A few months ago our sixteen year old daughter heard that "Prince Caspian" would soon be released. She asked her dad and I if we could watch it together as a family. Of course we made the commitment. As parents we should take every chance we can to create memories with our children that they will treasure forever. Today there are very few opportunities when a movie can help our children's spiritual journey.
Three years ago when I first heard that Walt Disney Pictures was making a new movie from "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" I had my two youngest children read "The Chronicles of Narnia". When the movie came out we had a special family time together going to the movies. Our family is large, and we seldom had the money to spend for all of us to go see newly released movies. But when Christian movies like "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", "Facing The Giants", and "Prince Caspian" is released we cease the opportunity to create special family memories and support these wonderful films!
If there is only one movie you take your family to this year --- This is it! "Prince Caspian" shows that the virtuous life is adventurous not dull. This movie can help you teach your children that living the life God has called you to live might have difficult challenges, but it can be full of excitement. You can be victorious, joyful, and have a fun life full of awesome adventures. Living for God is the opposite of what the secular media would have us believe. The movie is not recommended for young children because it is full of battles using swords, however very little blood is shown. If you are familiar with the bible stories you will enjoy the many parallels. The ending was surprising and it is a great reminder of what a mighty God we serve. You will be reminded that God can use anyone and anything that he desires to use. Prince Caspian is one of the best movies that I have ever seen.
After watching the movie together take time to capture the opportunity to discuss some deeper spiritual truths on faith in Jesus Christ with your children. Remind them that when you believe in Jesus they are God's Princesses and the King's Knights. Or as Aslan says - Queens and Kings.
We have filled this web page with links to wonderful articles and resources that we found on Prince Caspian. We hope it will help you get started with your family discussions.
The characters of C. S. Lewis's timeless fantasy come to life once again in this newest installment of the "Chronicles of Narnia" series, in which the Pevensie siblings are magically transported back from England to the world of Narnia, where a thrilling, perilous new adventure and an even greater test of their faith and courage awaits them.
One year after the incredible events of The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the Kings and Queens of Narnia find themselves back in that faraway wondrous realm, only to discover that more than 1300 years have passed in Narnian time. During their absence, the Golden Age of Narnia has become extinct. Narnia has been conquered by the Telemarines, and is now under the control of the evil King Miraz, who rules the land without mercy.
The four children will soon meet an intriguing new character: Narnia's rightful heir to the throne, the young Prince Caspian, who has been forced into hiding as his uncle Miraz plots to kill him in order to place his own newborn son on the throne. With the help of the kindly dwarf, Trumpkin, a courageous talking mouse named Reepicheep, a badger named Trufflehunter, and a Black Dwarf named Nikabrik, the Narnians, led by the mighty knights Peter and Caspian, embark on a remarkable journey to find Aslan, rescue Narnia from Miraz's tyrannical rule, and restore magic and glory to the land. CLICK HERE for more downloads from Disney
GETTING STARTED:
Is Narnia an allegory? Quote below from: www.rapidnet.com
All readers of Narnia must realize that Aslan the Lion, who is the Son of the Great Emperor Across the Sea, who breaks the power of the White Witch by his death and resurrection -- and who, as C.S. Lewis pointed out to one of his young readers "arrived at the same time as Father Christmas" -- is a picture of Jesus Christ. Does it follow that the books as a whole are allegories?
C.S. Lewis used a very strict definition of the word "allegory" -- after all, one of his most important academic books was a study of this subject. He wrote to some Maryland fifth graders in 1954:
"I did not say to myself 'Let us represent Jesus as He really is in our world by a Lion in Narnia'; I said, 'Let us suppose that there were a land like Narnia and that the Son of God, as he became a Man in our world, became a Lion there, and then imagine what would happen.'"
"The whole series" wrote Lewis in another letter
"works out like this:
The Magician's Nephew -
tells the Creation and how evil entered Narnia,
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe -
the Crucifixion and Resurrection,
Prince Caspian -
restoration of the true religion after a corruption,
The Horse and His Boy -
the calling and conversion of the heathen,
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader -
the spiritual life (especially in Reepicheep),
The Silver Chair -
the continuing war against the powers of darkness,
The Last Battle -
the coming of Antichrist (the ape). The end of the world and the last judgement."
So, in today's loose terminology the books can probably be said to be "allegorical." If you want to use that term, then a number of characters might be said to be allegories:
The White Witch represents the Devil, as does Tash.
Peter represents the valiant and wise Christian.
Reepicheep is the very soul of chivalry with both its virtues and its failings.
"Edmund," wrote Lewis "Is, like Judas, a traitor and a sneak. But unlike Judas he repents and is forgiven (as Judas no doubt would have been if he'd repented)."
Father Christmas -- who gives gifts to Aslan's followers to help them fight the powers of darkness -- may be a picture of the Holy Spirit.
Truth in a Make-Believe World by Andrea D. Hedlund
"As Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy scour the land for Prince Caspian, Lewis illustrates some simple but profound biblical truths applicable for all ages."
Read examples of these five spiritual lessons:
EVIL OFTEN COMES IN DISGUISE,
MATURATION IS A LONG PROCESS,
GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS,
NOTHING HAPPENS BY CHANCE,
and WE ALL LONG FOR HOME.
LINKS
LESSONS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES
"A Journey Back To Faith" by Steve and Cora Alley
(3 great lessons for 1st to 6th grade - includes print-outs, games, activities, stories, quizzes, snack recipes and step by step plans and ideas for teachers) CLICK HERE for Prince Caspian Lessons from Outreach.com
(1)Faith Through a Child’s Eyes by Chris Carpenter
"Far deeper than the initial premise, Prince Caspian explores the corruption of our modern faith. The second story in Lewis’ seven book children’s series addresses a very modern mind set of people forgetting their belief in Jesus Christ. Little do they know but the Pevensie children are actually on a journey of faith."
