My reaction to PC was similar to a lot of others on here. I thought the first hour was completely engrossing. I thought the next half hour was interesting. After that it went to pot. The duel and battle were interminable, and "The Call" completely ruined the ending for me. Say what you will about VDT, I thought it had the best finale of any of the Narnia movies.

You know how they have director's cuts of films? I wish they'd come out with "Anhun's cut." An edition of PC where they put back in some of the character development scenes, like the picking of the Marshalls, trim down the duel/battle sequence, and remove the singing from the end.

Say what you will about VDT, I thought it had the best finale of any of the Narnia movies.

Considering how much I dislike VDT, I really do agree with this. That last scene in which Eustace hangs up the picture, and children are silent, and they close the door...wonderful and moving, and and subtle (if one ignores the Eustace narration...which I have mixed feelings about).

My reaction to PC was similar to a lot of others on here. I thought the first hour was completely engrossing. I thought the next half hour was interesting. After that it went to pot. The duel and battle were interminable, and "The Call" completely ruined the ending for me. Say what you will about VDT, I thought it had the best finale of any of the Narnia movies....

I agree with VDT having the best ending, beautifully shot, and most emotional (for me) ending of the three movies too. I too hated the modern music of The Call creeping in at the end of PC, which sort of jarred me out of Narnia... it would probably have been best to leave that song for the credits. LWW has the second best ending, which is very good in its own right.

She wanted to see the movies after hearing the books and it was only then that I saw PC for a second time. I could barely stand to watch it.
[...]

Great post. Well written and you make a lot of valid criticisms, most of which I fundamentally agree.

However, I can't say I hate PC as an adaptation because it honored the essence of the story (for me): The sadness of the old days being gone and the hope that they might return. That really resonated for me. Also, one of the things I remember most about the PC book was the strangeness of the kids coming back 1300 years later and the Narnians treating them like characters out of their bedtime stories. They really captured that in the film.

I also went into PC knowing it was not a very cinematic book, and drastic changes would likely be required to translate it to film.

Their idea with Peter was to take his arc from the book and make it run for the entire movie, instead of just a couple chapters like in the book. That was a good idea...the execution was bad: Poor acting, directing, and writing.

They needed to extend Peter's arc because the story needed to be re-structured. For a number of reasons, I don't think the 4-chapter flashback in the book would have worked on film. Eliminating the flashback and ironing out the story so it could be told chronologically forced them to make other changes. Peter was one of them. Like I said: Good idea, bad execution.

The only super good thing about the VODT movie was that it made me appreciate PC and their changes. I used to really dislike the disney PC, but compared to what they did to VODT the changes were nothing. So, I'd say I really like PC.

When I first saw PC I actually liked it a good deal there where somethings that I would have left out, changed or not changed (Peter in particular), now I still like it, I watched it just recently and found how much I actually enjoyed it, (especially after watching VDT) I still like LWW more, but PC is still one of my favorite movies and I enjoy watching it from time to time. Actually the only things that really irked me were the attack on the castle (I actually wouldn't have minded it that much if it had been done before the Pevensie's arrived) and Peter's arrogant behaviour, other than that I think the film was marvelous and I still really really like it

When I first saw it, I loved about 80% of the movie. My feelings haven't changed at all.

I found Peter acting differently kind of jarring. It was very contrary from the book, but it wasn't a big deal for me.

Some people hate the Calling back of the White Witch. I don't. I love it! The special effects were great and your full attention was on the movie. I think it was a great change from the book. Since the Pevensies and Trumpkin had arrived way before they did in the book, Nikabrik talking about bringing her up and being stopped by Peter, Edmund, and DLF wouldn't have been that exciting or impacting. Plus seeing Edmund "deafeat" her was a subtle nod toward him not being afraid of her anymore.

I thought the Castle Raid very grim and sad. It really made the film even darker, but it brought across a very good point that C.S. Lewis believed. When we do things without God's (Aslan's) consent or guidance, then we're going to fail and people will be effected by our actions.

The only thing I hated about this film was...uggh! The Kiss! I wish I could edit it out. Not needed whatsoever and completely destroyed Susan's and Caspian's character in the movies.

Even though I loved the LWW film, PC is nipping at it's heels. A great movie, pretty great story, and awesome CGI! PC is on my list of Top 10 Favorite Movies!

After reading the post above, I just had to comment. When I first joined this board PC had been out so long that I not only had seen the movie but also bought the DVD. Initially a lurker, I came on this board in 2009 because Disney pulled out of VDT, and I thought that was a shame. By that time I had thoroughly analysed the film and I understood exactly why this or that was done. All my discussions on this board on this film have not changed my view one iota, even if I haven't seen PC recently, not being queen of the TV.

My only substantive complaint with moviePC was the absence of a scene providing movie Peter the opportunity to ask forgiveness of Aslan for Peter's lack of trust. Movie Peter needed this moment to remind us exaclty why he was High King and Magnificent!

