Book-turned-Movies: The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Comparison and Contrast

Book-turned-Movies: The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

In the beginning there was the book. And the book became film.

In this day and age, filmmakers have turned books into films, whether it was an old timeless classic or a book currently gaining much popularity. Fiction or non-fiction; classic or fantasy; no matter the genre- production companies would try to capture the same enthusiasm and fervour this books have created within the mass and translate it into films. Thus, in the beginning there was the book and the book became film.

One of these books turned to film was The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe written by C.S Lewis. Its fantasy film adaptation was released last December 9, 2005. From then on, sequels were released last 2008 (Prince Caspian) and 2010 (the Voyage of the Dawn Treader) that was also based on the Chronicles of Narnia book series.

Although, both the book and the film have communicated the plot of the story and of its many similarities, there are also distinctions between the two mediums which will make one of them stand out.

The Book. The book was a classic of children's literature and is the author's best-known work. It was one of the books that captured the imagination of young and even old alike in the 1950’s. The story is about four siblings and their adventures in the snow covered magical Kingdom of Narnia, where trees dance, animals speak and ruled by a not-so-tamed Lion named Aslan.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe were set in the time of the World War 2. The blitz or air borne attacks of the German Nazis on London caused for children to be sent out to the country for safety. The story begins as the four siblings whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy or the Pevensie children were sent out to the house of an old Professor who lived in the heart of the country.

Lucy, the youngest of the siblings was the first to discover the land of Narnia inside a Wardrobe in the spare room. It was while exploring the Professor’s house while being forced indoors because of the steady rain falling outside. There, in the magical land of Narnia where it’s “always winter but never Christmas”, Lucy met Mr. Tumnus, a man with a goat's horns, ears, legs, and tail or better known as a Faun. Upon finding out that Lucy was a girl or as the book aptly describes “Daughter of Eve”, the Faun invites her over for tea and snack and she spent hours in his little home. Unknowingly to Lucy and with her innocence, the Faun intends to kidnap her because according to the White Witch or ‘the Queen of Narnia’ as she calls herself. She was the one who cursed Narnia for its century long winter. According to her if a Narnian encounters a human; he or she must be brought to the Queen. But Mr. Tumnus liked Lucy and decided to let her go and helped her out of the Wardrobe.

When Lucy returned, what seemed hours for her, hardly any time had passed in the normal world. She tried to convince them but they thought that either she was mad or lying.

It was a few days after and another wet day when they decided to play hide and seek, that Lucy returned to the Wardrobe and this time her brother Edmund, the second youngest followed her.

Edmund met the White Witch in her sleigh. She tricked him with her Turkish delight and in her query; she found out that they were four siblings; Lucy who was also in Narnia and spending time with the Faun. The Queen’s curiosity on their number was because of a prophecy that had been foretold, that “When Adam’s Flesh and Adam’s bone, sits at Cair Paravel throne. The evil time will be over and done.”  She will only be beaten when four humans – “two Sons’ of Adam and two Daughters’ of Eve” – arrive in Narnia.

Finally on Lucy’s 3^rd visit in Narnia now together with her other siblings; Tumnus was arrested by Maugrim, the chief of police for the Queen. In their attempt to help the Faun, they met the beavers. Because of the trick upon Edmund, he betrays his whole family and tries to turn them to the Queen unknowingly endangering them. To save Edmund from the Queen, the three remaining siblings must journey through the vast kingdom of Narnia and ask the help of Aslan himself. And thus we will read in the book the struggle and triumph of good against evil.

A highly fantasy book, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will make your imagination catch light as the story progresses. It is also known that the Narnia Series was a Christian Allegory, with themes and characters embodying the Christian struggle and triumph against evil. C.S Lewis denies the series as an allegory yet as a late convert to Christianity and later known as an apologetic writer, almost all of his writing were influenced greatly with his faith. Aslan known as the representation of Christ as the “Lion of Judah” in the book of Revelation and even his ultimate sacrifice at the Stone Table in the hands of the White Witch in exchange of a traitor’s blood (Edmund).

The ending seemed predictable- like their reign was not forever, even how magical and triumphant they were (their reign was called “The Golden Age” in Prince Caspian, Book 4). But you’ll also get the feeling that as they stumbled out of the Wardrobe, back to England and as children again; their adventures had just began.

The Movie. The movie adaptation that was released on 2005 was directed by Andrew Adamson and co-produced by Walden Media and Walt Disney Pictures and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures. The Pevensie siblings were portrayed by William Moseley as Peter, Anna Popplewell as Susan, Skandar Keynes as Edmund and Georgie Henley as Lucy. Tilda Swinton as Jadis, the White Witch and James McAvoy as Mr. Tumnus. Liam Neeson lends his deep and reverent voice for Aslan, the Great Lion.

The movie brought to life what many readers have continually created in their minds as they leaf through each page. To see in your mind’s eye and to finally see it on screen is also a magical experience. Like the first time Lucy steps in Narnia; the first time she met Mr. Tumnus- the surprise each brought to each other. But for me one of the most anticipated parts in the film is when Aslan was finally revealed- growing up with these books, you keep on wondering how the film could bring justice to this beloved character. His “un-tameness”; power and yet gentleness whenever Lucy buries her face on his mane. And to finally hear that deep voice, captured how his presence and voice or roar rather, calms the fears of the whole Kingdom and even melts the century long winter.

The movie communicates the plot well enough for its 3 hour duration. The supporting characters were good and even the musical background complimented well the scenes where all the hype is prevailing like the Battle in Beruna as Peter’s army finally meets the White Witch’s allies.

Final analysis.  As the popularity of ‘book-turned-movies’ nowadays, I could say that The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe were a success compared to its contemporaries in the children’s fantasy section. The producers and writers seemed to learn from other movies the likes of the “Harry Potter Series”, where the movie failed to translate the plot to audiences and just retract with the cinematography and special effects. Let’s just say some other books were “lost in translation.”

Comparing the book from the movie; the book was written to move our imagination while the movie finally articulates those imaginings. The book, for me is more exciting than the movie. Maybe I’m just a little bit more partial to this since I enjoy a story using my imagination than effortlessly watch it. There are also the differences in the characters like Otmin, the White Witch's general, and Oreius, the Narnian's general, which did not appear in the book but were supporting characters in the movie. Even the ‘frozen river scene’ in the movie was not present in the book.

But both mediums stood out and have their own shining moments. Yet, which is better, the book or the move? For me I’ll still stick to the written word.

Even C.S. Lewis was not all too excited when he was asked before if his book would be turned into a movie. There are certain parts of the book that will be really difficult to bring alive in film; emotions that only the written word evokes within you and could not be fully expressed by the actors. The book was written to move our imagination and to watch it with less effort contradicts the purpose of the writer. But then again it’s still up to you to judge which is better.