Many of you will recognize Dr. Devin Brown as the writer of Inside Narnia and Inside Prince Caspian. He’s hard at work on the next edition, Insider The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, at the moment. A colleague of his is Professor Greg Bandy, who works in the media communications department at Asbury College. Both were in attendance at the Narnia Summit last week, and were equally fun to talk to and joke around with. It was great to finally meet them both in person, and to get their insights into the films, especially surrounded by Dawn Treader for two days. Both came away from the summit with a positive view of the direction that the film-makers have taken with this film.
Dr. Brown remarked, “The entire weekend was terrific. Doing anything with Micheal Flaherty is always great – he is one of the most charismatic, most brilliant, and most generous people I have ever worked with. Having the chance to interact with the faith leaders who attended the summit was also a real highlight. Douglas Gresham was inspiring. After hearing Michael Apted and Mark Johnson speak and after seeing the early footage, I am very confident that Lewis’s great story is in great hands.”
Prof. Bandy added, “I initially had some concerns about how they were going to create an engaging cinematic climax for this particular Narnia story, but the writer and film makers have handled it beautifully. I’m extremely excited about what I saw.”
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There is an excitement in the air for this movie. The reports are very encouraging. I wait with anticipation. Thanks!
this is good to know. dawn treader is THE most beautifully described story I can think of. the description of the waters near the end of their journey is the epitome of beauty in writing for me. When I aspire to write a story about something that captures the imagination of even the coldest hearts, I think about Dawn Treader.
My growing concern is that if they’re raising the stakes somehow (eg, all Narnia is in danger if they presumably don’t contact Aslan) then (1) they increase the trend begun in Prince Caspian of making Aslan seem aloof and detached and (2) Why doesn’t Eustace request whatever of Him? Why doesn’t Lucy? Answer: because we don’t see Him (again) until the end and those episodes (the most powerful of the book) are cut.
I hope I’m wrong. But it does seem the logical conclusion of what they’re saying. I wouldn’t mind a powerful climax in some fashion. I’m delighted that they’re (apparently) bucking the trend of making it a third “war movie” because it seemed inevitable and because it would have been horribly forced (assuming that the Queen’s underground army really did burst out into Narnia to battle, this movie would be the only one where they really had to force the climactic war; I hate to give them ideas on TMN, but there is that Charn flashback). But in the final analysis, I’ve always seen this story as the Quest for Aslan’s Country; the seven lords were just a macguffin. The children are trying to find Aslan. The whole story culminates in the line that tells them how to stay in contact with Aslan… a line which (I fear) is going to be cut.
I’m encouraged by what I’m hearing; it sounds tasteful at least. But I’m trying to think how it could be done without tearing out the heart of this story.
To the first paragraph of your concerns: don’t over-think it. You’re projecting fears onto it that you need not do. To the rest, I think your concerns are going to be easily put to rest as soon as you see the film.
yay! i knew this movie would be great from the beginning anyhow, but posts like these make me all the more excited!! you can bet I’ll be at the premiere 😀 bring on december!!! 🙂
I simply can not wait for this film to come out in theaters. All of these teasers are making me anxious..haha!
Well, that sounds encouraging. 🙂
Believe me, I wish I could be specific, but I don’t want to spoil the surprises that are in store.
I remember how much Dr. Brown loved PC. I know that won’t help ease the fears of many of you. But, is the opinion of the man who wrote (and is writing) the Inside Narnia series valid? What do you think?
Here’s a link to that review: http://booksbycslewis.blogspot.com/2008/06/princely-film-we-commoners-can-relate.html
While I didn’t like PC nearly as much as LWW, I thought Brown’s review of it was fair–even good. I’m glad he wasn’t nitpicky about changes–changes absolutely have to be made to convert a book to a movie (PC did both good and bad, IMO) I’d thought that, as PC was my least favorite book in the Chronicles, the movie had done a good job of at least capturing my interest.
As he said, it wasn’t as magical, but then Lewis didn’t write it as magically (which is the main reason it wasn’t my favorite book)
In a comment, someone posted more of Brown’s writing, and I disagreed a little more with that. Mainly about the kiss, which I thought was ridiculous. But I still agreed a lot with what he said. And he’s entitled to his opinion. And remember that just because he likes it doesn’t mean it’ll be bad, hehe.
I really hope you guys do a great job and DO NOT CUT CORNERS!!!!
I think I speak for all of the Narnia fans on this: but if VotDT does not do well in theatres then there is little hope for the remaining books to come to life on the big screen.
PLEASE PLEASE put your HEARTS into it, and not your pocketbooks!
It looks fantastic so far from what I’ve seen!!!!
I know their hearts are, and were, in it while filming, and now in post-production. And their pocketbooks as well! (Necessary for making it actually happen 😉 )
I feel quite a bit better after reading you posts Paul, but there are some concerns that I have. First, is that the battle at the end (depending on who or what they’re fighting) will feel a bit harsh or ugly amongst the wonder of their adventure. The other is that the “temptation theme” will be over emphasized and have too much psychological angst. Other than that, I feel pretty good about the movie. Thanks for the news you’ve shared with us.
For both of your concerns, you’re going to have to wait and see. Every single question that everyone seems to have will be easily answered by the film itself, and I’m not willing to give everything away. 🙂
I am being put more at ease with each person saying that it is in good hands because of what they’ve seen so far. 🙂
Enough people have had positive impressions that my doubts are quickly fading. Somehow I had also forgotten that Michael Apted was a wonderful director. And that PC was my least favorite Narnia book (and therefore when the movie was moderately good, it was a huge jump for me) while VotDT was one of my favorites.
And thank you, Paul, for continuing to encourage us. 🙂
Saw the VDT footage Monday and Tuesday evenings at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville. It looked very interesting. Can’t wait to see the entire movie!