The Chronicles of Narnia - The Silver Chair

Starring:David Thwaites, Camilla Power, Tat Whalley, Ailsa Berk, William Todd Jones, Ronald Pickup, Geoffrey Russell, Richard Henders, Big Mick, Warwick Davis, Mike Edmonds, Roy Boyd, Barbara Kellerman, Tom Baker, Nick Brimble, Joshua Fenton, Stephen Reynolds, Lesley Nicol, Patsy Byrne, Melanie Gibson
Director: Alex Kirby
Studio: Homevision
Product Type: DVD

Product Description

Fire breathing dragons, sprightly nymphs, talking animals, evil witches, deadly sea monsters, gruesome giants, kings and queens, a group of brave children and a very special wardrobe collide in an epic battle of good versus evil. Welcome to the enchanted world of Narnia, a mystical land sprung from the mind of legendary author C.S. Lewis. Danger and adventure are always close at hand in Narnia, for the future is under constant threat by dark forces. But not for long. Whispers that sail across the land say only one thing -- Aslan, the great lion, is on the move. The BBC and Home Vision Entertainment proudly present all nine hours of this grand series on DVD for the first time.

DVD Features:
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
Disc 1: "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"
monaural sound, new digital master
Interactive game
Bookworm excerpt on C.S. Lewis from BBC
Turkish Delight recipe
Stills Gallery
Disc 2: "Prince Caspian & the Voyage of the Dawn Treader"
monaural sound, new digital master
Interactive game
Stills Gallery
Disc 3: "The Silver Chair"
monaural sound, new digital master
Interactive game
Stills Gallery
Limited editon poster

System Requirements:

Running Time 522 Mins.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

The Chronicles of Narnia, a seven-volume, Bible-based children's fantasy series written in the 1950s by British theologian C.S. Lewis, draws young readers into the magical, dangerous land of Narnia and plunges them into the age-old battle of good and evil. Lewis envisioned these stories as pictures before he wrote them, so it seems only proper that the books would eventually make it to the small screen. In the late 1980s and early '90s, three adventures in this series--The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (169 minutes), Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader (168 minutes), and The Silver Chair (168 minutes)--were faithfully adapted into a TV series by the BBC and Home Vision Entertainment, then edited to feature-length productions. All three of these discs (nine hours of viewing!) are included in this boxed set of DVDs, along with interactive trivia games and more.

Youngsters expecting special effects like those found in The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone may miss the subtler charms of these sweet but rather homespun productions, with humans dressed as woodland creatures and patched-in animation. And kids expecting fast-paced action adventures may snooze after a few hours of these relatively slow-moving scripts. But those who want a refresher course in all things Narnia will be thrilled to see these well-loved fantasies come to life in gorgeous snowy landscapes--the good lion Aslan (played by a large, talking stuffed animal), the horrible White Witch (performed with deliciously over-the-top zeal by actress Barbara Kellerman), the four siblings, fauns, dwarves, deadly sea monsters, and all. --Karin Snelson

Customer Reviews:

A Wonderful making of Narnia stories.......2007-03-26

This is a wonderful making of the CS Lewis stories. The only complaint I have is that they did not make all the books. It is very magical and very much follows the books. I like it now as much as I did years ago when I first watched it on PBS. However it is not for everyone. It is low on special effects and more like an old Dr Who. Of course if you like Dr Who then you will love Tom Baker in the Silver Chair. On the other hand, if you want a fast paced high special effect film, then get the Hollywood version. Also if you are offended by Christian symbolism, then neither this nor the Hollywood version is for you.

Awesome!.......2007-03-06

This movie is great. My son loves the stories, but the newer movie is a little too intense for him. The acting is a bit cheesy, but it is true to the books and is great for very young viewers. If you love the books, you can appreciate these movies.

The Chronicles of Narnia (3-Disc Set) The Lion,the Witch, and the Wardrobe/Prince Caspian & The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.......2007-01-10

This Dvd set is awsome (smile) it follow the book and what I could not picture in my mind the dvd made clear for me to understand. Once again my children isn't happy with this dvd...(smile) I brought it for me and I love looking at the character coming to life on screen. Ripacheek is my favorite character and I do recommend this Dvd for family fun and relaxation.

Well it sure as hell didn't age well.......2006-12-09

Well if you saw the first movie you saw the original so I'll give it a star for being a good adaptation. I couldn't sit five minutes without fast forwarding. The child actor in this movie was to fat for the part and at the same time the only decent actor in the movie. The animation was really unimaginative (raptor/chicken anyone or how bout clichéd ghosts) and I'm betting the next two Narnia movies (if they come out) will be just as closely adapted to the screen. And it annoys me that the first book is still completely ignored.

