@courtenay 

Aslan’s introduction had to be shortened in the audio versions, but it was still there. In fact the whole story is shortened on the LP records to a little over an hour. But I think even having a few sentences of Aslan’s introduction is better on audio than none at all or a brief scene would work on film or video. The BBC series scene of just showing the children’s reaction to Aslan’s name was too short, but it was better than nothing. At least the Beavers were given a chance to talk about the Lion and describe  him with some reverence, which the first Walden film didn’t do with so much depth. I thought the children’s visit with the Beavers in their lodge could have been done better since it was the first real description of Aslan in the book.

@narnian78 Yes, but my point was: in an audio version, we have a narrator who can tell us specifically — quoting Lewis, even if in abridged form — what each of the four children feels inwardly on first hearing the name of Aslan. In a movie, we don't have that.

I absolutely love Lewis's descriptions at that point in the book as well, but I just can't think of any way they could be incorporated effectively into a screen adaptation. The BBC version spending several seconds focusing on each child's face, with the series theme tune ("Aslan's Theme" by Geoffrey Burgon) playing softly but stirringly, gives us a sense that we're meant to think something significant is going on here. But without the verbal explanation that the book narrative gives — which an audio drama can include, and a visual one can't — viewers are left with no idea what's actually going on in the Pevensies' heads and why this moment is something special. (Unless we've read the book, of course — but a truly good movie needs to cater equally well for those who haven't.)

I really can't think of any way in which any screen version could include the children's reactions on first hearing Aslan's name, not in any meaningful way. As I said, having any or all of them voice their feelings out loud, just at that moment, would surely just sound silly and break any specialness that that moment has. And they can't even discuss their feelings amongst themselves as they follow Mr Beaver afterwards, since he's warned them very strongly to keep quiet because of the Witch's spies, so putting in some extra dialogue there wouldn't work.

It's possible that during the conversation after dinner at the Beavers' house, some of the children could say something about how even just the name of Aslan makes them feel. But it would be hard to do it without it sounding a bit  laboured or even forced — too much like We Need to Tell You, the Audience, Just How Significant This Is — and I'm really not sure how a script writer could do it while making it seem like a natural part of the conversation. I really can't think of any other way than that.  

@courtenay 

It would be hard to put the first introduction to Aslan in a movie and get it right. I’m not sure if it would be impossible though.  The BBC series attempted it in few seconds for each of the Pevensies.  It was too brief and probably could have been better, but I wouldn’t say it would be impossible for a movie even with a brief visual version of the scene. 

@narnian78 "Too brief", perhaps, but how could they have done it better without holding up the action of the film or making it look even stranger than it already did? That's what I'm wondering.

Edited to add: I'd still also be very interested to hear anyone's thoughts on how we'd like (or not like) to see Aslan's introduction handled in The Magician's Nephew, if that turns out to be the first film in the Netflix adaptation! 

I'm really interested in the discussion of whether a movie or TV adaptation could ever capture the moment in LWW when the Pevensies react strongly to hearing Aslan's name for the first time. Does anyone else want it to have its own thread? Or should we keep discussing it here?

I'm interested in keeping on discussing it too, but am happy to go with whatever the majority (or the moderators) prefer for where that should happen. It is still in the category of "Aslan's introduction", but it's the specific moment of the introduction of his name in LWW and how the children react, not how he himself should be introduced visually when he first appears on screen (in either LWW or MN). Perhaps it would be better to have a different thread for each one... I'm not sure. 

Posted by: @courtenay

I'm interested in keeping on discussing it too, but am happy to go with whatever the majority (or the moderators) prefer for where that should happen. It is still in the category of "Aslan's introduction", but it's the specific moment of the introduction of his name in LWW and how the children react, not how he himself should be introduced visually when he first appears on screen (in either LWW or MN). Perhaps it would be better to have a different thread for each one... I'm not sure. 

I feel I should mention that when I made this thread, I was specifically talking about Aslan’s actual first appearance.

That’s part of why I keep bringing up the fact that the Walden film doesn’t specifically say he’s a lion until he actually first appears.

Posted by: @bismdweller

To be honest, I didn’t even think of that scene when I started this thread. If I had, I would have been clearer that I meant Aslan’s first actual appearance, which I personally feel is more important. Especially if they’re going to go the way of the Walden film by not clarifying he’s a lion (not that a lot of fans are probably pick up on that difference, but still).

Since so many people are talking about the scene with Mr, Beaver, though, I guess I’ll add my two cents worth. I think either narration or inner-monologue would probably work best if they want to convey the kids’ thoughts, but it might be tricky to do that without it coming across as odd.

Posted by: @aslanthelion

That’s part of why I keep bringing up the fact that the Walden film doesn’t specifically say he’s a lion until he actually first appears.

FWIW, I did notice no one told the Pevensies that Aslan was a lion in the movie, and it bugged me because it meant cutting the great exchange about being scared of him. But other than that, I don't have a huge problem with it. (And they eventually worked some variation of "not safe but good" into the dialogue so I was somewhat reconciled even if I would have written it differently if I were adapting the book.)