The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: it all began with a picture

by M.J. McGuire

It began with a picture of a faun holding an umbrella and some parcels in a snowy wood. This picture first appeared in Lewis' head when he was about 16. At 40, he decided to write a story about it.

Lewis wasn't sure how the story would go at first, but suddenly Aslan came bounding into his imagination. Lewis said that "he was having a good many dreams of lions at that time. Apart from that" recalled Lewis, "I don't know where the lion came from or why He came. But once He was there He pulled the whole story together, and soon He pulled the other Narnian stories in after Him."

Lewis was opposed to having his Lion (Aslan) "cannibalized" by Hollywood. The author believed that "anthropomorphic animals" when taken from the original narrative, and placed onto the silver screen, become comic characters, or even objects of "buffoonery or nightmares."

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe centers around the lives of four siblings displaced during the German air raids on London during WWII. Lucy (Georgie Henley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), and Peter (William Moseley) are sent to live at the country estate of the eccentric, Professor Kirke. To keep from boredom, the children play a game of hide and go seek. During the game, Lucy slips into a mysterious wardrobe and is transported into an icy world of magic called Narnia. There, she meets a talking faun named Tumnus (James McAvoy). Tumnus tells Lucy that Narnia is under the spell of the White Witch (Tilda Swinton). Tumnus tells us that the spell makes Narnia " always winter, but never Christmas." The personified animals that live in the land are ruled by the benevolent Lion, Aslan (voice: Liam Neeson). While in Narnia, the children must make one of two choices: to fight beside Aslan for the freedom of Narnia or to give in to the seducing power of the white witch.

Fans of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings will like this movie, but parents should be aware that it tends to be a bit violent and graphic for younger kids. The battle scenes and the sacrifice of Aslan seem to push the outer envelop of the PG rating.

Like Lewis' book, the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe promotes virtuous acts, and a healthy brand of moral idealism. It also succeeds in conveying Lewis' sense of imaginative power and his strong use of Christian symbols.

What began with a picture, is now a moving picture...one that every child (or child at heart) should see!