim the traitor, according to ancient law. Aslan, not being a type of Christ, cannot die and be resurrected, so he has to give Edmund back, to fulfill the law. Nature Girl kills Edmund (but he had it coming, after all), and the four thrones are never filled.

No, no. That won't do. Well, how about this: Nature Girl comes to claim Edmund, and Aslan says, "No, that's just tough. You can't have him. I don't have to honor the law my old man put into Narnia years ago."--wait, that implies creation. Can't have that.

Aha!: The Witch, er, Child of Nature, comes for Edmund, and Aslan eats her (So what if it was supposed to be a parley? Getting to eat your enemies during a truce is one of the beauties of situational ethics.). Everybody else lives happily ever after, including the wolves, hags, efreets, etc. who are shown the error of their ways and reintegrated into society. The four children, not satisfied with the concept of "divine right of kings," hold elections to see who will be the new president of Narnia. Some dwarf, who was never given fair opportunity for advancement in Nature Girl's regime, gets the job. The kids go back through the wardrobe. Book sales plummet.

The End.




Sorry, I can't remember who wrote it, I just loved it. Enjoy!

[Mrs. Maggott]

See above: When you take the center out, like cosmic 'black holes', the entire creation collapses. As in the films - not to bring in something that is old hat - once you start down the road of making changes in meaning - however small and unimportant those changes appear at the time - what remains bears no resemblence to the original. Some things just can't be made politically correct at least, that is, if you want to retain what you loved about them in the first place.

[Barliman Butterbur]

See above: When you take the center out, like cosmic 'black holes', the entire creation collapses. As in the films - not to bring in something that is old hat - once you start down the road of making changes in meaning - however small and unimportant those changes appear at the time - what remains bears no resemblence to the original. Some things just can't be made politically correct at least, that is, if you want to retain what you loved about them in the first place.

God's Blood! Madame M! Where have you been keeping yourself all this time, old dear? I hope you and yours are in good health, and that the absence thereof was never the reason for your long hiatus?

Barley

[Mrs. Maggott]

God bless you, good Innkeeper. I have missed your charm and wit. Life has been rather hectic although I did 'drop in' from time to time just to look and see if everyone was still well and active.

I am looking forward to the Narnia film. I hope it keeps the important things extant. I don't mind revisions necessary for the sake of the medium, but I see no reason why the 'center' of the story should not remain. As Emily Dickenson once said, "Hope is a thing with feathers.." I just 'hope' I don't moult when I see this film.

Have a happy Holiday and love to all!

[Hammersmith]

See above: When you take the center out, like cosmic 'black holes', the entire creation collapses. As in the films - not to bring in something that is old hat - once you start down the road of making changes in meaning - however small and unimportant those changes appear at the time - what remains bears no resemblence to the original. Some things just can't be made politically correct at least, that is, if you want to retain what you loved about them in the first place.
I must say, I heartily agree with you and it's absolutely fantastic to see you back here!

[Mrs. Maggott]

Thank you. I am quite taken aback by all of your kindness. I, too, missed you all.

However, I have finally finished my 'war room' - a room for my computer and books - and it looks fantastic! It's such fun to work in a room that is pleasant. Before I had my computer in the same room as my husband's and my books scattered all over kingdom come. 'Rooming' with John is like trying to find a little 'living space' with someone whose very nature is slow but inexorable expansion. I had less and less space to open books for reference and even my keyboard seemed to be getting smaller! Now, I'm my own woman and I can put WHAT I want WHERE I want and WHEN I want! Glorious!

Of course, I was really much delayed by a new project of mine, a book on a particular Civil War personality (someone whom I have adored since I was 12 years old!) - an 'historic novel' rather than merely another bio, of which there are quite a few extant already! Unfortunately, I found that before I could begin I had to do sufficient research to satisfy myself. I hate historic novels and/or alternate history that doesn't take the time to find out what actually happened! Hence I have collected a rather 'vast' C.W. library in a fairly short period of time. Thank God for Amazon's used books! As it is, I am auctioning off one kidneys and possibly a lung to pay for my new obsession. Naturally, my Tolkien books are also being prominently displayed! Then I am getting my studio (what used to be my mother's apartment) put in order to continue my artistic (painting, sewing etc.) efforts. Too bad I don't have time to do such boring things as cook, do laundry and clean!

Oh, well. That's where I've been, but I have missed you all and hope to at least have time to put my toes back in the intellectual flood.

God bless and for those who celebrate, happy Thanksgiving.

[Barliman Butterbur]

I am looking forward to the Narnia film. I hope it keeps the important things extant....I just 'hope' I don't moult when I see this film.


