Of CS Lewis' timeless 'The Chronicles of Narnia' book series, 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' has always been my personal favourite. Still to this day love the story and characters and what was not noticed before as a child (the allegorical and religious elements) fascinate now as do the analyses of them. The BBC version was a family favourite and again while it is a long way from perfect part of me can't be too hard on it.
The first two episodes are the two best episodes of this adaptation of 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' from personal opinion, although neither were perfect there is a lot to like about both of them especially the second. Do feel though that Episode 3 is one of the weaker ones of the adaptation. Still like it don't get me wrong and there are enough good merits but it does have more flaws than the previous two, and unfortunately ones that are pretty glaring.
Will start with the flaws. The beaver costumes by today's standards do look ridiculous in wrong side of goofy way, so much so it is hard to take either of them seriously really. Pacing can lack momentum, the storytelling does advance sure but the Beaver scenes do drag.
Am more mixed on Barbara Kellerman here, actually like her in the second episode in one of the best parts of the adaptation (of the book as well). She looks the part, she looks wonderful and intimidating and she is not one to forget in a hurry. She is often criticised for being over-the-top and this is one of the episodes where one can understand where people are coming from. Even as a child her furious reaction to Edmund coming alone is delivered pretty embarrassingly, the White Witch should be a lot of things but unintentionally funny is not one of them.
Enough of the episode looks fine however. The Narnia scenery is still wondrous and foreboding as ought, but it's The White Witch's castle that stands out the most. That is one freaky castle and those statues. It's nicely shot again. The music is still gentle and haunting, and the main theme unforgettable.
Like the previous two episodes, the episode follows the book and its dialogue closely. There are more memorable scenes in the previous and succeeding episodes, but Edmund's very suspenseful walk through the castle courtyard/garden and Maugrim's heart-stopping first appearance do leave their mark. Edmund's inner thoughts and conscience battling are handled well too.
Of the performances, the best come from Jonathan R. Scott and Martin Stone.
All in all, decent enough but a few major drawbacks. 7/10
The first two episodes are the two best episodes of this adaptation of 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' from personal opinion, although neither were perfect there is a lot to like about both of them especially the second. Do feel though that Episode 3 is one of the weaker ones of the adaptation. Still like it don't get me wrong and there are enough good merits but it does have more flaws than the previous two, and unfortunately ones that are pretty glaring.
Will start with the flaws. The beaver costumes by today's standards do look ridiculous in wrong side of goofy way, so much so it is hard to take either of them seriously really. Pacing can lack momentum, the storytelling does advance sure but the Beaver scenes do drag.
Am more mixed on Barbara Kellerman here, actually like her in the second episode in one of the best parts of the adaptation (of the book as well). She looks the part, she looks wonderful and intimidating and she is not one to forget in a hurry. She is often criticised for being over-the-top and this is one of the episodes where one can understand where people are coming from. Even as a child her furious reaction to Edmund coming alone is delivered pretty embarrassingly, the White Witch should be a lot of things but unintentionally funny is not one of them.
Enough of the episode looks fine however. The Narnia scenery is still wondrous and foreboding as ought, but it's The White Witch's castle that stands out the most. That is one freaky castle and those statues. It's nicely shot again. The music is still gentle and haunting, and the main theme unforgettable.
Like the previous two episodes, the episode follows the book and its dialogue closely. There are more memorable scenes in the previous and succeeding episodes, but Edmund's very suspenseful walk through the castle courtyard/garden and Maugrim's heart-stopping first appearance do leave their mark. Edmund's inner thoughts and conscience battling are handled well too.
Of the performances, the best come from Jonathan R. Scott and Martin Stone.
All in all, decent enough but a few major drawbacks. 7/10
