The Chronicles of Narnia (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Chronicles of Narnia |
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| Genre | Fantasy |
| Created by | C. S. Lewis (novel) |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of series | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 18 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 25–30 min per each episode 505 min total for series (estimate) |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC |
| Picture format | 4:3 |
| Original release | 13 November 1988 – 23 December 1990 |
The Chronicles of Narnia is a British TV show made by the BBC. It aired from 1988 to 1990. This show is based on four popular fantasy books by C. S. Lewis. The series tells the exciting stories of children who discover the magical world of Narnia.
The first part of the TV show, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, came out in 1988. The second part, Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, aired in 1989. Finally, The Silver Chair was shown in 1990. Paul Stone produced the series, and Alan Seymour wrote the scripts.
Exploring the World of Narnia: The Story
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The story begins in 1940 during World War II. Four siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie, leave London to stay with Professor Digory Kirke. This is to keep them safe from air raids.
One day, Lucy explores a wardrobe in the house. She steps through it and finds herself in a snowy forest. Here, she meets a faun named Mr. Tumnus. He tells her she is in Narnia, a land ruled by the White Witch. The Witch has made it "always winter and never Christmas." Tumnus was supposed to capture any humans he found. But he decides to help Lucy return safely home.
Lucy tells her siblings about Narnia, but they do not believe her. Edmund is especially unkind. Later, Edmund follows Lucy into the wardrobe. He meets the White Witch, who pretends to be kind. She gives him his favorite treat, Turkish delight. The Witch learns he has a brother and two sisters. She wants him to bring them to her, promising he could be a prince.
When Lucy and Edmund return, Edmund lies to Peter and Susan. He says Narnia is just Lucy's imagination. A few days later, all four children hide in the wardrobe. They all enter Narnia together. They find Tumnus's cave ransacked. A note says he was arrested for helping humans.
The children then meet a friendly beaver, Mr. Beaver. He takes them to his home. He explains that Aslan, the great lion, will save Narnia. Aslan will end the White Witch's rule. Mr. Beaver reveals that Tumnus was taken to the Witch's castle. People taken there are often turned to stone.
The children learn about a prophecy. It says that when "two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve" sit on the thrones of Cair Paravel, the Witch's reign will end. They realize they are part of this prophecy.
Suddenly, Edmund disappears. Mr. Beaver explains that Edmund has gone to the White Witch. He warns them that they must meet Aslan at the Stone Table. This is the only way to save Edmund.
Edmund reaches the White Witch's house. She is angry he came alone. She becomes furious when she hears Aslan is in Narnia. She decides to go to the Stone Table.
The three children and the Beavers travel towards the Stone Table. Along the way, they meet Father Christmas. He gives them magical gifts. Peter receives a sword and shield. Susan gets a bow, arrows, and a horn. Lucy receives a healing cordial and a dagger. As they continue, the snow melts, and spring arrives.
At the Stone Table, Aslan welcomes them. The White Witch's wolf, Maugrim, attacks but Peter bravely kills him. Aslan sends his creatures to rescue Edmund. They save him just as the White Witch is about to kill him.
The White Witch later comes to the Stone Table. She demands Edmund, saying all traitors belong to her. Aslan talks to her privately. He then announces that the Witch has given up her claim on Edmund.
That night, Susan and Lucy follow Aslan. They watch as the White Witch and her followers bind and shave Aslan. The Witch reveals that Aslan traded his life for Edmund's. She then kills Aslan with a knife.
Susan and Lucy stay with Aslan's body. At dawn, the Stone Table cracks. Aslan comes back to life! He explains a "deeper magic." It says that if an innocent person dies for a traitor, death itself is defeated. The girls ride on Aslan's back to the White Witch's house. There, Aslan brings all the Witch's stone victims, including Tumnus, back to life.
Aslan and the rescued statues return to the battlefield. The fight is intense. Edmund breaks the Witch's magic wand. Peter chases the Witch to a ravine. Aslan appears and roars loudly. The Witch loses her balance and falls to her death.
Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are crowned Kings and Queens of Narnia at Cair Paravel. They rule Narnia for many years, bringing peace. As adults, they find the old lamp-post. They walk through it and find themselves back in the professor's house, as children again.
Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Prince Caspian's Return
The four Pevensie children are waiting at a train station. Suddenly, a magical force pulls them into Narnia. They land at an old, overgrown castle. They realize it is Cair Paravel, their former home.
Susan saves a dwarf named Trumpkin from drowning. The children tell him they are the legendary Kings and Queens of Narnia. Trumpkin has heard stories about them.
