FS&R - Did C.S. Lewis Oppose a Movie Version of Narnia?
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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the
Wardrobe hit theaters last week with overwhelming success. But if you paid careful attention to
movie news leading up to the release date then you probably noticed several publications making much ado
about a letter that C.S. Lewis (for those of you in Frayser, TN he is the writer of the Narnia books) wrote
in 1963.
Lewis sent the note to Lance Sieveking, who produced, with Lewis' approval, the radio version of his books
for the BBC, stating that he was "absolutely opposed" to a film or TV version of his books that would use
live actors for the role of his animal characters. In Lewis' words, he was against "anthropomorphic animals"
because he feared it would come off as "buffoonery." Specifically, he thought casting a human as Aslan
would be tantamount with "blasphemy."
For reasons unbeknownst to me, online and print publications have used this 32-year-old letter to insinuate
that Lewis would be opposed to the recent adaptation of The
Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. However, I argue that Lewis was speaking from a viewpoint that could
not take into account today's advancements in technology.
Just look at Lewis' main reference point - The Wizard of Oz. I'm sure Lewis took one look at Bert Lahr
in his Cowardly Lion Halloween costume and thought "oh please don't let Hollywood do that to Aslan." That's
perfectly understandable. But if Lewis were to see how lifelike Aslan and the other creatures of Narnia are
would he still be so opposed?
Lewis' stepson, Douglas Gresham, serves as the creative and artistic director of Lewis' estate and was also
a co-producer of the film. He always wanted to bring Narnia to life on the big screen; in fact, it is something
he has been working on for "probably 25 or 30 years." But he wanted it done in such a way that it
would honor Lewis' imagination. When Gresham was approached by Walden Media, the project began to take shape.
He came to the realization that special effects technology had finally come to the point where the Narnia
world could be done justice.
Isn't it reasonable to argue that C.S. Lewis himself might have eventually come to the same conclusion? Sure,
but why am I the only one to propose this point of view? Why do other publications feel the need to scream
"C.S. LEWIS OPPOSED A MOVIE VERSION OF NARNIA"?
Was their goal to turn avid fans of the Narnia series off from seeing the movie? Or do they rest in the old
journalistic philosophy that controversy and sensationalism sell? Well, Johnny Betts believes that what
really sells is the truth - the whole truth - and that's exactly what you can expect right here at the Movie
Mark.
No one can say for certain what Lewis would have thought about the current adaptation of
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Personally, I
can't blame him for not wanting his animal characters to be represented by actors running around in silly outfits.
However, judging by his estate's enthusiastic support of the movie, one must feel that Mr. Lewis would look at
the impressive gains in special effects technology before handing down a blanket opposition.
Of course, this is just my opinion. You could be wrong.
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| READER COMMENTS |
On Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 12:49:25 PM Rhiannon mused:
First comment! |
On Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 2:07:41 PM MsCali mused:
Yo, JB, Love the new feature. I haven't read it yet, because I don't want to read any reviews until after I've seen the movie (or anything pertaining to a review or the movie or anything at all really). But FS&R is an awesome page, and I promise I will read every single word as soon as I see the movie:) |
On Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 2:47:50 PM Laslo Hollyfeld mused:
I have a BIG problem with people trying to rewrite history in some Orwellian fashion by attempting to attach current thoughts and ideas to the past. If Lewis were alive today, and saw how far technology and filmmaking had come, it is highly likely that he would be all for a film version of his story. Those who are trumpeting the loudest that they are the sole arbiter on Lewis' thoughts really get on my nerves.
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On Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 4:10:17 PM Johnny Betts mused:
All three of the people who have viewed this page may have realized that initially it wasn't wrapping text. Well, I think I have taken the correct coding precuations to protect against that. We'll see if it works in just a second...
Oh, and great comment, Rhiannon. I totally agree. |
On Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 4:30:15 PM MsAng mused:
Great section opener of FS&R. I'd heard about this all over the radio for weeks, but it was never stated that he (Lewis) didn't want live action/people playing the ANIMALS in the story, it was just generalized into the "he didn't want a movie" propaganda. Even on Cristian radio stations. Ugh. Obviously, Aslan looks great as do the other Animals in the movie, and I think your point, JB, is the correct one.
Cool feedback form BTW. |
On Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 6:48:02 AM Flipmoot mused:
What a bunch of fuzz over a 40 year old letter... In that time I can imagine Lewis not wanting his story demolished by folks in Halloween outfits. But nowadays, like said before, techologies are way better and could actually add something.
People referring to this letter are in my humble opinion people that don't get enough attention and what to show of how well informed they are...
Great section by the way JB! |
On Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 6:41:36 PM Nate mused:
If Lewis was really adament about not allowing adaptations of his material he should have stated play productions of L,W&W in that letter as well. This last spring my college put that show on and I can heartily tell why he would have opposed a anthro Aslan. Our biggest star in the theater dept., a fellow by the name of Collin, while a kick ass actor, looked like the hobo second cousin of the cowardly lion. Not only was his costume terrible, but pretty much every fantasy creature costume on stage. At the end of the production, the centaur's back legs fell off, and Tumnus was just a guy with skrawny chicken legs in old church lady high heels! The only two actors that looked decent were the beavers. Those two were hilarous! I can't fault the other costumes because the animals and minor creatures were performed by children and I don't wish to be that scathing. But yes, saw the movie last weekend and I agree about your statement on it sucking you in. I was completely enchanted.
Cheers! |
On Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 12:53:05 PM Rhiannon mused:
Ya know, I've taken a lot of crap about my comment, but none of you will ever be able to say that you got the first comment, EVER, in FS&R. so HAH!
If I could have thought of something as insightful as MsCali's comment, I would have done so, or perhaps I should was petic on the fact that I really don't care about Narnia, and everything to do with it? Bring on the gay cowboys!
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On Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 2:47:56 PM Johnny Betts mused:
Well, technically, Rhiannon, for the right price somebody could convince me to delete your comment from the database and then boost their entry higher to make it appear THEY had the first ever comment. I'm just saying.
But I think what everyone really wants to know is what "should was petic" means. |
On Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 5:18:46 PM mused:
OK, I can't type. Johnny, I know you wouldn't kill my glee like that. You love me! Right? RIGHT?!
was petic was WAX PEOTIC. You notice I don't write articles for the site right? I just stick around to give you somebody at which to laugh.
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On Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 5:19:11 PM Rhiannon mused:
Oh bloody hell. That was me up there ^^^ |
On Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 5:46:30 PM Johnny Betts mused:
Wax "peotic"? Is that anything like smoking peyote? Hmm, that might explain a lot... |
On Friday, December 16, 2005 at 9:31:17 AM Rhiannon mused:
ppphhhhbbbtttt!!!!!
There. I'm raising the intelligence on this board by leaps and bounds. |
On Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at 8:09:30 AM mused:
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On Saturday, December 31, 2005 at 9:22:30 PM Ms Cali mused:
Hmmmm...what could the right price be, JB? I still have some stuff to send to you - would that get me the first comment?
As you probably can tell by now, I don't think we're gonna get up to Memphis this year :( It's been way too busy here in MS.
Happy new year! |
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