Lewis said that his books weren't designed to be allegorical, but they wound up being very close, if not squarely within that category. I have read all of them and loved them (though not until I was in my thirties, there's still time for you, despite your preferences for some realism).

So your conclusion about the allegorical nature of the story is, IMHO, well founded and applies to the book as well.

Glad you liked the movie. I actually planned on seeing this one even before I read your excellent review. Shocked, aren't you.

I've learned not to be shocked by anything you do or say. ;-)

It's kind of interesting to hear something like "glad you liked the movie" from someone who hasn't seen it. Perhaps I'm reading too much into the comment, but that comment implies that you've got some sort of emotional investment in the success of the production.

Or maybe you're just being polite. I'm not shocked by that either.

Eric, First Prez-Midland has booked the theater for a matinee showing at ten-thirty this morning. The whole family is going, and each boy is taking a friend along. I'll save comments on the film till afteerwards.

By the way, I thought Bill Wineke offered a good starting point for the discussion of faith, Christian allegory, the book from which the movie was adapted, and the context in which that book was written, at http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/index.php?ntid=64207&ntpid=6

I simply meant that I was happy to hear that you liked it. I do love the books and was hoping the movie would be worth watching -- that is the extent of my emotional investment. Well, I was also hoping to hear that it hadn't been Disneyified, which it apparently has not. So there's that too.

Eric, yesterday morning, we had a special screening of "Narnia." First Prez booked it, then sold the tickets. The house was packed, and most in attendance appeared to be much like us ... entire families, some bringing friends.

I found it to be wonderful entertainment. The state of the animation art has reached such a degree, that gifted directors can now bring to convincing life what was once seen only in the mind's eye. Yet, for all its grandeur and its dazzling special effects ... individual performances still shone through from both the virtual and the actual stars.

The fact that we had all read at least some of the "Narnia Chronicles" at one time or another in our lives, still didn't keep us from spending part of the morning on the edge of our seats.

With that prior reading came an appreciation for how well Lewis' tale was adapted. I'll admit, I was somewhat concerned about a beloved occupant of my bookshelf being Disney-ized ... I truly hate what they did to "Hitchhiker's Guide," for example.

In retrospect, I realize that I did not give enough credit to the genius of Lewis. He was able to produce a work that is, in one respect, all about Christ ... yet never got around to using the word "Christ" (exempting the references to Christmas, of course).

It's funny (and this might make a good point of discussion under its own post) is that while the debate rages over teaching the Bible in public schools, kids are still able to get a dose of the Bible's message as they read "Narnia."

Eric, you are right on all accounts regarding what the story portrays in regards to Aslan and what he endures for the sins of others. I think you might, someday, read the books upon which the film is based. The professor is given short shrift in the script. In the book, there are things he says to the children about how and when one reaches Narnia that might have you nodding, agreeing.

There are other instances ... but I am NOT going to dwell upon minutae that didn't make it onto the screen. I was too impressed with how well an epic work, in many respects the equal of the "Lord of the Rings," was compressed into a short stretch of film, yet remained intact.

*****

On another note, I agree with your initial feel for "Pirates of the Caribbean II." I'll be looking forward to that coming out. I'm also looking forward to another film previewed that morning, "Glory Road," another positive and inspiring look at sports in West Texas, and a true story.

Jeff, thanks for sharing your reaction to the movie; I'm glad to hear that I wasn't too far off base with my observations.

Your thoughts deserve a wider forum...have you ever considered blogging? Oh, wait...um...never mind. ;-)

And thanks for the reminder about Glory Road, which I too have put on my "must see" list. It simply slipped my mind.

What showing did you see Friday? I (and my three little Catholic students) were at the 2:00 show. The four of us loved the movie. Can't wait for the next one. And there will be a next one, won't there?

Julie, we were at the 1:00 show. I didn't realize there was a 2:00. But, anyway, I heard on the news this morning that Disney is definitely planning on at least one sequel, and if it does as well as the first one looks like it will do, there's a good chance they'll make all 7 books into movies.

"Lewis said that his books weren't designed to be allegorical, but they wound up being very close, if not squarely within that category."

Lewis was probably being overly humble. That's something I've noticed in people who try to reconcile their Christian humility with their exceptional talent. If Lewis were alive today and blogging, he'd probably be "content free".

It's hard not to see the Christian symbolism throughout the entire series.

Lewis' "unplanned allegory" wears even thinner in the The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader
where the children finally visit the islands of the Emperor Beyond the Sea and meet Aslan in the form of a Lamb.

In case that is too subtle for any readers Aslan the Lamb explains how he exists in our world as well, "but there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."

...and Lewis expects readers to seriously accept that entire discussion is an entirely unplanned allegorical coincidence?

The sacrifice of atonement is just one of many examples spanning the entire series.

Personally, I'm stunned Hollywood would tolerate a children's movie (possibly the first of a series) containing such overtly Christian references.

I suspect it was desperation coupled with greed serving an eventually good end. Studio execs have pretty much run out of movies to remake and they were looking for a fantasy "like LOTR". It's no coincidence that WETA got hired to do the props/ costumes for "Narnia". Somebody noticed the Lewis books and saw The Next Big Thing.

I dunno about Jim's emotional investment but it made me smile to learn "Narnia" just toppled "Harry Potter 4" off the number one spot this weekend.

