Recently, Douglas Gresham was interviewed for a podcast called “Your Story.” The specific episode title is “Episode 46: Doug. C.S. Lewis, Narnia, Film Making and Christianity.” This particular interview is causing quite a stir in people, as their nerves are already running high that the film is going to be “vastly different” to the book, and this interview appears to confirm that there are “big changes” to the story. I’ve gotta tell you though: regardless of what your worst fears are about the translation of book to screen, we’re still getting The Voyage of the Dawn Treader on the big screen. Period. It’s going to be epic and fun, it’s going to be magical and delightful. Sure, it’s going to have changes, but what adaptation doesn’t?
Anyway, here are a few excerpts, transcribed by icarus.
Ian Kath: These movies, how well are they sticking to the originals, the books?
Douglas Gresham: Well, The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe was very close to the original book because the book was written in such a way that lent itself to being transcribed into the film medium. Prince Caspian we had to make some fairly major changes because the book isn’t written that way. In this movie there are a lot of differences in it also to, as Hollywood says, “derive the plot.” I’m ambivalent as to whether they’re necessary or not, I don’t really think so. But that’s the way they wanted to do it, and it was either that or not make a movie, so I said “well go ahead and do it.” It will be very interesting to see the audiences reactions.
[…]
Ian Kath: It’s an amazing amount of work that we’ve put into this, and I just love what we’ve done, and if the story is as good as the work and the passion that we’ve put into it..
Douglas Gresham: I think the story in the book is better but it’s still a great story.
Ian Kath: I don’t know the story.
Douglas Gresham: You should read it, you should read all of the Narnian chronicles, but yeah I think it’s going to be a great movie. It’s a fabulous movie.
[…]
Ian Kath: Is the next one scripted yet?
Douglas Gresham: Oh no no. We haven’t got that far yet. We haven’t even decided exactly which one we are going to do yet. There are several reasons why we would go with The Silver Chair, but then there are other reasons why we might go with something else. One of the reasons for Silver Chair, I’m voting for going with Silver Chair, one of the reasons is that we have found an absolutely fabulous young actor to play Eustace.
There are a couple of things to point out. One: Douglas Gresham says that “it’s still a great story.” Two: He says “…I think it’s going to be a great movie. It’s a fabulous movie.”
I’m the eternal Narnia movie optimist, always looking for the good things in the Narnia movies that we get. I’m not a Narnia book purist, as many of you know, based on my reviews of the previous two Narnia films, as well as the countless other things I’ve said about the act of making a book into a movie. Believe me when I say that when Douglas Gresham says that they’ve had to make changes to “derive the story” from the book, it’s not a negative thing. In fact, it’s a very good thing.
We can all concede that there may be changes that we don’t really agree with, but knowing that it’s this or nothing… I choose this. For one thing, I’m not going to be too upset (or even upset at all) about too many changes. To me, if they miss a couple of important elements (and in my book, there are only two), then they’ve missed out on a couple of very vital things. It seems to me that they’ve at least gotten one of those two in there, and I have yet to learn if the other has made it in. If both of those things are in, they can change practically anything else, and I’ll still walk away happy.
We, the audience of these films, can either panic about our own nightmares about changes from book to screen, or we can be proactive at learning why changes are made from book to screen. The Princess Bride is a great example, because the books’ author wrote the screenplay, and it is different. Same for the movie Holes.
I could write a book about why things change, and I was very nearly going to right here, because I know there is, what I consider, an over-reaction from some of the audience over a quote that isn’t really saying anything at all. Folks: if you go in with a negative attitude, you walk out with a negative attitude. If you’ve been on retreats, and have put yourself into them, you can get a lot more out of them, than if you’re negative the entire time. It’s the same with a film that you’re likely going to love. You just have to give yourself that chance. Don’t feed on the mob mentality. It’s not the end of the world. You have, so far, seen three real pictures from the film, and no footage. That’s not the same as having seen the movie. Let’s not jump to conclusions and wait for the credits to roll before we start to pick the movie apart. But until that time, let’s have fun knowing that more Narnia is coming.
One more thing: if these films do nothing other than introduce someone to the world of Narnia, and they go to the library or bookstore and read the books: isn’t that worth it all?
You can listen to the podcast at Your Story.
Big thanks to icarus for the find and the hard work transcribing portions of the interview.
Well, this is very interesting. I am constantly exercised by filmmakers who want to film a book and then feel the need to change the original material – sometimes out of all recognition.
