Stars: Richard Dempsey, Sophie Cook, Jonathan R. Scott, Sophie Wilcox

Director: Marilyn Fox

Summary: A production of C.S. Lewis' powerful fantasy for all ages using live action, animation and special effects to recreate this most exciting and enchanting adventure in the magical world of Narnia - a land of dwarves, nymphs and giants and also the land's arch-enemy the White Witch.

First shown in 1988 as the BBC's annual Christmas children's series, THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE is a breathtaking adaptation of the second novel in CS Lewis' CHRONICLES OF NARNIA. Siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are evacuated and find themselves in a huge country mansion, replete with myriad mysterious rooms. In one such room stands an old wardrobe, through which the youngest two stumble, and discover a world where it is forever winter and never Christmas. The people (more specifically, talking, brolley-carrying fauns) of Narnia are all affected by the spell of the evil White Witch, and it seems that their only hope is the great lion, Aslan, who can warm even the coldest heart.

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C.S. Lewis's classic novel The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobemakes an ambitious and long-awaited leap to the screen in this modern adaptation. It's a CGI-created world laden with all the special effects and visual wizardry modern filmmaking technology can conjure, which is fine so long as the film stays true to the story that Lewis wrote. And while this film is not a literal translation--it really wants to be so much more than just a kids' movie--for the most part it is faithful enough to the story, and whatever faults it has are happily faults of overreaching, and not of holding back. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobetells the story of the four Pevensie children, Lucy, Peter, Edmund, and Susan, and their adventures in the mystical world of Narnia. Sent to the British countryside for their own safety during the blitz of World War II, they discover an entryway into a mystical world through an old wardrobe. Narnia is inhabited by mythical, anthropomorphic creatures suffering under the hundred-year rule of the cruel White Witch (Tilda Swinton, in a standout role). The arrival of the children gives the creatures of Narnia hope for liberation, and all are dragged into the inevitable conflict between evil (the Witch) and good (Aslan the Lion, the Messiah figure, regally voiced by Liam Neeson).

Director (and co-screenwriter) Andrew Adamson, a veteran of the Shrekfranchise, knows his way around a fantasy-based adventure story, and he wisely keeps the story moving when it could easily become bogged down and tiresome. Narniais, of course, a Christian allegory and the symbology is definitely there (as it should be, otherwise it wouldn't be the story Lewis wrote), but audiences aren't knocked over the head with it, and in the hands of another director it could easily have become pedantic. The focus is squarely on the children and their adventures. The four young actors are respectable in their roles, especially considering the size of the project put on their shoulders, but it's the young Georgie Henley as the curious Lucy who stands out. This isn't a film that wildly succeeds, and in the long run it won't have the same impact as the Harry Potterfranchise, but it is well done, and kids will get swept up in the adventure. Note: Narniadoes contain battle scenes that some parents may consider too violent for younger children. --Dan Vancini

Aspect Ratio:	4:3
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Photo Gallery, Episode Selection, Scene Selection
Year:	1988
Release Date:	September 15, 2003
Runtime:	169 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	B B C D V D 1274
Keywords:	Family, Classic, Book, General, Witch, Lion, Wardrobe, Chronicles, Narnia, Tv, Drama, Childrens, Based
Genre:	Childrens