The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1979 Animated Film)

In 1979, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe became the first major screen adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s beloved novel, introducing a generation to the wonders of Narnia through animation. Produced by Bill Melendez Productions—the same studio behind A Charlie Brown Christmas—this Emmy-winning television film captured the essence of Lewis’s story in a way that remains nostalgic for many fans.

Originally airing on CBS on April 1, 1979, the film was later distributed internationally, including a UK version with a different voice cast.

Release: Sunday, April 1, 1979
Run Time: 95 Minutes
Production Company: Bill Melendez Productions
Director: Bill Melendez
Composer: Michael J. Lewis
Soundtrack: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Animated) Soundtrack

Summary from the DVD box: The Emmy Award winning Animated special produced by The Children’s Television Workshop, creators of “Sesame Street” and “The Electric Company” has been digitally remastered from a high-definition source to produce a picture of superior quality.

Join Peter, Susan, Edmund,and Lucy as they journey to the mystical land of Narnia, where it is always winter, but never Christmas! With the help from Aslan the lion, our heroes must risk everything to free Narnia from the cold. But little do they know the danger they will face should they fall into the clutches of the frigid and terrifying White witch.

Plot Summary

The film follows the story of four siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie—who are sent away from London during World War II and find themselves staying in an old countryside house. There, they discover a mysterious wardrobe that leads them into the enchanted land of Narnia, a world frozen in an eternal winter under the rule of the wicked White Witch.

With the help of Mr. Tumnus the Faun, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, and the mighty lion Aslan, the Pevensies embark on a journey to fulfill an ancient prophecy and overthrow the Witch’s rule. Along the way, betrayal, sacrifice, and redemption play a key role as the fate of Narnia hangs in the balance.The film follows Lewis’s novel closely but omits some scenes and compresses certain moments due to its 95-minute runtime.

Adapted from

• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Production & Animation Style

Unlike later Narnia adaptations, this film was animated in the traditional hand-drawn style popular in the 1970s. Bill Melendez, best known for his work on Peanuts, directed the film, giving it a distinct visual identity.

• Animation Techniques: The character designs lean toward a storybook aesthetic, with simplified movements and expressive facial animations.
• Color Palette: The use of soft, muted colors enhances the wintery setting of Narnia.
• Music: The film’s orchestral score was composed by Michael J. Lewis, adding a dramatic and emotional depth to key scenes.

Cast of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Animated)

For the release, they recorded two soundtracks, the original for British audiences and a soundtrack with five voice substitutions for American audiences.

	Character	US Cast	UK Cast
	Aslan	Stephen Thorne	Stephen Thorne
	The White Witch	Beth Porter	Sheila Hancock
	Peter Pevensie	Reg Williams	Stephen Garlick
	Susan Pevensie	Susan Sokol	Shelley Crowhurst
	Edmund Pevensie	Simon Adams	Nicholas Barnes
	Lucy Pevensie	Rachel Warren	Lisa Moss
	Mr. Tumnus	Victor Spinetti	Leslie Phillips
	Mr. Beaver	Don Parker	Arthur Lowe
	Mrs. Beaver	Liz Proud	June Whitfield
	Professor Digory Kirke	Dick Vosburgh	Leo McKern
	Dwarf	Peter Hawkins	Uncredited
	Fox	Peter Hawkins	Uncredited
	Moss Man	Nick Joseph

Awards & Reception

Upon its release, the film was well received by critics and audiences, particularly for its faithfulness to the book.

• Awards: Winner of the 1979 Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program, recognizing its storytelling and animation achievements.
• Critical Response: Reviewers praised its loyal adaptation of the novel but noted that the animation, while charming, was not as fluid as other productions of the era.
• Legacy: Despite later adaptations, the 1979 version remains a nostalgic favorite, often rewatched by longtime Narnia fans.

Home Media Releases

The film has been released multiple times on VHS and DVD, with minor variations between editions.

• First VHS Release: Early 1980s (CBS/Fox Video)
• DVD Release: Multiple versions exist, including a 2003 DVD edition featuring remastered video and audio.

Unfortunately, there has been no Blu-ray release, but the film remains available on streaming platforms and YouTube.