Andrew Skilleter is the artist behind the covers of the BBC radio editions of The Chronicles of Narnia.  He asked me to mention that he’s made available, by popular demand, a limited run of 250 of each title as special prints of his artwork.  If you missed it, we posted a story about the exhibition that is still going on, along with some of the art work, here: BBC Narnia Cover Art Exhibition UK.  The art is available to purchase at the artist’s website, here: Andrew Skelleter’s Narnia BBC Paintings.
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Prince Caspian Official Illustrated Movie Companion

Title: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion.
Author: Ernie Malik
Publisher: HarperOne

ISBN-13: 978-0061435607

Summary of the book:

The film adaptations of the Chronicles of Narnia are some of the most anticipated movies ever. Ernie Malik looks at the making of the second film in the series, “Prince Caspian”. From preproduction, to filming to post production this book goers every aspect of the filming of the movie, complete with exclusive behind the scenes photos from the movie.

Review of the book:

It was almost a given that with the success of the first film in the Narnia series, that a second would follow. This book looks at the making of the film and is great not only for film buffs interested in the process, but for fans of Narnia who want to know more about their new favorite movie.

The book begins with forwards from Andrew Adamson, Douglas Gresham and Mark Johnson. Appropriately it concludes with an afterward by newcomer Ben Barnes, who plays the titular prince. These forwards and afterwards are very inviting and welcoming and immerse you in the action of the film making process and make you eager for not only Prince Caspian, but for the Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

As expected the book has many biographies on the cast and crew, complete with great photos. This includes some amazing shots of Will, Anna, Skander and Georgie, who, in my opinion are looking more and more like Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie and less like a bunch of actors and actresses chosen to play them.

Readers discover that the four young stars didn’t let their success on the first film go to their heads. What’s more these kids are clearly very good friends with each other, which will help so much in their performances in the film.

The new cast member profiles as just as enjoyable as the ones on the returning cast members. Ben Barnes recounts how he became the “fifth Pevensie” and fit right into their already jelled group of friends. This is great news for us fans when we go to the movie. If he can’t fit into the mix, then the movie would be a bust, but if he seems natural with them, the magic can continue. He even recounts how he grew so close to them that at times Will grew angry at him as it seemed Ben was usurping his role as Georgie’s on set older brother.

Warwick Davis recounts his work on the BBC Narnia films and how much he enjoys being back working on Narnia. There’s even a humorous anecdote about how on his first day on set, Howard Berger, blasted the Ewok theme from Return of the Jedi ( Davis played Wicket, the main Ewok who befriends Princess Leia in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi) over the speakers on set to welcome him.

The book goes into full detail about the whole production process from making the props and costumes to designing the creatures. They continually emphasis how everything in Prince Caspian should feel more “used” and “worn out” as opposed to how new and fresh it all felt in the first film.

Casting is described to be just as hard as it was with the first film. The hardest character to design and cast ended up being Reepicheep who was cast at the time the book was being finished. From what we’ve scene already in trailers and sneak peaks, when you read this book, you’ll be glad they did.

The behind the scenes photos are visually stunning and at times are funny to see. You’ll see things like tennis balls, or fake lion heads standing in for creatures like Reepicheep or Aslan. There’s even one of the four Pevensies standing on their marks at the ruins of Cair Paravel, with Anna and Georgie in very modern sandals. In the case of Georgie, they are a clearly oversized pair of sandals.

And of course, lest I forget, our own Paul Martin is mentioned in the Special Thanks section in the back of the book as he helped contribute some information for the book.

This books is nothing short of an exciting look at the magic behind the magic of the Prince Caspian film. It was well written, well researched, the photos were great and in short it had everything you need in a “behind the scenes book.”It is certainly well worth the read. However, when you buy it, make sure to read it after you see the film. There is plenty of juicy spoiler info inside. One thing becomes more sure after reading this book, you will want them to make the rest of the series.

Five out of five shields.

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Silva Screen Records has announced the release dates of “The Chronicles of Narnia: Music from the BBC Television Series” by composer Geoffrey Burgon. It will be released in the UK and other territories on October 10th, and in the US on November 8th. **SPOILERS**

The suite is scored for strings with flute, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, horn, timpani and percussion and begins with the stately “Aslan’s Theme” – the lion who is the Lord and saviour of Narnia and its people. Horn and trumpet fanfares introduce “The Great Battle,” where Aslan and his followers, including the children, fight against the wicked White Witch and all manner of repulsive creatures under her power. On her arrival in Narnia, Lucy has afternoon tea with Mr. Tumnus the faun, afterwards he plays to her – “Mr Tumnus’ Tune” (flute and strings). In “The Storm at Sea” the ship, Dawn Treader, encounters a turbulent ocean after leaving the Lone Islands – a scherzando for full orchestra. In order to save Edmund from being killed by the White Witch, Aslan offers himself up for sacrifice – the sombre music quotes the “Crucifixus” from the Bach B Minor Mass. A march signals the exciting exploits on the road to Harfang before the horn introduction to the finale as the children bid farewell to Aslan and Narnia – their adventures at an end… for this time being.

• The BBC production from 1988 has proved a major success on DVD and sales total over 300,000
• An essential element of that series was Geoffrey Burgon’s score, both stirring and melodic and with a distinctly English sound
• This release features a seven part suite of music from the series
• Geoffrey Burgon has an impressive reputation as one of Britain’s leading contemporary composers, as witnessed by his Requiem as well as a composer of numerous fine film and TV scores
• He won the the Ivor Novello Award for Best Theme For A Radio Or Television Production in 1979 for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and again in 1981 for Brideshead Revisited
• This collection includes new recordings of his very best work including the timeless Brideshead Revisited, the period style of Testament Of Youth, the evocation of Victorian London in Bleak House and the austere Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
• This collection brings together some of the finest TV scores from a golden period of British television drama
• On its original release this album was acclaimed by Gramophone magazine as “An elegant album – beautifully recorded”

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