Well, since C.S. Lewis and the Narnia stories are totally out of my ken, I look forward to learning much from you! I will be one of the teeming millions to learn about it all from the movies first, rather than the books — the opposite of my experience with Tolkien.

Barley

[Arvedui]

Mrs. M! How jolly great to see you around again!!!
You have been missed, m'lady.:)
Well, since C.S. Lewis and the Narnia stories are totally out of my ken, I look forward to learning much from you! I will be one of the teeming millions to learn about it all from the movies first, rather than the books — the opposite of my experience with Tolkien.
I second that.

[Mrs. Maggott]

Well, since C.S. Lewis and the Narnia stories are totally out of my ken, I look forward to learning much from you! I will be one of the teeming millions to learn about it all from the movies first, rather than the books — the opposite of my experience with Tolkien.

Barley
I wish you great joy of the film. Certainly visually it seems to be first rate. Again, however, I shall make my judgment depending upon how true it stays to the 'meaning' of the book. That, after all, is where it counts at least as far as I'm concerned. Better a lesser visual delight with the right 'message' than all the visual wonder and a failure to convey the author's precepts. But then, that's only my 'take', yet I cannot help be feel that I am not alone in that belief.

[Hammersmith]

I wish you great joy of the film. Certainly visually it seems to be first rate. Again, however, I shall make my judgment depending upon how true it stays to the 'meaning' of the book. That, after all, is where it counts at least as far as I'm concerned. Better a lesser visual delight with the right 'message' than all the visual wonder and a failure to convey the author's precepts. But then, that's only my 'take', yet I cannot help be feel that I am not alone in that belief.
Well, we still have Prince Caspian, Dawn Treader, Silver Chair and TLTWATW to enjoy relatively unscathed, courtesy of the Beeb. Thank goodness for small favours! :D

[e.Blackstar]

Hey chappies! Guess what?
The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe comes out on Friday in jolly old America!

I'm not sure whether I'm excited or not. LotR was ripe to be movie-made, and it was done beautifully. CoN, on the other hand, is different. Partly, I think, because of the fact that Narnia is a world parallel in the story to our own, whereas in LotR, Middle-Earth is the alpha and omega. Though The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe is a fantastic story, I have a feeling that it will come out a bit gyped and corny-seeming on the silver screen. :rolleyes:

So...I'll probably be going to see it on Saturday, I hope. You will, of course, get my review whether you want it or not ;), and we'll see whether my apprehension is reasonable or not.

:cool: :D ;)

[Maggot]

Well Narnia comes out in a week or so over here in the best country in the world, England. What's wrong with a bit of patriosm? hey. I think that it may be a bit to dark, I mean sure the book has an evil person in it, but it is very jolly and I'm not sure whether the director can pull it of.

[Corvis]

I can't wait for CON to come out I'm definitley going to see it this weekend, but I'm a little worried because I've been seeing a lot of trailers, tv spots, and behind the scenes looks at the movie and some parts don't look that good. Some of the children's acting looks a little shot, but I could be wrong. Only two more days!

[Ithrynluin]

Here, the film premieres tomorrow. Having never read the books, I still look forward to seeing it, probably this weekend.

[Eledhwen]

Some of the children's acting looks a little shot, but I could be wrong. Only two more days!I watched a newsclip about this. Yes, the children were a bit reserved in their acting at the beginning of the film, but they took the unusual step of filming in sequence; that is, they did the scenes in the same order as they appea in the story. This meant that the children grew into their roles and, as their confidence increased, they appeared more mature and regal.

At least, that's what the guy on the news clip said. I will watch with interest.

[Corvis]

Really, in sequence? That's pretty interesting (I think they did that with KING KONG as well). If they get better as the movie goes on and since the story gets better as it goes on then that means the film must be good. Just another reason to go and see it.

[Firawyn]

I SAW IT!!!!



Yay for me!!!!! lol, it was great, and on another note, yes, it was filmed in sequence order.


lol, Walking Narnia dictionary right here!!! *points at self*:D

[Narsil]

lol, Walking Narnia dictionary right here!!! *points at self*:D

Ok, so please go to this thread (http://www.thetolkienforum.com/showthread.php?t=18258) and answer some questions. And why was the name Fenris Ulf changed to Maugrim? Inquiring minds want to know. :confused: ;)

[Firawyn]

To make a comparison to Lotr, Fenris Ulf and Maugrim were one in the same, much like Imladris and Rivendell. Same thing, different name. ;)

I'll ck that thread out!

[e.Blackstar]

To make a comparison to Lotr, Fenris Ulf and Maugrim were one in the same, much like Imladris and Rivendell. Same thing, different name. ;)


Bah humbug! Fenris Ulf=way better.:D