You're forgetting that Lewis was writing books, not film scripts. In books, the characters' emotional experiences have the strongest immediate impact. Whereas, in a movie, the characters' emotions require a lot of development in order to have the same level of impact.

Now this is a very good point. I appreciate what everyone is saying about added action scenes in movies. Though I can't agree that VDT, which won the first prize for the most Christian movie of the year, was a soulless movie. The ending left me in tears each of the 5 times I saw it.

As for MN where there should be a bit of action is in the depiction of Charn. I was thinking that when Jadis ushered the children around, some of the events she relates could come to life as well, say, in oil paintings, so that we could see what sort of a bloodthirsty lot they were. Eg, a dinner where everyone was slain. Or people being dragged off to the torture chambers, stuff like that. And of course we need to see Jadis saying the Deplorable word to see why Digory and Polly would fear having Jadis in London for any length of time.

We should have gained the impression already that it wasn't a very nice sort of place to be even before Digory chose to ring the bell. And of course actions speak louder than words. The trouble is, it needs to be done very carefully indeed.

At least MN is not lacking in villains. There is Jadis, of course. But there is also Uncle Andrew, and his sending off Polly to the Wood between the Worlds. This is the bit that worries me most about filming MN.

One thing I think they could do is have an extended sequence in which Jadis roams London. Now, this actually implicitly happens in the books when Uncle Andrew and she go to a jeweler and to a fancy restaurant.

I always got the impression in the book that while Jadis was very strong in London (she freakin' rips the head of a lamp-post with her bare hands!), her magic does not work there.

So I don't think we should have The Deplorable Word actually happening in the movie. I do approve of the idea of having scenes of Charn history play out briefly, though.

I'm not even going to wait for a green-light. I'm going to say it right now: Filmmakers, if you have no love for The Magician's Nephew, one of the most popular Narnia books, you should add action scenes. Action would totally destroy the story. The book is an emotionally driven drama. CS Lewis didn't take the lazy way out. If you aren't willing to attempt to live up to that, you should not be making this movie in the first place.

I didn't know MN was one of the most popular Narnia books. I guess it does have the creation of Narnia and the first flying Narnian horse (Fledge/Strawberry) and the first Narnian Joke. Anyway, I agree with you on the adding action scenes would most likely ruin it. I wouldn't like a full fledged out battle for the Charn scene because it would take away from the moment in the book. But, I wouldn't mind a simple flashback like two shots or something to the battle. But in general, I do think if the filmmakers tried to add action scenes they would add them in all the wrong places like they did in VODT.

Yeah...I think that all the people I know who read Narnia books think that MN is one of the less popular books, for precicely the reason this thread was set up...not much happens really Not that I don't like it, i just think that if/when MN is made, action scenes are inevetable becuase you need a climax and most films that are similar to Narnia in themes have action climaxes.
However, I am not trying to suggest that there should be big action scenes in MN, but if they MUST sdd them in then I think that the London scenes could be more exciting...becuase from how the WW was in LWW, she doesn't seem like a very peacefull person and would probablty start fights and stuff like that, rather than just wandering round.

I think the only "epic action scene" should be Jadis in London! And that is it! We have already seen what added action scenes do to a movie! Do action scenes make a good move? No!

...and in Charn with the Deplorable Word. Actually, the scene with Jadis in London shouldn't be huge in scale, just chaotic, dangerous and a little odd.

I would be ok with a BRIEF flashback to the destruction of Charn to show the use of the Deplorable Word. And obviously the fight at the lamppost in London. That's it.

That's pretty much my take on MN's action. I am actually counting on them showing something big but brief in Charn; something along the lines of the beginning of LOTR:The Fellowship of the Ring.

That would be in harmony with the book and a chance to show something big and impressive at the same time. I know people elsewhere have mentioned the cost of doing this. It would be expensive but not too expensive if done bniefly. It shouldn't be some long, drawn out sequence.

The only place I ever imagined adding something is during the journey to get the Silver Apple. Not too much happens along the way except when they sense the White Witch lurking about during there one night of rest. Maybe they could enhance the mystery or suspense of this situation somehow but without adding some big action sequence.

I really can't think of any places they could add a full-on action scene, but then again they added the action scene on the Lone Islands when in the book they specifically said not to fight, and during the fight with the sea serpent where Reepicheep, the most famous fighter in the Narnia series, says, "Don't fight it! Push!" there was that whole battle that didn't really make sense. I suppose they could add the Charn war and if they don't overdo it I really wouldn't mind it. It wouldn't change the story and wouldn't be a change from the book because it was mentioned, they would just be showing something described in the book.

I wouldn't mind added scenes where Jadis steals jewelry, etc. I wouldn't mind a 20-some second flasbakc to Charn and what happened before and after The Deplorable Word with the Witch narrating it with her cold, cruel, twisted, happiness. Beyond the Witch grabbing Digory and Uncle Andrew heads, nothing else should be added.

One thing that film makers love to do is make a movie with a lot of special effects and little to no plot. If they get past that, and focus on the terror of Jadis in our world and the beauty of the creation of Narnia, even the most critical moviegoer or critic will enjoy it.

I really do want to see the last battle taken place in Charn. I know some people don't but I really do But throughout the rest of the film and in new Narnia I'm hoping a battle doesn't break out.

I wouldn't mind a quick flashback of the battle in Charn and it's pretty much to be expected lol. Someone on here alooooooooooong time ago mentioned having a sword fight between Jadis and her sister and have her sister using two swords like Jaids did in LWW to show how Jadis was jealous of her sister and always trying to be like her lol. I like that idea but idk they would take it too far I'm sure.

And I always thought the scene with Jadis in London was more over the top and almost comical as oppossed to really dangerous and life threating atleast that's how I read it. I wouldnt mind they making it a bit more intense but not too much.

But like others have said MN is a character-driven story and not an action packed story so no need for an added in battle of any kind.

Every time i see the title of this thread, i can't help but feel it should be just "They Will Ruin MN.". Full Stop. Period. Exclamation Mark. etc

why is action so bad? there's plenty of action in Narnia. there is action in some shape or form in MN anyway.....

This is why I'm so scared to see what they'll do to MN.

I don't think action itself is necessarily bad, Liberty. It just depends on what sort of action scene and where it is placed to determine whether I feel it ruins MN or not. I am all for a very chaotic, obviously dangerous scene in London with Jadis causing plenty of chaos. I also even look forward to seeing a flashback to Charn with the battle between Jadis and her sister.

If, however, there were to end up being some sort of climactic EPIC!! battle at the end of the movie with the typical sword-clashing, I think I shall most likely be quite disappointed.