Gresham Update: Will “The Silver Chair” Be a Faithful Adaptation?
Douglas Gresham (stepson of C.S. Lewis) was recently asked if we can expect the upcoming Silver Chair film to be a faithful translation of the book. You can watch his response at Narnia.com and read a transcription below.
DG: Well, I suppose that depends on exactly what you mean by faithful translation. It’s never quite possible to make the film exactly what the book is; it has to change for a visual medium in some ways more greatly than others. So, what I do hope is that you’ll find the whole story of The Silver Chair is in the movie–and very plainly in the movie. And we’re going to try to express that story to the very best of our abilities. We have to because he [motions at stuffed lion toy in background] is looking over my shoulder all the time, of course. So I think the answer would be yes, but with modifications. It’s a tricky question, but we’ll do our very best to make sure you see the story of The Silver Chair in the movie of The Silver Chair.
DG: Well, I suppose that depends on exactly what you mean by faithful translation. It’s never quite possible to make the film exactly what the book is; it has to change for a visual medium in some ways more greatly than others. So, what I do hope is that you’ll find the whole story of The Silver Chair is in the movie–and very plainly in the movie. And we’re going to try to express that story to the very best of our abilities. We have to because he [motions at stuffed lion toy in background] is looking over my shoulder all the time, of course. So I think the answer would be yes, but with modifications. It’s a tricky question, but we’ll do our very best to make sure you see the story of The Silver Chair in the movie of The Silver Chair.Thanks to Movie Aristotle for the alert.
It's a beautiful story The Silver Chair. Let's hope it's faithful. Like I said before I liked Life Of Pi so I believe Mr Magee will do a good job with Silver Chair.
Hopefully we get a good film as well as a good adaptation.
Interesting we get this update two years to the day that David Magee was announced as screenwriter.
This isn't very reassuring. I have never been a critic of taking poetic licence to make a film work, but some of the things Gresham has agreed to before were just plain hideous… whether Aslan was looking over his shoulder or not. We shall see.
I really enjoyed The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe movie. I realize the more purist oriented Narnia fans were not pleased with how the books themes (or rather lack there of) were treated, BUT the entire story of LWW was there and I enjoyed it very much. Prince Caspian and Voyage of the Dawn Treader felt like butchered versions of the stories. I'm happy to hear the Silver Chair will be doing the similar to LWW. 🙂
Glad to hear this. I think that Gresham has always done a good job of making sure that the essence and central themes of each book were there. VODT was not as faithful as I would have liked (though the themes in the book were also in the movie), but I liked LWW and PC very much. I also think we have to be careful in criticizing Gresham too much. It is difficult to know what choices were made by Gresham and which choices he did not like but were made by the studio. Perhaps, with a smaller studio, Gresham will have more say-so in the future.
All in all, though, I am glad that they are trying to keep the story faithful to the book. I fully expect some changes . . . there will always be changes when a book is made into a movie, but I am feeling more confident about this film.
I think that Gresham having a bigger say over the script is going to help in the film in general. I figure he won't do too badly with it. In general, I am not that worried.
This is pretty reassuring. I'm looking forward to it. Thanks for the update. Cautiously Optimistic.
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It is of the utmost importance that the movie captures the story according to the book….i have a ideas for the movie….the moment of the last sign given by aslan must be seized by filmmaķers where the dramatic and desperate time comes when prince rilian cries out by aslan and the whole room shakes by that name which changes everything for the others…..the tempting time for the others when the witch tries to make then forget everything above ,even Aslan…..the movie must be beautiful abd enchanting like the The lion, the witch and the wardrobde , not old and monstrous type and ugly like prince caspian and the voyage of the dawn treader….by the way, it would be helpful if aslan was not merely given few lines and also not made to simply roar…the book should be interpreted wisely for aslan's portrayal….if the film makers wish to contact me for more information and ideas, my email anakinskywalker540@gmail.com is available for contact…..