Narnia Fans » Catholic

According to Yahoo News, Guillermo del Toro, director of such films as “Blade II” and “Mimic,” rejected directing the first Narnia movie “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe” because, as a former Catholic, he could not see himself bringing Aslan to life.

The Mexican filmmaker is instead working on a movie called “Pan’s Labyrinth” which incorporates aspects from classic children’s literature, including Narnia. He is known for exploring mature themes in fantasy films and creating visually appealing films.

[He] was asked to direct “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” but he turned it down because, as a lapsed Catholic, he couldn’t see himself bringing Aslan the lion back to life.

Instead, he put his dark, fervid imagination to work on an original story, “Pan’s Labyrinth,” a bloody and harrowing fairy tale that incorporates elements from C.S. Lewis’ beloved Christian allegory and various other classics of children’s literature.

Set during the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, “Pan’s Labyrinth” shows why del Toro’s sensibility is somehow both perfectly suited and utterly alien to the gentle “Narnia.” He subjects his hero, an 11-year-old girl whose mother has married a captain in Gen. Francisco Franco’s army, to shocking violence and vexing moral quandaries.

“I’m not proselytizing anything about a lion resurrecting. I’m not trying to sell you into a point. I’m just doing a little parable about disobedience and choice,” del Toro said. “This is my version of that universe, not only `Narnia,’ but that universe of children’s literature.”

It’s taken more than 50 years for a live-action version of Christian author C.S. Lewis’ beloved children’s fantasy, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” to finally make it to the big screen. And after viewing [Walden Media]’s captivating $150 million adaptation, it’s safe to say it was well worth the wait.

He also captures both the childlike wonder and indefinable, melancholic nostalgia for a world beyond our own that underscores all seven books.

While “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” lacks the character development and narrative depth, as well as the grander scale, of “Rings” (written by Lewis’ close friend, J.R.R. Tolkien), its simple, self-contained story works to its advantage as a film.

Though a few of the processed shots are obvious, overall the special effects are impressive, including a majestic — and amazingly realistic — computer-rendered Aslan.

The climactic battle may be too intense for young children, as may be scenes involving a pack of vicious wolves serving as Jadis’ henchmen. Hardest of all to watch is Aslan’s atoning death, surrounded by hellish legions seemingly conjured from a Hieronymus Bosch painting. His apparent “defeat” is trumpeted by Jadis’ victory cry, “So much for love.” Some parents may feel it inappropriately upsetting for a “family film,” but Lewis himself argued that it was proper not to shield children from knowledge that they are “born into a world of death, violence, wounds, adventure, heroism and cowardice, good and evil.”

The performances are all superb, especially those of the adorable Georgie Henley and Swinton, who brings an understated iciness to her role, which she plays as a cross between Hans Christian Andersen’s Snow Queen and Xena, warrior princess.

Unlike Lucy at the end, moviegoers won’t be left wondering if they’ll ever find passage back into Narnia; with six more movies planned, the door is, thankfully, left ajar!

The film contains some battlefield violence, intense scenes of child peril and menace, and several frightening sequences. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested.

[Read the first half of the review at Catholic News]

Catholic experts explore Biblical parallels, moral lessons at heart of classic children’s tale by C.S. Lewis, now a major motion picture.

In two weeks, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe hits theaters nationwide. People are talking . . . and asking . . . just what is this story all about?

Does the Lion represent Jesus Christ? Is the Witch a metaphor for Satan? What are the parallels to the crucifixion and the salvation story? Who is Father Christmas? What makes the Wardrobe magical?

Beginning December 9th, these and a hundred other questions will be all the talk at water coolers and across playgrounds.

To help Catholics unlock Narnia’s many secrets, the editors of the NY Times bestseller A Guide to the Passion of The Christ, have just released the definitive Catholic travel guide to Lewis’ fictional land. A Guide to Narnia: 100 Questions about The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is available through Ascension Press and Catholic bookstores nationwide.

The highly anticipated film is being hailed by Christian and Catholic leaders as a faithful rendering on Lewis’ tale about the heroic adventures of four English children who journey through a secret wardrobe into the land Narnia. There they meet The White Witch who has cast Narnia into a spell of perpetual winter. Through a series of captivating adventures, they help the lion king Aslan reclaim Narnia through a redemptive sacrifice. “Beneath the surface of the story lies a beautiful metaphorical tale of Jesus Christ and God’s plan for humanity,” contends Mark Shea, co-author of the book and Senior Editor at Catholic Exchange. “Through ‘A Guide to Narnia,’ Catholics will learn the true meaning of this classic tale.”

Catholic Exchange, in cooperation with Catholic Outreach, has also produced three companion study guides and a youth activity guide to the book. These resources are available for free at www.NarniaOutreach.com, a fan site and resource center for parishes, schools and groups who want to use the film as a faith-formation opportunity.

“The movie is destined to inspire Catholics, especially youth, to face evil in their lives and respond with forgiveness, courage and honor,” said Matthew Pinto, President of Ascension Press. A Guide to Narnia is the perfect resource for individuals, schools, and parishes who wish to pass on the life-changing lessons that can be learned in this epic film.”

[Check our Resource page for that book and more]

Following in the footsteps of its efforts for The Passion of The Christ, Catholic Outreach is building a network of Catholics – Parish Promoters – who want to help promote this epic adventure in your local area.

Since its release in 1950, The Chronicles of Narnia series has been embraced by hundreds of millions of readers. You have the chance to introduce a whole new generation to the excitement, enchantment, and valuable moral lessons the books have to offer.

Are you a DRE, youth minister, priest, CCD teacher, or just an active layperson? If so, we need you!

As a Parish Promoter, you will receive free promotional materials – posters, flyers, envelope inserts, bulletin announcements – and be given a simple plan to promote the film to your parish, area youth group, Catholic high school campus minister, and more. There are even materials for public schools.

You may also have the opportunity to attend and help promote local Narnia screening events preceding the December 9, 2005 release.

To become a Parish Promoter, send your name, address, phone number to info@catholicoutreach.com. Please also tell us if you are a member of the clergy or work for the Church in any official capacity (CCD Teacher, DRE, youth minister). If not, simply write: Active layperson.

Once in a generation, there comes a motion picture event that combines all the elements that attract young audiences – a wonderful tale, grand adventure and excitement, breathtaking cinematography, state-of-the-art special effects – with positive moral values and allegories that relate perfectly to our Christian faith. This is a movie that we can not only approve, but also whole-heartedly embrace and endorse – a family movie with timeless Christian themes.

We hope that you take full advantage of the FREE Narnia promotion materials we have ready for you and discover engaging ways to open minds and hearts to the gospel message.