The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a fantasy novel written by C.S. Lewis and published in 1950. It is the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series and has since become a classic of children's literature. In 1988, a television adaptation of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was released. The series was produced by the BBC and consisted of three episodes.
Texas A&M has Reveille, a Border Collie. A properly trained dog who is acclimated to large crowds seems like the best live animal choice possible, if the animal is to appear in stadium during games. If she's anything like my dog, she's thrilled to receive human attention and can't get enough of the stuff.
A properly trained dog who is acclimated to large crowds seems like the best live animal choice possible, if the animal is to appear in stadium during games. A properly trained dog who is acclimated to large crowds seems like the best live animal choice possible, if the animal is to appear in stadium during games.
The series was produced by the BBC and consisted of three episodes. This adaptation followed the story of four siblings - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy - who stumble upon a magical wardrobe that transports them to the fantastical world of Narnia. Narnia is a land ruled by the evil White Witch, who has cast a perpetual winter over the land.
Horses, Cougars, Cattle: In Defense of Live Animal Texas Mascots
The University of Houston's live animal mascot recently died. Shasta VI, a cougar, was euthanized because he had a couple of progressive diseases and it was the humane thing to do. But should a Texas college even have a live cougar as a mascot? Should any Texas school have any live animal mascot?
I'm sure there are plenty of folks with very firm, very heart felt opinions on this matter. But I think its an issue best thought of with nuance and grace. It is important to be kind to animals, but traditions matter too.
It should boil down to a couple things: what kind of animal is it, and can the animal be cared for at all times properly?
Luckily, the most recent Shasta lived his life in the Houston Zoo. Shasta as a live mascot also provides an opportunity to educate the public about cougars and hopefully endear them to cougars as well. Shasta was orphaned when a hunter illegally killed his mother. Clearly, UH has come a long way in their treatment of their mascot:
Shasta V was the last cougar on campus for years because of liability issues. She was declawed and had her fangs removed, but she occasionally bit her handlers
UH has not decided if they will have another Shasta, but they have stated that if they do it will again be in partnership with Houston Zoo.
But what about other live animal Texas mascots?
Texas A&M has Reveille, a Border Collie. A properly trained dog who is acclimated to large crowds seems like the best live animal choice possible, if the animal is to appear in stadium during games. If she's anything like my dog, she's thrilled to receive human attention and can't get enough of the stuff.
My alma mater Texas Tech University's mascot is an animal/ human assemblage, The Masked Rider. Horses are animals that have been bred for centuries to handle human interaction and even crowds. The human part of The Masked Rider is a student that is passionate about riding and takes exquisite care of the animals they are responsible for. This isn't to say that horses don't get spooked and that nothing can go wrong. You may remember the tragic incident in which a horse did get spooked and died after hitting a wall. I strongly feel this was simply a freak accident and not a reason to discontinue the program.
Baylor University in Waco has an actual bear, Judge Sue "Lady" Sloan. Lady is kept in an enclosure on campus and does not attend games. I think this is akin to the lions at MGM Grand in LAs Vegas. They seem very unbothered by the observation of people around them, and they are not forced to do anything they don't want to do. Having a bear on the field would be dangerous and irresponsible as bears cannot be domesticated. One mark of cruelty does exist for the bears- they no longer get free Dr. Pepper:
In 1996, the school stopped feeding their bears Dr. Pepper (a Waco staple) at games. “To be honest, soft drinks make the current bear really, really hyper,”
But what about the most famous Texas college mascot of all time, Bevo? Let's be honest, Bevo, in all his incarnations, looks intimidating, tough, and actually quite beautiful. An enormous, long-horned bull just screams "Texas" to me. I know I shouldn't be hyping up my alma mater's rival but I give credit where its due.
Bevo got into a some trouble after he charged Uga the bulldog. Bevo and all bulls can be dangerous animals- isn't that why rodeos exist? However, I would argue that cattle are domesticated animals, and if properly handled, can make public appearances safely. I'm just glad UT stopped eating him:
The first Bevo made his only appearance at a Thanksgiving Day game against Texas A&M University. He lived for less than four more years, and was cooked and served at a banquet.
Animals have always had the power to evoke strong emotions in people. Whether they filled us with a sense of power, awe, beauty or love, experiencing animals is one of the best things about being human. I don't feel that excluding animals from human activity is the right answer, so long as the animal's safety and well-being are paramount.
But what about other live animal Texas mascots?
The siblings become entangled in a conflict between the forces of good and evil as they join forces with talking animals, mythical creatures, and the rightful ruler of Narnia, Aslan the lion. Throughout their journey, the children learn important lessons about courage, sacrifice, and the power of friendship. The 1988 adaptation of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is beloved by many for its faithful retelling of the story and its charming portrayal of the magical world of Narnia. The performances of the young actors who played the four siblings were particularly praised. The success of this adaptation led to further adaptations of the other books in The Chronicles of Narnia series. Overall, the 1988 adaptation of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a treasured adaptation of a beloved children's book. It successfully captures the wonder and adventure of Lewis' original story, making it a must-watch for fans of the series..
Reviews for "The Timeless Appeal of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" (1988) TV Series"
- Emily - 2/5 stars - I found the 1988 version of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" to be quite disappointing. The acting was lackluster, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The special effects were also quite dated and didn't hold up well. I was expecting a magical and enchanting experience, but instead, I found myself bored and uninterested. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this version to anyone wanting to experience the magic of C.S. Lewis' beloved story.
- David - 1/5 stars - I was highly disappointed with the 1988 adaptation of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." The casting choices were questionable, with the child actors lacking the charm and charisma necessary to bring the beloved characters to life. The pacing of the film was also extremely slow, and it felt like a chore to sit through. Additionally, the costume design was subpar, and the special effects were laughable. Overall, I found this version to be a poor representation of the enchanting world created by C.S. Lewis.
- Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for the 1988 adaptation of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," but unfortunately, those hopes were dashed. The film felt disjointed and lacked the magical atmosphere I was anticipating. The performances were mediocre at best, with the actors failing to capture the essence of the characters they were portraying. The outdated special effects were a major letdown, and it was difficult to suspend disbelief while watching. Overall, this version left me feeling underwhelmed and longing for a more immersive adaptation of the beloved book.