Anyways unless you've seen this in your childhood stay away unless your like me and get a good laugh out of bad effects and spliced in animation. I don't care what year it was made, it's dry, dull, and the actors are wood. So unless you have allot of nostalgia for something like this I'd stay away, thank god for computer animation and save your money to buy a ticket to "Pan's Labyrinth" when it comes out because I doubt a dark R rated fantasy will get the atention it deserves and will make me ill.

Why it's better than the new movie.......2006-11-26

Yes, the visual effects are primitive, but the production is so thoughtful and earnest that it hardly matters. I mean the BBC in the late '80's didn't have the technology for good visual effects. What did you expect?

Also, what's not to like about the casting? The only character I can think of who was arguably better cast in the new movie was Lucy, but BOTH Lucys were extraordinary child actresses. There are people saying Lucy doesn't look the part in this adaptation... true, she's not movie-star cute, but does she have to be? I think she looks a little too grown up, but she acts the part so well you almost don't notice. The other children are superbly cast. They chose a perfect Susan, better cast than the Susan in the new version (although she wasn't bad). Peter is also a lot better in this... I don't think the 2005 filmmakers got a handle on his quite uniquely British character.

But enough of defending this TV adaptation. The makers of the new movie should be the ones on the defensive. There are aspects of this series that the new movie can't even come near. The acting is brilliant and nuanced; all the more impressive coming from children. The White Witch may have over-acted a bit in this TV version, but Tilda Swinton has such a pared-down part in the new movie, it's hard to argue with any certainty that her understated performance was any better. The pacing is perfect in the BBC version. You don't see any of the maudlin crap that Disney puts into the new version, like the ten-minute scene of the kids boarding the train in London and crying as they leave their mummy. It's faithful to the books, not omitting or (what's more annoying) ADDING anything in the plot. At over two hours, the Disney movie could have included most of the book's dialog and dispensed with the overdone, overlong CGI battle scenes, and with adding its own minor characters (ex: the fox).

The music in this adaptation is also SUPERB. It's some of the best theme music I've ever heard for a small- or big-screen production.

You can say the battle scenes were more believeable in the new one, and that the witch's CGI army beats the embarrassing cut-and-paste animations, and costumed actor animals seen in the BBC adaptation. But NOWHERE does the movie create the level of suspense you see in Peter's fight with the wolf in the BBC adaptation. Yes, the wolf was obviously an actor in a costume. But seeing him toss Peter around, and with Peter looking like he was really getting hurt and genuinely scared, it was an incredibly frightening and well-directed scene.

Also, I have nothing bad to say about Liam Neeson, but I couldn't bring myself to believe an Aslan with an American accent in the new version. Neeson has been in the U.S. a long time, and he does an American accent better than an Englih one. I guess the filmmakers thought it would be too ridiculous to have an Irish-sounding Aslan, so they directed him to sound American, and frankly, it doesnt' work. Ronald Pickup's voice makes much more sense for this part.

I suppose if you didn't know what to expect, the shoddy special effects in this version might ruin it for you. But if you appreciate the ways this adaptation beats the movie, you'll be able to see past the visual effects, and you'll be glad you took the time. Makes me wish the BBC directors had just had the same CGI technology to use when they made this... with better visuals, it would be perfect.

The Chronicles of Narnia - The Silver Chair

Average customer rating:

Silverchair review
Jill Pole Rocks!
WORST movie I have ever seen
Get out of the chair
** Magical! **

The Chronicles of Narnia - The Silver Chair
Starring: David Thwaites , Camilla Power , Tat Whalley , Ailsa Berk , and William Todd Jones
Director: Alex Kirby
Manufacturer: Homevision
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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C.S. Lewis: Beyond Narnia

ASIN: B000069CFF
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Description

On the run from bullies at school, Eustace and his friend Jill suddenly find themselves in the enchanted land of Narnia. Prince Rilian, son of the old and frail King Caspian, has disappeared mysteriously and Eustace and Jill are called upon to help. Aslan, the Great Lion king, sends the children on a quest through treacherous lands of witches and giants to locate Prince Rilian, heir to the Narnia throne, and bring him home. The Emerald Witch who rules the underworld will ensure that this is no easy feat.

Customer Reviews:

Silverchair review.......2007-02-06

This was okay. It did show most of the elements of the book. However, it was somewhat slow paced a bit boring. Also, the disc skipped and I had to clean it. Even then, at the end of the film, there was still a slight bit of skipping (or interruption) in the scene.

