As I stroll down memory lane, I treasure summer vacations that included exploring fantasy films. One of these celluloid delights is The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (based on the first published and second chronological novel in C. S. Lewis's children's epic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia).
Directed by Andrew Adamson, this story revolves around the four Pevensie children, whose father is away fighting in World War II. They are evacuated from Finchley, in London, to stay with the eccentric Professor Kirke in the peaceful countryside. The youngest of the children, Lucy, while playing hide-and-seek with her siblings (Susan, Peter and Edmund), steps into a wardrobe. Pushing through a dense mass of furs that transform into fir trees, she stumbles out into a snowy forest in the miraculous land of Narnia! She meets a faun named Mr. Tumnus who reveals that the land is under the spell of the malevolent White Witch (played by Tilda Swinton), who has caused it to remain ‘winter without Christmas’ forever.
Supported by friendly beavers and a mature fox, the children valiantly liberate the land, under the command of the noble lion Aslan, a redeemer figure (voiced by Liam Neeson). Their adventure unfolds incredibly on the screen, owing to the amazing performances and art direction. The religious symbolism created by C.S. Lewis in his books is mirrored in the movie, too. Aslan is a God-like figure due to his great power and benevolence and he sacrifices his life to save Edmund, just as Christ gave his life to save mankind.
Happy-go-lucky Lucy is one of the key characters in the film. The first one to set foot in the winter wonderland, Lucy shows her instinctive good judgment and is the strongest believer in Aslan. She realises immediately that Mr. Tumnus is a kind friend. She is also honest to the point of stubbornness - when Peter, Edmund, and Susan are sceptical about her story about her adventure in Narnia, she sticks to it.
Edmund teases Lucy ruthlessly about her ‘imaginary land’ until one day when he sees her disappearing into the wardrobe. Edmund follows Lucy and finds himself in Narnia as well. He encounters the White Witch who introduces herself to him as the Queen of Narnia and offers him magical ‘Turkish Delight’, which Edmund simply cannot get enough of. The Witch uses Edmund's gluttony to convince him to bring his siblings to meet her. This is certainly one of the tense and thrilling scenes in the film!
This mystical land is replete with natural beauty, talking trees, talking creatures, fauns and centaurs. So step into Narnia, drink in the purity of the winter snow, the beautiful blue of the sea, the vistas of mountains, valleys and forests… and time will seem to stand still. Regardless of whether you are a child or an adult, the compelling fantasy will gently pull you away from reality into an entrancing tale that will stay with you long after the movie ends!
“If ever they remembered their life in this world, it was as one remembers a dream.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
C.S. Lewis's moving message about the victory of good over evil glimmers through this adaptation. If you have watched it, do leave a comment with your thoughts!
- Vidisha Chirmulay
Faculty, ELTIS