Focus on the Family Narnia Dramatization

Laurel

Laurel

Member
I recently got the CDs of the Chronicles of Narnia dramatized by Focus on the Family. I really liked them. I think they are my favorite Narnia adaptation that I have seen or heard, including any of the movies, the books based on the movies, and the unabridged audio books. The only things I didn't like were how slow Aslan talked, which was weird until I got used to it, and that I sometimes got confused over which character was talking because some of the voices seemed quite similar. Other than that, I had absolutely no problems with it, and the problems I do have are very nitpicky problems that I don't care too much about!
So, has anyone else heard them? What do you think?
 
I've heard them, and yes, they are great! Douglas Gresham's involvement is a sweet bonus. I also could say that the voice used for Aslan is my one complaint, but my complaint is different. What bothers me is that His voice is not DEEP enough in the radio dramas. It's a recurring problem. Liam Neeson is the only Aslan voice-actor yet to have had a voice even CLOSE to being as deep as Aslan's should be.
 
Actually, Copper, I thought David Suchet's voice was fine for Aslan; I've always said that if Liam could never be available to voice Aslan, he would fit in perfectly.

I have the entire set, but I'm afraid that Horse and HIs Boy is becoming scratched after me listening to it so much...and yes, they use the same actors for different roles. The guy who voiced Tumnus shows up as other characters in the other discs.
 
I have all 7 Narnia books done by Focus on the Family. I love all the actors/actresses who play all of the characters, the sound effects and narrations done by Douglas Gresham. They really make the Narnia books come to life, and are such an enjoyment to listen to! It is defintely a worthwhile purchase and one for all of us bookworms and Narnia fans to get.
 
I agree with copperfox. I have only heard the Magician's Nephew, but I think that Aslan's Voice was a bit pathetic. I like how Liam Neeson did Aslan in the movies, but this guy on the FOTF dramas doesn't have a deep enough voice to make you feel like Aslan is someone of total authority and power, you know? Other than that, I love it! I don't own it, but I am borrowing them one at a time from a friend of mine! I can't wait to hear all of the others!
 
I just interlibrary loaned Focus on the Family's dramatization of The Screwtape Letters, and I loved it! I wasn't sure how they could dramatize a series of letters, but they did it really well! They gave the "patient" and his girlfriend a name and had them actually talk instead of just hearing about what they do in the letters, for one thing. They have really good music, too. I love Andy Serkis as Screwtape. I also liked Geoffrey Palmer, because I know him as Lionel from As Time Goes By, and it was interesting hearing him be C.S. Lewis!
 
Last edited:
Laurel said:
I just interlibrary loaned Focus on the Family's dramatization of The Screwtape Letters, and I loved it! I wasn't sure how they could dramatize a series of letters, but they did it really well! They have really good music, too. I love Andy Serkis as Screwtape. I also liked Geoffrey Palmer, because I know him as Lionel from As Time Goes By, and it was interesting hearing him be C.S. Lewis!
Click to expand...
Andy Serkis?! I must check that out. :D
 
Yes; he's really awesome at voicing Screwtape. I would definitely recommend this dramatization of The Screwtape Letters to anyone.
 
Soldier of Aslan said:
I've been meaning to get these!!! I know BBC also did their own adaptation, I wonder how they compare? any body out there have heard both?
Click to expand...
I have listened to both. The Focus on the Family are superior, but the BBC is decent.


The BBC Radio 4 arranged a lot of things. For instance, MN has the older Digory narrating the story. In SC, Eustace tells Edmund and Lucy that he's not happy with going back to school. Even in LB, they did more with the Seven Friends of Narnia.

The voice acting are good in both versions.The voice of Aslan in both versions is almost a miss-bagged. While David Suchet has a powerful voice, it almost got to where it is too powerful. Then Stephen Thorn (who also voiced Aslan in the 1979 animated LWW) was epic as well. The children are good as well. Camillia Power, who portrays Jill in the BBC The Silver Chair, and Elizabeth Eaton both brought out the innonce in Lucy. Even the villains do a good job. Though I think Philip Jackson as Rishda in the BBC Radio 4 comes off as too over the top, in comparison to Stash Kirkebride in the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre.
 
jasmine tarkheena said:
I have listened to both. The Focus on the Family are superior, but the BBC is decent.


