 "Want to See After Prince Caspian?" | 2009-10-03 |
| - Reviewed By susumu-5 |
BBC TV drama series is noted as faithful adaptation of the novel though the special effects particularly animation were not well organized. It's sometimes painful to see the stuffed human actors which might be a letdown even for the eyes of the children. But the episodes of "Voyage of Dawn Trader" and "Silver Chair" are well produced and are thrilling. Silver Chair in particular, the quest lies more in the characters mindset and challenging even for readers and viewers.
1 The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
There aren't so much striking difference between this TV version and recent film version. TV series may seem poor in the use of animation and special effects. Just be patient and view it to remember what the story was like before getting into the later episodes.
2 Price Caspian: TV version may seem too brief compared to the film one. But in this series Caspian is a boy about the age of Susan, Peter, Edmund and Lucy. I still don't see why the movie version changed the setting as an adult Prince.
3 The Voyage of Dawn Treader
That's very imteresting story, full of adventures visitng various unique islands. I cannot wait to see the coming 20 century fox version due around next year.
4 Silver Chair
It's another of great adventure story. The lead role for this story seems to be Jill Pole, performed by Camilla Power, now one of the major British Actresses. If Century Fox pursue the film adaptation who will play the role of Jill Pole may be the key. The Ending part reminds me of 1984 film version of Neverending Story.
Even the BBC series could not cover THE LAST BATTLE the last of the Narnia series because it would be too difficult to show it on the film at that time. Now techonological deadlock might be eased but I doubt the film will see the light of day.
Verdict: Faithful Adaptation
Rating: 85 out of 100
Recommended for: Narnia fans young and old. |
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 "brother machine love this item" | 2009-09-06 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3KUU6GA2EEWDZ |
got the item in a very timely manner - extremely satisfied with price, easy to operate, thanks!!
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| "more emotionally true than Disney, but less slick" | 2009-07-30 |
| - Reviewed By robcrawford |
This is a great deal. You get the basics of most of the Chronicles, well acted and not excessively digital-synthetic, faithful to the books and without silly Hollywood melodrama. It is really very good, if crude in certain ways.
The best thing about this production is its modesty. While the characters are as well drawn as in the original novels, the entire story unfolds without ostentation. Really a lovely balance.
My kids have watched this version for years. After having seen the dazzling Disney versions, they are now more critical of the cheaper effects in the BBC version. Nonetheless, they still watch this, discussing its accuracy vis-a-vis the novel, and get enveloped in the story, as do I. That is a sincere and real success.
Warmly recommended. It transmits the magic. |
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| "Super" | 2009-07-07 |
| - Reviewed By User: AU16TPG3WOPSQ |
| The item was just as described and came exactly when they told me it would arrive. No complaints, great service! |
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| "good storytelling and acting w/o the CGI mix ups" | 2009-05-18 |
| - Reviewed By User: AGNGN6A4N5WV3 |
| The "3 disk set" contains 4 of the, I believe 5 stories by C.S. Lewis. though lion witch wardrobe is a bit on the cheesy side "never forget to wipe your sword" the rest of the stories are pretty good-superb. Baker is the best at "puddleglumb" and not because I asscoiciate him as Dr. Who, in fact, I forgot he was Dr. Who and saw only the pathetic, yet suprisingly courageous Puddleglumb in his ridiculous banter hilarity for the young, youthfully old, and maybe the old and childish too. That said, I think the main central roles had a very good choice of actors from Lucy, who some people don't like because of her buck teeth but it is a prostetic, and even if it weren't, this little girl(Sophie Wilcox) is a good actress for three movies(a long time for a little girl). Some have dumbly asked(on IMDB) how she lost her crooked teeth, it is easy to answer for anyone with 1/4 a brain and it was part of her character to "not be as pretty as Susan, explained well in "Dawn Treader" where, odviously, she had strait teeth, so what? Eustus(actor's last name unusual) and Jill Pole(Camilla Power) were surprising as well, espcially Camilla Power who performed as good as any adult! If "Last Battle" had been made(and why was it not??!) David Thawties???