The enchanting cinematography of the BBC's 'The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The BBC adaptation of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" is a television series based on the classic novel written by C.S. Lewis. This fantasy story follows the journey of four siblings - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy - who stumble upon a magical wardrobe that leads them to the land of Narnia. Set during World War II, the story starts when the children are sent to the countryside to avoid the dangers of the war. While exploring the large house they're staying in, the youngest sister, Lucy, discovers a wardrobe that serves as a portal to the enchanting world of Narnia.

Mathematical formula as the basis for "magic" and the clear depiction of scientific concepts such as Hyperspace in magical trappings marks this story as one of the clearest and yet most sophisticated demonstrations of the storytelling layers that Lovecraft could employ when he chose. Unlike traditional stories of witchcraft and "black magic", this tale show the same phenomena in two different ways. The first and simplest vision of witchcraft is the traditional one, and includes all the familiar (pun intended) props. The second vision is entirely Cosmicist: the witch cult preserves knowledge of higher physics and math, the Black Man is an alien indeed extradimensional being, and the effects of magic are actually those of multi-dimensional energies rather than the traditional supernatural.

The Dreams in the Witch House was made into a short segment for Showtime cable television s Masters of Horror series, directed by Stuart Gordon, under the title 9 and neighbor Frank Elwood changing genders to become Frances Elwood. The second vision is entirely Cosmicist the witch cult preserves knowledge of higher physics and math, the Black Man is an alien indeed extradimensional being, and the effects of magic are actually those of multi-dimensional energies rather than the traditional supernatural.

While exploring the large house they're staying in, the youngest sister, Lucy, discovers a wardrobe that serves as a portal to the enchanting world of Narnia. Intrigued by her stories, her siblings soon join her in this adventure. Upon entering Narnia, the siblings learn about the evil White Witch, who has cast a spell over the land, causing it to be stuck in a perpetual winter.

The Dreams in the Witch House

This Halcyon Classics ebook is H.P. Lovecraft's classic occult tale of horror THE DREAMS IN THE WITCH-HOUSE.

The story follows Walter Gilman, who takes a room in the Witch House, an accursed house in Arkham, Lovecraft's fictional New England town. The house once harbored Keziah Mason, a witch who disappeared mysteriously from a Salem jail in 1692. Gilman discovers that over the centuries most of its occupants have died prematurely. In his dreams while at the house, Gilman travels to the city of Elder Things and communes with the evil witch and her henchmen.

Genres HorrorShort StoriesFictionLovecraftianFantasyClassicsGothic

43 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1933

About the author

H.P. Lovecraft

Howard Phillips Lovecraft, of Providence, Rhode Island, was an American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction.

Lovecraft's major inspiration and invention was cosmic horror: life is incomprehensible to human minds and the universe is fundamentally alien. Those who genuinely reason, like his protagonists, gamble with sanity. Lovecraft has developed a cult following for his Cthulhu Mythos, a series of loosely interconnected fictions featuring a pantheon of human-nullifying entities, as well as the Necronomicon, a fictional grimoire of magical rites and forbidden lore. His works were deeply pessimistic and cynical, challenging the values of the Enlightenment, Romanticism and Christianity. Lovecraft's protagonists usually achieve the mirror-opposite of traditional gnosis and mysticism by momentarily glimpsing the horror of ultimate reality.

Although Lovecraft's readership was limited during his life, his reputation has grown over the decades. He is now commonly regarded as one of the most influential horror writers of the 20th Century, exerting widespread and indirect influence, and frequently compared to Edgar Allan Poe.

Recently, more favorable criticism of "Dreams" has appeared. Weird Tales' Lovecraft columnist Kenneth Hite calls the story "one of the purest and most important examples of sheer Lovecraftian cosmicism," suggesting that it is the most fully fleshed-out expression of the author's "From Beyond" motif, also explored in such stories as "The Music of Erich Zann", "Hypnos", and "The Hound". [7] Lovecraft critic and Prix Goncourt award-winning novelist Michel Houellebecq situates the story within what he calls Lovecraft's "definitive fourth circle", classing it alongside seven other tales that comprise "the absolute heart of HPL's myth [. ] what most rabid Lovecraftians continue to call, almost in spite of themselves, the 'great texts'." [8]

Along their journey, the children encounter various mythical creatures, including talking animals and the magnificent lion Aslan, who is the true ruler of Narnia. Throughout the series, the children bravely face numerous challenges and temptations presented by the White Witch. Each child has their own personal growth, with some succumbing to temptation while others demonstrate bravery and selflessness. As the story progresses, the children play a crucial role in fulfilling a prophecy that will ultimately defeat the White Witch and restore peace to Narnia. The BBC adaptation of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" brings this magical tale to life through beautiful visuals and captivating performances. The series perfectly captures the essence of the book, showcasing the themes of bravery, loyalty, and the battle between good and evil. Overall, the BBC adaptation of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" is a must-watch for fans of fantasy and those who appreciate a well-crafted story. It continues to be a beloved adaptation of C.S. Lewis' iconic novel, enchanting viewers of all ages with its timeless tale of adventure and redemption in the magical land of Narnia..

Reviews for "Exploring the religious themes in C.S. Lewis' 'The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe' and the BBC adaptation"

1. Sara - 2 stars

I was really disappointed with "BBC Lion Witch and Wardrobe." The acting was quite mediocre and there was a lack of emotion in the characters. The special effects were also not up to par and looked fake. Overall, I found it difficult to become engaged in the story because of these flaws. It simply did not have the charm and magic that I expected from a production based on such a beloved book.

2. John - 3 stars

While "BBC Lion Witch and Wardrobe" was visually stunning and had some good moments, I felt that the pacing was off. The story felt rushed and important character development was left out. I felt disconnected from the main characters and their journey. Additionally, some of the scenes were over-dramatized, making it difficult to take the story seriously. Overall, it had potential, but it failed to fully capture the essence of the original book.

3. Emily - 2 stars

"BBC Lion Witch and Wardrobe" was a letdown for me. The production seemed to lack depth and failed to create a believable fantasy world. The costumes and set designs were lackluster, and the CGI was outdated. The performances of the child actors were underwhelming and lacked the necessary chemistry. The adaptation missed the mark in capturing the heart and magic of the original story, leaving me feeling unsatisfied.

The impact of C.S. Lewis' Narnia series on children's literature: A focus on the BBC's 'The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe