CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST
January 29, 2006
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Our congregation and possible move Our nation, military and leaders
Our students James in the Army
Various friends, relatives and co-workers
THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE
“The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations be his” (Genesis 49:10).
Hollywood has been complaining of late about the attendance at movies this past year; it has been bad. Those writing about it have blamed cable television and home videos for the problems along with too many ads before a movie begins. While there is some truth in this, there is another factor rarely considered by Hollywood or movie critics. It is the quality and content of a movie that many people look at before deciding whether to attend or not. Considering the types of movies hyped by critics and those attended by audiences, there is a wide gap between the two.
Many critics support social issue movies that for the most part are attended very poorly by the movie going public. Hence, a movie that shows a euthanasia scene near the end, another that supposedly is about the Marines in Iraq but really degrades the Corp, and finally one about “gay” cowboys, just isn’t drawing in the public. Add to this violent movies showing blood and gore, no wonder few attend. Movie critics often give these movies high praise, though they continue to do poorly in both the theatres and home videos.
There are good movies out there, though most are poorly reviewed or ignored altogether. A movie called “The Great Raid” is based on a couple of books and is about the rescue of POWs in the Philippines during the latter days of World War II. It shows the bravery and honor of the Army Rangers but was panned by most critics. Then there are the movies with Christian themes. We all remember the discussions surrounding Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” which set box office records and brought in many believers to see this gut-wrenching portrayal of the crucifixion of Jesus. Many movie critics thought it was anti-Semitic and would cause people to attack or blame Jews; it didn’t happen. “The Lord of the Rings” was a trilogy of movies based on J.RR. Tolkien’s books, ably brought to the screen by Peter Jackson, with a great story and amazing computer generated scenes. The third picture won the Academy Award for Best Picture. What was lost on many was the underpinnings of the books, the Christian thought that Tolkien subtly brought into the story. The above movies were top money making movies. Even the “Harry Potter” movies have been successful; some arguing that J.R. Rowling is writing in the line and thinking of Tolkien and Lewis.
That brings us to C.S. Lewis and the adaptation of the first of his seven volume work, The Chronicles of Narnia. “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” is the first book and movie. Most critics found this movie to be “too Christian” and while rated with two or three stars, not really a good movie. Was it because it was poorly done or because of its overt message? One English critic complained that we don’t need to be told by anyone that we needed someone to die for us. Many critics were offended by the themes though they found the computer generated scenes extremely good.
The movie itself is a very good movie and attendance, if it is any indication, has been very supportive of the movie, making over $500 million worldwide since its opening. (Peter Jackson’s “King Kong” remake likewise has made some $300 million, contrasting that with the over hyped “gay” cowboy movie that has done little). There is no doubt that Lewis put into his work the themes of redemption, reconciliation, forgiveness, temptation, fall, grace, and resurrection. Douglas Gresham, Lewis’ stepson, was the consulting producer on the movie, and according to those who have read the books, it stayed very close to the book. That is good news.
The story begins with the bombing of England during the early days of World War II. The children are sent into the countryside for their protection. At a mansion of a professor, they discover a wardrobe that leads them to a magical land called Narnia. There we learn that it is winter and has been for one hundred years, but there have been no Christmases. We also learn that the four are thought to be those who would fulfill prophecies that would change the land. There is a wicked white witch who is smooth talking, leading one of the children away with thoughts of power and control, tempting him with candy. Because of his choices, several die, including a very important figure in the story. Each child must look at himself or herself, challenge their ideas, and face the difficult tasks found in Narnia. All though they were sent away from one war, they find themselves in another, an indication of spiritual warfare that is found in scripture (see Ephesians, Revelation, and especially Daniel 10).
This is a children’s story and that must be kept in mind. There are talking animals, humor, comparisons to Christianity, and other ideas that can be discussed for some time. It is a movie that needs to be seen first on the big screen. No, it will not win any Oscars but it will cause people to think about what we think is important in life and what really is important in life. There is right and wrong, those bent on evil and those who resist, bravery and sacrifice, much of which we see today in the real world, and much of which is criticized by those who are offended by such ideas.
With the success of the first volume turned movie, hopefully the rest will be made into movies as well. While Hollywood will continue to turn out its vulgar and violent movies, there is hope in that more quality moral movies will be made. While Hollywood and the critics run down Christianity and believers, others will quietly produce movies that will lift up the values that we love and are concerned about. I don’t expect Hollywood to change, though they do not make movies like they did fifty and sixty years ago. I do think that there are those who will work within to bring quality movies to you and me and not to the elite, and for that we can be thankful.
George B. Mearns