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BY
REBECCA GRACE | AFA Journal Staff Writer
By Rebecca Grace
After nearly 13 years in the making, one of the most beloved
pieces of children’s literature comes to life using technology
unimaginable by its author when first published in 1950.
Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media bring C. S. Lewis’ The
Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to
the big screen December 9.
Authentic costumes, computer generated animation, cutting-edge
software and astounding special effects transport viewers into the
breathtaking land of Narnia. There audiences become one with the
classic tale, in which good triumphs over evil.
"The story follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings
— Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter — who enter the world
of Narnia through the back of a magical wardrobe while playing a
game of ‘hide and seek’ in the rural country home of an
elderly professor," as described by Walden Media.
The children discover a fantasyland with mythical creatures, talking
animals and an evil witch who has cursed the once peaceful land
with eternal winter. It only lasts until the children come under
the guidance of a noble lion who leads his followers into a battle
freeing Narnia from its icy spell forever.
Behind
the wardrobe
Behind the literary masterpiece is the late C. S. "Jack"
Lewis, born as Clive Staples Lewis, who is considered one of the
most influential writers of the 20th century.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe resulted from a conversation
between Lewis and author J. R. R. Tolkein (The Lord of the Rings)
about the bewailing state of children’s literature in the 1940s.
They agreed that no one was writing literature that taught children
lessons about life, so they decided to do it themselves.
"The result is we have some of the finest and most refined
English literature ever produced … ," said Lewis’
stepson Douglas Gresham in an interview with AFA Journal.
For the Christmas movie-going season, director Andrew Adamson and
filmmaker Mark Johnson — both Oscar winners — have
turned this acclaimed literary work into a major motion picture.
"It’s a visually-stunning, beautiful movie, and it’s
very exciting and moving, and it’s amusing," Gresham said.
Beyond
the wardrobe
Yet, at the story’s core, there is more.
"It does encapsulate and exemplify all those great values
commonly needed … throughout the centuries — chivalry,
honor, commitment, courage, courtesy — all of the things that
the 20th century has tried to do away with as being outmoded and
out of date," Gresham explained.
And even beyond the moral message, there is a symbolic story of
Biblical proportions that illustrates Lewis’ personal relationship
with Christ.
"His faith permeates everything he wrote … ," explained
Dr. Michael Travers, English professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological
Seminary, published author, literary scholar, and Lewis expert.
"[But] Jack didn’t sit down to write a Christian book
to begin with," Gresham said. "[Rather] what he did was
he asked himself a question.
"The question was: Suppose there was a land or world where
the animals could talk with the people and they lived in friendly
harmony with mythological creatures like fauns and centaurs. …
And suppose somehow evil managed to get into that world, and God
had to save that world like He had to save this one," Gresham
explained on behalf of the late Lewis. "How might this come
about? What might it have been like? How would it have happened?
"His answer to that … supposal was The Lion, the Witch
and the Wardrobe."
Being
faithful to the wardrobe
And so the story unfolds as industry insiders claim the film
to be a faithful adaptation of the book.
Michael Flaherty, president of Walden Media, the company that produced
the film, was immediately aware of the responsibility that accompanied
taking the tale from print to film. So his company adopted "faithful
adaptation" as its mantra and named Gresham as co-producer.
"Any time we had any kind of question … Douglas could
actually reference conversations he had with C. S. Lewis,"
Flaherty added. "So that’s when we knew we were doing
everything we could to be faithful."
"[However] you’re not going to see on the screen exactly
the movements described in every frame of the book. You’re
not going to hear exactly the words," Gresham explained.
"But the main story … is a faithful representation in
the film medium of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,"
he added.
"If we successfully brought the book to film, then everything
would be there," Flaherty said.
"Whatever people bring to the book, they’ll bring to
the film," he added.
Beneath
the wardrobe
So what’s really beneath the story that seems to fascinate
Christians?
Travers offers a detailed examination of the Biblical parallels
and Christian symbolism that permeate The Lion, the Witch and
the Wardrobe.
According to Travers, when it comes to the Christian elements in
the story, "Lewis responded by saying that … he suffuses
Christianity throughout the book."