The BBC Radio 4 arranged a lot of things. For instance, MN has the older Digory narrating the story. In SC, Eustace tells Edmund and Lucy that he's not happy with going back to school. Even in LB, they did more with the Seven Friends of Narnia.

The voice acting are good in both versions.The voice of Aslan in both versions is almost a miss-bagged. While David Suchet has a powerful voice, it almost got to where it is too powerful. Then Stephen Thorn (who also voiced Aslan in the 1979 animated LWW) was epic as well. The children are good as well. Camillia Power, who portrays Jill in the BBC The Silver Chair, and Elizabeth Eaton both brought out the innonce in Lucy. Even the villains do a good job. Though I think Philip Jackson as Rishda in the BBC Radio 4 comes off as too over the top, in comparison to Stash Kirkebride in the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre.
Click to expand...
I stand in awe of your knowledge of these voice actors names!🤣😂

I've heard some of the FoF broadcasts when they aired on my local station, but I haven't a clue who the actors and actresses are. The ones I heard were well done, though, and while few forms of media can accurately represent what I see and hear in my head when I'm reading, I'm content with their portrayals as they were.😁
 
The Focus on the Family Radio Theater adaptations is actually faithful to the books (probably one of the most faithful we’ll have). Sure, there were some tweaks and some things were added, but it is overall faithful.

As for additions, some of it didn’t make sense. For instance, in LWW, they’ve added where Edmund follows Lucy into the wardrobe during a game of hide and seek, he actually has a conversation with her before going in-

Edmund: Oh, Lucy, what are you doing in here?

Lucy: I'm looking for a place to hide.

Edmund: Going back into the old wardrobe, are you? Susan will never find you in that country of yours.

Lucy: Stop teasing me.

Susan: Ready or not, here I come.

Edmund: Shh. I think I hear Susan coming. Hurry. Get in.

Lucy: Don't be cruel.

Edmund: I'm not. Now go in. I'll follow. Hurry before she finds us.

Lucy: Well, all right. But don't close the door.

Edmund: Of course not. Besides, if I close the door, then won't it block out the light to your magical country? There's an idea. Let's close
the door and see if your country's thrown into darkness.

In the book, Lucy doesn’t even know that Edmund was following her. So an addition like that doesn’t make any sense.

Though, there were some that actually worked well. In LB, they actually added dialogue where Tirian and Jewel give themselves up to the Calormenes:

Narrator: They turned and walked back together, shedding bitter tears.

Tirian: Calormenes!

Rishda: It’s him! The murderer! Kill him!

Tirian: Wait, wait, I surrender.

Calormenes: (randomly) What? It’s a trick!

Tirian: It’s no trick! See how I hold out my sword with hilt towards you? I who was King of Narnia and am now a dishonoured knight give myself up to the justice of Aslan. Bring me before him.

Jewel: I also give myself up.

Rishda: If that is true, then bind them: his hands and a rope around the unicorn’s neck! And I will have your sword, king! Now, what is that upon your head?

Tirian: A golden circlet!

Rishda: I will have that as well! Now come with us!

Adding dialogue there actually really added to the story while staying faithful to the books. It made Tirian's surrender feel more immediate and tense—like you're right there in the moment with him. Then Jewel also giving himself up shows that loyalty and deep friendship between them even in despair. Then by having Rishda actually speak, in a way, it kind of adds to his character as greedy and power-hungry—taking Tirian's sword and circlet—which sets him up as a villain more clearly than in the book. I mean, what CS Lewis wrote in the book is great, but this adaptation adds a layer of immediacy and drama that really works for audio. It makes the scene feel more alive and less like narration.
 
Last edited:
I have ordered it. When Lady Badger and I have a chance to audition them, I'll weigh in.
 
Back
Top