The Susans of Narnia: BBC and Walden

[LadyEm]

Susan Pevensie

Queen Susan of Narnia, Queen Susan the Gentle, etc.

Sophie Cook:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/EmilyofDreams/BBCSu.jpg

Anna Popplewell:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/EmilyofDreams/WaldenSu.jpg

Now here are some huge differences and not just looks-wise. Myself personally I never really liked Susan all that much in the BBC version, though she is very gentle and sweet, she just sometimes seems like she's not there all the time - her character wasn't as believable as Anna's.

Again, Susan has blonde hair in the BBC version, which amuses me because it seems in the books that Susan's hair was legendary. I can think of a lot of differences in Susan's portrayal by Sophie Cook as opposed to Anna Popplewell.
What does every think? What are the good points? Bad points of their portrayals?

(By the way Sophie Cook, who played Susan is not to be confused with Sophie Wilcox who played Lucy). (Interestingly, a Sophie plays the older version of Susan in Walden too).

[Samwise Gamgee]

Ann playing Susan was just a great pick on the casting part. Sophie Cook looks too old and not the right hair colour. It states in the book that Susan had black hair and very long hair at that. Anna wore Susan like cloths, she really acted what Susan would be like when she first entered Narnia in the book. She was Logical and self explanitory. unlike Sophie Cook, Anna Popelwell was all there and portayed Susan as a young lady and not a small young girl like Lucy was. I really like Anna over Sophie for sure.

[Tsukiko]

Susan does not have blonde hair in the book. Anna I like more. she looks more like Susan

[Red Roses]

i think anna's better cuz well... anna just looks more like susan than sophie

[Tsukiko]

but ppl always bash the bbc actors..which annoys me..

[Red Roses]

have any of u watched the bbc version? it sucks. sorry truenarnian, but it does

[Tsukiko]

shut up :mad:

that is what gets me mad!!!!! IT IS NARNIAAAAAAA!! what? so what if was made way back wehn! its narnia! and as a TN I like it and own the movie!

so there! :mad:

[LadyEm]

*sends happy vibes about*

BBC and Walden have special things about them that they bring to our experience of Narnia.
I honestly can say I love both. BBC made me fall in love with Narnia: Walden brought an even crisper image of it.

BBC was very good for it's time. It was done mid-80's and I think they did a pretty good job of it for then. I know as a kid we couldn't get enough of it.

I think it's good to appreciate the BBC actors for what they were - Please let's not bash or argue, let's just talk about it intelligiently - there are good and bad points about everyone's acting.

[xox_rachel_xox]

hmm i like anna better lol

[LadyEm]

hmm i like anna better lol

Why do you like Anna better?

[stronger_WM]

Well I think that I like them both, but the actresses definitely prepared them differently. The BBC version made her a little quieter and more timid. Like there's the part in the Disney version where Susan yells at Peter and says "this is all your fault!", etc, and I don't think the BBC version actress would ever do that.

I think I like them the same, I can't compare.

[LadyEm]

Well I think that I like them both, but the actresses definitely prepared them differently. The BBC version made her a little quieter and more timid. Like there's the part in the Disney version where Susan yells at Peter and says "this is all your fault!", etc, and I don't think the BBC version actress would ever do that.

I think I like them the same, I can't compare.

I was actually quite surprised when Walden Susan did that. I was like....oh my...Su yelled! I admit I was a little shocked and I am still unsure about the force of that statement. Not so much the line, but the force in which she says it.

Yet at the same time, it gave her depth of character to actually have emotional reactions like that. Yet, it was very un-gentle of Susan the Gentle.

[Red Roses]

lol yeah absolutely

[thelamppost]

I love the BBC Susan. When I was younger she became my imaginary friend; I wanted to look like her, dress like her, be like her. So I'm slightly biased about the two Susans, but I'll try my best to be fair.

Anna seems sweet - very pretty too. But while her hair is dark, the facial features don't make me think of Susan (this is probably because of Sophie).

