Important Movie: Chronicles of Nardia
Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media are releasing The Chronicles of Narnia movie on December 9, 2005. This is the first of a collection of stories by C.S. Lewis. Unlike Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings with indirect references to the Gospel, C.S. Lewis used bold analogies that tell the redemption story in a profound way. In the Portland area, the following leading organizations are already endorsing this film:
Mission Portland
International Renewal Ministries (the Prayer Summit people)
KKPZ
Western Seminary
At the national level, Mission America, George Barna, and Focus on the Family are among those endorsing it. Start preparing your church on how your church can use this as a powerful outreach tool.
Andrew Adamson, who directed the Shrek and Shrek2 films, directs the film. Unlike those, however, the film isn’t a cartoon. The CG effects are used to bring the story to life, just as in Lord of the Rings. In fact, Richard Taylor, famous now for his Lord of the Rings work and soon-to-be-released the Legend of Zorro, directed the special effects of Narnia. Yes, New Zealand’s WETA was involved. One of the big challenges, of course, was creating a life-like CG lion for Aslam (The Lion of Judah). Liam Neeson voices Aslam.
Although the film is two months away as this is written, it’s not to early to get resources for your church to use it and begin planning. Here are the web sites for resources:
http://www.narniaresources.com - free resources such as posters, door hangers, etc.
http://www.outreach.com - Free and resources you can customize and purchase.
http://www.barnapreview.com - How to few the entire film on December 8 - or one day earlier. Contains previews, “making of” videos, and trailers.
Mission America Site - Outreach ideas, making the Bible Connection, and more.
Christinaity Today Movie Interview
I’ve been warned that children will understand the film easier than adults. It isn’t, however, just a children’s story. It’s the greatest story ever told.