It took a little while, but I was able to find two past posts of mine that I think provide my best answer to your wonderful question. The first was from a topic on which book might be the most successful as a film; so while the content delves into that, essentially I think it would be a successful film for the same reasons it's a successful read! The second post is on why I love reading Prince Caspian.
Which Story Has The Most Potential?
Three of the heartwarming stories in "The Chronicles of Narnia" have already been produced, the third of which, "The Voyage of the Dawn Treador," is set for release in theaters December 10, 2010. Of the remaining four stories, which do you believe has the greatest potential to succeed? And why?
Personally (and contrary to many-held notions) I believe "The Horse and His Boy" has the greatest opportunity to succeed on screen, for several reasons.
First, the story takes place during the Golden Age of Narnia's history. Fans (even those of just the movies) are naturally curious about this time period, when the Pevensies ruled as young adults before returning to our world through the Wardrobe. But the story is about more than just the good ole' days of yore. It's about three countries, all of which border the Great Eastern Sea, and their interrealtionship amid a plot by one to overtake the other two; and it's about the lives of several important characters from each country.
Although the book starts out as an adventure of a boy escaping with a talking horse and embarking on the adventure of his life, the movie has the opportunity to begin differently. It could establish the political climate, by beginning with the Pevensies sailing to Calormen. We can also be introduced to King Lune, as a generally happy king whose only sadness is the loss of his son Cor ten years ago. And we can be introduced to Calormen first through Shasta and Aravis and gradually through the city of Tashbaan (which could be visually stunning because of its design), not only a major destination point on their journey, but also the political center of Calormen and the place where Aravis uncovers Prince Rabadash's plot.
In addition to the intriguing political plots that I could easily discuss at greater length, "The Horse and His Boy" would clearly be epic in nature. The story is, in fact, a journey-the journey of Shasta (and Aravis) from a land of oppression to the free land of Narnia (in the North). It is spread across an array of natural environments, including the seaside towns of Calormen, the spiraling ancient city of Tashbaan, the Great Southern Desert (bordered by the Winding Arrow River), the countryside of Archenland (and it's secluded capitol of Anvard), and Stormness Head in the Southern Mountains of Narnia. The epic story is propelled by Rabadash's plot and culminates in the Battle of Anvard, a conflict that involves both King Edmund and Queen Lucy. Queen Susan is featured in the plot by Rabadash, and would appear in the movie as well, although Peter would probably not (since he is fighting giants in the North, an irrelevant point to the plot), but fans could look forward to seeing him, and not Susan most likely, in "The Last Battle."
Again, I could discuss at greater length the great reasons why this great story has the most potential to succeed as a movie. However, I am interested in your opinions too. I love all of the other Narnia stories, and would love to see any of them made into a movie. I'm interested in which ones you believe have the greatest capacity to succeed as a FILM and why you believe so.
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Prince Caspian is one of my favorite chronicles to read, probably second only after The Horse and His Boy.
I love that all the Pevensies are in it. As we unravel that they are in Narnia, we get a unique dual-perspective. They have returned to Narnia, as kids, after only a year; but they also had spent several years in Narnia during the Golden Age. I like how their character attributes carry over from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Peter is a noble and natural leader. Susan is practical. Edmund is courageous. And Lucy is pure. I like how Lucy sees Aslan and the others hesitate to trust her, just as they hesitated to trust her with the wardrobe. I found Susan's patronizing attitude toward Lucy hilarious. I guess I was laughing at the correleation: that some people are very adamant in their disbelief.
I especially like how we learn so much about Narnia from Prince Caspian. Cair Paravel, the Great River, Beruna, Glasswater Creek and the woods all play an important part. We see how places like Cair Paravel, the Stone Table and Beaversdam have changed since the Pevensies' last visit. We learn the names of many new planets, mythologically-based creatures, and lords of Narnia. We become personally acquainted with numerous endearing animals. We glean important historical information about the origins and legacy of the Telmarines in Narnia.
I love the theme of Prince Caspian, that of Renewal and Restoration. I thoroughly enjoyed the climax of the story, when the Narnians defeat the Telmarines, when Aslan and the girls traverse the countryside, and when Aslan coronates Caspian. I thoroughly appreciate every aspect of the ending, including the celebrating and taking of "refreshments." I'm not so much concerned with a literal interpretation of this as I am with its symbolic significance; the immeidate growth of grapes from the ground represented Aslan's renewal of the land.
Perhaps the only thing I didn't completely like was Peter and Susan's dismissal. It's too bad they couldn't come back, but it's cool. It just increased my longing for their characters!
I love Prince Caspian. It's an awesome book. There's so much in it to savor!
I can't get mad, because you don't like something I like everyone has different opinions. I did like The Last Battle towards the end when Aslan was guiding them through the real Narnia and Aslan eventually revealed to him that that was his country.
