It's definitely interesting...I do like that Aslan actually physically tears the scales from Eustace's back.  Although the walking on the water bit is rather heavy handed for my taste.

I'm assuming the exploding in a burst of energy was a bit of a compromise (or was it a cop-out?) to avoid showing anything too graphic in terms of the blood and gristle that likely would have remained behind. 

It's not how I would adapt the scene personally, but I can't deny the creativity and it's a bit better than the final product we got. 

It's a bit more visually interesting. (I wonder if they just changed it for budgetary reasons.) For me, it has the same problem as the final version of it doesn't really look like the dragon skin is being peeled off and we can't really get a good look at how Eustace is reacting to this.

I know the movie wanted a PG rating, and honestly, I wanted one too. (I think that rating gives people who haven't read the book a better idea of its tone and content.) But I also honestly think they could have done more to indicate Eustace's suffering than they did. Actually, they wouldn't have to show anything. We could just hear Eustace roaring in pain and that would be an improvement. 

Unless I missed something, the concept art doesn't have Eustace trying to tear the skin off himself at all. While that technically makes it less true to the book, having him scratch himself just before Aslan transforms him didn't really communicate what it was supposed to in the movie. IMO it just looked really random-and that's coming from someone who was very familiar with the book! So maybe it would have been better not to bother with it.

Posted by: @col-klink

I know the movie wanted a PG rating, and honestly, I wanted one too. (I think that rating gives people who haven't read the book a better idea of its tone and content.) But I also honestly think they could have done more to indicate Eustace's suffering than they did. Actually, they wouldn't have to show anything. We could just hear Eustace roaring in pain and that would be an improvement. 

There was a discussion on the Talking Beasts Podcast about "PG-13 Narnia Movies?" I'm sure we could have a discussion on this thread about what the rating system should be.

The undragonning of Eustace is really hard to do in movies. Both BBC and Walden struggled with it.

If I were doing a movie or TV adaptation, I might have Eustace, as he describes what happens, draw stick figures in the sand with a stick, which would come to life, for the viewers' benefit, and act out the undragoning. 

Posted by: @jasmine_tarkheena

There was a discussion on the Talking Beasts Podcast about "PG-13 Narnia Movies?" I'm sure we could have a discussion on this thread about what the rating system should be. 

 

I like this idea. The undragoning scene might even make an ideal launching point. 

I thought the final cut was a strange choice, but totally understandable given the rating concerns. This unused concept is definitely a little better, though I also must admit the waterwalking does seem a bit much. 

What if they just kept the stripping off-camera and showed the empty skin layers being cast aside, and then panned over to reveal Eustace in human form? No need for blood or exposed bones/flesh - at least not much. And it's faithful to the book!