Wanna see Narnia a few days early? Don't mind some possible plot spoilers? Then check out the 9-minute "supertrailer" at NarniaWeb.com. The websitededicated to all things Aslanhas also posted six video clips from the movie, via TheOneNetwork.com.

But be warnedplot spoilers galore!

Meanwhile, C. S. Lewis might just as soon skip the trailersand the movie, for that matter. The author of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was "absolutely opposed" to a live action version of his stories, a newly published letter shows.

"I am absolutely opposedto a TV version," Lewis wrote to BBC producer Lance Sieveking, who had created a radio version of his book which had met Lewis' approval. "Anthropomorphic animals, when taken out of narrative into actual visibility, always turn into buffoonery or nightmareat least with photography."

The letter was posted on the literary website Nthposition.com.

More Narnia News

• Into the Wardrobe and Straight to Hollywood

With just over a month to go until show time, the word on everyone's mind seems to be Narnia.

Actually, for Newsweek, it's quite a few words. The magazine recently published a lengthy article on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, touching on everything from its production to its future as a franchise. And yes, Narnia's religious parallels are discussed, too:

The speculation is understandable, partly because the climax of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" can be read as an allegory for Jesus' death and resurrectionthough how many of us read it that way when we were 8?and partly because, after "The Passion of the Christ," movies are increasingly regarded as things to play tug of war with, rather than share. In any case, NEWSWEEK was given an exclusive look at a rough cut of the movie. "Narnia," a $150 million production cofinanced by Disney and the educationally minded Walden Media, is a PG-rated movie about, and for, families. A movie that features a pitched battle with children, Minotaurs, polar bears and talking wolves, but no bloodshed. A movie that understands the pulse-quickening value of peril and betrayal, but prizes loyalty and forgiveness. It's faithful to the novel, and only as Christian as you want it to be.

Newsweek's coverage also includes an interview with the four children who star in the filmincluding some off-the-wall conversation about Skandar Keynes (who plays Edmund) and his loathing of women's underwear. (You'll have to read it to understand.) And there's another story about Narnia author C. S. Lewis, whom Newsweek calls "a scholar, a drinkerand a believer."

In other Narnia news the film has received its official rating. The MPAA has given the film a PG label, as expected.

Finally, in celebration of Narnia's creator, Hollywood Presbyterian Church is holding a "C. S. Lewis Evening in Hollywood" on November 14, featuring the premiere of a new documentary, C. S. Lewis: Beyond Narnia, and a follow-up discussion with its executive producer.

• The Lion, the Witch, and the Allegory?

Though C.S. Lewis is perhaps best known as a Christian apologist, his Chronicles of Narnia have endeared themselves to many largely on the grounds of their potent storytelling. Still, with the first of the Narnia books coming to the big screen this December, many critics and fans find themselves wondering just how much of Lewis' Christianity will be evident in the films.

Time magazine explores the question in an exclusive online article. Writer David Van Biema affirms that not only was Lewis hesitant to call his books Christian allegory, but the stories borrow just as much from pagan mythology as they do the Bible. Still, Van Biema writes that the parallels to Christianity are undeniable:

"This is Christianity in a kid-lit veil. Like any good sermon, its key points can be traced to Biblical citationshere mostly from the Letters of the apostle Paul. Edmund's treachery corresponds to the sins of humanity, which Paul explains is inherently doomed to violate God's Law ('The Deep Magic'). Because of this violation, writes Paul in Romans, humans are literally owned by Satan ('slaves of the one whom you obey'); and 'the wages of sin is death.' The idea that Aslan, because he is sinless, can voluntarily pay for Edmund's blood with his own, is the powerful Christian doctrine of blood atonement, developed from texts like the First Letter of Peter: 'You know that you were ransomed with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.' Like Christ's, Aslan's resurrection is inevitable ('If Christ has not been raised, then our faith is in vain,' Paul writes in First Corinthians.) And it conquers not just his death (or as Aslan would say, causes it to move backwards) but that of all believers, who will also see resurrection. Paul rejoices: 'Death is swallowed up in victory O death, where is thy sting?' In The Lion, Aslan and Lucy Pevensie celebrate with a 'mad' game of tag."

A similar article appears in the Los Angeles Times, which notes the similarities between Narnia's marketing campaign and that of The Passion of the Christ.

• Aslan at the Mall: Narnia Promotion Heats Up

Another week, another round of new developments in the marketing campaign for The Chronicles of Narnia.

Starting on November 15, Narnia Web reports that patrons of Traubman shopping centers will be able to visit a special Narnia-themed set in their local mall, decorated with memorabilia from the film and giant snow globes highlighting key scenes. Also included will be a walk-in wardrobe, life-size talking figures, and much more.

Don't have a Traubman location near you? Well, you can always pick up one of the official movie soundtracks. Narnia Web also reports that a special edition of the theatrical score will be made available in late November, featuring special packaging and extensive liner notes, including many photos from the film.

• Step Into the Wardrobe … Two Months Early

Can't wait for Narnia to open? Well, if you're a pastor or church youth leader, you might not have to.

Motive Entertainment has announced nationwide sneak peeks of the new film to be held throughout the month of October. (The film opens to the public December 9.) These special screenings are open to faith leaders, ministers, and Christian educators as part of a campaign to market The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as an outreach tool.

Narnia Resources has a full list of times and locations.

Other Narnia News:

Narnia checks in at just over two hours (NarniaWeb)
Two hours and ten minutes, to be precise

Aslan's journey to the big screen (NY Times)
In-depth article "chronicles" how Narnia went Hollywood

Full-length Narnia trailer debuts (Moviefone)
Get a longer peek at the upcoming film

New Narnia trailer features Aslan's voice (Moviefone)
Two-and-a-half-minute trailer online; featured with Zorro next week

Phillip Pullman attacks Narnia films (BBC)
Author calls Lewis' story "racist" and "misogynistic"

French magazine interviews Narnia director (NarniaWeb)
Andrew Adamson says his driving force is to keep Narnia "intact."

NarniaWeb tells how to get premiere tickets (Narnia Web)
A seat for the London premiere will cost you about 75 bucks

NY Times considers Narnia's "marketing challenges" (New York Times)
CCM version of soundtrack is ready, but secular counterpart is not.

				Try 3 Issues of Christianity Today FREE! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Christianity Today coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive nine more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Christianity Today as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

Subscribe to the FREE CT at the Movies Newsletter:    RSS Feed   RSS Help