Why take a book with a story in which you don’t have the sufficient confidence to provide you with a filmable scenario? Let’s think why that might be? Because the title already has worldwide recognition…? Surely not.
Much-loved books have become that by being loved by many and to use them as a springboard as a ‘plot-outline’ for screenwriters, producers and directors who don’t have the wit to create an original story of their own devising is regrettable.
The Harry Potter franchise has managed to remain true to the books (albeit with having to make substantial cuts and compressions) and – with one or two notable exceptions in detail – so did the Jackson ‘Rings’ trilogy. Why is Narnia proving so difficult? The changes made to ‘Prince Caspian’ were enough for me, I shan’t be bothering with the ‘Dawn Treader’.
Saying: “I’ve gotta tell you though: regardless of what your worst fears are about the translation of book to screen, we’re still getting ‘The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’ on the big screen. Period,” is a cop-out. The book has endured and found new readers for 57 years, it doesn’t ‘need’ to be seen “on the big screen”.
I’m sorry for the memory of CSL that more people aren’t prepared to fight harder to put on film his books as they were written.
JMH(well, not-so-humble)O
Brian Sibley
I find the story that they are telling to be the story of the book, with a few minor additions to get the ball rolling, as well as to keep it PG-rated. I don’t think it’s a drastic re-ordering of sequences like with Prince Caspian. Also, I’m not sure if it’s a cop-out, as much as hope that people give this one a chance. This one stays much closer to the source material (in a Harry Potter / Lord of the Rings fashion) than did Caspian. I do agree that a book that’s been well loved for 57 years shouldn’t need much change for the big screen, and they haven’t done so much to it, that I have seen. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is being seen as a return to the magic of Narnia by all involved. They say that it has much more of a feel of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and stays much closer to the source material. (I listened to your radio theater version of it a few months ago, by the way.)
(I wrote the article at about 5:30AM when I found I was awake and should have been able to sleep, but couldn’t… I was very tired, which may account for some of my word-choice or use of quickly formed ‘excuses’ as it were.)
Some things are put into books only because you can’t see, while other things are put into movies only because you can’t read. The more a book relies upon someone’s thoughts and feelings, the harder it is to make a movie about it. You have to find ways to show the inward invisible things through outward visible signs. Clever word play often doesn’t translate well, such as the remark in Wind and the Willows that “The two weasels laughed so hard that they had two fits…which is to say, one fit each.” I could go on and on but this is a remark, not an essay.
Hmm, interesting interview. It’s kind of cool to know that even Douglas Gresham doesn’t really think some of the changes are necessary. But I have high hopes for the movie myself – in my opinion, the movie makers haven’t REALLY let us down yet. PC was a bit out there, not completly true to the book, but it WAS a good movie. And no one had any complaints for LWW. And since I’ve heard so much about this movie being closer to LWW, I think we’re good. Mr. Gresham is right, if it was down to a few changes to a book that only half lent itself to a movie form in the first place, or no movie at all, I deffinately choose the movie! :P.
But thanks for posting the interview :D.
I didn’t mind the additions to Prince Caspian or the rearrangement of plot elements. I really didn’t even mind putting off Aslan’s appearance until later, because it worked as a comment on faith. What I do find very annoying about the Narnia movies (which I 95% like) is an important but minor nit. For someone who calls himself a Christian and claims he has a degree of creative control, Gresham seems not very interested in fighting for the most important thing in the books. Aslan is downplayed at every available opportunity – His power, His authority, etc. A beautiful addition (Aslan calls Peter by his full name, as if He’s always known him) is followed by the cop-out implying that Mr. Beaver told him. And wherever there’s a reference to Aslan’s power or authority in both movies, it’s always downplayed. I don’t remember the exact quote changes for LWW, but I remember they annoyed me. In Prince Caspian, this seems to be the only point to make such nitty changes as “if you were any braver, you would be a lioness” instead of instilling her with His power, or “WE can never know what would have happened”, and so forth. I distinctly remember there were minor changes of this kind permeating LWW as well.
In short, they can change a great deal of VotDT to make it more cinematic, as far as I’m concerned, but the deal-breaker for me is the presence or absence of a couple of lines: “Are you in our world as well, sir?”
