I don't think Digory and Polly should get married. I do however believe that they should show how Digory and Polly went separate ways for a while before LB, and perhaps show a very minor love story as to why.

C.S.Lewis would have turned in his grave at the mere idea of yet another "romance", major or minor. Teenage flirtatiousness might be reasonable in PC, but back in those early MN 20th century days boys and girls tended to stay rigidly apart, other than the chance meeting of Digory and Polly. The way for a girl to get noticed in those days was to make her debut if she was well enough connected, herself, and hope some sweaty boy with good enough connections would take enough of a fancy to her at some ball or party to want to marry her. A lot happened in 1914-1918 to revise many of those ideas, including the deaths of far too many gorgeous, wonderful, beautiful young men, leaving their sweethearts and their potential sweethearts bereft for their entire lives.

Even so, way back in pre-World War II marriage was just as likely to be arranged than by choice. 'Romance' could and did exist, but most people married to oblige their families or their church as much as to oblige themselves, in an era where there were only some very formalised ways of meeting the opposite sex, such as at balls and parties. That is one of the points made in HHB, for example, and C.S.Lewis, though he could and did pair up people, Cor and Aravis for example, or Caspian and Lilliandil, did not waste time in unnecessary romance in books meant for children.

I agree wholeheartedly that Digory and Polly shouldn't get married. The book is very clear that whilst they always remained friends, they got along more as equals and as brother and sister and so they wouldn't have entertained such an idea. Polly sounds like someone who was far too intelligent to want to spend the rest of her life doing no more than pandering to the vanity of someone like Digory, much as she might have liked him, and enjoyed his company. I can see them working together on research or on some project. I'm sure that Polly's contact with Aslan and the marvellous things she knew gave her an appreciation of what it was like to do good in the world. Bree and Hwin might have said something similar.

No, Digory and Polly are not supposed to be married, and it is very clear in the book that they weren't.

I don't know, I always thought they were cute together and would like the movie to expand upon the relationship. Since the author is dead, I don't think the filmakers would have to get permission or anything.

I might like it I might not.But I have a bad view of the story telling idea because I have seen books literally ruined because they did this with the movie.(Mainly Manaic Magee)

^ not to mention Suspain! But I can see a little kiddie crush or something sweet like how Jess and Leslie were in Bridge to Terabithia between Polly and Digory.

But it would be utterly pointless and needless deviation and contridiction from the book (which I have seen too many of) and anyway there could be no romance unless they make them way older than they should be. And the chronicles are not romance stories to begin with, if you want ridiculous romances watch something else.

I'm not saying that they should have a full blown romance. If they had something sweet like I stated above then I wouldn't care. Just leave it to film crew. It would be their decisions not ours.

I can see a little kiddie crush or something sweet like how Jess and Leslie were in Bridge to Terabithia between Polly and Digory.

I see what you mean, having watched Bridge to Terabithia, the film, and happily read the book. Unfortunately from my observations on this website, among others, it seems that distinguishing between friendship and romance is something the film industry doesn't seem to nail very well. However delightful that Bridge of Terabithia scenario was, between Leslie and Jess, it was still mainly the realisation that boys can actually be friends with girls, plus also relate to them as fellow human beings, and vice versa.

Something C.S.Lewis also learned through his marriage to Joy Davidson. C.S.Lewis was born in 1898, two years after my very own gran. And I am indebted to my gorgeous gran for my insights into what it was like in the sort of era it was, including the London depicted in Magician's Nephew, though she would have been lucky indeed to have visited it.

As entertaining as 'romance' can be, isn't friendship, or finding people who at least share the same values and beliefs, just as satisfying, and as valuable to most of us? In my opinion, Polly's compassion for Digory, upset over his dying mother, is at the core of the book and also any movie representation.

No, Digory and Polly are not supposed to be married, and it is very clear in the book that they weren't.

I don't know, I always thought they were cute together and would like the movie to expand upon the relationship. Since the author is dead, I don't think the filmakers would have to get permission or anything.

I would not like to see a romantic relationship developed or implied between Digory and Poly.
I think that the MN should focus on more on the relationships between Digory and his uncle, digory and poly (friendship), and Digory and Jadis.
I dont' think that adult Digory and Adult Poly should have enough screen time to develop a relationship that is romantic.
It sounds as if VDT will be straying enough from the book for the whole series.

Actually, that could be a neat idea! Of the Pevensies (or at least Lucy, Edmund, and Peter) remeniscing of their first time in Narnia, and being told the story of it's creation by the Professor!!!!

After hearing discussion about that sea serpent, and how it has suddenly become so extra menacing, there seems to be a suggestion that the sea serpent is also a good lead into SC. The adventures of Eustace and Jill would lead naturally on from that point. At this moment I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the order that the movies will be done is by now cast in stone. First SC, then MN, followed by HHB and LB, last of all.

