The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

Director:

Andrew Adamson

Writers (WGA):

Ann Peacock (screenplay) and
Andrew Adamson (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

9 December 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny.

Plot:

Four kids travel through a wardrobe to the land of Narnia and learn of their destiny to free it with the guidance of a mystical lion.

Plot Keywords:

Narnia | Witch | Lion | Winter | Snow

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 12 wins & 36 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. Dec. 6	9:00 PM	DISN
Mon. Dec. 7	12:00 PM	DISN

Cast

Georgie Henley	...	Lucy Pevensie
Skandar Keynes	...	Edmund Pevensie
William Moseley	...	Peter Pevensie
Anna Popplewell	...	Susan Pevensie
Tilda Swinton	...	White Witch
James McAvoy	...	Mr. Tumnus
Jim Broadbent	...	Professor Kirke
Kiran Shah	...	Ginarrbrik
James Cosmo	...	Father Christmas
Judy McIntosh	...	Mrs. Pevensie
Elizabeth Hawthorne	...	Mrs. Macready
Patrick Kake	...	Oreius
Shane Rangi	...	General Otmin
Brandon Cook	...	Boy on Train
Cassie Cook	...	Girl on Train

Also Known As:

The Chronicles of Narnia (International: English title) (short title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for battle sequences and frightening moments.

Runtime:

143 min | 150 min (extended version)

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG | UK:PG | Ireland:PG | Canada:G (Quebec) | Australia:PG | Singapore:PG | Finland:K-11 | Norway:11 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Germany:6 (cut) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Zurich) | Germany:12 | Mexico:A | Brazil:10 | Czech Republic:U | Philippines:PG-13 | Argentina:Atp | Peru:PT | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Hong Kong:I | Portugal:M/6 | India:U | USA:PG (certificate #41436) | Netherlands:12 | Iceland:L | Iceland:LH (video rating) | Sweden:11 | South Korea:All | USA:Unrated (special edition) | New Zealand:PG | Netherlands:6 (cut version) | Malaysia:U

Filming Locations:

Adrspach National Park, Trutnov, Czech Republic

Company:

Walt Disney Pictures

Trivia:

The CGI on Mr. Tumnus was from his waist down - his goat legs and hooves. His ears were controlled by remote control and a fake nose along with a lot of hair was attached.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Near the end, Professor Kirke says that one can get into Narnia is only when not looking for it. This was already disproved by Lucy's second entry into the wardrobe, when she went there with Narnia in mind. Every other time the lore holds true.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Mrs. Pevensie: Edmund! Get away from there! Peter!
[to Edmund]
Mrs. Pevensie: What do you think you're doing? Peter! Quickly, the shelter! Now!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Robot Chicken: They Took My Thumbs (#4.2)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Can't Take It In

The perfect Christmas movie

To sum things up: I loved this movie.

I had been waiting for it ever since it was announced, so of course I couldn't pass up the chance to see a press preview this morning. And, while there were some definite weaknesses (mostly in the quality of the animations), overall I was completely convinced. Naturally it did not coincide 100% with my own vision of Narnia visually, but emotionally it rang absolutely true, choking me up several times and really touching me. I walked out of the theatre with a warm, contented feeling - just like I feel every time I read C.S. Lewis' book!

The stand-out performance was definitely Tilda Swinton's as the White Witch, but I liked all actors/voices, from cute little Lucy (newcomer Georgie Henley) to majestic Aslan (Liam Neeson). I thought the children did a great job, considering their relative inexperience and the amount of blue screen work involved.

Tip: Stay seated through the actor credits - afterwards there's another small scene.