Peter, Susan,
Edmund and Lucy are suddenly transported from an English train station to an
island in the world of Narnia. Why they've been shifted so dramatically isn't
made clear at first, but they soon learn they're to play an important role in
the battle between a young Prince who is heir to the Narnian throne and his
devious Uncle who has usurped it. With the help of Trumpkin the Dwarf and many
other memorable characters, the four children rush to the aid of Prince Caspian
and learn a great deal about faith along the way.
It's interesting to note that the original title of
Prince Caspian was Drawn Into Narnia. Lewis wanted the reader to
get the idea of being pulled into another world. He had observed that in so many
fantasy stories, it seemed as if characters were summoned by magic - and the
stories were told from the point of view of the magician, or the one who had
done the summoning.
Lewis then wondered what it would be like to be on the
receiving end of the summons - to suddenly be pulled from our world into another
world. That was the beginning of the idea for Prince Caspian. And, since
it was our heroes and heroines from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
who were "summoned," a theme of return became a key part of the story.
Lewis didn't look at a return in the obvious physical sense,
though. He went deeper to consider a restoration - a restoration of those things
that are true - true life, true leadership and, mostly, true faith. Prince
Caspian tackles that idea - and broader themes of the battle between good
and evil, spiritual obedience and discernment, and, ultimately, joy - a festive
joy when what was wrong has been put right again.
Of course, one could argue that these are themes that
pervade all of The Chronicles of Narnia. But no more so than in this
marvelous story of Prince Caspian: The Return To Narnia.
Released October 2000
Total running time: 205
minutes
Recommended for Ages 8+
509-668-2312
