Episode 82 : ‘Dawn Treader’ Film Analysis, Part 9
Running time 54:25 Dr. Ransom and Rilian conclude this analysis with Part 9. In this, they discuss the last segment of the film, from the dialogue problems with Aslan to the brilliant wrap up with the last few moments with the film.
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The heartbreak of the world's end was totally missing. In the book, the children assume they will be coming back to Narnia. They are shocked when Aslan breaks their hearts by telling them they won't be coming back. "Ohh-Aslan!!" They think they'll never see Aslan again. They're devastated….. THEN, Aslan raises them back up and says "there I have another name."
Aslan breaks their hearts, and then brings them back up. That's where the power of that scene/line comes from.
The movie was exactly the OPPOSITE. The kids fully expect Aslan to tell them they won't be coming back. And they totally accept it. Edmund says something like "we're too old."
Including "there I have another name" in the movie at all was almost pointless because they totally missed the power of it. By the end of the movie, the damage was already done anyway: The kids are the real heroes in the movie, not Aslan.
Sadly, exactly, GlumPuddle. That's the humanism we kept bringing up. But to scriptwriters who either didn't want to delve into why Lewis wrote what he wrote, or simply tried and failed to get it, it makes perfect sense. They can't understand how a story in which Aslan is the true hero, not the children (following their dreams by Believing in Themselves), is a story worth telling. So naturally everything had to change, and we get simpering cliched stuff that's good only in spots. 🙁
I think the ending of VDT was the best ending of the three. Too bad it accompanied the worst film of the three. Kinda ruins it…
Dr. Ransom summed up my opinion: the adaptation ("Apted-ation"?) was "woeful". If The Magician's Nephew is greenlit, I'll pray for new writers, and that Apted is nowhere near the film. I can't take another VDT!
I agree with your statement saying that VDT had the best ending. But the more times I've watched the movie the (very few) things that bothered me have botherred me just a little more. But I still think VDT was great 🙂 . In a way I wouldn't like to see new writers and in another way I do. But aslong as MN is good, I honestly don't care 🙂
The only writer I want back is Andrew Adamson himself. He seemed to honestly care about Narnia, despite his couple of mistakes in Prince Caspian.
glumpuddle, i agree with you mostly but with the director still adding in the line ''there i have another name'' is not pointless at all because that line resembles the true meaning in life which is God!!!!!!! that is all narnia is truly about which is simalarities to jesus christ and God and what they did for everyone (dieing on the cross to save us from our sins (hell) )and that line might make non-christians wonder what he meant, look into it, and just might get saved which should be the whole point to these movies but sadly after lww it went down hill 🙁 but anyways glumpuddle are you a christian???!!!!
He's saying it's pointless (almost) because in the book it makes your heart leap. You realize "THEY AREN'T COMING BACK!?!?!" and your heart almost breaks. But Aslan IS in our world. And that makes the joy come right back, even more powerful to many readers, because it's no longer fiction; it's true.
In the film, the power of that line is reduced dramatically because the kids are almost perfectly fine with going back home, never to return. There are some tears, but they (even Lucy!) seem willing to accept it, and so when Aslan says, "I'm in your world too", it's like, "Oh, really? Cool." Instead of a huge relief to the viewer.
At least, I think that's what gP meant.
Sean, you only have to listen the podcasts to find where glumPuddle stands when it comes to the Christian faith.
Avran, is correct.
I'd have to agree with Dr Ransom and Rilian – podcasting for NarniaWeb pays well. It's one of the reasons I take part. 🙂
I was thinking about what I said and pretty much all yesterday I began to cange my mind. I think if they only kept a few people (like Adamson and Greshem) who are doing it now, The Pixar writers (I don't know if the writers would do Narnia because it's not animated, but I think it's worth a shot. I think Pixar movies are great 🙂 ) and some really passionate book fans (I think GlumPuddle would do great 🙂 ) the movies would be great. I think if all those groups came togeather, everybody would like them. Just my opinion 🙂
Great podcast guys! Are you going to do another serries on something Narnia or does it all stop here (I hope not!)?
I seriously think glumPuddle and Rilian should be involved in the scriptwriting process. That would make many people happy.
This is one of your best podcasts. I really enjoyed your analysis. I give the movie a "B", and the adaptation a "D". I saw the movie 16 times in the theaters because I knew the series needed help. I learned a few minutes into the movie the first time of the disconnect between the movie and the book. Many of the things that bothered you did not bother me because I knew the movie was not based on a Lewis book. I think Michael Apted is a good director, but this was not his type of movie. He is not a Narnia person.
Thank you for bringing the comparison to "The Great Divorce", my favorite Lewis book. I am looking forward to the movie.
My favorite scene in the movie is the very last shot, Lucy closing the door. Georgie Henley gave an absolutely brilliant performance where she did not cry but came very close to it. Her performance reminded me of the scene in LWW after the coronation where she is seeing Aslan leave, she almost cries. When Andrew Adamson yelled "cut" after the first take not one on the crew said a thing because they were dazed by Georgie's perforance. What I miss most about VDT is that Eustace and Reep are the only ones allowed to give good performances. One of the things I enjoy most about movies is watching great acting. This movie for the most part does not allow that to happen. It is not the actors' fault. The movie was more concerned about the seven swords and the green mist than telling a good story. This movie was not meant for adults. "Break glass in case of emergency."
the ending of the vdt being the best is solely because of the book. the line about being in our world was FORRRRRRRRCED back into the script by Doug Gresham. maybe if the producers step back and check the grosses they will see the secularizing of the series does not pay off.
yeah, it was strangely directed for 7 year olds, and why after successfully directing for the whole family in the first film?
I agree
5 year olds actually 😉 At least that's according to the commentary "5 & up" but seriously people… what happenned to "family film?!" Family film does NOT equat Kid's movie"
And Narnia is generally (though by no means absolutely) intended for ages 8 and up…
Family entertainment does not have to mean pablum. The Walden movie "Bridge To Tarabithia" was outstanding family entertainment with a real message and did not dodge the bullet. Unfortunately it was poorly marketed. The VDT movie could have had some real messages without dumbing it down. This movie had no courage. The book had some real meat.
Thanks to all of you who participated in these podcasts to bring us such excellent analysis. I have found it somewhat cathartic to listen to these episodes after the disappointment of the VDT film. Further up and further in!
Well I guess VDT is another movie behind us now. Moving on to The Magician's Nephew. I enjoyed listening to your podcasts and am hoping that MN doesn't make the same mistakes that VDT did.