Just watched Narnia (Possible spoilers)

[Firebeetle]

I find this disconcerting as the entire basis for the Chronicles of Narnia is Christian allegory. Each book is thick with allegory, and the final book comes out and tells you what is going on. It would be like filming LotR movies and trying to minimize any fantasy in it. The events around Aslan in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" are a far closer allegory than anything that happens to Gandalf.

I said obvious, not closer. Gandalf, a wizard (angel-like immortal creature placed by the powers that be, he even has ragged robes, long hair, and a beard like Christ) fights the Balrog (demon like creature from the beginning of the world) who weilds a whip (like Christ's tormentors) and is plunged to his apparent death in the bowels of Morder (as Christ goes to hell after the crucifixtion). Gandalf returns (as per resurrection) clad in glowing white to smite the renegade wizard Saramon (Hello? Lucifer?) Eventually he leaves Middle Earth forever going to the Grey Havens (like Christ ascending to Heaven.) I thought it very obvious.

Narnia's allegory is not obvious. It is far removed from biblical context and Lewis, a brillant theologian, understands the story at a base level. The allegory, though central, is not obvious to the uninformed observer. You can read the whole Narnia series, or watch this movie, without being aware of the allegory component, such is the genius of Lewis. People are afraid they're going to be beaten with a bible about the head and shoulders here, that's not the case. It never has been with Narnia.

Having said that, not establishing Aslan as the son of the Emperor-beyond-the-Sea and the witch his former executioner (merely comments in the book, mind you) and not emphasizing the event of Christmas in Narnia seems like a mistake. However, plenty of Christians (we have many church groups renting the theater to see it) will find satisfaction in the movie.

Other notes:

The soundtrack, unlike Harry, is not heavily orchestral. It has lots of light, airy music in the same vein of, say, Enya. It's a find match, and I think I'll pick the soundtrack up. Certainly better than that piece of crap song at the end of the Potter credits. Speaking of credits.

When they start, sit down. It's not over, there's a whole scene with the Professor and Lucy.

 

[Old One]

The soundtrack, unlike Harry, is not heavily orchestral. It has lots of light, airy music in the same vein of, say, Enya. It's a find match, and I think I'll pick the soundtrack up. Certainly better than that piece of crap song at the end of the Potter credits. Speaking of credits.

When they start, sit down. It's not over, there's a whole scene with the Professor and Lucy.

FB,

Is the music in the 9-minute trailer from the movie?? I really like that score, but don't know if it is "filler" music or from the actual movie.

~ OO

 

[Storm Raven]

Narnia's allegory is not obvious. It is far removed from biblical context and Lewis, a brillant theologian, understands the story at a base level. The allegory, though central, is not obvious to the uninformed observer. You can read the whole Narnia series, or watch this movie, without being aware of the allegory component, such is the genius of Lewis. People are afraid they're going to be beaten with a bible about the head and shoulders here, that's not the case. It never has been with Narnia.

Having said that, not establishing Aslan as the son of the Emperor-beyond-the-Sea and the witch his former executioner (merely comments in the book, mind you) and not emphasizing the event of Christmas in Narnia seems like a mistake. However, plenty of Christians (we have many church groups renting the theater to see it) will find satisfaction in the movie.

Umm, the allegory is not obvious? What books did you read?

Aslan, the son of the Emperor-Over-The Sea, redeems Edmund from his sins by offering himself up in exchange as a willing sacrifice. Aslan is humiliated, tortured, and eventually killed, but returns from the dead, renewed and saves those lost to the power of evil and conquers the devil incarnate.

The Narnia books practically beat you over the head with their allegory. If the movie contains the Aslan sacrifice sequence where he buys Edmund's life with his own, then the Christian allegory is alive and well. If it doesn't, then the story is so mangled that it isn't really The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe any more.

 

[Umbran]

Gandalf, a wizard (angel-like immortal creature placed by the powers that be, he even has ragged robes, long hair, and a beard like Christ)

Um, note that Gandalf's nature as an angelic immortal, placed by the powers that be is not established withitn the LotR itself. You must read outside the trilogy to have that information.

