The fantasy world created by C.S. Lewis that has thrilled generations is brought to life again in a filmed version of ‘Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe‘
While exploring their new home in the English countryside, the four Pevensie children find a room that is essentially empty, aside from a wardrobe.
The youngest child, Lucy, stays behind after the others have left to inspect the wooden wardrobe – one that ultimately will transport her and her siblings to a new world of wonder and adventure.
Through the wardrobe lies the land of Narnia, a beautiful place destined to stay in endless winter by the evil White Witch, who turns her dissenters into stone.
While in Narnia, the children meet a mystical faun, befriend a family of beavers, join forces with a great and benevolent lion, defeat the wolf who served as the chief of the secret police, destroy the evil witch, and are crowned kings and queens, saving Narnia from its darkness.
Written in 1950, C.S. Lewis’ “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” is the first story written in the “Chronicles of Narnia” series – seven books that have sold more than 100 million copies.
The much-anticipated Walt Disney/Walden Media film “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” opens in theaters Friday.
“There’s something memorable about these books,” said Alan Jacobs, author of “The Narnian: The Life and Imagination of C.S. Lewis” and a professor of English at west suburban Wheaton College, which houses a collection of Lewis papers and memorabilia.
“It’s just a wonderful idea of going into another world through a musty old wardrobe in an empty room in an old house. It resonates with people’s imaginations.”
That sense of imagination is what keeps the story fresh even though it was written to have taken place during World War II. The children have been taken to the English countryside to avoid bombings on London.
“It’s timeless,” said Paul Martin, author of the Web site NarniaFans.com.
“One reason that I think the book has remained such a powerful story is that it taps into our childlike minds that can imagine whole other worlds and takes children on an adventure that is very empowering to children,” Martin said. “It shows children that they can do more than they think if the put their hearts into it.”