The BBC adaptation of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" is a beloved piece of television history. First broadcast in 1988, this miniseries brought C.S. Lewis' enchanting story to life for a whole new generation. "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" is the first book in the Chronicles of Narnia series, and it tells the story of four siblings who stumble upon a magical wardrobe that transports them to the land of Narnia. In Narnia, they discover a world frozen in eternal winter by the White Witch, and with the help of the lion Aslan, they embark on a dangerous quest to save Narnia and its inhabitants.
Unsurprisingly, Dahl's writing for children has frequently been the subject of book bans, but jumpiness around his work is also manifesting on the opposing side in the culture wars. Earlier this year, it emerged that in the 2023 editions of his books, publisher Puffin had changed hundreds of potentially offensive words relating to race, mental health and physical appearance. The originally "enormously fat" Augustus Gloop from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is now simply "enormous"; "ugly and beastly" Mrs Twit is merely "beastly"; and the "crazy" glow worm that James voyages with is plain "silly". Elsewhere, the BFG no longer has "flashing black eyes", they're just "flashing", and in The Witches, a particularly clunky sentence has been added to explain that while the supernatural women in question wear wigs to conceal their bald heads, "There are plenty of other reasons why women might wear wigs and there is certainly nothing wrong with that."
Unsurprisingly, Dahl s writing for children has frequently been the subject of book bans, but jumpiness around his work is also manifesting on the opposing side in the culture wars. The Prime Minister is expected to make a visit on Monday morning to reiterate his Government s support for the Jewish community, after a weekend that saw growing international efforts to stop the conflict escalating further.
In Narnia, they discover a world frozen in eternal winter by the White Witch, and with the help of the lion Aslan, they embark on a dangerous quest to save Narnia and its inhabitants. The BBC adaptation of this classic tale is known for its faithful representation of the original story. The production values may be modest compared to modern standards, but the series manages to capture the magic and wonder of Narnia.
Sunak meets King of Jordan as Gaza offensive looms
Rishi Sunak has met with King Abdullah of Jordan amid growing concern about the fate of Palestinians in Gaza as an Israeli invasion looms.
The King has embarked on a European tour to “rally international support to stop the war on Gaza”, his office said, with stops also expected in Italy, Germany and France.
It comes after the monarch met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday.
Number 10 said that the two men discussed diplomatic efforts to prevent “further escalation in the wider Middle East”.
“The leaders also agreed on the importance of taking measures to protect civilians in Gaza, including British and Jordanian citizens caught up in the violence, as well as ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.
The expected assault by Israel comes more than a week after Hamas militants launched a deadly assault on the country.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly earlier stressed British backing for Israel while also urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the country’s military to show restraint and discipline.
People at a vigil at Parliament Square in London, for victims and hostages of the Hamas attacks (James Manning/PA)
The senior Cabinet minister said the UK will always raise breaches of international law, but declined to say whether Israel has crossed that line already.
“Friends speak honestly with friends and we have a very, very good working relationship with the Israeli government, and whenever I have spoken to them I have reinforced the UK’s position about the preservation of life, the avoidance of civilian casualties.
“I’ve said that restraint, discipline, these are the hallmarks of the Israel Defence Force that I want to see,” he told Sky News.
The United Nations, senior EU figures and aid agencies have all expressed alarm as many Palestinians struggle to flee ahead of a “co-ordinated” offensive in the Gaza Strip involving air, ground and naval forces.
Hundreds of people gathered at a vigil in central London on Sunday to commemorate Israeli victims of the Hamas incursion into the country.
Many were draped in Israeli flags, and posters saying “bring them home” with names and faces of hostages captured by Hamas were being handed out.
It comes a day after tens of thousands of people took to the streets across the UK in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
“I’m continuing to work closely with the police and community leaders to ensure our communities feel safe, and are safe, as they go about their daily lives.”
The performances of the cast are praised, particularly those of the child actors who portray the Pevensie siblings. The White Witch, played by Barbara Kellerman, is a standout character in this adaptation. Kellerman's portrayal perfectly captures the icy, manipulative nature of the character, making her a truly memorable villain. One notable aspect of this adaptation is its use of puppetry and practical effects. The talking animals of Narnia, including Mr. Tumnus the Faun and Mr. Beaver, are brought to life through the use of puppets, helping to create a sense of wonder and whimsy. "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" is a timeless story that continues to captivate readers and viewers of all ages. The BBC adaptation is a testament to the enduring power and appeal of this beloved tale. It stands as a beloved and respected adaptation of C.S. Lewis' work and is cherished by fans of the series..
Reviews for "The Magical World of Narnia: How BBC's "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" Sparked Imagination"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "BBC Loom Witch and Wardrobe". As a fan of the original books and the previous adaptations, I had high expectations, but it failed to deliver. The casting felt off, and the performances lacked depth. The visual effects were also underwhelming, failing to capture the magic and wonder of Narnia. Overall, it felt like a rushed and lackluster adaptation that did not do justice to the source material.
2. John - 1/5 - "BBC Loom Witch and Wardrobe" was a complete letdown. The pacing was all over the place, making it hard to follow the story. The acting was wooden, and the dialogue felt forced. The production design was also underwhelming, with the sets lacking the grandeur and imagination that Narnia should have. It felt like a cheap attempt to capitalize on the success of the previous adaptations, without putting in the effort to bring the story to life. I would not recommend wasting your time on this adaptation.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to "BBC Loom Witch and Wardrobe", but it fell flat for me. The performances were mediocre, lacking the charm and chemistry that the characters should have. The pacing was slow, dragging the story and making it feel tedious to watch. The visual effects were hit or miss, some scenes were impressive while others looked cheap. Overall, it was a lackluster adaptation that failed to capture the magic and enchantment of the original story. I would advise sticking to the previous adaptations for a better Narnia experience.
4. Michael - 3/5 - While "BBC Loom Witch and Wardrobe" didn't quite meet my expectations, it had some redeeming qualities. The production design was visually appealing and captured the essence of Narnia. Some of the performances were decent, particularly from the child actors. However, the pacing felt off, and some scenes dragged unnecessarily. Overall, it was an average adaptation that had its moments, but failed to fully immerse me in the world of Narnia.