I’ve never read the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but I have watched the various adaptations many times. Both the 1979 animated special and the BBC mini-series were favorites of mine in the 90s. Disney’s feature film adaptation in 2005 was a film I saw opening weekend and promptly bought on Blu-Ray. Considering I’ve never read the book, the story holds a special place in my heart.
A tweet referencing Skander Keynes as Edmund got me nostalgic for the story, and I dove into watching all three versions. I began with the BCC mini-series from 1988, which is available on YouTube, and followed it up with the 1979 animated special also on YouTube. The final version I watched was the 2005 Disney film.
As I moved to a new version, I couldn’t help but compare it against the other I had just watched. It’s amazing how different each adaptation has been from the others, while still clearly telling the same basic story. What I’ll be doing here is comparing them the same way I did while watching, which is character by character.
Lucy
Lucy’s a difficult character to settle on a favorite, but she has to go first. Without her there is no story, she is the inciting incident to the whole plot. She’s essential and each adaptation does an excellent job providing a compelling version of the character. In the animated special she’s very childlike, Sophie Wilcox in the BBC version is so British it hurt, and Georgie Henley in the 2005 film captures the wonder of a child in a fantasy world. Each version is worthy of recognition for different reasons.
Push comes to shove, my favorite performance is Sophie Wilcox. Displaying a wide range of emotions, her Lucy is the most well-rounded. Stepping into a new world she’s full of innocent wonder. Confronted with the danger of Narnia she’s classic British keep calm and carry on. When Aslan sacrifices himself, her pain is clear for the audience. It’s a close call, but the BCC series wins this one.
Edmund
The animated and BBC version of Edmund are petulant and unlikable. It’s not the actors that fail Edmund, but the scripts. They give no reason for the audience to sympathize with him, which makes his redemption difficult to accept. Skander Keynes works with a better scripted Edmund. He’s suffering through loss, and manipulated by the White Witch in a believable manner. Keynes makes you empathize with Edmund, rather than be annoyed by him. The Disney film takes this one by a mile.
Susan
The animated version of Susan doesn’t bring much to the story. With the shortened run time, she’s hardly in it. This leaves the debate between the BBC and Disney version. Anna Popplewell is solid as Susan in the 2005 film, but hardly a stand out performance compared to Skander Keynes. She’s good, but Sophie Cook in the BBC series is better. Like the girl playing Lucy, she shows greater range throughout the mini-series. The girls are a highlight of the BBC series.
Peter
Peter is boring. Doesn’t matter which version you’re watching, he’s the least interesting of the four Pevensie children. The film version is wooden and the BBC version lacks a heroic edge, so I actually give this win to the animated special. The reduced running time short changed the other characters, but with boring Peter is makes him into a straight forward hero. His thinly drawn character works best in the simplistic plot focused adaptation of the 1979 cartoon.
Mr. Tumnus
The animated Tumnus looks evil and lacks depth. The BBC version, played by Jeffery Perry, shows some of his sinister nature right from the start. James McAvoy doesn’t have the sinister edge to him in the film. He looks and acts kind, which makes Lucy’s eagerness to befriend him believable. The audience is just as surprised as Lucy by his betrayal. It’ll be no surprise the film wins this category. Watch the scene with Tumnus and Edmund as guest of the White Witch for proof of McAvoy’s superiority in the role. The defeat he feels is palpable when he learns the truth about Edmund. The scene is perfectly heart-breaking.
Mr and Mrs Beaver
Yes, the BBC costumes are low-budget and don’t hold up, but this is about the characters, not the costumes. The animated version cuts too many of their story to be interesting. The BBC version gives them plenty of opportunity to shine. You comes to know the Beavers on the same level as the Pevensie children. Ray Winstone’s voice work as Mr. Beaver is brimming with gruff personality in the 2005 film. As much as I want to give the win to Ray Winstone’s Mr. Beaver, the film doesn’t do much with Mrs Beaver. The BBC mini-series makes you love both characters, not just one. For that reason, BBC trumps Disney.
Aslan the Lion
Liam Neeson’s Aslan in the movie is kind and commanding. In the animated special, Aslan’s voice is strong, a commanding leader, but lacks warmth. The BBC version has the warmth, but not the commanding tone of the film version. Liam Neeson brings both elements together in the perfect blend. The casting director for the film really nailed it. Aslan comes alive as a full realized character in the 2005 film. There’s no contest.
The White Witch
The animated special’s character design for the White Witch is fantastic. Her body bends and twists, snaking through scenes to give her an unnatural presence. Barbara Kellerman chews the scenery in the BCC series. Everything about her is over the top villainous. There’s no subtly in her, which works against her character. One has to wonder why Edmund ever fell for her obvious deceit.
Tilda Swinton is by far the best White Witch. In her first encounter with Edmund, she’s outwardly sweet, but with a hard edge behind her. It’s understandable why a child would be deceived by her. She’s beautiful, flattering, and generous. Then when she no longer need the ruse, she’s terrifying. The sacrifice at the stone table lets her chew some scenery, but it’s earned in this version. Tilda Swinton is the best part of the 2005 Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Final Comments
1979 Animated Special – Peter
1988 BBC Miniseries – Lucy, Susan, Mr and Mrs Beaver
2005 Film – Edmund, Mr. Tumus, Aslan and the White Witch
If I had to recommend a single version of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to watch it is the 2005 Disney film. With a few exceptions it handles the characters and story better than the other two. However, there is merit to all watching all three. The animated version runs at a brisk pace, keeping younger audiences engaged in the adventure elements. The BBC series emphasizes character moments, which makes for a thoughtfully slow pace. If you like a story focused on relationships the BCC version the best.
Right now Netflix is working on a new adaptation of the story. All that’s known is it is coming, but not when or what format the series will take. Movies, episodic seasons, or a mix of both perhaps. Whatever it might look like, I’m excited to see how it stacks up against these versions. Perhaps I’ll have a new crowning version to enjoy.