Actually I think you make a good point. This moment would have changed much and certainly it redeemed Peter in the book, at least to my way of thinking. I can understand why Walden/Disney thought Peter needed to be in conflict with Caspian. It was to give the audience the opportunity to learn the backstory of PC, that the Pevensies had disappeared rather suddenly, leaving no clear succession, and that this might be a legitimate issue among Old Narnians. It is also something which Miraz had managed at least, by preserving Caspian until finally presented with his own son.

Unfortunately all this backstory and its implications are in the Trumpkin exposition which for cinematic reasons can't be done that way. If any film maker makes another copy of PC it will almost certainly omit the Cair Paravel fish'n'apples breakfast gabfest and much of the 'set Narnia free' romp. I also think that much of the dissatisfaction with PC would have eventually disappeared once HHB was made since it was always my understanding that the film was made with a possible HHB sequel in mind, which would have explained much about Peter, Susan and Edmund and their attitudes in VDT.

Long time, no see! Yet Disney pulled out because the film ended up barely in the black. Walden/Fox had a smaller production budget with VDT as a result – and it shows. VDT is technically inferior to PC, even with better fantasy sets and a fantastic ship. It just doesn’t have the same quality. I can’t even put a finger on what I feel is wrong with the film....
Care about money and it will show. You won’t make much. In business you have to take risks you think are worth it, just like in your spiritual life you have to sow a seed and make a sacrifice.... Only when they put God first will the money be there.

I think you have also hit the nail on the head. I don't like the dramatics about how woeful VDT was. It did have its good points, and I have seen much worse. There were bits I really adored about VDT, and I agree with Anhun's comment below:

Say what you will about VDT, I thought it had the best finale of any of the Narnia movies.

But there was one throwaway disclosure in all the commentary published in news items that I cannot overlook. It was this: Apparently Apted didn't allow too many 'takes' on films. Actors had to get it right the first time or soon thereafter. Now this sounds uncommonly like a cost-cutting measure to my way of thinking. It is also the reaction of a documentary-style director, who wants to ensure that only marginally willing participants in the filming don't do more than strictly necessary to get their point across, and that too many rehearsals look, well, rehearsed. Perhaps this kind of directing did impact on the film unnecessarily?

There were also the cut scenes. There were quite a few apparently which didn't even make it into the DVD deleted scenes. And unlike PC there was no explanation for decisions made as to why the scenes were cut.

I, for one, think the Peter/Caspian character arcs are great, and really cool to have those in such a big budget film. Peter & Caspian are different versions of Miraz, they are both coming from good places but have still found themselves with motivations that are at the root of what Miraz has become. This is bought to a head when the White Witch turns up for them, and you can see Miraz, although totally corrupted, is not totally one dimensional bad from what Peter & Caspian have gone through.

Another good point. I never saw the Peter/Caspian character arcs in such a light relative to Miraz. All three face the same temptation to get their own way and to dominate White Witch style. Miraz merely carried out what was in the motivations of all three. This is why I liked Edmund so much in PC when he gave that brilliant speech to Miraz, especially about being a younger brother and 'just' a king, and also when he 'sorted' the White Witch.

The thing about Peter, even in the books, is that as elder brother, he did come across as a bit too inclined to take charge and to decide his own opinion was the correct one. It always was significant to me that Peter is in precisely three books and not more, unlike Susan, Edmund and Lucy. In HHB he was away fighting some place. It is also why I didn't mind PC's 'Suspian' episode, if you insert a HHB film, where she certainly had some teenage/adult issues to deal with.

'Suspian' from PC had a few more uses as it got around an awkward moment when Lucy asked Caspian about whether or not he had found his queen. What Caspian said about Susan was far more gallant than the rather catty remark in the book about the Duke of Galma's daughter having freckles and a squint. By that time in the VDT film it had already been well established that Susan had other fish to fry.

Again I say that PC would have been best appreciated viewed after a HHB release, after which we get to see Susan's full Narnian story. Alas I don't think that frabjous day will ever occur.

Am I the only one who feels the first third of the movie is the worst?

I just thought it was weird constantly cutting back and forth from Caspian and the Pevensies and it took awhile to fully get into the plot. It was once the Pevensies caught up with Caspian that the film took off.

I voted, "I liked it initially, and I like it even more now." Why I like it more is because of how unfulfilling VDT. For a while this was my favorite Narnia film, but after watching LWW again, it's second to that masterpiece.

I really liked the plot in PC. (There are no out-of-place, strange-colored mists floating around! ) Peter's charactor change was alright for me. PC is my least favorite Narnia book, because I feel it's a bit slow and simple. I think if the would have made Peter the same as in the book, the movie would have been a little boring. You need that conflict to help develop his charactor. I thought the Telermarines were brilliant! I loved everything about them. I also enjoyed the White Witch scene. They used it really well. It really helps us understand Edmund's change.