I suspect, unfortunately, that I know the answer. If I’m wrong, I’ll take all my cyncism back. Capital “I”, capital “F”.
i also noticed the subtle but, in a disturbing way, major changes to the movies that ‘gn’ mentioned. but i guess you can’t expect much else from a secular movie-making world. it is sad, but that’s where you must make the distinction between amazing books written by a mature christian and people trying to make money off of people’s love of those books, without ‘offending anyone.’ yet they ‘offend’ those who believe the faith portrayed in the books is the best part. my point is that we must enjoy the movies for what they are, hollywood’s portrayal of incredible books. and i’m sure everyone can agree that it’s pretty cool to see some of the things we imagined while reading come to life with awesome special effects etc.! i for one am excited to see VDT, and if they add or take out things that i disagree with, i’ll still be able to enjoy the movie.
p.s. thanks again paul for your great writing and wonderful site. even if we disagree with each other, i’m pretty sure all us readers are truly grateful for your work!!!! i know i am!
Gn, I admit that I was VERY disappointed in the plot departures in PC, but was MUCH more upset by the kind of thing you mention. The crux of the book, for me, was the lesson of faith that Lucy, and eventually the rest of the group and the whole body of faithful Narnians, learned. Nikabrik’s scoffing, Trumpkin’s questioning, and eventually the question of in the mouths of the very Kings and Queens, “Where is Aslan?” and the answer, in which each of them was required to do right in spite of the circumstances, seem to me the leitmotif of the book, and possibly its very purpose. The PC movie completely muddled the significance of this factor, and the most disappointing thing for me was the complete mess they made of Lucy’s seeing Aslan, then meeting with Him and recognising her impossible duty.
Then there was that blasphemous union of the minotaurs, etc., o the Narnian group which the movie proposes, and which was completely apocryphal, and turns the movie into a contradiction–why then could they not accept the hag and the werewolf and their goddess?
Lewis gave truth; Disney etc. gave me empty entertainment, and got my money in return. I’m not paying a cent for VDT. I doubt Lewis would.
If you stay with the spirit of the book, you can do okay. I didn’t mind the changes in Prince Caspian. I thought it was good and I enjoyed the movie a lot. The Voyage will probably be more of a challenge for the filmmakers. I think it will be okay. They know that they are filming one of the best fantasies of all time. They want to get it right.
Nathan,
‘Blasphemous’?. Please. Minotaurs are not truly evil, even in the Greek traditions from which they sprung. They are the only people who fought with the Witch (who, by the way, is NOT a goddess)and then turned their allegiance to Caspian. Is it not possible that they repented and reformed? Or even that they just hated the Telmarines? The Minotaurs were probably pretty shaken up by the – let’s just say it – rather easy defeat of the Witch, which could have turned them to following Aslan. It wouldn’t be the first time this has happened in history. The minotaurs never suggested that the Narnians turn to the Witch to try to get victory. It seems obvious to me that they have turned from her.
Also, I disagree with the opinion that Aslan and his role have been downplayed. In the PC movie, there are several references to the struggle between the kings’and queens’ doubt and their knowledge that they must do what they can to fight this war even when Aslan’s involvement is not apparent. The “Maybe we’re supposed to prove ourselves to him” scene leaps to mind. Also, how exactly are you supposed to show “instilling her with his power” in a movie? It seems to me that the ‘dream’ sequence in which Aslan appeared to Lucy empowered her to be insistent upon following him and fighting this war for his sake. And the “WE can never know” – well, he does say in VDT and MN that NO ONE is told what would have happened. NO ONE.
I’m not saying I agree with all the changes they made with PC. I don’t know yet if I will agree with what they do in the rest of movies. But there are some things that you cannot put on screen. I don’t mean to “not offend anybody”, I mean that it’s dang near impossible to get a twelve-year-old girl to look like she’s being “instilled with power”.
Let’s just give this a chance, okay? This movie is still not coming out for more than a year. We have seen exactly zero official footage, and the fact that Lewis’s stepson, the guy to whom Horse and His Boy was dedicated, has a great deal of power over this franchise, is comforting to at least me.
DITTO!!!!!! thank u thank u! i don’t have time to write all that, but my thoughts exactly! give it a chance!
I just have to say it. It is such a shame to see such a brilliant and talented person as Brian Sibley spouting such prejudiced nonsense.
JMHO
This Christian themes were weakened in Prince Caspian. That is why it did not do quite as well as the LWW.
An absurd statement. First off, since when has there been a correlation between the amount of Christianity in a film and its box office success? If anything, Christianity seems to harm a films’ box office.
Second, I think that the Christian themes of the book were, if anything, emphasized in the movie. The theme of faith especially. Unlike the book, Lucy actually ask the question “where has Aslan been all this time?” and the doubt on her face is clear. They also had a great scene with Lucy and Susan by the campfire where they explored why Susan couldn’t see Aslan. “Maybe you didn’t really want to,” Lucy suggests. The three main themes in the PC book are: 1) Return, 2) Faith, 3) The Myth Becoming Fact. All three of those themes were strong (and in the case of #2, emphasized) in the film.
