According to a letter sent to BBC producer Lance Sieveking in 1959, C.S. Lewis would have been very opposed to a live-action movie based on The Chronicles of Narnia.
Dear Sieveking,
(Why do you ‘Dr’ me? Had we not dropped the honorifics?) As things worked out, I wasn’t free to hear a single instalment of our serial [The Magician’s Nephew] except the first. What I did hear, I approved. I shd. be glad for the series to be given abroad. But I am absolutely opposed – adamant isn’t in it! – to a TV version. Anthropomorphic animals, when taken out of narrative into actual visibility, always turn into buffoonery or nightmare. At least, with photography. Cartoons (if only Disney did not combine so much vulgarity with his genius!) wld. be another matter. A human, pantomime, Aslan wld. be to me blasphemy.All the best,
yours
C. S. Lewis
Uh oh, indeed! The letter even mentions Disney.
I, for one, have been eagerly anticipating the live-action/CGI extravaganza The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The movie, produced by Walt Disney and greenlit by the Lewis estate, is set to open on December 9th. From all accounts the movie seems to be a literal translation from page to screen. Still, this letter does make me squirm a little. I wonder if the media’s intrest in making the letter public has to do with a commercial campaign led by conservative churches a’la The Passion of the Christ. CNN reports that “Disney hopes that the movie, which has its world premiere in London on December 7, will be as big a hit with children as the “Harry Potter” series, thanks in part to the support of Christian church leaders.”
Regardless of the media’s agenda in making this letter public, the question remains:
What would Jack think of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?
Micheal,
All this commercialism aside, I believe C.S. would love this movie purely from the vision and effects standpoints. If the movie were ‘goofy’ in appearance, then he would denounce it. The story is meant to be serious in nature, not flimsy, as we can appreciate. I, and my two sons, are ready to go see it.
Peace to you,
Mark
Wow, it certainly is a quote to make you stop in your tracks… however, I don’t think anyone in 1959 (Mr. Disney included) could have predicted what is possible today with 21st Century animation/CGI technology. Great quote for posterity sake!
Lewis’ stepson, Douglas Gresham, is the co-producer of the film. Maybe he is in tune with his step-Father’s wishes.
Of course, a movie portrayal of The LWW in Lewis’ day would have been very cheesy and crappy. I saw one once from the 70s or 80s, produced by some Christian group, that was interesting, but very poorly done. But, in the world of computer animation and very advanced special effects, the movie should avoid a lot of the things that Lewis’ letter seems to be weary of.
Hey guys-
I agree with both of you. I think that Lewis would have approved of this new movie. From all that I’ve seen, it is faithful in word and image. I can’t wait.
Sarah and I will most likely be going to see this movie. That being said, I have to admit that when I saw the first preview of the movie, I rolled my eyes. Whether or not Lewis would appreciate the movie, I’m not in a position to say. My lack of enthusiasm is based more on the feeling that Disney is trying to ride the coattails of New Line Cinema’s Lord of the Rings. Notice how the movie is released the first holiday season in which there is no significant LOTR movie or DVD release.
Agree or disagree?
Totally agree Michael and I thought the same thing. The camera angles, the battle sequences and color palettes SCREAM LOTR-Ripoff. But yeah, I’ll still go see it too.