And, I'm not at all sure that the Bible ever mentions Christ has a beard.

...fights the Balrog (demon like creature from the beginning of the world) who weilds a whip (like Christ's tormentors) and is plunged to his apparent death in the bowels of Morder (as Christ goes to hell after the crucifixtion).

Yeah, this is a more obvious allegory, because Christ went to the cross kicking and screaming and resisting against manifested demons? Sorry, no.

Gandalf returns (as per resurrection) clad in glowing white to smite the renegade wizard Saramon (Hello? Lucifer?)

Yeah, and note how Christ never smites anyone, Lucifer included? How is it a more obvious Christian allegory when it is a less clear and accurate retelling of the Christian myth?

Narnia's allegory is not obvious. It is far removed from biblical context and Lewis, a brillant theologian, understands the story at a base level.

Right, the savior character has a quiet last few moments with his disciples, and then willingly goes off to be sacrificed, only to be reborn (found alive, just as Christ, by two females). That's not obvious at all!

The allegory, though central, is not obvious to the uninformed observer.

No allegory is every obvious to an uninformed observer. How would an observer uninformed on Christian mythology get all the points you make about Gandalf?

 

[Rykion]

It really is impossible to get into too much discussion without breaking the no politics/religion rules. I have seen many discussions of allegory in Tolkien's writings, and have found that some people will see it one way and others another. The Chronicles of Narnia are indisputably stories written as parallels to some of the books of the Bible.

 

[Dark Jezter]

I just find it amusing that despite J.R.R. Tolkien repeatedly stating that LotR was not allegorical or topical in any way, people still insist on claiming that it's a Christian allegory, or an allegory on World War II, or that the One Ring represents nuclear weapons, et cetera.

One more thing...

and is plunged to his apparent death in the bowels of Morder (as Christ goes to hell after the crucifixtion).

Now I've been a Christian my whole life, but I've never heard once about Christ going to Hell after being crucified. May I ask which translation of the New Testament that's from?

 

[Storm Raven]

It really is impossible to get into too much discussion without breaking the no politics/religion rules. I have seen many discussions of allegory in Tolkien's writings, and have found that some people will see it one way and others another. The Chronicles of Narnia are indisputably stories written in parralel to the books of the Bible.

The parallel is made even more obvious by the fact that C.S. Lewis stated explicitly that this was what he intended to do. You don't have to guess as to the author's intent with respect to the Chronicles of Narnia - he flat out said what his intent was.

 

[Rykion]

Now I've been a Christian my whole life, but I've never heard once about Christ going to Hell after being crucified. May I ask which translation of the New Testament that's from?

A version of the Apostle's Creed mention's that Christ descended into hell. It is usually noted to mean he was with the dead, not that he was actually in hell. Obviously, different Christian faiths have different interpretations, or don't use the Apostle's Creed at all.

 

[Dark Jezter]

A version of the Apostle's Creed mention's that Christ descended into hell. It is usually noted to mean he was with the dead, not that he was actually in hell. Obviously, different Christian faiths have different interpretations, or don't use the Apostle's Creed at all.

Ah, thanks for clearing that up for me!

 

[johnsemlak]

Umm, the allegory is not obvious? What books did you read?

Aslan, the son of the Emperor-Over-The Sea, redeems Edmund from his sins by offering himself up in exchange as a willing sacrifice. Aslan is humiliated, tortured, and eventually killed, but returns from the dead, renewed and saves those lost to the power of evil and conquers the devil incarnate.

The Narnia books practically beat you over the head with their allegory. If the movie contains the Aslan sacrifice sequence where he buys Edmund's life with his own, then the Christian allegory is alive and well. If it doesn't, then the story is so mangled that it isn't really The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe any more.

I won't dispute that the allegory is obvious (to those who look for it), but when I read the series as a child (aged around 8-10 IIRC) I never once made the connections between the Chronicles and anything in the Bible. Of course, there is the bit about referring to humans as 'Sons of Adam' and 'Daughters of Eve', but I understood that as a simple epithet with no deep religious significance.