Trumpkin explains that he helped Prince Caspian. Caspian is the nephew of the current ruler, King Miraz. Miraz wanted to kill Caspian after his own son was born. Caspian escaped and was found by Trumpkin and other Old Narnians. These Old Narnians live in hiding because King Miraz hates them.
The children travel with Trumpkin to meet Caspian. Lucy hears Aslan calling her name. The next morning, they all meet Aslan at the Stone Table. Aslan leads them to meet the Old Narnians and Prince Caspian. They help Caspian fight off a black dwarf and others trying to bring back the White Witch.
Peter challenges King Miraz to a duel. Miraz accepts. During the fight, Miraz falls, and one of his own courtiers, Glozelle, finishes him off. A short battle follows, and Glozelle dies. Caspian becomes the King of Narnia. A brave mouse named Reepicheep loses his tail but Aslan restores it. Peace returns to Narnia.
Aslan tells Peter and Susan they will not return to Narnia. But Edmund and Lucy will.
Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The story picks up with Peter working and Susan on holiday. Edmund and Lucy are staying with their cousin, Eustace Scrubb. One day, they are looking at a painting of a ship. Suddenly, all three are pulled into the painting and onto the ship!
On board the ship, the Dawn Treader, Edmund and Lucy reunite with Prince Caspian. He is now a young man. Caspian explains he is on a quest to find seven lords who were friends of his late father. His journey will take them through dangerous waters to the end of the world.
Their first stop is the Lone Islands. They are captured by slave traders. But Caspian and his army rescue them. Caspian had already bought one of the missing lords, Lord Bern.
Next, they find an uninhabited island. Eustace wanders off and finds a cave with gold. He puts on a bracelet and falls asleep. When he wakes, he has turned into a dragon! The others figure out who he is. Aslan later turns Eustace back into a human. They realize the bracelet belonged to Lord Octesian, who likely died on the island.
On the third island, they find a pool that turns anything it touches into gold. They realize it is Lord Restimar who is in the water.
On the fourth island, they meet invisible creatures. A magician named Coriakin appears after Lucy reads from a magic book. The creatures become visible again.
The fifth and final island is at the end of the world. They find Lord Rhoop in the water. On the island, they meet Ramandu and his daughter. They also find the three remaining lords in an enchanted sleep. Aslan tells Caspian that one crew member must stay behind for the lords to awaken. Caspian considers staying, but Reepicheep the mouse volunteers instead.
Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace leave the ship with Reepicheep. Reepicheep sails into Aslan's country. The children meet a lamb who transforms into Aslan. Aslan tells Edmund and Lucy they are too old to return to Narnia. But he does not say this to Eustace.
The Silver Chair
Eustace Scrubb is at boarding school with his friend Jill Pole. They are often bullied. Eustace tells Jill about Narnia. While running from bullies, they pass through a doorway into Aslan's country. Eustace accidentally falls off a cliff but is blown to Narnia.
Jill meets Aslan, who gives her a task. He tells her that Prince Rilian, the son of Narnia's elderly king, disappeared years ago. Jill must memorize four signs to find Rilian. Aslan sends Jill to Narnia, where she reunites with Eustace near Cair Paravel. Jill tries to tell Eustace to greet an "old and dear friend," which is the first sign. But Eustace doesn't recognize King Caspian X, who is leaving the castle on a boat. They realize they missed the first sign.
They meet an owl named Glimfeather. He takes them to the Parliament of Owls. There, they learn the full story of Prince Rilian. Rilian's mother was killed by a serpent. Rilian hunted the serpent and met a beautiful red-haired lady. He seemed to be in love with her. One day, he went out and never returned. The owls believe the lady and the serpent are the same.
Jill explains Aslan's second sign: they must go north to the Ruined City of the Giants. They get a guide, a marshwiggle named Puddleglum. The trio travels north. They meet a lady on horseback with a silent knight in black armor. The lady, the Lady of the Green Kirtle, tells them to visit the Giants of Harfang for food and lodging.
Caught in a snowstorm, Jill falls into a trench. The children insist on going to Harfang. The giants welcome them warmly. The next day, Jill sees the Ruined City of the Giants from her window. She sees the words "UNDER ME" on the ground. She realizes she fell into the "E" the day before. The third sign was to find a "writing" at the ruins and follow its instructions. They figure out they must go under the city.
They explore the castle and learn the giants plan to cook them! They escape through a cat door and a hole under a rock. They fall deep underground. Earthmen capture them and take them to the Queen of the Underworld.