I found Anna's version to be a little too pushy and argumentive, not gentle and calm. Sopie seemed like a more motherly type, and I thought she and Richard as Peter were spot on with the sibling closeness that I felt they had in the book. Anna seemed more resistant of Peter and pushing for her way.

On the other hand, Anna seemed more practiced with her bow, and especially close to Lucy. Sophie had the best friend thing with Peter instead, and was much more timid than Anna's Susan.

Looking at them separately, they were best for the movies they were in. I'd rather not say one was "better" than the other, because my opinion will differ from others and this could turn very ugly. I happen to prefer Sophie, because of fond memories and the like.

[she-elfwarrior19]

My fave Susan would be the one from the animated LWW. I dont really like Anna P. The on in the BBC im not a fan of much either.

[thelamppost]

I Love the animated Susan!! I think she was portrayed the best of any of the children in that movie.

[stronger_WM]

I Love the animated Susan!! I think she was portrayed the best of any of the children in that movie.

I forget the animated Susan...I can remember the animated Lucy, but not the Susan. I personally think that Anna Popplewell did fantastic, just.. like, she played the character how she thought it was. Brave but stiff.

[Sir Benjamin the Lion]

I liked this Anna Popwell's version of Susan than the others.

[Lila]

I haven't seen the BBC version yet, but even if I see it eventually I think I'd still pick Anna.

[fan_of_movie]

Well, I haven't seen the BBC Version or the animated one. I like Anna though, she's very pretty and she makes me think more of Susan (probably 'cause the Disney version was the first movie I watched). And didn't Susan have dark hair in the book? So...i'll try to be fair....but I pick the Disney Susan.

[Sir Benjamin the Lion]

I've seen both. Techinology has improved.

[DestinyLies]

Susan Pevensie

Queen Susan of Narnia, Queen Susan the Gentle, etc.

Sophie Cook:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/EmilyofDreams/BBCSu.jpg

Anna Popplewell:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/EmilyofDreams/WaldenSu.jpg

Now here are some huge differences and not just looks-wise. Myself personally I never really liked Susan all that much in the BBC version, though she is very gentle and sweet, she just sometimes seems like she's not there all the time - her character wasn't as believable as Anna's.

Again, Susan has blonde hair in the BBC version, which amuses me because it seems in the books that Susan's hair was legendary. I can think of a lot of differences in Susan's portrayal by Sophie Cook as opposed to Anna Popplewell.
What does every think? What are the good points? Bad points of their portrayals?

(By the way Sophie Cook, who played Susan is not to be confused with Sophie Wilcox who played Lucy). (Interestingly, a Sophie plays the older version of Susan in Walden too).
Weird?? Personaly I too loved Anna better then Sopphie Cook...that's weird that a Sophie played Susan in Walden and a lucy in the BBC...werid??

[Susan91]

I have to say Anna was much better. she looked more like the description in the books. She did good in the battle scene.

[Into the Wardrobe]

I agree with Lady Em...let's keep it friendly in here. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. All are valid. I do have to say it would be good for people to have seen both versions to be able to compare them, but that's just my opinion.

Both did well for the versions that they were in. Sophie showed how Susan could easily come across the name of 'Susan the Gentle.' She was very motherly, but in a sweet way. Her version would have been a perfect set up for HHB where Susan wouldn't go to battle. In LWW she wasn't supposed to according to the book.

Anna does look the part more and is motherly as well. She's much much stronger in her personality though. Her yelling at Peter and taking him on is a bit out of character. It's ok because they're siblings and that's just what happens with brothers and sisters. I liked the practice scene at the archery range in the movie, but she wasn't supposed to be active in the battle at all. That was out of character for her on so many levels...even with the fact that she was protecting ED. Susan is so opposed to it in HHB. By Last Battle she's supposed to want to be popular and sort of flighty wanting to deal with make-up and clothes as opposed to anything like a Narnian adventure. It's hard to see Anna's Susan getting to that point. She detests their situation, but still seems comfortable with dealing with it. I think that the personality of Peter in the Walden movie should have been stronger in the script which may have played down the strength of Anna's Susan. That wasn't Will's fault though.

