In recent years, there have been two different fantasy series that share similarities. They have the same basic plots, the same basic creatures, and so on. Looking at the posters, cases, and trailers, you would think they were very alike, but when you look deeper, you see that they are very different indeed. This fact shows itself through the success of the books and films of their names.
“The Chronicles of Narnia” have been a beloved series for families everywhere since the 1950’s. They started out as a single novel which gained so much popularity that it soon gave birth to a series of seven imaginative tales.
The “His Dark Materials” series have been among us since 1995 and have gained various awards and praise. The first novel, Northern Lights, which was later released in America as The Golden Compass was published in 1995. It was followed by The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass which completed the trilogy.
The first book in each series, and the second in The Chronicles of Narnia, have been recently adapted into major motion pictures. There are similarities, as was stated earlier, but there are also differences. These differences have been debated and quarreled over for years, and here are some of the reasons why:
First, we will look at the authors of the novels. “The Chronicles of Narnia” were written by a man born on November 29, 1898. He lived in Belfast, Ireland and later taught in Oxford for nearly thirty years. C. S. Lewis struggled greatly in childhood and onward, these struggles pushing him to atheism. Later in his life, however, Lewis’ friend and fellow writer J. R. R. Tolkien, author of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, witnessed to him and Lewis converted to Christianity in 1931. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, published in 1950, was the first children’s book Lewis ever wrote. Being a devoted Christian, Lewis paralleled his fantastical world with stories and teachings from the Bible.
The author of “His Dark Materials” comes from a completely different viewpoint. Philip Pullman was born on October 19, 1946 in Norwich, England, frequently moving from base to base due to his father’s career with the Royal Air Force. The first book in Pullman’s series was published in 1995 and was followed by two sequels. Pullman is currently writing another book in the “His Dark Materials” series which will be called The Book of Dust. Pullman says that he has received many questions about his portrayals on religion in his previous novels and will further explain the extent of his atheist beliefs in what he says will be a very large novel:
“This is a big subject and I’m writing a big, big book…”
Unlike Lewis, Pullman sewed bits of atheistic teachings into his worlds and creatures with the intent of steering children away from Christianity. Some could say that Lewis had God on his side, for “The Chronicles of Narnia” has boomed with success whereas The Golden Compass is the only novel in Pullman’s series to be adapted to film.
The Golden Compass crashed at the box-office, even though it cost the same to make as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. After being asked his opinion on why this was, C. E. Moore says:
“It just so happened that when they finally hit screens one was good and one made people want their money back (with the exception of the kick-butt polar bear jaw-breaking scene). Another possibility is that the Narnia films are based on a series of books written by an Oxford don and those books continue to be loved and cherished by millions the world over years after Lewis’ death while The Golden Compass is written by a man who has a special place in his heart for attacking the deeply held Christian beliefs of individuals through children’s stories that are not equally loved nor as well-written. What do you think?”
After the unsuccessful release of The Golden Compass, New Line announced that they would not be releasing any sequels to the film. Many people have their opinions on why Narnia is more of a success, but with Lewis’ wonderful characters and his devotion to God and Pullman’s statement: “My books are about killing God”, I would ask you the same question Mr. Moore did:
What do you think?