Jill Pole Rocks!.......2007-01-04

I am so impressed with this movie. It matches the other 3 narnia movies perfect. Camilla Power has power! She was perfect for Jill. She is very heart warming. I also think Aslan is cute being a big puppet. Eustace was very good, and has special talent, so does Puddleglum. Well, I love this movie, and I will always watch it.

WORST movie I have ever seen.......2006-12-01

I can't begin to tell you how bad I though this movie was. I am so upset that I paid for this move. When I saw the The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe I fell in love with it. I was so happy to find out that there were others, but much to my disappointment, this movie really let me down. I don't reccomend this movie to anyone that loves to watch movies.

Get out of the chair.......2005-10-16

In the December, C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" will follow in the footsteps of Lewis' pal Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings Trilogy," with a gleaming new big-screen adaptation, full of top-notch CGI, costumes and settings.

In the months before it's released, however, it might be time to dust off the 1990 BBC adaptation of "The Silver Chair," one of several sequels to that first book of Lewis's. Despite some goofy prosthetics and more hammy witches, this is easily the best of the three movies, with excellent acting, pacing, and even some decent special effects.

The story opens at a trendy school that Eustace Scrubb attends. But a garden shed doorway leads Eustace and his bullied schoolmate Jill to Aslan's country. But after Eustace is almost killed because of Jill, the god-lion Aslan gives girl an assignment and four signs to follow. King Caspian is now an old, dying man with no heir to follow him, because his son was lured away by a strange serpentine temptress long ago.

Jill and Eustace team up with a gloomy Marshwiggle, Puddleglum, who serves as their guide as they go to north Narnia. Along the way they must deal with carnivorous giants, enormous bridges and bad weather. But the enigmatic signs that Aslan gave Jill are hard to follow -- and they soon find that the missing Prince is ensnared in a web of madness and magic.

Don't expect this to be a mere copy of the past two movies -- the Pevensies are nowhere to be seen, and old faves like Caspian, Aslan and Trumpkin only have cameos. Sure, they ride owls and hang out with giants. But this is a grimmer, darker story, with a cataclysmic finale and a tight, sometimes harrowing storyline.

The past two Narnia movies suffered from hokey special effects and some spotty acting. "The Silver Chair" cleans all that up, trimming the special effects edges and focusing on the more majestic sets, costumes and scripting. And for the most part, it's quite a success. Even the flashbacks to the queen's death and Rilian's disappearance are heartrending and quietly effective.

There are a few flaws -- for a paradise, Aslan's country looks pretty scrubby and brown. And the final battle with the Emerald Witch is downright silly, with a giant snake puppet twisting around. But the special effects are infinitely improved in this one, ranging from convincing giants to some genuinely harrowing moments on a giant bridge.

Lewis had become a bit less hamhanded with the allegory and Christian symbolism by this time. Instead, he gives jabs at anything-goes attitudes and nihilism. Additionally, he creates one of the most intense and outstanding scenes of the entire Chronicles, with the Witch playing elaborate brain games with Rilian and the kids, slowly convincing them that all they know and believe is a lie -- including the sun and the world above ground.

Thwaites and Power are the stars here, and they both give excellent, understated performances as two kids who bicker constantly, but really care about each other. Richard Henders gives a good balance between overwrought madness and cool, calm nobility. Barbara Kellerman, alas, is still hamming it up as much as she did for the White Witch, with lots of over-the-top laughter, screeching, cooing and snarling.

Despite Kellerman and some primitive CGI, "The Silver Chair" is probably the best of the three BBC Narnia movies, with its darker storyline and excellent lead acting.

** Magical! **.......2005-05-27

Like the whole Chronicles of Narnia series, The Silver Chair is absolutely wonderful. I believe the BBC (British Broadcasting Company) helped to produce this ... I actually caught its first airing as a mid-teen back in the 1990's on a PBS station in Boston. I fell in love. I had seen, years earlier, the animated version of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, but had never seen anything after that. After seeing The Silver Chair it inspired me to read all 7 books of the Chronicles of Naria series and rent (then eventually buy) the other BBC productions of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe and Prince Caspian & The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Loved them all!

Disney is releasing an updated version of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe this fall and I hope and pray they do it justice. Its hard to improve on movie predecessors ... and the BBC series' were perfect! Everytime I have babysat a friend's child whether they are 7 or 14 they have always sat in front of the tv mesmerized by the mythical and magical land of Narnia. Old and young alike love this series. I have had cats now for a while and never could find one to name after the 'great lion.' But at some point in my lifetime, one of my kitties WILL be named "Aslan!"

