Marketing of 'Narnia' Presents Challenge

NYT ^ | oct 12, 05 | JEFF LEEDS

[paudio]

The spiritual character of "Narnia" is being reinforced with the debut on the charts last week of a Christian pop album of music inspired by the film. But prospects for a previously announced secular soundtrack now seem cloudy, executives involved in the process say. Disney executives say that at the very least the CD will be delayed beyond its planned Oct. 25 release.

Mitchell Leib, president of music for Disney's Buena Vista film unit, said he still expected to assemble and release a secular soundtrack before the film's Dec. 9 opening. But he cited production snags. He said he was still awaiting a recording by the rock band Evanescence that is intended as the film's closing song. He added that planning had also been complicated by last-minute decisions about how music will be used in the complex, special-effects-laden film.

The Christian-oriented album's status as the only "Narnia" musical project in the marketplace, for now at least, could upset the studio's plan to balance two audiences. "If they go ahead and release only the one soundtrack, I think they're risking being identified as turning toward a blatantly religious company, which does turn some people away," said Chris Ahrens, founding editor of Risen, a San Diego-based lifestyle magazine that explores the spiritual beliefs of entertainment figures. On the other hand, Mr. Ahrens said, if the music strikes a chord in the Christian market, "I think that's huge for Disney in terms of the movie audience." He added, "It seems like a huge gamble."

[cspackler]

That was the first thing that I noticed when viewing the trailer (which is awesome...)

The whole depiction of the professor and Mrs McReady in that fashion was far from the book. And the wardrobe wasn't covered with a big sheet, either (iirc).

My 6 year old daughter and I are reading the series now, just started Prince Caspian last night. I'll have to see the movie first before I take her, I'm not sure how far they'll go in the violence area.

[cspackler]

Anyone realised yet that there will be controversy around the later episodes as the Calormenian Tash worshipers are thinly disguised muslims?

I assume that they're planning on doing "The Horse and His Boy", and I agree that could get a little sticky for them. It is basically a juxtaposition of Christianity and Islam.

[dirtboy]

"If they go ahead and release only the one soundtrack, I think they're risking being identified as turning toward a blatantly religious company, which does turn some people away," said Chris Ahrens, founding editor of Risen, a San Diego-based lifestyle magazine that explores the spiritual beliefs of entertainment figures

Yeah, and we all know how The Passion of the Christ failed because it was such an overly Christian movie.

Gawd, who ARE these idiots? They keep trying to ram vile liberal crap down the public's throat. Meanwhile Mel Gibson laughed all the way to the bank. And their response? Question whether a Christian-themed movie and a Christian-themed soundtrack can succeed. Dumb, dumb, dumb, DUMB, dumb...

[Mamzelle]

I picked it up last week, right after I saw the preview, because I couldn't remember McCready being much of a character at all. All I saw was the preview, of course, and I was looking for clues as to how the story was managed. I got a definite whiff of "Flowers in the Attic " in that bit of edited story...

Just a preview. And I admit I'm highly mistrustful of Disney getting their beastly hands on the material. The preview was lovely. But beauty (and it was beautiful) won't take this movie to greatness.

[cspackler]

(Warning for those that don't know the story, small spoiler...)

Also, if you watch the high resolution version of the trailer, and stop it when they flash the Queen, that is the scene from the Stone Table, and you can clearly see Aslan bound before you-know-what happens. That depiction seemed very true to the book.

[HairOfTheDog]

I went to the website and saw the links to the inspirational album. I see that it is an authorized and licensed project connected with the film, so it is more 'connected' than merely marketing related songs, like my Led Zeppelin example.

Still, it's going to appeal to Christian Rock type customers, it's not a soundtrack. Soundtrack people will want the real soundtrack.

[AnAmericanMother]

Mrs. Macready was indeed a bit of a domestic tyrant. . .

Mrs. Macready was not fond of children, and did not like to be interrupted when she was telling visitors all the things she knew. She had said to Susan and Peter almost on the first morning (along with a good many other instructions) "And please remember you're to keep out of the way whenever I'm taking a party over the house."

Add to that an obviously Scotch Presbyterian (and probably Wee Free) name, and I think the preview is a fair extrapolation. And as for the Professor, their first impression of him was that Lucy was a little afraid of him (and Edmund kept wanting to laugh and had to keep pretending he was blowing his nose.) Again, a fair extrapolation I think. It should work well with his later discussion with Susan and Peter about whether Lucy is mad . . .