I’m rather neutral on the whole matter, and I have to say I’m looking to the film based on the Voyage of the Dawn Treader. That said, I’m apprehensive about two things (call them themes if you will): first, the inherent Christian message of the books, and second, the spirit of adventure that permeates the book.
It’s easy to see Hollywood is apprehensive about the Christian message in the books, and would like to see it toned down, and there are fans out there who want the Christian message to be as obvious in the film as it is in a sermon or homily. The people involved in the production, especially Doug, are I’m sure forced to walk a tightrope in that regard. Not only because we want the Christian message to BE there, we want it to be there in a way that allows that message to get through “past watchful dragons.” I’m sure Doug and the others are trying, with some of their efforts paying off, some not.
Much more at risk is the sense of lighthearted adventure that is in the books. As Glen Goodnight pointed out, Hollywood currently subscribes to the thinking that films of this genre need to be epic romances on the scale of Lord of the Rings. Understandable. It’s a scriptwriting given: without danger, there is no tension. It’s easy to also think “more danger, more tension.” Also, exploration for its own sake (he who continues will pass down the title of ‘dawn treader’ to his descendants after him”) has gone out of fashion since the latter part of the last century. What we lose out on, if they replace the exploration motive with something more “epic” is Lewis’ earthy humour, and his incredible sense of delight in adventure.
I was disappointed with Caspian, but I rather expected to be, Caspian being rather low on my list of Lewis books. I expected changes, because the flashback structure of the book made it difficult script. I thought some of them were petty, though, which meant I was disappointed more than I thought I’d be.
For the Dawn Treader, again, the need for change is obvious. The episodic chapter structure of Dawn Treader needs to be adapted if it’s going to be filmed. But I don’t expect to be disappointed with Dawn Treader becuase there’s plenty of things I love about the book, and even if just a bit of it gets through, it will outperform Caspian in my estimation.
The Silver Chair, however, is structured rather aptly for film adaptation, and it is for that book that I’m looking forward to a film that adheres very closely to the book.
But oh, I’ve made an essay. Apologies. Hehe. Looking forward to the film. See you in the movies!
I’m sooo excited, I really hope they keep close to the book. I really can’t wait, this is my favorite book.
I tend to be the opposite–the higher the book is on my list, the more likely I’ll be disappointed by the filming, perhaps because the more quality there is behind a work of art, the more it suffers from small changes.
But anyway, I concur with your judgment of the the books–there are grand moments, but Narnia is not about epic journeys, heros, and drama as much as it is a place where children find heroic acts and choices are demanded of small people, and wonder is around the corner. There is as much quaint drollery as there is grand drama.
I am rather disturbed by Mr. Gresham’s remarks. I have high hopes for VDT. I went into PC with low expectation and was very pleasantly surprised with the movie. Maybe if I go into VDT with low expectation I might again be very pleasantly surprised by the movie. Can’t wait but am nervous about the finished product. I love the book.
There are several comments about the Christian themes being downplayed in the films. The more pegan themes were also heavily down-played as well. One example: they left out the scenes involving Bachus. It apears that in their attempt to make the movie more acceptable to the general public they had to water down all the themes and emphasize the battles more. I personally don’t care for the “crush” Susan and Caspian have for one another, in the books it seems that Susan was more sensable than that. I don’t care for the addition of Peter and Caspian’s rivalry either. I would have rather seen them stay closer to the plotline followed in the book.
However, to be fair, it was as good a movie as I had seen lately, and I look forward to Dawn Treader, which is my favorite book of the Series.
I personally from my experience in seeing so many books have film adaptions and many of them have failed to live up to their expectations for the book. On the other hand Marley and Me seemed to be set for the readers and not for non-readers. However I’ve always accepted minor changes when adapting a book into a film in order to tell the story, but I disagree with having big major changes because it seems it has always played out for worse. Disney did a finer job for LWW and PC even though Caspian was a little off with its scenes compared to the book, but still did well and it only had minor changes, not major ones. Well, if Gresham thinks it will do well, it better, but most authors and relatives always agree with the movie makers more and think it is excellent. I hope the FOX doesn’t mess it up as it always does.