I agree about the overt symbolism; it's difficult to understand why Lewis would deny that it's intentionally allegorical. Perhaps it was his strategy for broadening the appeal in order to expose non-believers who wouldn't otherwise pay attention...but it seems quite disingenuous in hindsight.

Regardless, it is what it is, and perception is reality.

Personally, I'm stunned Hollywood would tolerate a children's movie (possibly the first of a series) containing such overtly Christian references.

Any doubt that "The Passion" paved the way for this "revolutionary" new mindset? ;-)

What you call "greed" is what I call "profit motive," and it's what the studios owe their stockholders. I have no problem with that, nor do I have a problem with the monetization of a story like this, especially when it's such strong reinforcement that Christians vote with a quite sizable pocketbook. It's about time we got something worth voting for instead of against (and, again, I acknowledge Mel Gibson's contribution to the "education" of the system).

Eric, I'm afraid I have to disagree on some points.

I think one of the problems we have over "is it or ain't it an allegory" is the fact that, Lewis - one of the 20th century's finest wordsmiths - rejected the use of the word, opting for other, more specific descriptives for his "Narnia" collection.

Nitpicking? Perhaps. But, remember that Lewis and other members of his beloved Inklings lived and worked in one of the world's great institutions for the study, presenation and creation of the written word. This was his profession and his passion.

Meghan O'Rourke, over at Slate (http://www.slate.com/id/2131908/) addresses this distinction over "allegory" far better than I could.

To suggest that they are motivated by greed falls short of the truth. Of course, there is the motivation for profit ... that's how you stay in business to produce more films. But I also think you have given short shrift to Walden Media which strives to bring family- and education-oriented product to movie theaters ... an upcoming project is "Charlotte's Web."

For all the headlines and controversy it generated, "POTC" really didn't break down any barriers to having overtly Christian references in a mainstream, successful film. Half-a-century before, "Sergeant York" told the tale of a man who held to his fundamentalist Christian beliefs, even in the face of the horrors of World War I ... the same horrors, by the way, that Lewis, Tolkien, and others faced and experienced, first-hand. Over the years, diverse films (some successful, some not) such as "Shoes of the Fisherman" and "A Night to Remember" would also present themes and practices of Christian faith. And films like "Sergeant York" and "Narnia" are ones I can take my children to see, to enjoy, and to learn from.

Eric, I have really enjoyed this discussion, and I appreciate your providing the starting point and the forum for it.

Jeff, don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting that Lewis mischaracterized his own work. If he says it was never intended to be allegorical, I'll take it at face value. But that doesn't change the fact that however he intended his work to be perceived, and regardless of how he described it, and despite the protestations to the contrary of the literati, people are still going to read into his books what they want to, and I doubt there's a Christian on the face of the planet who will see the movie and not see allegories. Hence my comment about perception being reality...for a given individual.

Oh, and "greed" wasn't my term, by the way. But, regardless, it wasn't my intent to give "short shrift" to Walden Media. I applaud their efforts to produce quality family-friendly media. Given that the company is the personal project of a billionaire, it's not even subject to the usual level of profit motivation that drive other production companies. The financial success of "Narnia" is a nice layer of icing on the cake for Walden, and will hopefully provide it with incentive and means to stay the course.

I do stand by my statement about "Passion." An entire generation has come and gone since the movies you mentioned came on the scene, and society has changed to the point where it might be unrecognizable to those who were watching those movies in first run theaters. "Sergeant York" didn't show anything on the screen that wasn't being experienced on the street across the nation, day in and day out. I assert that "Passion" successfully bucked a tide that up until it was released was deemed by many to be unstoppable. Now, whether it has truly and permanently broken down any barriers remains to be seen; I'll grant you that.

Eric, I see that when we discuss our disagreements, we really don't disagree as much as I first thought ... not the first time that has happened.

Looking back, you're right ... you didn't introduce the word, "greed" ... someone else did, and my comments regarding the filmmakers' motives were better directed to him.

Jeff, I'm sure if we apply ourselves we'll eventually be able to find something about which we can work ourselves into absolute uncontrollable snits.

I'll work on it. ;-)

This is my comments after watching the movie of chronicle of Narnia

Range of worthiness to be watched:

+1 +2 +3 +4 +5

not good -------------------> very good

My opinion: -1

why???

Great and fantastic Promotion and Preview,but emptiness in the storyline..............

great anticipation at preview, disappointment at watching.........

too much as a fairy tale ,.....

characteristic of each main character not properly shown......their full abilty not properly put foward.

The ending is also dissatisfactory, the film just ends with some kind of uncertainty not properly explained. There is also some kind of hanging in between the film. It just does not have the kind of smoothness i will normally feel and experience when i am watching a so-called good film.

From starting to end the story is some kind of emptiness, for kids it is ok for the nice pictures, for adults some kind of boring.

Chong, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. It's quite interesting how people can see the same movie and walk away with completely different impressions and opinions. I suppose a lot of that arises from the differences in culture, and Narnia is certainly a movie that benefits from being seen through the lens of a specific cultural perspective.

But I must tell you that the reason it appears to be a fairy tale is that the author intended for it to be exactly that. I have a hard time faulting a movie for being what it's supposed to be. Not everyone enjoys fairy tales, to be sure, but that shouldn't be seen as a shortcoming of the movie...just something potential moviegoers need to be aware of.