I like both and think for their situations they were well suited for their rolls. Anna looks closer to the book physically. Sophie was sweet, calm, and gentle. Both did a great job as far as I'm concerned.

[Queen of Act and Singing]

Anna better because she well shows that in real life so Anna

[Into the Wardrobe]

Anna better because she well shows that in real life so Anna

I'm not sure what you mean when you say that...can you clarify? What does she show in real life? How does that compare with Sophie and in what way? Just curious. I'm not bashing your opinion...just was wondering what you meant.

[Deep_Magic]

I love the BBC Susan. When I was younger she became my imaginary friend; I wanted to look like her, dress like her, be like her. So I'm slightly biased about the two Susans, but I'll try my best to be fair.

Anna seems sweet - very pretty too. But while her hair is dark, the facial features don't make me think of Susan (this is probably because of Sophie).

I found Anna's version to be a little too pushy and argumentive, not gentle and calm. Sopie seemed like a more motherly type, and I thought she and Richard as Peter were spot on with the sibling closeness that I felt they had in the book. Anna seemed more resistant of Peter and pushing for her way.

On the other hand, Anna seemed more practiced with her bow, and especially close to Lucy. Sophie had the best friend thing with Peter instead, and was much more timid than Anna's Susan.

Looking at them separately, they were best for the movies they were in. I'd rather not say one was "better" than the other, because my opinion will differ from others and this could turn very ugly. I happen to prefer Sophie, because of fond memories and the like.

You pretty much took the words right out of my mouth!! I happen to totally agree with you, probably also because I grew up watching Sophie and became used to her depicting Susan. Anna also did a good job don't get me wrong, but her depiction of Susan was a lot different to the Susan I have always imagined and this probably is the main reason why I preferred Sophie as Susan.

[Ginny_JillPole]

Susan of BBC is kinda cute. She has a very sweet, dreamy face... and Anna has exaggerated faces... but it looks, however, very attractive on her. Her eyes are too blue, her mouth is TOO big, her smile is too big, her face is very skinny... but she looks beautiful anyway!
Ahem! Coming back to the Susan's thing, Anna played what i call a true Susan, cuz it doesn't really fit that sweet Sophie as grumpy... for example, on prince Caspian's scene where Susan is like growling cuz she doesn't believe Lucy's seen Aslan, Anna's performance fits perfectly.
Anyway, I believe both are great. But Anna is, now, our star.

[Lila]

I've actually never seen the BBC version, but from what I can tell, Anna has done a better job of portraying her. Sophie Cook looks a little meek and almost too gentle for her character. I've always imagined Susan as a serious and determined but kind girl. Again, I can't take any strong opinions because I haven't seen the BBC version. *looks up clips on youtube*

[The Second Pevensie]

The BBC Susan seemed a bit too gentle and she seemed a bit timid around her siblings. Her character also seemed a bit dull and flat.

Anna was a bit different. She was still kind and gentle but also bossy and motherly. I always saw Susan as more active and a bit of a leader. And Anna pulled that off.

Susan was the character that I've always liked the best and that I've always thought was the most like myself and I think that Anna got the closest to the Susan I imagined.

[Rhyanidd]

It's been forever since I saw BBC, and I always hated the animation, but I love the movie for other reasons.

I think I prefer Sophie's Susan. I don't remember her as being TOO gentle or timid. I think she was completely true to the book.

I think that Anna did a very good job, she's a good actress, however, I didn't like the way that the Walden Script portrayed Susan, and thus Anna's Susan cannot be a favorite.:)

[waterhogboy]

Considering she is Queen Susan the Gentle - it kind of makes sense she should be gentle!! Sophie Cook is the one kid who is definitely better in the BBC version. She does get angry and this is portrayed but does it in a non flouncy way that Anna does.

[Ginny_JillPole]

Yes, but reading the book... Susan isn't actually what someone calls completely gentle, so... anyway, I'm agree the bbc susan looks gentler than annie.

[Dernhelm]

If we could just get Anna's hair with Sophia's face, and Sophia's acting....