For example, Travers compared Lewis’ approach to writing fairy
stories to a multi-colored tapestry. Just as rich blends of color
and images are woven into a tapestry, so is Christianity woven into
the story of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
"[Therefore] Christianity is apprehended through the imagination
and emotions before the intellect in [all seven books of] The
Chronicles of Narnia [series]," Travers said. "[So]
by embedding the theology in the whole of the book, some people
won’t realize they’re getting theology. Others, of course,
will realize it and appreciate it."
Bewitchment
of the wardrobe
Since the Christianity in The Lion, the Witch, and
the Wardrobe is embedded, many parents may immediately question
its appropriateness because it includes evil, magic, violence and
a witch.
"The question for parents is not whether they should allow
their children to see the movie or read the book on that ground
alone," Travers explained. "The question is, rather, how
is the evil presented? Is it shown to be evil, or is it presented
as attractive?
"Evil in Narnia is clearly very evil," he said. "It
would be difficult to conceive of a child preferring the White Witch
[who is selfish, cruel and nasty] to Aslan [the messianic lion].
… On the other hand, good is presented as attractive in Narnia.
Aslan is gracious, strong and loving. Peter, Susan, Lucy, and eventually
even Edmund, rise to their highest powers under the influence of
Narnia good."
In other words, good is victorious over evil as a result of the
redemption brought to Narnia through the death and resurrection
of Aslan. Furthermore, the magic is not to be understood as an occultic
power but rather as a type of enchantment that brings to light the
issue of law and grace.
"The other point to remember is that, unlike the Harry
Potter series, evil magic in Narnia is never praised and never
victorious," Travers said. "Edmund’s evil is pure
arrogance and selfishness; it needs no magic to augment it.
"Further, the lines between Narnia and our world are clear.
In this novel, it is a big wardrobe that provides entrance to the
magical world of Narnia, and everyone knows when the human children
have crossed from one world into another and back again. This, too,
distinguishes Narnia from Harry Potter."
"Sometimes truth and light need darkness to be amplified,
and I think that’s clearly the case with this," Flaherty
added.
Such a thought justifies Lewis’ inclusion of a battle in the
story. While the book merely mentions the battle, the movie plays
it up to be "the apocalyptic battle, in reverse, of the entire
world," Gresham said.
The movie battle is between 20,000 combatants: Aslan’s noble
warriors and the White Witch’s evil creatures — many of
which may be too scary for young children.
However, Gresham claimed it never loses sight of the personal involvement
of the protagonists, which viewers can only hope stays true to Lewis’
intentions of a "cushioned" violence, as referred to by
Travers.
"The child should not see so much violence that it creates
trauma," said Travers, paraphrasing Lewis. "But he should
see enough violence to recognize that it’s part of the world
around us. … [And in a way] that it’s controlled, and
if I can say it theologically, by God’s sovereignty."
Beliefs
from the wardrobe
Therefore, Travers views this story as a spiritual lesson about
good and evil. As a guideline for viewing the movie, Flaherty tells
parents that if their child can read or listen to the book without
any qualms, then the child can see the film. Gresham noted that
the PG-rated movie may be inappropriate for anyone under six years
old due to the realistic imagery. However, if there is any question,
AFA encourages parents to view the movie first to determine if it
is suitable for the maturity of their children.
"[This] magic, along with … evil, should present opportunities
for parents to talk with their children about moral and spiritual
issues and help guide their thinking as they read the book or watch
the movie," Travers encouraged.
Biblical parallels and symbolism taken from Travers’ teachings,
include:
• Aslan: a model of Christ
• Battle: struggle between
good and evil
• Pevensie siblings: Christ’s
ambassadors
• Statues brought to life by
Aslan: salvation; Pentecost
• Deep Magic: Old Testament
Law
• Deeper Magic: God’s
grace
• Edmund’s waywardness:
sin
• White Witch: evil
The symbolism can easily be identified in the context of the story
and can be expanded upon as parents and children read the story
and/or view the movie together.
"Reading the book with the child, answering questions and
encouraging their right understanding before they see the movie
will be helpful," Travers said.
"I advise [parents] to enter Narnia with their children,"
he added. "This is a parent’s opportunity, not a stumbling
block."
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