C.S. Lewis scholar Dr. Devin Brown has written a thorough and very well thought out review of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in light of the source material. It’s a great look at the film, taking a deeper look at when things may work for one person but not for another.
“It is perhaps not possible in a long tale to please everybody at all points, nor to displease everybody at the same points; for I find from the letters that I have received that the passages or chapters that are to some a blemish are all by others specially approved.”
These words—written by J. R. R. Tolkien in the Foreword to the Second Edition of The Lord of the Rings—remind us that when it comes to individual preferences, there is no pleasing (or displeasing) everyone. What one person really likes, another will insist was a flaw. As evidence of this fact, we might look at the fourth essay in the recent critical anthology Through the Wardrobe, where the author finds fault with the names Lewis gave to Reepicheep and Peepicheek, names which the rest of the world finds irresistible.
Certainly most Lewis fans have a list of things they would have done differently if they had been brought on as a consultant for the first two Narnia films, and I am no exception. And I am firm believer that a film adaptation cannot be (or at least should not be) just anything the filmmakers want it to be. But is it possible to get beyond mere statements of preference—where one person finds a blemish and another expresses approval, statements which have a way of being uttered as if they were absolute truth? (“Opening with the bombing of London was a total mistake.” “The bombing scene was a brilliant way to begin the film.”)
One way to do this might be to distinguish between thematic changes—Do the films say what the books say?—and cinematic changes, changes made in order to adapt a book to a different medium.
The greatest of these cinematic changes in the film adaptation of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader has to do with the quest to find the seven lords who were exiled by the evil King Miraz, a mission which Lewis completes in chapter thirteen when the final three lords are found asleep at Aslan’s Table where they had threatened violence to each other there. Lewis has Caspian haltingly suggest, “I think our quest is at an end.” This scene works well on the page but is not exactly the makings of a great cinematic climax. It has certainly never been on anyone’s Top 100 Most Dramatic Moments in Narnia.
GREAT INTERVIEW!!! I watched LWW last night to get ready for VOTDT tomarow (I never thought I’d be able to say that!) and I realized how good the first one was. Also, though, I realized how many plot changes it had!!! And it was still such a good movie, so the plot changes don’t always matter. I was wondering if any of you guys were thinking the same thing as me that, the critics have given these movies bad reviews on rotten tomatoes, and part of my speculation to that is, is it because of the Christianity in the movies, that making them not like it?
The Dawn Treader sets sail tomarow! are YOU ready?
XD I watched PC last night to get ready for friday LOL. Can’t wait 😀
And I agree, the plot change doesn’t mean “for sure” it will be bad, PC’s plot change made it a lot better, otherwise the stars would only be in half the movie. The swords don’t look bad, might even help.
yup! I totally agree! The only plot change I’ve always thought was stupid and what fans have said is stupid, is the green mist! I’m watching PC and LWW behind the scenes clips tonight!!! one more day!!!
Wow – what an amazing review!
And now we only have a day until we see it!
I can’t wait to see this movie,this week-end,don’t care what others do, each movie I have seen is great, I love the message. Perhaps that is why some will not give the movie a good review, they don’t understand,and have never read the Bible
@Dave:
It doesn’t make sense to make “The Horse and His Boy” yet because the Pevensies are older in that book than the actors are presently. I think most fans agree that the order in which the movies have been made thus far (and, presuming The Silver Chair is next if the series survives) makes perfect sense for continuity with the actors they have.
Looking forward to seeing VODT tonight at midnight!!! 🙂
I would suggest the greatest and possibly most egregious adaptation of Lewis’ work is the consistent omission of “The Horse and His Boy”. It really is a great story, and involves the Pevensies during their reign in Narnia.
My suspicion is that, in part, Lewis’ description of the various nations mentioned are described in such detail, and so closely resemble cultures with which we’re familiar, that such a film would be bound to offend.
Alas, Walden has handled the material very well, as cinematic adaptations go.
I think it makes sense to wait on the Horse and His boy, just because the characters are ‘older’ in that story. The were reigning for a few years there. Whereas in real life, they aren’t that old yet. By waiting they can use the real actors at the right stages.
I for one love the Horse and His Boy (naturally, I’m a horse lover!) It is different from all the others in the lack of characters getting yanked from another world doesn’t happen in it. I’m not sure it will appeal to the the same regular fans. But I, for one, would love to see it.
I trust Walden Media would put a lot into that: yes, there is great room for offense. But they did an come up with excellent telmarines – the villains – and addressed the fact that it could be an issue for some. (Peter yelling at Caspian.) Whatever the cultural issues, the character Aravis also comes from that culture, so she may have an important part to play in how it’s addressed.
You can’t please everyone. For one thing, the truth can hurt. For instance, apparently some people think it’s okay to use Christ as a swear word but just say one word about Mohammed!
Faith,
That is absolutely true, if no body has ever read the Bible to then go and watch the screen play of the Narnia – well they just would not have a clue. It’s like taking a Sunday School test without studying the Holy Bible first – it just won’t work. Plus the onthy thing that CS Lewis did was make the Bible unfold knowledge at some degree to those who have never ever step foot in a church, but also to make it reachable and understandable for our younger generation.
I love it! Shake off the hater’s – JESUS IS LORD!