I guess, in spite of the hair, (I hate it when they change hair colours!!!) I like Sophie's Susan better.

[Into the Wardrobe]

I agree, I like Sophie's Susan better as well as it's truer to the book. The more I hear about PC, the more I believe this to be true. Sophie's Susan went with Aslan as she should have. Anna's Susan is wacking Telmarines with swords, going and fighting in the night raid, and flirting with Caspian....let's just say it: NOOOOOOO!!!! It's messed up. I like Anna, but I fear with PC, Sophie's Susan will gain a great deal of ground in which took on the role better.

[Dernhelm]

Yes. Sounds like they're messing it up with a great deal of feminism. :(

[Ginny_JillPole]

I agree, I like Sophie's Susan better as well as it's truer to the book. The more I hear about PC, the more I believe this to be true. Sophie's Susan went with Aslan as she should have. Anna's Susan is wacking Telmarines with swords, going and fighting in the night raid, and flirting with Caspian....let's just say it: NOOOOOOO!!!! It's messed up. I like Anna, but I fear with PC, Sophie's Susan will gain a great deal of ground in which took on the role better.
Yup, I'm agree too. They were supposed to be kids, and Susan shouldn't be thinking about "flirting" Caspian...

[Ginny_JillPole]

At anyway, i like they give more lines and more... protagonism to Susan. Like all the Pevensie Kids, you know. All of them have an important role: Peter's the leader, Edmund, a betrayer who became just and because of him, Narnia was safe for Aslan's sacrifice again... then, there's Lucy, the most important (for C. S. Lewis, I dare to say, because of his dear Lucy Barfield.) who found the wardrobe. I think that maybe Walden just were a bit on excesion but I like the way they make a centered movie.

[The Second Pevensie]

In PC the book, Susan gets very moody. I can see Anna's Susan doing that but not Sophie's. I got a little disappointed in the BBC PC because Susan was too sweet and they didn't do her personality like the book.

[Ginny_JillPole]

In PC the book, Susan gets very moody. I can see Anna's Susan doing that but not Sophie's. I got a little disappointed in the BBC PC because Susan was too sweet and they didn't do her personality like the book.
Thanks God you're agree with me, Paravel_Queen, lol, I just said that too. Anna's Susan fits perfectly with the way she is on PC the book.

[Into the Wardrobe]

I guess it depends on how you read it. I think for LWW it wasn't too bad, but with the PC spoilers, Anna will most likely be less like the books after the film's release...unless the spoilers are dead wrong and they edit out a bunch of the comic con footage. We'll have to wait and see.

[waterhogboy]

In PC the book, Susan gets very moody. I can see Anna's Susan doing that but not Sophie's. I got a little disappointed in the BBC PC because Susan was too sweet and they didn't do her personality like the book.

Out of interest - where are these supposedly moody moments in the books that Susan has!?

[Into the Wardrobe]

Yeah really. I think that would depend on how one is reading it...from the description she seems to be gentle, motherly and cautious, and a bit more logical or matter of fact. She's emotional when in Calormen because she feels bad that her love interest ended up with a lot of people fearing for their lives...but on the whole she wasn't very moody to me.

[Into the Wardrobe]

It's been a long time since this thread was posted in so it's being revived.

I love Anna to bits and she's a wonderful young lady, but I hate to say it after PC has come out....I prefer the way Sophie handled the character. Granted she had the better script by far. Susan should never have been excited about fighting. Never. There should have been continual hesitation and reluctance in it at all times to grasp the spirit of the character from the books. Susan was known as one who greatly hated fighting. Period. I know people want to push what they call empowerment, but they lose the beloved character when they do that...and so many have different view on what is and is not empowering. I'd go with the BBC on the preferred Susan.

[Sven-El]

I prefere Anna. Honestly I can't even remember Sophie's Susan aside from her blonde hair. I did watch it when I was a kid ( sometime after I heard the books for the first time) and I aside from the movie putting me to sleep better than the book did ( I loved the book so much I wanted to hear more and didn't want to go to sleep)so maybe that's why I may not remember her so vividly. And yes, I was a child of the eighties... I just more or less was raised on stuff like the Chris Reeve Superman films,Raiders of the Lost Ark and the original Star Wars films.

