Prince Caspian, the movie and the book

Monica and I went to see “Prince Caspian” on opening night…. I read the book that week because I’ve got issues and couldn’t just go to the movie for the heck of it. I had to compare the book with the movie. In some ways that was a mistake. It was a mistake because I am left wondering if I would have followed the story line if I hadn’t read the book. Monica said she didn’t follow a lot of the story, but she did see some of the allegorical ideas.

My friend Jason Kearney thinks I’m a nerd for even going to see it…

My recommendation is if you really want to get as much as possible out of the movie you need to read the book. If you are really serious about it read “The Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe” also.

The movie followed the basic plot line, but it did change up a number of events. Some things they changed didn’t matter, some things changed the story in significant ways.

The most powerful moment in the book was in the movie but, in my opinion, they diminished its impact by the changes that were made. In the movie and the book Lucy is the only one who is able to see Aslan. I think Lewis wrote the book this way to make a point about faith. In the book Lucy actually sees Aslan, in the movie it is made to appear that Lucy is only dreaming.

The book has a long scene in which Lucy meets with Aslan. It may be the main point of the book. Let me pick it up with Lucy between Aslan’s front legs:

“Welcome child,” he said.

“Aslan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.”

“That is because you are older, little one,” answered he.

“Not because you are?”

“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”

For a time she was so happy that she did not want to speak. But Aslan spoke.
“Lucy,” he said, “we must not lie here for long. You have work in hand, and much time has been lost today.”

“Yes, wasn’t it a shame?” said Lucy. “I saw you all right. They wouldn’t believe me. They’re all so—-”

From somewhere deep inside Aslan’s body there came the faintest suggestion of a growl.

“I’m sorry,” said Luch, who understood some of his moods. “I didn’t mean to start slanging the others. But it wasn’t my fault anyway, was it?”

The Lion looked straight into her eyes.

“Oh, Aslan,” said Lucy. “You don’t don’t mean it was? How could I – I couldn’t have left the others and come up to you alone, how could I? Don’t look at me like that…oh well, I suppose I could. Yes, it wouldn’t have been alone, I know, not if I was with you. But what would have been the good?”

Aslan said nothing.

“You mean,” said Lucy rather faintly, “that it would have turned out all right – somehow? But how? Please, Aslan! I am not to know?”

“To know what wold have happened, child?” said Aslan. “No. Nobody is ever told that.”

“Oh dear,” said Lucy.

“but anyone can find out what will happen,” said Aslan. “If you go back to the others now, and wake them up; and tell them you have seen me again; and that you mucst all get up at once and follow me – what will happen? There is only one way of finding out.”

“Do you mean that is what you want me to do?” gasped Lucy.

“Yes, little one,” said Aslan.

“Will the others see you too?” asked Lucy.

“Certainly not at first,” said Aslan. “Later on, it depends.”

“But they won’t believe me!” said Lucy.

“It doesn’t matter,” said Aslan.

I wish the movie would have given more emphasis to this dialogue. It is my favorite part of the book. It contains the heart of the spiritual teaching in the book.