Prince Caspian/The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1989 TV serial) facts for kids

Prince Caspian/The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a TV series based on two exciting books from The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. It was shown on BBC television in 1989. This series tells the stories of Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. It's the second part of The Chronicles of Narnia TV shows that aired between 1988 and 1990.

Story Overview

This TV series combines two famous Narnia books into one exciting adventure. It follows the Pevensie children as they return to Narnia to help Prince Caspian. Later, Edmund and Lucy join Caspian on a sea voyage to the very edge of the world.

Prince Caspian's Adventure

Episode 1: Return to Narnia

The four Pevensie children – Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy – are waiting at a train station. Suddenly, a magical force pulls them into Narnia. They find themselves at an old, overgrown castle. They soon realize it's Cair Paravel, their former home in Narnia.

Susan quickly saves a dwarf named Trumpkin from drowning. He was being held by two soldiers. The children tell Trumpkin they are the legendary Kings and Queens of Narnia. Trumpkin has heard stories about them.

Trumpkin then tells them about Prince Caspian. Caspian is the nephew of the current King, Miraz. Caspian lived in a big castle with King Miraz and Queen Prunaprismia. His teacher, Dr. Cornelius, woke him one night. The Queen had just had a baby. This meant King Miraz no longer needed Caspian. Miraz planned to kill him.

Caspian escaped on a horse. He fell in the woods and was found by Trumpkin, a badger named Trufflehunter, and a black dwarf named Nikabrik. These Old Narnians live in hiding. King Miraz hates them because his ancestors defeated them long ago. The Pevensie children travel with Trumpkin to meet Caspian.

Episode 2: The Battle for Narnia

That night, Lucy wakes up. She hears someone calling her name. It's Aslan, the great lion. He tells the others to follow him. The next morning, the children meet Aslan at the Stone Table. He takes them to meet the Old Narnians and Prince Caspian.

Nikabrik, the black dwarf, tries to bring back the evil White Witch. He calls a Hag and a Werewolf to help. They want the Witch to kill King Miraz. When the children arrive, Nikabrik, the Hag, and the Werewolf are killed. Caspian gets hurt during the fight.

Peter sends a challenge to King Miraz. Miraz's courtiers, Glozelle and Sopespian, trick him into accepting the fight. Peter fights Miraz. Peter stabs Miraz, wounding him. Glozelle then finishes Miraz off with a knife. A battle begins. Peter kills Glozelle. A brave mouse named Reepicheep loses his tail. Aslan restores it because of Reepicheep's bravery. Aslan names Caspian the new King of Narnia. Peace returns to Narnia.

The four Pevensies return home. Aslan tells them that Peter and Susan will not come back to Narnia. But Edmund and Lucy will return again.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader's Journey

Episode 1: Setting Sail

The story begins with Peter working at Professor Kirke's house. Susan is on holiday in America. Edmund and Lucy are staying with their cousin, Eustace Scrubb. In their room, they look at a picture of a ship. It looks like a Narnian ship. Eustace comes into the room. All three are suddenly pulled into the painting!

They find themselves on board a ship called the Dawn Treader. Edmund and Lucy are happy to see Caspian again. He has grown into a young man. Caspian explains he is on a quest. He wants to find seven lords who were friends of his father. This journey means sailing through dangerous waters. They will visit new islands where things are not what they seem. Their goal is to sail to the end of the world, hoping to reach Aslan's Land.

Their first stop is the Lone Islands. Slave traders capture them. But Caspian and his army rescue them the next day. Caspian had already removed the bad Governor Gumpus. He announces that slavery is now against the law in Narnia. Caspian himself had been bought by a man who turned out to be Lord Bern, one of the missing lords.

Episode 2: The Dragon's Island

Later, they find an island that seems empty. Eustace wanders off. He finds a cave where a dragon has died. The cave is full of gold and jewels. Eustace finds a bracelet and puts it on. He falls asleep. When he wakes up, he realizes he has turned into a dragon!

He flies back to the beach. The others are shocked but soon figure out it's Eustace. Aslan turns him back into a human. Caspian realizes the bracelet belonged to Lord Octesian. He must have died on that island.

Episode 3: Mysterious Islands

The third island Caspian calls "Goldwater Island." Reepicheep suggests a better name: "Deathwater Island." They find a pool in a cave. Edmund puts his sword in the water. It becomes heavy and falls in. The water splashes on his shoes, turning them to gold. They see a body in the water. Anything that touches this water turns to gold. Caspian realizes the body is Lord Restimar.

On the fourth island, they meet invisible creatures. These creatures give them dinner in a large house. A magician named Coriakin appears after Lucy reads from a magic book. The invisible creatures become visible again.

Episode 4: The End of the World

The fifth and final island is at the end of the world. Before they land, they find a man in the water. He introduces himself as Lord Rhoop. On the island, they meet Ramandu and his daughter. They also find the three remaining Lords. They are in an enchanted sleep.

The three children eventually return home. Before leaving, they learn that Caspian will marry Ramandu's daughter. She lives on an island at the end of the world. The four lords who were in a deep sleep on Ramandu's island will wake up. Aslan tells Edmund and Lucy that they will not return to Narnia again. They are getting too old.

Cast of Characters

• Warwick Davis as Reepicheep
• Jonathan R. Scott as Edmund Pevensie
• Sophie Wilcox as Lucy Pevensie
• David Thwaites as Eustace Scrubb
• Barbara Kellerman as The Hag
• Martin Stone as the Werewolf
• William Todd-Jones as Glenstorm / Aslan
• Tim Rose as Aslan
• Ronald Pickup as Aslan (voice)
• Ailsa Berk as Aslan / Dragon
• Samuel West as King Caspian
• John Hallam as Captain Drinian
• Guy Fithen as Rhince
• Neale McGrath as Rynelf
• Richard Dempsey as Peter Pevensie
• Sophie Cook as Susan Pevensie
• Jean Marc Perret as Prince Caspian
• Robert Lang as King Miraz
• Henry Woolf as Dr. Cornelius
• Julie Peters as Trufflehunter
• Joanna David as Trufflehunter (voice)
• George Claydon as Nikabrik
• Big Mick as Trumpkin
• Joe McGann as Lord Glozelle
• Rory Edwards as Lord Sopespian