[Catherine]

I like Anna a LOT better. I didn't like the girl who played Susan in BBC at all! Susan wasn't blonde!!!!!! I like all the Walden Media Pevensies better than the BBC ones.

[marshwigglewigwams]

i like Susan in the BBC series better. despite her physical appearance (the blonde hair :P) she portrayed and handled her role as close as possible to the description of Susan in the books. besides, the BBC series were faithful to the books.. so i LOVE them! :D

[Into the Wardrobe]

Yes, in the BBC the spirit of the character is in tact and easily seen. In the Disney/Walden version they decided that they didn't like Susan as she was written and decided to make her a warrior princess and she shouldn't be. That's not Susan. Someone else maybe, but it's not Susan. Hair color can be what it is...I'm not so worried about that as I am the story and the spirit of the characters. I think highly of Anna, I do...but I just struggled a lot with Susan, especially in PC. Sophie becomes Susan to me, but Anna moves too far from the character I love in the books for me to get on board there. No romances, no fighting....I can't sign on for that stuff...sorry. And it's not Anna's fault really...it's script.

[Sven-El]

One of the other things for me is the fact that I could reasonably "see" Anna's Susan turning her back on her faith in Narnia and Aslan. From what little I recall, I really coudln't see that with the BBC Susan. Had they gone to Last battle, her downfall would have been too forced.
Anna's Susan has everything in palce for her final fate.

Then again, to be honest Susan was my least favorite character in the series in general. Even in the books she seemed to much like the usual " pretty princess" type character from the sanitized versions of the fairy tales I grew accustomed to (Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping BEauty) and not like a Grimm Brothers princess, which Lucy, Jill, and Polly were more like. Those ones were capable of rational thought and had some personality.

[Powl']

Susan Pevensie

Queen Susan of Narnia, Queen Susan the Gentle, etc.

Sophie Cook:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/EmilyofDreams/BBCSu.jpg

Anna Popplewell:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/EmilyofDreams/WaldenSu.jpg


oh I prefere ANNA !! that couldn't be more obvious to me ;)

[waterhogboy]

You havin a laugh!?!? Remember Susan is supposed to be pretty... :D

[Eärendil the Mariner]

I like Anna's Susan as far as acting & looks go. But, Sophie had by FAR the better script (especially for PC)...I'd have been much happier if they'd given Anna the script from BBC's PC. :D

[Powl']

You havin a laugh!?!? Remember Susan is supposed to be pretty... :D


Are you saying Anna is not beautiful, because she's just Gorgeous to me :mad:

[Dernhelm]

I guess it depends on personal taste. I have to say, Sophie looks a lot prettier to me. If they could just switch the hair... :p Changed hair colours really bug me. They're so...so...unnecessary. And never better.

[Powl']

well, my opinion, Anna is prettier :p

[sarahnarnia1983]

i can't make up my mind on this thread at all i like both susans.

[Eärendil the Mariner]

I agree with Powl: Anna (in my opinion) is much more beautiful than Sophie...;):D

[Powl']

thank you :p:p

[BarbarianKing]

oh I prefere ANNA !! that couldn't be more obvious to me ;)

Not to me! I like Sophie better. Plus Sophie is my favorite female name!!:p

[Powl']

well Sophie is a pretty name, but Anna is too !!!

[Into the Wardrobe]

I like Anna's Susan as far as acting & looks go. But, Sophie had by FAR the better script (especially for PC)...I'd have been much happier if they'd given Anna the script from BBC's PC. :D

AMEN! The script Sophie had stuck to the spirit of the character from the books where Anna's didn't. Sophie was Susan the Gentle. Anna had the look, but was turned into Xena Warrior Princess. Susan was lost somewhere in the mix. Tis sad, but there it is.

[Powl']

well, you're a no-Walden Media, aren't you :p:p