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Movies / On DVD / The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005)

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Reviews Counted: 202

Fresh: 151

Rotten:51

Average Rating: 6.9/10

Consensus: With first-rate special effects and compelling storytelling, this adaptation stays faithful to its source material and will please moviegoers of all ages.

Runtime: 2 hrs 30 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Theatrical Release: Dec 9, 2005 Wide

Box Office: $291,685,219

Synopsis: Director Andrew Adamson gives a new dimension to C.S. Lewis's enchanting story with this long-awaited Disney adaptation. As the story begins, Mrs. Pevensie--in order to keep her children safe... Director Andrew Adamson gives a new dimension to C.S. Lewis's enchanting story with this long-awaited Disney adaptation. As the story begins, Mrs. Pevensie--in order to keep her children safe during World War II--sends Lucy (Georgie Henley), Edmond (Skandar Keynes), Susan (Anna Popplewell), and Peter (William Moseley) off to stay at a professor's country estate. Away from London and under the care of a strict housekeeper, they are instructed to stick to themselves and stay out of trouble. But when an innocent game of hide-and-seek leads young Lucy to a spare room containing a large wardrobe, she discovers something that will change their lives forever. Inside the wardrobe there is a world frosted with ice and filled with magical beings. Known as Narnia, the land is stuck in eternal winter at the hands of the cruel White Witch, played with great force by the pale, strong-featured Tilda Swinton. When she steps back into reality, Lucy struggles to convince her skeptical siblings of the things she's seen. After much disbelief, the others finally enter the world as well, learning that the creatures of Narnia have long been waiting for humans like themselves to appear and break the witch's spell. But in order to be of any help to the lovable talking beavers, fawns, foxes, and centaurs that they meet, the four will have to face betrayal by one of their own as Edmond cracks under the witch's tempting offer of unlimited Turkish Delights. Under the leadership of the great lion Aslan (voice of Liam Neeson), can Lucy, Edmond, Susan, and the oldest, Peter, prove themselves heroes in the ultimate battle of good vs. evil? High-budget special effects, impressive performances by the film's young newcomers, and beautiful set design move this film far beyond previous television adaptations. [More]

Starring: Tilda Swinton, Jim Broadbent, James McAvoy, Anna Popplewell

Starring: Tilda Swinton, Jim Broadbent, James McAvoy, Anna Popplewell, Georgie Henley, William Moseley, Skandar Keynes, James Cosmo, Ray Winstone, Dawn French, Rupert Everett

Director: Andrew Adamson

Director: Andrew Adamson
Screenwriter: Ann Peacock, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Producer: Mark Johnson
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

[See More Credits]

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    The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Trailer
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    Behind The Magic of Narnia: The Story
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    Andrew Adamson Interview
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  • Tilda Swinton & Skandar Keynes Interview
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    James McAvoy & Georgie Henley Interview
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    Anna Popplewell & Willaim Mosley Interview
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Release:

May 13, 2008

[DVD Details]
 
 

Blu-ray Disc Features:

  • Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.39

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English
  • Dolby Surround - French, Spanish
  • Subtitles - French, Spanish - Optional

Additional Release Material:

  • Audio Commentary - 1. Andrew Adamson - Director; Stars
  • 2. Filmmakers Commentary
  • Bloopers - The Bloopers of NARNIA
  • Featurette - 1. CREATURES OF THE WORLD
  • 2. LEGENDS IN TIME
  • 3. CHRONICLES OF A DIRECTOR
  • 4. ANATOMY OF A SCENE
  • 5. CREATING CREATURES
  • 6. CINEMATIC STORYTELLERS
  • 7. FROM ONE MAN'S MIND
  • 8. LEGENDS IN TIME
  • 9. Evolution of an Epic

Interactive Features:

  • Explore Narnia 3-D Map
  • Game - BATTLE FOR NARNIA - All New Game

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Reviews for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch,...