I wonder if another good introduction to Magician's Nephew would be Eustace and Jill discussing the Emerald Witch aka LOTGK aka Viridiana (my suggestion, any others?) aka what's her face with the rest of the Pevensies at the Professor's home. This gives Professor Kirke the right lead up to explain how Jadis got into Narnia as well as introduce Polly to the series.

I don't know, I always thought they were cute together and would like the movie to expand upon the relationship. Since the author is dead, I don't think the filmakers would have to get permission or anything.

Yes, they certainly would have to get permission. The "Estate" of the books is handled by the C.S.Lewis Co, headed by Mr Gresham who is Lewis's step-son and a major production voice. [Believe me, he would not okay a cute kiddy romance set in late Victorian London just to please American teenage girls. ]

Then Digory tells her about the tree and asks her to come upstairs to see what he's done with it. She looks at the wardrobe and they both reminence about their adventure in Narnia as they stare at the carved story of the MN on the Wardrobe. Then they leave the room and close the door...but the camera stays focused on the door and time cuts to the 1940s when Lucy opens the door to play hide in seek. The end of the film would be the LWW footage of Lucy opening the Wardrobe door.

I like that, but leave time for the wood to dry out enough to use for building the wardrobe.

Actually, casting 30 something year olds to play Digory and Polly would really help The Last Battle.

Presume you mean for the middle aged versions of them, and not the children, in your idea for MN? Don't forget the man has to look like an earlier version of the Professor in LWW who is supposed to be only in his 50s actually! And in his mid 60s by LB.

Though, I'd place the get-together about 1945, like the parties of that time when soldiers came home on leave, when they were demobbed, or, better still, as part of the very joyous 1945 VE day end-of-war celebrations, which, like the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall, did suggest a new beginning in the real world.

I think slightly after 1945, as it took several years to demob everyone. The nearer to 1949, the less likely Susan would be there (making a nuisance of herself looking superior and grown up).
and

A lot happened in 1914-1918 to revise many of those ideas, including the deaths of far too many gorgeous, wonderful, beautiful young men, leaving their sweethearts and their potential sweethearts bereft for their entire lives.

This is very likely what would have happened to Polly if she had been a real person.

I know. One of the saddest displays I ever saw in a museum was in a little local one in Uralla. A local family was photographed, children and all. One boy looked like he could be the same age group as Digory Kirke, with all the scowling, arrogant, mischievous demeanour boys then often had in family photos. But another photo of this boy was displayed alongside it. Before his departure to Flanders, this boy had his studio photograph taken in his ANZAC slouch hat and army uniform, a beautiful one, which showed how he had developed into what looked like a fine, thoughtful and steady sort of young man. But before the photograph was finally developed and sent back to his mother, he had been killed in battle, on his arrival at the trenches.

The sheer waste of that young man's life brought home to me the misery of WW1 more sharply than any church honour rolls or war memorials could ever do. And that is also the reason why I suggested 1945 or thereabouts for a Pevensie/Professor Kirke get together. Especially because of what Aslan said in Chapter 15 of MN, to Digory and Polly. You will find it on the first page of the 15th chapter.

It is not certain that some wicked one of your race will not find out a secret as evil as the Deplorable Word and use it to destroy all living things. And soon, very soon, before you are an old man and an old woman, great nations in your world will be ruled by tyrants who care no more for joy and justice and mercy than the Empress Jadis...

On VE day (8 May 1945) the Atom Bomb had not yet been dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and VJ day, which ended the Pacific war, was yet to come. However, the remainder of what Aslan said had already come true, I guess. I'd have liked to see some sort of picture of the devastation of Hiroshima after that blast as a pointed reminder of Aslan's words in MN. But maybe not....

I agree with what you said about Susan, but 1949 gets too close to the LB events, leaving little time for HHB. And besides, Susan leaving early due to Geek boy or to attend someone else's party would get rid of her just as well.

I do like that idea of having it be near the end of WWII, with the atom bomb being part of their discussion. My one concern is that it would not be subtle enough, or that it would make it seem like the whole point of MN is atom bombs are bad.

One way to solve the problem, like people have been saying, is to have it alluded to in another movie. A second way which it could be done is simply to have a good advertising campaign and informative trailers.

I wouldn't count on that though, considering the somewhat shoddy campaign we've seen (thus far) for VDT!

Everyone's ideas are great! I think I'm liking the flashback versions best, over the story-type adaption.

And FYI, I really dislike the idea of Polly/Digory romance, crush, or anything similar. For one thing, what would we even call it? Dilly?