This is an editorial about the upcoming release of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – Special Extended DVD Edition” that Andrew Adamson mentioned on the audio commentary of the DVD.
With the announcement that there is, in the works, an Extended Edition of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in the works, possibly for release in November of 2006, I have many ideas for what I would do with the film. This is, by no means, a definitive list of additions, as I am sure there are more, and better ideas out there, but I just wanted to address a few things.
To start this off, here’s a little bit about me. I am a big fan of movies, and I can visualize shots that I think would be great to see in movies. I’ve also made my own fan films. Actually haven’t finished this one fan film yet, because I don’t have all of the footage in high definition, but I did make a trailer for it. I have a mind for cinematography and love editing a story together. This, I believe, is enough of where I am coming from with regard to this article.
Some of you might be wondering what an extended edition is. Simply put, an extended edition is longer than the original cut of the film, and has been changed to flesh out the story and characters in ways that the theatrical cut did not allow for.
Let’s take a look at some of the things that I would like to see in the extended edition.
Aslan. Not a Tame Lion. But he IS a lion.
In the film, when the children first see Aslan, they are not at all shocked that he is a lion. I know the reason this wasn’t mentioned before is because it builds up this great mystery of Aslan and we want to know who he is. That’s just it though, the children don’t seem to feel it to the extent that they really should. I tend to think that, if they knew he was, it would have been a more, well, realistic reaction than it currently is.
Put it back with the Beavers, when they first hear who Aslan is. Mention that he is the great Lion. Have Susan ask if he’s safe, and the Beavers respond that of course he isn’t safe. He’s not a tame lion, after all. And that is a line that can be repeated. It will only add to the mysticism that surrounds him. Having Mr. Tumnus say it at the end will then become more powerful, as it will be the second time that Lucy hears it. It will also be the second time that we hear it, making the prophecy come alive even more on the screen, as that line will then become more of a piece of Narnian lore than a passing moment.
Putting it back with the Beavers would also solve a problem with Edmund’s actions in the Witch’s Castle, and that is something that can be enhanced even more by the next feature that I would like to see.
Optional Narrator Audio Track.
This is a feature that could add a LOT to the emotional effect of the film. Give the film a narrator with a warm voice, and have him talk about things at the proper times, with the words that Lewis wrote in the book. You might think it’s too late to do this, because the movie wasn’t shot for it, and now there will be six more films that should be consistent. What I’m saying, though, is that it isn’t too late to change. That’s why I have it as an optional feature for this extended edition. But what would this do for the film?
It would create a storyteller atmosphere. The same thing that you experience when you read the book. You feel as though the story is being told and you don’t mind it. In fact, that is part of the charm of the books. With an added narrator, you could really get a glimpse at what the children were going through at the beginning of the film, during the air raids. You can also learn more about Aslan and why the children react the way that they do, when Mr. Beaver says “Aslan is on the move.” It would help to have a narrator explain the turmoil inside Edmund, and how Edmund sees the stone lion, and believes it to be Aslan. This helps to deepen the story by casting some doubt that Aslan is still there. It could make you believe the Witch may have turned Aslan into stone, at least for a little while.
The narrator would also help the stone table sequence, by explaining how scared of Aslan the creatures were, and how careful they were being, because they were so afraid.
The narrator wouldn’t have to be present all throughout the film, explaining everything, but have just enough of a presence to help the viewer to understand the depth of the story. How would it end then? Perhaps the very same way that the book ends.
And that is the very end of the adventure of the wardrobe. But if the Professor was right, it was only the beginning of the adventures of Narnia.
And right after the narrator says this, we hear the roar from the wardrobe.
Deleted Scenes and Fixes
We’ll start with the fixes, as there are only two. The scenes that come to mind are various shots on the stone bridge and right after the icy river. A little bit of work on some of the green screen shots could clean things up pretty well, keeping you in the moment.
Now, onto the deleted scenes: There is a scene from the battle that was removed to avoid a PG-13 rating for the film. It happens right after the Phoenix lays down the fire. That could be included to make the battle a bit more exciting. There is also the dance sequence, that we’ve seen a bit of in the trailer. This could be done in a very artistic way, as I will describe in the Extended Scene portion of this editorial.
Extended Scenes
How about lines here and there to help flesh things out a bit more, and to make things still closer to the book. We’ve already captured the memory of the book. Now is the time to appease the fans that want more.
I refer to a number of small things. As before, mention that Aslan is a lion, in the Beaver’s dam. I cannot stress that enough. Also, at the Stone Table, make mention the Deeper Magic from before the dawn of time. Have Aslan talk about that, rather than a formality of interpretation of the deep magic.
Another thing I would add, would be some more sweeping camera shots to show the majesty of the set pieces. The White Witch’s Castle is pretty detailed, with huge icy rooms. Let’s have a better look at it. The shot of the train from the beginning, when the title “The Chronicles of Narnia” appears across the screen is a shot similar to the shot that I am thinking of.
Narnia also needs to feel lived in. This is something that I would have a bit of trouble adding to the story. Not because it isn’t in the book, but for the simple fact that it might disrupt the flow of the story. I want to see the homes where the many armies of centaurs and fauns have come from. Surely, there must be Narnian villages. This is something that I am curious about, and would love to see, but narrative and budget for this film may not leave room for it.
The meeting with the White Witch was also a bit different, although I understand the reason for the difference. It is the same reason that Aslan’s army didn’t camp by the Stone Table in the film. It would have just lengthened the film with some unnecessary extra time. I would at least mention that the Witch was not allowed to bring her wand to the meeting with Aslan, though, as that is rather important. When it comes to Aslan’s army not camping at the Stone Table and then moving away, this seemed rather odd to me. They mention again and again in the film, that Aslan is waiting at the Stone Table. But where do they find him? He’s a long way away from the Stone Table. Based on that, either give the camp a name, and call it that, or have Alsan’s army camped there, and then move to the second location.
At the Witch’s Castle, when Aslan sets the captives free, have Aslan prepare this fresh army for battle with a great speech. This is something that I was looking forward to seeing, as it was in the animated version of the film, and it appears in the book. It wouldn’t have to be very long, but it could be very good.
Another area that I would have liked to see some more of, was the children at Cair Paravel. I love how Aslan leaves, and I would keep that in, but I wouldn’t fade to the children riding horses as Adults, just yet. Instead, I would carry that emotion of Aslan leaving, onto the other three, as they all realize it. Then I would make a transition into the dance number, which would serve as my transition to the Adult versions of the Pevensies. They would either be dancing again, celebrating an anniversary of their coronation, or be sitting on the four thrones. Tumnus would enter, much older looking, and tell them that the White Stag was spotted, and that wishes are to be won, if the stag were to be captured.
Conclusion
These are merely suggestions that I have, and while I trust that the film will be enhanced and improved with an extended edition, I just wanted to get some ideas floating around. It is my hope that these ideas are considered even for a little while. I love the movie as it is, though. It is absolutely fantastic.