  • T-Meter Critics
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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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Arrange By: Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
Ratings Image

The story never quite lives up to the grandeur of the visuals, and the narrative tends to drag, especially in the first half.

Full Review Source: ESplatter | comment Comment
07/08/08
Steve Biodrowski
ESplatter
Ratings Image

Appreciable is its willingness to tantalize with slow reveals, thus allowing its otherwise obvious religious readings to imbue themselves more fully into the unfolding narrative.

Full Review Source: Projection Booth | comment Comment
05/18/08
Rob Humanick
Projection Booth
Ratings Image

It is marked by a peculiarly English celebration of the Church Militant. That noted, it's also a ripping yarn.

Full Review Source: Style Weekly (Richmond, VA) | comment Comment
05/17/08
Thomas Peyser
Style Weekly (Richmond, VA)
Ratings Image

A slow, cold first half is followed by a lively, sunny second half.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
05/13/08
Daniel Etherington
Channel 4 Film
Ratings Image

The bigger the scope gets, the less we really care.

Full Review Source: Zertinet Movies | comment Comment
03/26/08
Steven Snyder
Zertinet Movies
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Dark Horizons | comment Comment
01/15/08
Garth Franklin
Dark Horizons
Ratings Image

Certainly a feast for the eyes; once the story moves to Narnia, the film is never dull to look at.

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
07/14/07
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound
Ratings Image

The Chronicles of Narnia joins the ranks of other fantasy classics ... in creating an amazingly believable fantasy world.

Full Review Source: DVD Review | comment Comment
07/10/07
Felix Gonzalez Jr.
DVD Review
Ratings Image

With its crisply told narrative, excellent production values and great ensemble cast [it] is one of the best big-budget spectacles Hollywood has released this year.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
03/01/07
Ethan Alter
Film Journal International
Ratings Image

This is a worthy opening salvo, a film that succeeds through the sheer weight of our expectations, and that won't disappoint younger audiences.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph | comment Comment
02/10/07
Sukhdev Sandhu
Daily Telegraph
Ratings Image

It’s an enjoyable adaptation and good enough for us to welcome this new franchise.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/30/06
Ian Freer
Empire Magazine
Ratings Image

It is spendthrift in budget yet cautious in style, steadfast in holding to Lewis's imagination yet timorous about using any of its own.

Full Review Source: Nation | comment Comment
11/11/06
Stuart Klawans
Nation
Ratings Image

My guess is that [it] will appeal to all of us in need of a jab of earnest, old-fashioned moralism to save the day

Full Review Source: Perihelion Journal | comment Comment
08/20/06
Jay Antani
Perihelion Journal
Ratings Image

Aslan = Jesus. Now you don't have to buy a ticket.

Full Review Source: West Valley View | comment 10 Comments
07/27/06
Michael Clawson
West Valley View
Ratings Image

...an engaging and visually-stimulating adaptation of the first book of Lewis' immortal seven-part Narnia series.

Full Review Source: Cinemaphile.org | comment Comment
06/29/06
David Keyes
Cinemaphile.org
Ratings Image

.

Full Review Source: 3BlackChicks Review | comment Comment
05/28/06
Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel
3BlackChicks Review
Ratings Image

Una gran oportunidad perdida.

Full Review Source: Doncinema.com | comment Comment
05/06/06
Flavio J. Arosemena
Doncinema.com
Ratings Image

There's something giddily entertaining about watching married beavers bickering--without the usual Disney attempt at cuteness.

Full Review Source: Metromix.com | comment Comment
05/04/06
Matt Pais
Metromix.com
Ratings Image

Feels like a retread of the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings films without a stitch of personality.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment 5 Comments
04/27/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
Ratings Image

Chronicles, with its wonderful sense of adventure and fast-paced storytelling, is among the best films of 2005.

Full Review Source: Reno Gazette-Journal | comment Comment
04/10/06
Forrest Hartman
Reno Gazette-Journal
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