The second published novel in C.S. Lewis’ children fantasy
series The Chronicles of Narnia has been given cinematographic birth. Prince
Caspian comes with much more vivid and realistic plot and atmosphere.
After 1,300 years in Narnia, but compressed in just twelve
months in the real Londonese time, the four Pevensie children Peter (William
Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie
Henley) journey back in their fantasy world. Narnia spreads wide at the
end of a dark tunnel where they are thrown while waiting for the subway train.
So the tube station is replaced by an enchanting beach, giving the children the
impression that Narnia is the same fairytale-like world they once left behind.
They are soon to be proven wrong. They reach an old and ruined castle shortly
after. Astonishment overpowers them when they realize that the ruins are Cair
Paravel, once their royal dwelling place.
However, the film doesn’t begin with their arrival in
Narnia, but presents the background of the following story.
The Telemarine Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) is wakened by his
mentor, Doctor Cornelius (Vincent Grass), who warns him that his life is
endangered by his uncle’s plans. Miraz (Sergio Castellitto), who is a usurper
that killed his own brother, intended to make Caspian his heir. But that was only until
he had his own child.
After his wife gives birth to a boy, he is willing to
keep the power in his bloodline by all possible means. He therefore decides to
kill his nephew. With the aid of Doctor Cornelius, Caspian succeeds escaping through a secret passage in a wardrobe. From now on, the plot becomes tangled,
but captivating.
The prince’s path cuts across that of the four children when
he blows a small ivory horn. This is actually the call for the four little
heroes. So we get to the point when the five protagonists are simultaneously in
the same universe. Caspian – on the Dancing Lawn, convincing Narnians to accept
him as their leader despite his Telemarine descent. The Pevensies save Trumpkin
(Peter Dinklage) from drowning in deep waters, where he had been dropped by the
Telemarines.They eventually meet and set off to Aslan's How, where they
lay plans for a war council.
Henceforth, the fight for power in Narnia is sketched as a
conflict between good and evil. I dare say the sinuous flow of the plot is not
to be revealed further in a review, but engulfed greedily before a big screen.
Like the prior film The Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian
was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media. Scriptwriting began
before The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was released, so that the actors
still had the appropriate age for their roles.
Not being an exception to the rule set by the entire Lewis
series, Prince Caspian is not just a story describing fairytale-like worlds or
the opposition of good and evil forces, but it also mirrors traditional Christian ideas, scents of Greek
and Roman mythology, as well as influences from traditional British and Irish fairy
tales and beliefs. Moreover, it outlines the importance of courage and knightliness,
getting close to the Middle Age atmosphere and set of values.
Lewis thought the modern world became harsh and unjust to
people who have strong faith in God or in anything else and who chose to fight
for it. He instilled this idea in his stories. Prince Caspian lets the power of
goodness, hope and beauty come to the surface. The Narnians attain harmony
in their kingdom, despite the complex opponents they have.