What has Fox messed up? Fox does get a lot of things right, and as I’ve said countless times before: Fox doesn’t make movies. Creative teams do. The same people worked on this film at Fox that would have at Disney. Fox does have some say, and approval of who to hire and things like that, but overall it comes down to the director, writers and producers.
Despite my concerns, which I spent the last hour writing down, only to delete them and write this. From a Christian perspective, I have begun to tell myself not to worry about VDT. CS Lewis wrote the books inspired by his faith, and therefore, Narnia is not Disney’s or Fox’s merchandise, but God’s. As long as the Christian fans can have faith that Narnia will be taken good care of, it will be.
That’s a great article, Paul, and I strongly agree with you. Although I am somewhat of a Narnia Purist, I understand that the transition from book to film sometimes cannot be accomplished without minor changes to the plot. I prefer the films to be exactly like the books, but I know that it is necessary to be otherwise. Andrew Adamson and the entire team did well with both “Wardrobe” and “Caspian,” and I am looking forward to what Michael Apted will bring to the series. Although the Christian theme has been more subtle in the films than the books (my opinion), I think “Dawn Treader” can show them more; not as much in the entire plot as it can in certain single scenes. I enjoyed “Amazing Grace” in 2006 and I think Michael Apted can make “Dawn Treader” a wonderful film. All points aside, the film will be great, and we have something big to look forward to next year. 367 days to go!
Great article, Paul!
It’s funny. When I went to see LWW in the theaters, I was very apprehensive because I did not trust Disney. I was afraid they would ruin the story and stick things in there that had no point or purpose to the story. However, I was more than pleasantly surprised! On the other hand, I went to the theater for PC with high expectations. They were doused a little, just because some of the film’s material surprised me. However, I think both films are fantastic! 😀 I think most people were expecting a lot of PC, but (let’s face it) it just does not the same story plot as LWW. I’m not saying that it is not a good book, quite the opposite. It’s just a hard story to adapt to a film.
Here’s another thought: the Narnia Chronicles are approximately 200-some pages. For comfortable reading, they could take several days to a week to read each book. However, a movie only has about 2-3 hours to tell the story to the audience. I guess what I am saying is that it is inevitable that some changes will have to take place. Personally, I thought LWW and PC were well done. If it is possible, I am going to see VDT on December 10 next year!
I couldn’t agree more, glumPuddle.
Very well said, Paul. I agree with you very much.
Very well said, Paul. I very much so agree with you.
Some of the comments here are very interesting. For example, the one that says a book that has been around for over fifty years, and is still well-liked, does not need any changes. Well, yes and no. Yes, because it is already a good story, and no because there are things that the movie-makers simply cannot do that the author can.
I will use PC as my examples, even though they’re rather irrevalent because this is a different story, different director, different movie company, etc.
First of all, consider this quote from PC:
ditto!! i know i keep just agreeing w/ ppl and not really commenting for myself, but i don’t need to cuz i couldn’t agree more! lucy, thanks bunches!!!! 😀
Sorry, this was so long. I have a lot to say. 🙂
One thing that needs to be considered in all this is Douglas Gresham’s tendency for overstatement. And, given his personality (at least as it comes across in interviews), I have a hard time believing he is a pushover like some seem to think.
The first paragraph of Gresham’s words provided above makes it sound like he just gave in because he would make any compromise just to get the movie made. But if you listen to the whole interview, it does not really sound that way at all.
Try envisioning the Doug Gresham you are listening to in the interview in a meeting with the other producers discussing the movie. Can you really see Gresham caving in and saying some like, “Oh, well. If that’s that way it has to be.”?
Last May, Doug gave an interview in which he called himself the
Excellent analysis, Lucy!
I’m pretty much a Narnia purist. Meaning I cringe when I hear that there will be changes towards the plot structure in a Narnia movie. Especially in a book that is already so epic. First things first: I don’t think there needed to be any changes AT ALL. It is of my opinion that the book would be a complete, perfect movie as it was. PC? Not so. It was too boring, just a really slow story. This however, is completely different. It is one of the most action packed of the series! I am almost of the opinion of Glumpuddle that they either make it right, or not at all. (The other part of me is screaming, no way! This is better than nothing!) Well, we shall see. I am prepared to go into the movie theatre and just see it like it should be seen-as a movie. Just as a movie. I compared PC to the book, and I really shouldn’t have, as it ruined the cinema experience for me.
Very good words, Mark. I have never know Douglas Gresham to just let things slide without something to say about it. I feel pretty safe with him “in command.” After all, he is the one that knew C.S. Lewis better than anyone else alive. If he gives it the ok, then there is a good reason.