[Mamzelle]

I plead guilty to a Suspicious Mind and Dark Paranoia. But I had to be dragged to see The Fellowship of the Ring! The rest is history.

So, you didn't think about Mrs. Danvers and Manderly when you saw the preview?

The glimpse I got of the White Witch was fabulous

[AnAmericanMother]

Anyone realised yet that there will be controversy around the later episodes as the Calormenian Tash worshipers are thinly disguised muslims?

We were discussing that last week. VERY thinly disguised . . . after all Lewis was a medievalist, and the Muslims were the medieval Christian world's deadliest enemies.

The pro-Islam apologists are ALREADY up in arms, and have been for some time . . . Killing an Arab. I don't find that particular discussion/polemic very convincing, the two participants have zero understanding of medieval Europe or the Islamic invaders, or the differences between the feudal system and Islamic despotism. They're just ignorant apologists for Islam. Unfortunately there are a lot of those around.

Lewis has a good time sending up all the flaws of the culture and religion. Hopefully the moviemakers can sneak it by . . . maybe by changing the dress of the Calormenes a little bit.

[AnAmericanMother]

Nah, because I had a Scotch Presby grandmother, and while she was pretty ferocious she wasn't evil or sinister.

The White Witch is completely different from Pauline Baynes's conception of her . . . but I like what I saw.

[AnAmericanMother]

I would definitely check it out first. Some kids manage violence better than others. My daughter I always thought of as a shrinking plant (sort of like MY mother, who can't stand violent movies) but she LOVED LOTR. My son of course even if terrified would never admit it . . . it's a guy thing . . . < g >

[DoctorRansom]

Soundtrack is by Harry Greggson-Williams (Shrek, Shrek 2, Kingdom of Heaven).

Why worry about The Horse and His Boy so much? Lewis wasn't analogizing Islam any more than The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was about the ancient Phoenicians. While of course the Calormene culture was inspired by The Arabian Nights, it in no way parallels Islamic influences -- for example, the Calormenes are polytheistic (while Tash is their chief god, they also worship Zardeena, Lady of the Night) and several characters are very good (Aravis in Horse, Emeth in The Last Battle).

If Muslims want to yell about a future adaptation, though, that's their prerogative. Most Christ-followers are so used to getting slammed directly in movies that they really won't see what the big deal is about some supposed Evil Subtle Criticism.

Meanwhile, Islamic activists just got all up tight about supposed subliminal anti-Allah messages in the Burger King ice cream brand logo (if you tilt it sideways), but ill-informed Christians have done the same sort of thing (Proctor and Gamble logo, late-'90s e-mail forwards about Madalyn Murray O'Hair and the FCC, etc.).

Dr. Ransom
FaithFusion.net
Independent-sighted, yet Right-minded

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"If they go ahead and release only the one soundtrack, I think they're risking being identified as turning toward a blatantly religious company, which does turn some people away," said Chris Ahrens, founding editor of Risen, a San Diego-based lifestyle magazine that explores the spiritual beliefs of entertainment figures.

Chris? Are you totally CLUELESS about Disney to begin with? Why not investigate them a little to see where their loyalties lie (BIG HINT: It AIN'T with Christians) and see what you come up with.

Here. I'll help you since your research skills seem to be sorely lacking for a "Lifestyle Magazine" Editor:

http://www.linda.net/gayday.html

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Calormenian Tash worshipers

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[SaveTheChief]

I know. What has this world come to?

[DoctorRansom]

The glimpse I got of the White Witch was fabulous.

Get multiple longer glances of her, played by Tilda Swinton, at Costumes.Narniaweb.com (I helped with the webslinging design; site run by friends).

Meanwhile, AnAmericanMother, just FReep-mail me if you want to be added to my colleague DaveLoneRanger's Narnia: AWAKE ping list.

Dr. Ransom
FaithFusion.net
Independent-sighted, yet Right-minded

[Killing Time]

Thanks, this had passed me by.

[kayak]

fyi

[AnAmericanMother]

Rishda Tarkaan was a trash worshipper . ..

"No one except Farsight the Eagle, who has the best eyes of all living things, noticed the face of Rishda Tarkaan at that moment. And from what Farsight saw there he knew at once that Rishda was just as surprised, and nearly as frightened, as everyone else. 'There goes one," thought Farsight, "who had called on gods he does not believe in. How will it be with him if they have really come?"