Aslan and Jesus: No Greater Love
"Aslan a man!" said Mr. Beaver sternly. "Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-beyond-the-Sea. Aslan is the Great Lion!"
Prince Caspian: The Battle Within
Prof. Devin Brown, author of Inside Prince Caspian, says what God wants us to do is often more of a struggle than the question of whether or not we will do it.
The Soul of Prince Caspian C.S. Lewis is trying to illuminate our points of view as readers. He is using a fantastic story to help us to see with new eyes what we might now take for granted.
Prince Caspian: A Lesson in Trust
“If you distill the essence of Prince Caspian into just two words,” says Dr. Pamela Jordan, “it all comes down to an examination of faith and trust.
What constitutes grounds for belief? For Caspian, his first glimpse of Old Narnians is proof positive that everything he had ever hoped about Aslan is true after all.
(Minor Spoilers )
As the lights went up in the theatre, after the first time I saw "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," I didn't even know what to say. The one thing that I could think was that I had just seen one amazing motion picture, and it made me very well pleased.
The film has achieved everything that I had hoped it would. I give full credit to Andrew Adamson, Steven McFeeley and Christopher Markus for capturing the spirit of the story, and capturing it well.
You see, the book "Prince Caspian" was never my favorite of the Chronicles. To me, it always seemed more like the prelude to the epic "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." The film version, however, has brought out the many things that Prince Caspian has to offer. The subtleties in the characters, how Prince Caspian doesn't yet feel prepared to take on his role, the growth in character through both failure and victory for each of the Pevensies and Caspian.
When it comes to the adaptation of the book to the screen, Prince Caspian is a pretty difficult one to get absolutely perfect without being overly drawn out. The book features a character called Trumpkin telling the story of Caspian to the Pevensies for chapter after chapter of flashbacks.
For this, the flashbacks have been left behind, adding a sense of immediacy to the story that would have been missing. The writers made the right call, there, as the film now moves at a solid and steady pace.
The film begins with the quick introduction of new heroes and villains. The start is huge, and captures everything that you need to know to understand what is at stake. The music soars, bringing you a sense of adventure and excitement as Caspian rides.
Caspian is perfectly cast in the actor of Ben Barnes. Many have thought that his age would be to his detriment, but I must agree with the filmmakers on this point. Reading the book, you never find his age really set in stone. The BBC version attempts to get it right, but I immediately thought that it wasn't all that believable for a child to be so feared, to be able to lead an army, and to be as strong as Caspian needs to be.
Ben Barnes has a bright future ahead of him, his acting is incredible and more importantly: you believe that he is Caspian, and that he can accomplish everything that he needs to.
Vincent Grass is terrific in the role of Doctor Cornelius, Caspian's teacher. In fact, the entire supporting cast does a remarkable job. Cornell John (Glenstorm), Pierfrancesco Favino (Glozelle), Ken Stott (Trufflehunter), Damián Alcázar (Sopespian), and Alicia Borrachero (Prunaprismia) all turn in wonderful performances. Even composer Harry Gregson-Williams has a turn in this film with the role of Pattertwig.
Sergio Castellitto truly captures the conflict in the evil King Miraz. Warwick Davis is excellent in the role of Nikabrik.
Trumpkin is one character that I'm more than pleased that we'll see more of. Peter Dinklage practically steals every scene that he's in. His one liners help to lighten the mood of an otherwise dark film. The same is true of Eddie Izzard's turn as Reepicheep. Both characters are welcome additions to the cast and help to fill the void left by the beavers and Mr. Tumnus. Both are well loved, and I'm sure that Trumpkin will be more endeared to people's hearts after this film.
But how can you talk about the film without mentioning the Pevensies? They have grown up a bit since we last saw them, and their acting has only improved. They truly are the Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy of Narnia. You believe that they are a family. They're a great group of kids and well suited to the task.
Harry Gregson-Williams turns in a fantastic score once again. The music soars from the start, as we hear reprises of themes to remind us of events from the first film. There are also many new themes throughout. The music is just as epic as before, though the themes are more pronounced this time around. The last film had many wonderful and different themes, but the story called for it. This time around, there aren't as many varying characters, such as Father Christmas, to write music for. As such, the film's music is beautiful, and really enhances what is on the screen.
From here on out, there may be spoilers...
This time around, the Pevensies are more conflicted, the film is darker and the action has become more fierce. The Pevensies have lived for a year in our world, and have had to deal with the reality of being young again, after being kings and queens for at least fifteen years. They were once highly respected and honored royalty, now seen as mere children once again.
Caspian is dealing with a different sort of identity crisis. The heir to the throne of a race of invaders, he is conflicted by the hidden past of his people, and his desire to free the Narnians and to take up his throne. He feels unworthy of that position, and it shows as his character grows throughout the film.
The addition of the raid on Miraz's Castle was a masterstroke as it becomes the catalyst for one of the most emotionally driven sequences in the film. My heart broke as the scene was ending. It really struck a chord with me. It showcased the growing acting chops of William Moseley, in the role of King Peter.
The other change that I am sure wasn't that big of a deal: the White Witch. That scene is in the book, folks. The writers just take the scene a little bit further than Lewis did in the book. Not a big deal, and the payoff shows just how much Edmund has grown since the first film.
As for the controversial kiss: I have no problem with it at all, and here's why: if you've read the books, then you should know the path that Susan takes. It's definitely in line with where her character is going, and in that way it makes sense. Sure, it wasn't in the book, but I have a feeling that Lewis himself would have agreed with the change.
Prince Caspian is a wonder to behold, true in spirit and in story. Fans will love it!
A 10 out of a possible 10