That is intersting…Douglas Gresham saying he didn’t think making some changes were right. It was either not make the movie at all, or keep with the changes? That sounds like a heated argument! Do you think he said you can’t change that, and they said, “Either that or we don’t make the movie.”?
If it is REALY different than the books, I’ll just think of it as a movie “inspired” by the books.
~ReepicheepFan
ONE YEAR FROM THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀 😀 😀
Well, the changes in Caspian didn’t bother me too much. The changes in LW&W bother me a little more, with the battle being a large part of the movie when it was like a chapter or paragraph in the book. And the whole deal with the Witch riding “riding silent” was missed on…for the reference to Kris’s bells ringing on his sleigh as he catches up with the kids with their presents. I’m just hoping Reepicheep gets much more air time in V.otD.T. He was my favorite character of all the books and ends up being a main character before it’s all over with. I don’t the Faith symbolism wasn’t ‘diluted’ in PC, just not as focused as it was in LW&W, but it was there. But if we EVER make it to The Last Battle…it’ll be interesting to see how the show how certain events play out…the train…the donkey… the ending… That would be one book they really couldn’t change much with for it to make any sense.
Great comments, Mark Sommer, Olivia, glumPuddle, and Lucy of Narnia (I love your essay Lucy!). Personally, I feel rather safe with Douglas Gresham being one of the higher-ups of the movies.
I find ‘Prince Caspain’ the movie vs. the book rather interesting. Some of the Narnia books are really clear on their Christian message. With PC, however, I always had a little trouble seeing the message UNTIL the movie came out! I love Lucy’s lines to Susan and Peter: “Maybe you didn’t want to see him.” and “We’re the ones that need to proves ourselves to him.” When I started thinking about all this, I thought it was really neat that Hollywood could not ruin the profound message of these awesome books, even though they did change some things.
1 year until ‘The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’! Yes! We’re finally closing in! Sail on!
I am just glad that The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is being made 🙂
I’m not at all worried about VDT. I believe in staying true the book if possible, but obviously, no book can be perfectly translated into a movie. I think it’s more important to make whatever changes are necessary and retain the original essence and morals of the story than to keep everything just exactly like it is in the book and lose the spirit of adventure, friendship, and faith.
Also, if the changes in VDT aren’t even as major as the ones in PC, then I don’t think there’s much to be concerned about. Some of the changes in PC were substantial, but they none took away from the essence of the story. They just helped the plot to flow smoothly, and let us identify with the characters. Don’t get me wrong—there were some changes is both LWW and PC that I wasn’t that fond of (e.g. Susan and Caspian’s little romance, and the way the trees were portrayed in both movies). But none of the changes I saw in either of the first two movies altered the core of the story.
I’ve seen some comments on how they Christian symbolism is downplayed in the movies. Honestly, I don’t think that any movie will portray that as much as we Christian fans want it to. For secular movies, though, I think that LWW and PC have done a good job of staying true to C.S. Lewis’ beliefs. Yes, the Christian elements are downplayed in some parts, but at least they’re not skipped over or written off as
John,
“Some things are put into books only because you can’t see, while other things are put into movies only because you can’t read.”
Precisely! That’s absolute genius. I love it! 🙂
My last comment was meant to be a response to John Burkitt, but my reply button doesn’t work.
Sorry to have 3 posts in a row. 😀
I know it the directer and all of them who is makes the decision. The ones they had messed up on were Eragon and Marley&Me. I heard the old Narnia films they did weren’t so good. I don’t what they have in store for Percy Jackson and Voyage of the Dawn Treader. To be honest with you they don’t do too well with adapting stories that were already written. Fox does a phenominal job in creating stories, but not adapting from others.
i’m looking forward to seeing VODT i don’t think i have any concerns about the movie as long as they don’t water down the Christian symbolism & themes, but i do understand if adaptions have to be made in order to get the flim on screen 🙂 i’m sure whatever the outcome of the movie will be i’m sure the themes and symbolism will be there, you just have to dig for them in books 🙂
I am cautiously optimistic about the VODT. My main worries are: that they will bring too much romance (and rivalry with Edmund and Caspian over Ramandue’s daughter), and that there wouldn’t be a lot more magic than portrayed in the books. Also I hope that it will have a strong Christian theme in it, and they wouldn’t downplay it too much. I loved PC and LWW very much and if they don’t deviate too much more in VODT I don’t mind. Otherwise, I am really looking forward to it! Does anyone know when they will be made into DVDs?