Chronicles of Narnia - Silver Chair (1990)

Average customer rating:

The Underdark of Narnia
Get out of the chair

Chronicles of Narnia - Silver Chair (1990)
Starring: Tom Baker , Richard Henders , Ronald Pickup , Camilla Power , and David Thwaites
Director: Alex Kirby
Manufacturer: Homevision
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Kyle XY - The Complete First Season - Declassified

ASIN: B000LPS4J8
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Description

Digitally remastered for the first time and presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound! On the run from bullies at school, Eustace and his friend, Jill, suddenly find themselves in Narnia. Prince Rilian, son of the old and frail King Caspian, has disappeared mysteriously. Aslan, the Great Lion, sends the children on a dangerous quest through treacherous lands of witches and giants to locate the Prince, only heir to the Narnian throne. But the Emerald Witch who rules the underworld will ensure bringing him home is no easy feat.

Customer Reviews:

The Underdark of Narnia.......2007-04-16

By the time this book takes place, Eustace has almost shirked his old snotty self and become, like Edmund, a valiant young man. Introduced is Jill, the newest Daughter of Eve to be catapulted into Narnia, landing in Aslan's world with her own baggage and set of peculiar hang-ups and problems. Let the transformations begin!
This is probably the darkest and gloomiest of the Narnian Chronicles, most of it taking place in an subteranean world of gnomes and lightless creatures. The visit to the land of the giants is also a somewhat scary span of chapters, with betrayal and helplessness being central themes. But of course good old Aslan has a path for the children to follow and a valuable lesson for them to learn, though the two adventurers find it almost impossible to carry it out as they were instructed too. A trmendously well thought out fantasy story which imparts much understanding about religion and about how God works his magic in our world. Faith and redemption are also central themes as the children are tested by the decision to trust the cursed knight, and the knight is freed from a witch's treacherous spell.
J. Lyon Layden
The Other Side of Yore

Get out of the chair.......2007-01-28

Years before Walden Media debuted their big-budget version of "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe," the BBC created their own Narnia Chronicles. Despite some goofy prosthetics and a shoestring budget, this is easily the best of the three movies, with excellent acting, pacing, and even some decent special effects.

The story opens at a trendy school that Eustace Scrubb attends. But a garden shed doorway leads Eustace and his bullied schoolmate Jill to Aslan's country. But after Eustace is almost killed because of Jill, the god-lion Aslan gives girl an assignment and four signs to follow. King Caspian is now an old, dying man with no heir to follow him, because his son was lured away by a strange serpentine temptress long ago.

Jill and Eustace team up with a gloomy Marshwiggle, Puddleglum, who serves as their guide as they go to north Narnia. Along the way they must deal with carnivorous giants, enormous bridges and bad weather. But the enigmatic signs that Aslan gave Jill are hard to follow -- and they soon find that the missing Prince is ensnared in a web of madness and magic.

Don't expect this to be a mere copy of the past two movies -- the Pevensies are nowhere to be seen, and old faves like Caspian, Aslan and Trumpkin only have cameos. Sure, they ride owls and hang out with giants. But this is a grimmer, darker story, with a cataclysmic finale and a tight, sometimes harrowing storyline.

The past two Narnia movies suffered from hokey special effects and some spotty acting. "The Silver Chair" cleans all that up, trimming the special effects edges and focusing on the more majestic sets, costumes and scripting. And for the most part, it's quite a success. Even the flashbacks to the queen's death and Rilian's disappearance are heartrending and quietly effective.

There are a few flaws -- for a paradise, Aslan's country looks pretty scrubby and brown. And the final battle with the Emerald Witch is downright silly, with a giant snake puppet twisting around on the floor. But the special effects are infinitely improved in this one, ranging from convincing giants to some genuinely harrowing moments on a giant bridge.

Lewis had become a bit less hamhanded with the allegory and Christian symbolism by this time. Instead, he gives jabs at anything-goes attitudes and nihilism. Additionally, he creates one of the most intense and outstanding scenes of the entire Chronicles, with the Witch playing elaborate brain games with Rilian and the kids, slowly convincing them that all they know and believe is a lie -- including the sun and the world above ground.

Thwaites and Power both give excellent, understated performances as two kids who bicker constantly, but really care about each other, and Tom Baker (of "Dr Who" fame) is glorious as the perpetually pessimistic Marshwiggle. Barbara Kellerman, alas, is still hamming it up, with lots of over-the-top laughter, screeching, cooing and snarling.

Despite Kellerman and some primitive CGI, "The Silver Chair" is probably the best of the three BBC Narnia movies, with its darker storyline and excellent lead acting.

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