(if spelled correctly) would have also been through 3 films! (Power 2) I always wonderd who would play "Jill Pole" in the new 2011 movie and have suggested Decoda Fanning since these two(Eustus and Jill) are not physical characters as Edmund, Susan, and Peter, but brain users(well, as Dr. Who) Fanning would be perfect for the reason also that she is simply a superb actress for any age group! She would be a good performer for a believable Jill Pole as well. Caspian was portrayed by three actors, most notably in Dawn Treader, the young adult actor(Samual West) who sounded almost identical(in voice) to Prentis Handcock in every way from the gravely shouting to throaty normal tone of voice though West looked only 20 his voice was more mature, and if you closed your eyes you'd think it was Prentis Handcock when, in fact, it is not. Jean-Mare Perret(pronounced Peray as in Chevrolet I am thinking) was the youngest Caspian, his voice had changed from the Prince Caspian story to the end of Silver chair indicating much time had passed in the filming of these movies, it was over a year, 1989-90 I believe. Peter Wolfe was also in this(from Dr. Who: Sunmakers) as Cornilious I recognised his voice and mannerisms in Cornileous instantly from the bald wheelchair riding reptile-humanoid "Company Overseer" from Doctor Who to the bearded dark dwarvan tutor here in "Caspian". Prince Rilin(or jokingly Rittlin) is portrayed by Richard Henders(sounds a bit like the actor who portrayed Christ in the "Martian Chronicles" in 1980) and the Green Lady/Ice Queen(Barbra Kellermann) were also played by good theatrical quality actors. I am assuming Barbra Kellermann's role as both the Ice Queen and the Lady means they are one in the same, never made clear to one who has not read the books. The effects were horrid, especially the "talking' animals the raccoon(with her head screwed on backwards) was the most annoying, not Lucy's teeth! The worst, sadly The Lion God-king himself, Aslin, who was miss voiced and looked like a stuffed toy with flat toned speaking.(Liam Neeson does better as the "voice of God", meaning Aslin the Lion King.) The BBC version of him is very unconvicning. The director of the new movie said in the DVD extras there he was "reluctant to work again with talking animals" probably because he did not realise how beleivable they could be(and are not here) until he himself tried it in the new Prince Caspian movie(and they were!!!). Lewis's step son, the co producer of the new films is also on this DVD speaking in the "bookworm" reflection of C.S. Lewis. He also narrates the new Caspian DVD's Extra #2, "character section" which I like. If you have watched the new films(and there will be more in the future) do not be too put off by this 1989 production, it was made long before CGI and is just as good, especially if you were old enough to have watched it IN 1989/90 when these were crafted. Back then I thought it was great, despite being shot in "video" and not film a no no in on location (usually).The New Zealand-like outdoor scenes near the "Ettins" in "Silver Chair" where Eustes, Jill, and Puddleglumb traversed/conversed/transacted and so forth looked great in wide shot video! Location environmental sound was a nice little touch, not some big music and explosions production # or what not as in CGI B.S. where environmental ambeince would now days be totally absent in place of the odvious for morons of "now" Pre-CGI Lucas days were best! This BBC non-disney non francise production. For example, in this version of "The Lion The Witch and The wardrobe", the sound the snow makes when it falls as Peter, Susan, and Lucy walk toward the Beaver's home in the forest. Or Edmund when the witch confronts him and the winter wind whisps around her tossles(in sound) giving the feel of cold.(with a good RMS speaker set, even in 2.0. as this is formatted it is descernable to the appriciating ear.) Though the visual FX were shoddy at best, the locations(and in cases the ambience and lovely music) and the acting were what made these films! The Dawn Treader ocean scenes wernt' half bad either! I can't wait for that movie and I am to assume many video game spin-off ideas about "pirates" partaining to the Dawn treader! I cannot IMAGIN why they didn't do the last story of the Chronicles. I am to assume the "DVD Enhanced" edition to this is a clearer picture, though i do hope CGI "edits" and "Add-in junk" doesn't mosh up a classic nostalgia as it did in Doctor Who 5 doctors and Lucas Star Bores which was an insult to any real person, son of Adam, daughter of Eve or whatnot. |
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| "Classic Lewis" | 2009-05-08 |
| - Reviewed By User: AS2WR3P1ZKSBF |
| C. S. Lewis in the Chronicles of Narnia presents an even handed portrayal that appeals to young and old alike. The BBC version faithfully communicates the spirit and intent of Lewis' work. The cinematography is simple and rudimentary, but of sufficient quality to not distract from the message of the story. The set is a keeper. |
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