The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Title: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Author: C.S. Lewis (original); Andrew Adamson, Ann Peacock, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely (screenplay)
Director: Andrew Adamson
Cast: Georgie Henley (Lucy), Skandar Keynes (Edmund), William Moseley (Peter), Anna Popplewell (Susan), Tilda Swinton (The White Witch), James McEvoy (Mr. Tumnus), Jim Broadbent (Professor Kirke), Liam Neeson (Aslan).
ASIN: B000E8M0VA (DVD)

Other Movies in Series: Prince Caspian

Other Books in Series: Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Horse and His Boy, The Magician's Nephew, The Last Battle.

Plot Summary: Lucy, Edmund, Peter and Susan Pevensie are four siblings growing up in London during World War II. When the German bombings make conditions in the city too dangerous, they are relocated to a country manor inhabited by an eccentric professor and his rather dour maid. In exploring the vast house, the children stumble upon a wardrobe that is a portal to a magical world known as Narnia. However, all is not well in this land: the White Witch has all creatures and areas in the land under her control, and her magic makes it "always Winter and never Christmas" in Narnia. Three of the Pevensie siblings befriend sympathetic characters in Narnia, but Edmund is seduced into joining the White Witch's side with promises of wealth, power, and all the Turkish Delight he can eat. Unfortunately, the Witch's promises prove as artificial as her imposed winter, and he becomes her prisoner. The other three siblings set out to find him and defeat the Witch, encountering both dangers and encouraging signs of change along the way. Before they return to the "real" world, they will join forces with Aslan, a talking lion and the leader of the resistance against the Witch, for the future and soul of Narnia.


Critical Evaluation: This is a largely successful adaptation of Lewis's novel, remaining true to the spirit of the book even if it is not able to include all of the scenes and dialogue. Its additional scenes at the beginning, involving the circumstances leading up to the Pevensie children being brought to the country, are effectively done and often poignant. Those familiar with the book may be disappointed that some of their favorite parts are left out, but will find the film largely satisfactory; those who are not will find it an engaging and well-constructed fantasy tale.


Viewer's Annotation: When four English children stumble across a magical wardrobe in an old country manor, they are transported into a magical land known as Narnia. While there, they will meet incredible creatures, both good and bad, have adventures beyond their wildest imaginings, and end up in an epic battle to save Narnia from the forces of eternal winter.

About the Author: Clive Staples Lewis was born in 1898 in Belfast, Ireland. He was initially baptized in the Church of Ireland, but turned to the Church of England as an adult after a long hiatus in faith. After graduating from high school, he received a scholarship to University College at Oxford, but volunteered to join the military during World War I; he suffered from physical injury and depression after his service. After graduating with highest honors in three subjects from Oxford, he joined the faculty, making friends with a fellow professor, J.R.R. Tolkien. He married late in life, to a woman who was 17 years his junior, but was subsequently bereaved when she died of cancer not long after; Lewis followed her three years later, dying of a heart attack. His published works include fictional fantasy, children's literature, essays, literary criticism, theological texts, and science fiction; all are frequently and strongly informed by his Christian faith, and many of his fictional works, particularly the Narnia series, contain strong Christian imagery.
Andrew Adamson was born in 1966 in Auckland, New Zealand, and worked as visual effects supervisor in movies before turning to directing. He has worked as writer, director and producer on the Shrek and Narnia movie series, and was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2006.

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: World Religion

Booktalking Ideas:

No booktalk, but discuss how move relates to book and to book series.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle/High School

Challenge Issues: Violence, character death, religious viewpoint.
Viewers with even a passing familiarity with Christianity will see the parallels between Aslan and Jesus, as well as other religious imagery, although this may go over the heads of younger viewers. Lewis has very particular views on Christianity; those who disagree with them may be offended on theological grounds. Younger and more sensitive viewers may be disturbed by this movie's scenes of violent battle, bombings, deaths of beloved characters, and other disturbing events. The violence in this movie is a function of the struggle between the forces of good and evil, and the four young protagonists do not use the weapons they have been given except when absolutely necessary. Regardless of viewers' religious persuasion, they will find in this narrative a story of the triumph of innocence, loyalty and morality over those of evil, oppression, and treachery, and will find the Pevensies's adventures in Narnia as much of a fantastical escape from daily reality as do the protagonists themselves.

Why I Chose This Movie: It is rare for film adaptations of novels to be entirely successful in remaining true to the spirit of the original. Although it is inevitable that some of the scenes and dialogue in Lewis's original book have been cut or adapted in the interest of brevity, others have been expanded or changed, often to strong dramatic and narrative effect. I have often been disappointed by movie adaptations, particularly of books I loved as a child. This one has fortunately proved me wrong, and I feel it is an excellent introduction to the Narnia series for young adults who might be reluctant to read the book.