Eustace, Jill, and Puddleglum meet a knight wearing a silver mask. He is the knight they met earlier. The Queen of the Deep Realm is also the Lady of the Green Kirtle. The knight says he is under a curse. For a short time each day, he becomes "unlike himself" and must be tied in the Silver Chair. He makes them promise not to listen to him when he is in that state.
The Earthmen bind the knight in the Silver Chair. When they leave, the knight's behavior changes. He begs the trio to free him "in the name of Aslan." The children are shocked. The fourth and final sign was that the first person to ask for help in Aslan's name would be Prince Rilian. Puddleglum frees him, and the knight destroys the Silver Chair.
The Lady of the Green Kirtle arrives. She uses magic to make Eustace and Jill believe Narnia and Earth are not real. Puddleglum resists her spells. Angered, the Lady turns into a giant serpent. Rilian kills her, realizing she was the serpent who killed his mother.
The group flees as the underworld rumbles and caves in. The Lady had ordered the Earthmen to dig through the roof for an invasion. The group climbs out into the heart of Narnia.
Rilian returns to Cair Paravel. He reunites with his father just before the old king dies. Rilian is then crowned the new king.
Aslan appears and congratulates Eustace and Jill. They briefly visit Aslan's country. They see a vision of Caspian as a young boy. Caspian greets Eustace and wishes to see Eustace's world. Aslan agrees. He creates a crack in the school wall. The bullies appear but are chased away by the children, who are now in knight's armor. Eustace and Jill then return to their own world.
Main Cast Members
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- Richard Dempsey as Peter
- Sophie Cook as Susan
- Jonathan R. Scott as Edmund
- Sophie Wilcox as Lucy
- Barbara Kellerman as The White Witch
- Kerry Shale as Mr. Beaver
- Lesley Nicol as Mrs. Beaver
- Big Mick as Ginarbrrik
- Ailsa Berk as Aslan
- Martin Stone as Maugrim
- William Todd-Jones as Aslan
- Keith Hodiak as Aslan's Satyr
- Garfield Brown as Aslan's Satyr
- Ronald Pickup as Aslan (voice)
- Irene Marot as Hag
- Kairen Kemp as Hag
- Jeffrey Perry as Mr. Tumnus
- Michael Aldridge as Professor Digory Kirke
- Ken Kitson as Giant Rumblebuffin
- Christopher Bramwell as Peter (adult)
- Suzanne Debney as Susan (adult)
- Charles Ponting as Edmund (adult)
- Juliet Waley as Lucy (adult)
- Maureen Morris as Mrs. Macready
- Bert Parnaby as Father Christmas
Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
- Warwick Davis as Reepicheep
- Jonathan R. Scott as Edmund Pevensie
- Sophie Wilcox as Lucy Pevensie
- David Thwaites as Eustace
- William Todd-Jones as Glenstorm / Aslan
- Tim Rose as Aslan
- Ronald Pickup as Aslan
- Ailsa Berk as Aslan / Dragon
- Samuel West as Prince Caspian
- Pavel Douglas as Lord Bern
- Barbara Kellerman as The Hag
- Angela Barlow as Queen Prunaprismia
- 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
- George Claydon as Nikabrik
- Big Mick as Trumpkin
- Geoffrey Bayldon as Ramandu
The Silver Chair
- Camilla Power as Jill Pole
- David Thwaites as Eustace Clarence Scrubb
- Richard Henders as Prince Rilian / Black Knight
- Tom Baker as Puddleglum
- William Todd-Jones as Aslan / Centaur
- Ailsa Berk as Aslan / Dragon
- Ronald Pickup as Aslan
- Warwick Davis as Glimfeather
- Barbara Kellerman as Green Lady
- Geoffrey Russell as King Caspian
- Nick Brimble as Giant Porter
- Stephen Reynolds as Giant King
- Lesley Nicol as Giant Queen
- Patsy Byrne as Giant Nanny
- Joe Hall as Sentry
- Jack Purvis as Golg
- Jean-Marc Perret as Young Caspian
- Jefferey S. Perry as Mr. Tumnus
- Henry Woolf as Doctor Cornelius
Awards and Recognition
The TV series received many nominations, totaling 14 awards. It was nominated for an Emmy for "Outstanding Children's Program."
The show won a BAFTA Award for "Best Video Lighting" in 1988. It was also nominated for "Best Children's Programme (Entertainment / Drama)" in 1988, 1989, and 1990. Other nominations included "Best Video Lighting" (1989), "Best Make Up" (1988, 1989, 1990), "Best Costume Design" (1988), and "Best Video Cameraman" (1989, 1990).
