Holy war looms over Disney's Narnia epic

Guardian Unlimited ^ | Sunday October 16, 2005 | by Paul Harris

[LayoutGuru2]

You can be sure it will be Disneyfied and I am going to go on record predicting that it will flop.

I saw the trailer for this film at the last two movies (Sin City and Batman Begins) I actually went out to the theaters to see. Both were packed houses on opening night with mostly young folks in the audience. I was astounded by the screaming, whistling, hooping and hollering that went on in the crowd from start to finish of the trailer. Gave me goosebumps, just sat there wondering "what's the big deal". I think this flick is going to be a hugh success for Disney.

[RippleFire]

bump

[Kieri]

I read Pullman's first 2 books, and enjoyed the first one. When I read the second book, I began to see Pullman's true colors. I realized that his books had a distint anti-Christian message. The second book is complete with horrific scenes ,like having one's soul severed from one's body. Frightful stuff. This man is NOT a happy camper. I would not listen to his opinion on the much loved Narnia books, since it is colored with hate for Christian religion and his own pessimistic, dismal outlook on life.

I read "The Golden Compass" and "The Amber Spyglass" and squirmed through them. They made me very uncomfortable before I knew of Pullman's hatred of all things Christian. What disturbed me the most was how these books were marketed towards children and young adults; they are decidedly NOT for youngsters!!! The covers are beautiful but extremely misleading.

I know his books have been optioned for filming by Hollyweird. I don't care how they sugar-coat the plot, I won't see them or have anything to do with them.

[cloud8]

Here's something that'll make you squirm. The Database of Awardwinning Children's Literature (http://www.dawcl.com/introduction.html) shows that Pullman's
Golden Compass (1995) was the recipient of these prestigious awards: American Library Association Notable Books for Children (1997), ALA Best Books for Young Adults (1997), Carnegie Medal (1995) and Guardian Award for Children's Fiction (1996). Amber got some, too.

> I know his books have been optioned for filming by Hollyweird.

Coming to a theater near you.

[Mrs. Don-o]

"Pagan" was C.S. Lewis' own description of himself before he converted to Christianity. He says he loved Baldur long before he loved Christ. The turning point came during a long walk with Tolkien in September, 1931, when Tolkien explained to him that Jesus is "the One True Myth," --- the one time when all the things which all ancient peoples hoped for in their heart-of-hearts--- and all the things we hope for ---- actually, really, truly happened.

Read all about this wonderful story right here.

[fizziwig]

"Pagan" was C.S. Lewis' own description of himself before he converted to Christianity"

Dang I should have known that, I have most of Lewis's books sitting right here on my desk including his auto bio....oh well.

I do remember the story about Tolkien referring the Christianity as the one true myth.....the one that really happened....powerful stuff....GK Chesterton had similar insights.

[lastchance]

Tolkein and C.S. Lewis were both members of the Oxford group called the Inklings. Personally I think the Chronicles are easier reading and seem to be aimed at children while LOR is more adult level.
If you get a chance rent the movie Shadowlands, it is the story of Lewis' marriage to Joy Gresham. It is a very good introduction to Lewis the man. And by all means read the Chronicles though written at an easy level the stories are excellent and deserve an adult readership too.

[lastchance]

Book of Dun Cow is one of my favorites. Walter Wagerin (sp) has written several other fiction and non fiction Christian books.

[lastchance]

If memory serves Charles Williams was another member of the Inklings. If you can find his writings they are well worth a read.

[processing please hold]

I'm biding my time till next weekend when 'DOOM' comes out. It's supposed to be true to the game, in that it has wall to wall violence I here. The 'Rock' plays the 'Sargeant Kelly' role. I've waited so long for that to be released.
I'll leave my little girl with one of my older daughters. I'll take her to see the Disney one when it comes out.

[WOSG]

"As an aside, and I'm sure you know this, there is nothing even remotely racist in these books."

It's not ignorance, it's malevolance.

Pullman hates what C.S. Lewis represents.

[narses]

+

[netmilsmom]

Here is the Catholic Outreach site.
Your Catholic list may be interested to get Youth Groups tickets to go together


http://www.narniaoutreach.com/

[redgolum]

I look forward to taking my two nieces to this! I loved these books as a child, and would love to introduce them to Lewis at an earlier age.

Lewis was truly a prophet of our times. Tolkien, Lewis, and Chesterton for saw where the world was heading long before the rest of us realized it.

[don-o]

Bad link, sweetie. This is going to be a most interesting subject. The boys and I saw a trailer at the last movie we attended. Could not discern any plot line but the production values looked like what Peter Jackson brought to LOTR.

[don-o]

This is like Stevie Wonder pontificating on color cordination.

Now, that's a funny joke. I don't care who you are. That's funny right there.

[Mrs. Don-o]

The link for the all-night C.S. Lewis/J.R.R. Tolkien conversation that led to Lewis' conversion is at:

http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2003/12/03/tolkien_lewis/index_np.html

You can get a free pass to read the whole thing,.

You can also read about the "famous conversation" here:

http://www.epm.org/articles/visit_cslewis.html

[don-o]

Hot links

< The link for the all-night C.S. Lewis/J.R.R. Tolkien conversation that led to Lewis' conversion is at: .

You can also read about the "famous conversation" here: .

[rightwingreligiousfanatic]

Hello old FRiends!

Fancy meeting you here.... I am a huge fan of C.S. Lewis and have read many of his works, but not all. I can highly recommend The Chronicles of Narnia, The Screwtape Letters, and The Great Divorce to new readers of Lewis. Once you have read those you can move on to some of his more serious works, Mere Christianity, A Grief Observed, Till We Have Faces, and many, many others.

Also, for anyone who is interested, there is an interesting group sponsoring a national "tour" to stimulate interest in C.S. Lewis and Narnia as a buildup to the movie. I attended the Minneapolis event last Friday and found it very interesting. I learned a lot about Lewis that I didn't know before. Check the Narnia on Tour website below for more info about upcoming events in your area:

www.narniaontour.com

[SuziQ]

Well, Hello Stranger!! Long time, no hear from!
We do like C.S.Lewis. SirKit (my hubby) has been a fan for even longer than I have. As I mentioned up thread, he had a copy of The Space Trilogy that was as old as my original copy of LOTR. Both sets are now disintegrating. I only have one book of my original trilogy left, and it has a rubber band around it holding the pages together. All of his books are still there, but we'd have to do the rubber band thing on them too. I found a new set of The Space Trilogy with larger print; that teeny-tiny paperback book print is getting smaller every year! ;o)