Disney sets out to make 'The Passion for Kids'

UK Telegraph ^ | March 6, 2005 | Chris Hastings and Charles Laurence

[Coastal]

Walt Disney is to promote its $100 million adaptation of C S Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as a "Passion of the Christ for kids" in an attempt to secure worldwide Christian support for the film.

Disney executives have organised private meetings with several church groups in America to emphasise the themes of Christian redemption and sacrifice contained in the film, which will open in December with an all-star cast.

They have also hired a public relations company to market the film directly to Christian groups to ensure that the powerful evangelical movement, which is particularly strong in America, is happy with the content.

The film, which stars the British actors Tilda Swinton, who will play the White Witch, and Brian Cox, who will provide the voice of Aslan the lion, will be the first in a series of Disney blockbusters inspired by the seven books in the Narnia series, whose author was known for his strong Christian beliefs.

[Caipirabob]

From the title I thought Eisner was gonna nail ol' Mickey up to a cross!

I think people all over get the chills whenever Disney gets their hands on a movie license. It usually means the end of any interest in the subject matter. Their production values have decayed to much under Eisner that expectations are automatically low, and even then we're usually disappointed.

Maybe that's the whole point.

[Caipirabob]

RED flag. Ole Walt would turn over in his grave if he saw what his beloved Disney has turned into.

Poor Walt has long exceed 3,500 RPM...

[The Red Zone]

Well, the C. S. Lewis estate folks still have control of the story, and they very much respect its integrity, so Disney can't muff it too badly.

[Aquinasfan]

I'm honestly a little frightened by what Disney could have done in Chronicles of Narnia.

You should be. Let's hear what our priests, pastors and reliable Christian movie-reviewers have to say before we lay down any cash.

Catholic movie reviewer Steven Greydanus believes that it's more effective to reward Disney's good films than to attempt to boycott Disney altogether. I'm inclined to agree. Reward the good, punish the bad.

[Dominick]

She has played several roles as a lesbian, but I couldn't hazard a guess if she is a actual lesbian. She has a lot of nude scenes. No children's credits.

Why would they pick her for a role like this? What a bunch of idiots.

[johnb838]

Disney? The same Disney boycotted by the SBC? IMHO this is a lame attempt at gaining/regaining dollars from a targeted audience (i.e. Southern Baptists).

If they think they're going to get the Southern Baptists, they got another think coming.

These books are perfect for Disney. They promote paganism, underage drinking, and drug abuse. Evangelicals HATE C.S. Lewis. I'm surprised nobody has picked up on this. Even the so-called Christian story of Aslan is all bound up with sun god mythology.

I only read these books a couple of years ago, and I enjoyed them thoroughly. Personally I'm not sure I find them as offensive as some of the rabid fundamentalists do. But no way is this going to be another underground movement like the Passion. In reality, the fact that they feel the need to CALL it a "Passion for Children" shows that they are totally our of touch.

I don't know if these movies will flop, it depends on how well they are done, but they aren't going to be the universal draw they hope they will.

[Dominick]

The do have a Muslim service on Disney property, in EPCOT.

Very sad, Christ isn't welcome but Mohammed and gay people are welcome.

http://www.csis.gvsu.edu/~willbraj/epcotjason/worship.html

[TexasCajun]

Sounds like a 'Pocket Situation' to me!

The Girly-Men at Disney want to get into our pockets!

Go To Hell Disney!

Disney! Ain't what it used to be!

[johnb838]

Anne Heche was the cute little blonde whom Ellen Degenerate drove back to men. She's married now, I hope happily. I like her.

[starfish923]

You may feel free to talk about the kid's movie about the Passion that Disney is not making.

Oh I may? How condescending of you. Lol.

[johnb838]

No, no, no... she WAS a homo, and came back.

[Politically Correct]

These books are perfect for Disney. They promote paganism, underage drinking, and drug abuse. Evangelicals HATE C.S. Lewis. I'm surprised nobody has picked up on this. Even the so-called Christian story of Aslan is all bound up with sun god mythology.

Uhh...yeah, sure.
Did you forget a sarcasm tag?
I wonder if we are reading the same CS Lewis.
Just marking this remark.
I think that you'll be eating crow, the movie will be a smashing success.

Just grasping at another opportunity to be wrong.

[johnb838]

I have mixed feelings. I loved the books, but there is a ton on the internet about the pagan connections, and once they're discussed you realize they are there. I'm not a fundamentalist, necessarily. I would read them to the kids, but not as Christian literature, fantasy rather, and CERTAINLY not as a childrens Passion.

One more thing -- I'm not attacking Lewis' essential Christianity after he fully converted. I've read NO ONE who has exposited Christianity in as credible, readable and enjoyable ways in books such as Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and The Great Divorce.

[msdrby]

money talks.

[Politically Correct]

I have mixed feelings. I loved the books, but there is a ton on the internet about the pagan connections, and once they're discussed you realize they are there. I'm not a fundamentalist, necessarily. I would read them to the kids, but not as Christian literature, fantasy rather, and CERTAINLY not as a childrens Passion.

The "childrens passion" is a marketing phrase....typical from someone that doesn't really understand. It's actually irrelevant to the truth.
And while I understand that there are certain pagan references that can be seen in the Narnia series, I don't find it objectionable as even the pagans understood certain truths. As all truth belongs to God it is never wrong to use it.

I do understand where you are coming from.....I hope you understand where I'm coming from.

[GatorGirl]

In Morocco, and it's not a service, it's a "Meditation Room". It's probably there for the benefit of the workers, who are supposed to pray 5x/day as opposed to those of us who attend Mass or whatever service once a week.

If France had built a replica of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in it's area, I bet there would be Masses. That would be awesome! Of course, France is not what we'd call a Christian Nation any longer, just the repository of some wonderful sacred art and architecture.

I liked the Mass at the Polynesian but I never could get the image of hula dancers and fire eaters out of my head there in Luau Cove. The Shrine is beautiful!

Sorry but I just can't seem to get bent out of shape at Disney's lack of worship space in the face of real and constant attacks on Christianity such as abortion and euthanasia!

[kevkrom]

From everything I've heard, this is going to be an extremely faithful adaptation of the books. And to clear up a misconception, this is not a Disney production. Disney is the distributor for the film, but they're pretty much univolved in the production itself.

[GatorGirl]

Thanks kev. I had heard that as well, but I think the point of this thread was more to bash Disney (justifiably so, at times) than to discuss the movie.

I heard that WETA workshop, of LOTR fame, was doing the special effects.

We are really looking forward to it. We currently own the three disc set from the BBC and it's cheesy but fun to watch!

[kevkrom]

I heard that WETA workshop, of LOTR fame, was doing the special effects.

That is my understanding.

We are really looking forward to it. We currently own the three disc set from the BBC and it's cheesy but fun to watch!

Ditto on all of that.

[stands2reason]

Get over yourself.