Moral Lessons and Christian Themes Stir Buzz For "Narnia"

November 28, 2005 8:31 PM | Comments:

Narnia The "moral" lessons in the "good versus evil" battle of Walt Disney's upcoming adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" are being directed at the Christian niche market to generate additional publicity and boost sales.

According to SciFi Wire, Anna Popplewell and William Moseley - two of the young stars of "Narnia" said that the adventure is much more than an epic battle. In Lewis' story, four children find a magical doorway through a wardrobe that transports them from World War II London to the world of Narnia, where they are caught up in the clash between a wicked witch and the god-like lion Aslan.

Popplewell said, "All of the kids go on these individual journeys and have to go through these personal reforms before they can actually save Narnia and before they are able to unite as a family and deal with all the stuff they have to deal with." Moseley concurred, adding "[I]t's down to respect for others and respect for yourself, and the choices you make affect you. For me, personally, I felt that it was a moral battle: all about morality and [how] the path you choose defines who you'll be." Mosely distilled the film down to a story of "good over evil."

It is this moral battle and the film's purported Christian themes that chuch leaders across Britain are banking on to pack pews in the coming weeks.

According to Reuters, Evangelical publishers have sent out special packs to churches, Methodists prepared themed sermons and one Anglican church is giving out free movie tickets to single parents.

"There are clear Christian parallels you can draw from the storyline," said Russ Bravo, development director for the evangelical publishing company Christian Publishing and Outreach (CPO). The company is providing posters, DVDs, invitation cards and folders to churches who have been ordering material to stage their own events.

"We have a what-to-do guide, outlines that give ministers ideas on how to deliver sermons, material for Sunday schools," Bravo said.

Since Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" - which took in $600 million worldwide - Christians are being recognized by Hollywood as a valuable market.

"Disney recognizes the marketplace. In Hollywood, money talks," said John Buckeridge, editor of Christianity Magazine. The publication ran a cover story on how the film's release provides churches with a "fantastic evangelistic opportunity" to promote a Christian message.

With the "Narnia" series, Disney stands more than a chance to recover at the box office after its latest quarterly losses. "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" is one of seven books in the popular series. If successful, the Mouse House will undoubtedly release other adaptations.

"The Chronicles of Narnia" opens in Britain on December 7th and in the United States on December 9th. -- Shannon Nolley

$\"Narnia\"$ The \"moral\" lessons in the \"good versus evil\" battle of Walt Disney's upcoming adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel \"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe\" are being directed at the Christian niche market to generate additional publicity and boost sales.\n\nAccording to SciFi Wire, Anna Popplewell and William Moseley - two of the young stars of \"Narnia\" said that the adventure is much more than an epic battle. In Lewis' story, four children find a magical doorway through a wardrobe that transports them from World War II London to the world of Narnia, where they are caught up in the clash between a wicked witch and the god-like lion Aslan.\n\nPopplewell said, \"All of the kids go on these individual journeys and have to go through these personal reforms before they can actually save Narnia and before they are able to unite as a family and deal with all the stuff they have to deal with.\" Moseley concurred, adding \"[I]t's down to respect for others and respect for yourself, and the choices you make affect you. For me, personally, I felt that it was a moral battle: all about morality and [how] the path you choose defines who you'll be.\" Mosely distilled the film down to a story of \"good over evil.\" \n\nIt is this moral battle and the film's purported Christian themes that chuch leaders across Britain are banking on to pack pews in the coming weeks.\n\nAccording to Reuters, Evangelical publishers have sent out special packs to churches, Methodists prepared themed sermons and one Anglican church is giving out free movie tickets to single parents.\n\n\"There are clear Christian parallels you can draw from the storyline,\" said Russ Bravo, development director for the evangelical publishing company Christian Publishing and Outreach (CPO). The company is providing posters, DVDs, invitation cards and folders to churches who have been ordering material to stage their own events.\n\n\"We have a what-to-do guide, outlines that give ministers ideas on how to deliver sermons, material for Sunday schools,\" Bravo said.\n\nSince Mel Gibson's \"The Passion of the Christ\" - which took in \$600 million worldwide - Christians are being recognized by Hollywood as a valuable market.\n\n\"Disney recognizes the marketplace. In Hollywood, money talks,\" said John Buckeridge, editor of Christianity Magazine. The publication ran a cover story on how the film's release provides churches with a \"fantastic evangelistic opportunity\" to promote a Christian message.\n\nWith the \"Narnia\" series, Disney stands more than a chance to recover at the box office after its latest quarterly losses. \"The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe\" is one of seven books in the popular series. If successful, the Mouse House will undoubtedly release other adaptations.\n\n\"The Chronicles of Narnia\" opens in Britain on December 7th and in the United States on December 9th. -- Shannon Nolley

Moral Lessons and Christian Themes Stir Buzz For "Narnia"

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