Some people hate the Calling back of the White Witch. I don't. I love it! The special effects were great and your full attention was on the movie. I think it was a great change from the book. Since the Pevensies and Trumpkin had arrived way before they did in the book, Nikabrik talking about bringing her up and being stopped by Peter, Edmund, and DLF wouldn't have been that exciting or impacting. Plus seeing Edmund "deafeat" her was a subtle nod toward him not being afraid of her anymore.

I agree with everything you said there, SleepingDragon!
All the battle scenes were pretty well choreographed and were intense. There are a few cheesy lines that were delivered poorly, but you were drawn into the story enough that you either don't really notice them, or you don't really care.

Okay, now comes the things they could have left out: Suspian is #1. But, I have to admit, I don't really hate their romance- I just think the movie would have been just as good (or perhaps better?) without it. All that said, they handled it fine. The kiss could have happened when it was dark and no one else was around, with a lot of sappy lines and bad camera work. At least they didn't do that to us! I also find Caspian's "speech" to the Old Narnians a little dorky. It's hard for me to get into that moment when all I'm thinking about is how silly that dark eyeliner looks on Ben.

Something they should have put more of was Aslan. It's sad that they limit this charactor to just the last few scenes of the movie. But, at least they kept him as the ultiment savior of the story, unlike VDT, where he is merely a sidekick.

The movie was well made and obviously thought out, unlike VDT. There were minimal "cringe" moments, and the acting/special effects were quite good, though I think most of us can agree that it doesn't hold a candle to LWW.

I didn't like it and still don't like it. I can watch it now, block out Susaspian, and kind of enjoy it. The quality (camera shots, music, etc. Not adaptation.) of the movie is nice and I can appreciate it for that. However, I do like nice adaptations and just can't make myself like the night raid, the teenage summer movie feeling, and the loss of Narnian spirit. I still don't like and probably never will.

^ I've always been puzzled by so many fans hating the filmmakers' decision to move the battle from the forest surround the How to Miraz' castle. Why is the location so important?

Also, in terms of cinema, it made much more sense to only do one battle. Lewis mentions several.

Having the Pevensies present for this battle (unlike the book) was an inevitable consequence of re-structuring the story. In the book, this battle takes place before the Pevensies arrive. In the book, it's after they arrive.

The Night Raid is a crucial part of the film, thematically. Peter still thinks he is in the LWW-Narnia. The result of Night Raid is punch in the gut to him and the audience. The innocence we remember from LWW is gone, and it must be restored.

Oh, I actually didn't know it was in a different location! (Only read the book once, and that was three or four years ago. . . :"} That totally kind of makes all my arguments nil, but I paid attention to the important parts that bring up in my disliking of the movie! [the strongest being, of course, Su/Cas...] )

What I didn't like about the Night Raid, yes, that the Pevensies being involved, but more specifically Susan. I wouldn't have really minded if it was just Peter and Edmund, but being a purist... But, yeah, like your last point--I did not mind Peter being in the Night Raid, or really Edmund either.

Also the fact that the movie starts in Narnia and not our world, like the book does. (Since starting in Narnia first is peculiar only to The Silver Chair.)

A scene that I was very disappointed not to see is Caspian's being introduced to the forest animals the way the book put it. I know it's an insensible wish, it's not a very cinematic scene and would have probably turned out cheesy/corny/slow-moving if they decided to put it in there. However, if by any lucky wishful thinking chance it was put in and was extremely well-done, then that would have made the movie for me, as well as true adaptation.

If this is going off topic, then I'll edit and remove it--but y'all who were Narnia fans before the Walden LWW came out (this movie was mainly what made me love Narnia and then read the books) I'm just curious...what are the reasons people were displeased with it? (entirely out of curiousity, not a rhetorical question. )

The Night raid was a pretty cool battle, but then they added all that stuff about Caspian and his father and the Suspian-ness. And Edmund was just kind of left behind. :] Peter was very stuck up and that almost created a different character from LWW for me. It just wasn't the father-like older brother character from LWW and that I have read in the books. I understand his point of view and Susan's, how disappointing it would be to come back and find out the place you ruled over was destroyed and now you have to give up your throne for a boy, but that doesn't work with their characters. They grew up in LWW and I doubt their maturity would regress to that.
to answer Aslanisthebest, I was a fan before the movie came out and was overjoyed to hear they were making LWW. Prince Caspian was "eh" when I first saw the trailer (especially because of the shot of the white witch). VDT trailer made me almost cry.

Also the fact that the movie starts in Narnia and not our world, like the book does. (Since starting in Narnia first is peculiar only to The Silver Chair.)

No, that is not the case. The only Narnia book which actually starts in Narnia is 'The Last Battle'. Even the Horse and his Boy starts in Calormen.

I thought the rearrangement of the film not only logical but perhaps the only way it could have been adapted successfully.