The Chronicles Of Narnia - Prince Caspian / Voyage Of The Dawn Treader [1989]

Customer Reviews:

Voyage on.......2006-01-22

In December, C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" followed boldly in the footsteps of Lewis' pal Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings Trilogy," with a gleaming new big-screen adaptation, full of top-notch CGI, costumes and settings.

In the months before it's released on DVD, however, it might be time to dust off the 1990 BBC adaptations of "Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader," crammed into one long movie. The first half suffers from the hokey production of the first film, but the second half blossoms into a fantastical sea voyage.

It's been months since the Pevensies went to Narnia through the wardrobe, and now they waiting for a grim summer vacation. But they don't know what changes have gone on in Narnia. Young Prince Caspian has been raised by his cold uncle King Miraz (Robert Lang) ever since his father's death, with only an old nurse and an aged part-dwarf professor as his friends.

But when Miraz's queen has a baby son, Caspian finds himself on the run, and is taken in by the "Creatures in Hiding," talking beasts and magical people. But that isn't enough to ensure victory. Caspian blows the Horn of Queen Susan, and the Pevensies are whisked back into Narnia to assist the young Prince and his ragtag army in reclaiming his throne.

No sooner have Lucy and Edmund gone to their "awful cousin Eustace"'s house, than a painting on the wall draws them in -- and deposits all three kids beside a giant Narnian ship. Caspian, now a young man, takes them on board and explains that he's on a mission to find some loyal lords who Miraz exiled from Narnia.

But the voyage only gets more dangerous, with the group being captured by slavers, consumed with greed over "gold water," taken captive by invisible creatures, attacked by sea serpents, and Eustace is even turned into a dragon when he greedily claims a treasure trove. But the greatest threat is ahead: the very edge of the world.

It's a tricky thing to take two books and mash them together into one big movie, and it's a credit to the BBC that these stories aren't completely unwatchable. In fact, they unfold at a quick but steady pace, paying plenty of attention to the individual characters. The first half has several flaws, but the second half makes up for that in drama and severity.

This is less fantastical and more battle-oriented than the first movie of this series, especially given Peter's rather flat duel with Miraz right before war breaks out. But the filmmakers take time out to dwell on the minor characters like the sailors, Reepicheep the warrior mouse, and the lovably skeptical dwarf Trumpkin. You gotta love someone called "Big Mick."

Unfortunately, the movies do suffer from some decidedly hokey special effects; dragon-Eustace shifts size and looks absurd, and Miraz's army is clad in Ye Olde Dungeone and Dragone Armoure, complete with black bat motif. Very "Batman goes to the Renaissance Faire." The special effects are redeemed somewhat with a dazzling Dawn Treader, creepy Sea Serpent, and a centaur that still looks better than "Harry Potter's."

Barbara Kellerman still cackles and squeals, and Sophie Wilcox still whines all the time. But the two Caspian actors do an excellent job with their roles, both as a young naive boy and as an experienced king. David Thwaites is the breakout role here, taking Eustace from a whiny brat who gets under everyone's skin to a mature young man who thinks of others first.

Two stories in one -- the first rather flat, the second graced with some genuine chills and heartwarming moments. "Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader" has some serious flaws, but it's definitely worth watching.

Rather underated Narnia adaption - we loved it.......2005-12-16

I have just finished watching the 2nd BBC Narnia DVD with my son (9) and he loved this as much as the Lion & Witch. The few cartoon overlays in DawnTreader are far less annoying than in the earlier serial. Anyway the makeup for the Narnian animals is so superb throughout the Chronicles of Narnia, and all the sets are so well made, imaginative and varied, that's really a minor quibble. The cast and children are excellent throughout - nasty cousin 'Eustace' shines in this series, and young Prince Caspian is a very dashing lead. Eustace and Prince Caspian return in the final BBC Narnia adaption 'The Silver Chair'. DVD picture quality, sound and the special effects are quite good on this DVD, although the picture colour is a little light.

This series has two of C S Lewis's books combined, Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The two stories logically follow on from each other. As a child I loved the DawnTreader book and this is a very faithful adaption. It captures the magic of a distance sea voyage to far off fantastic lands - and beyond where there be dragons and much else besides. The dragon sequences are particularly well done. Note though that this Region 2 DVD set has all six episodes shown in their entirety as Aunty intended, each with the great intro, music and credits, unlike on the US region one DVD where the serials were edited and cut into two 'feature films' (somewhat badly affecting pace). Serialisation allows proper use of the scripted 'cliffhanger' and means your children can watch one a two episodes before bedtime.

The BBC Chronicles of Narnia series of DVD's, first screened from 1988 to 1990, are superb value and highly recommended for anyone with preteen children, probably from 4 up. The only reason not to buy this DVD is that the four DVD BBC set 'The Narnia Chronicles' is even better value as it includes the complete three seasons: The Lion & Witch, Caspian & DawnTreader, and the Silver Chair (another twelve episodes - 6 hours), plus many extras. Check out other brilliant BBC DVD serialisations like 'The Borrowers', 'Five children and it' and 'The box of Delights' which are actually quite sympathetic with the Narnia stories, so when you get the groans from the kids that there's no more Narnia DVD's to watch, turn to these instead.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader [1989] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Average customer rating:

The Chronicles of Narnia just keep getting better!
Another Exciting Tale From Narnia! Not to be missed!
lovely
Wonderfully made adaption of a wonderful book!

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader [1989] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Starring: Jonathan R. Scott , Richard Dempsey , Sophie Wilcox , Sophie Cook , and David Thwaites
Director: Alex Kirby
Manufacturer: Homevision
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000H7J9NK
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Customer Reviews:

The Chronicles of Narnia just keep getting better!.......2002-03-20

Ever wondered what lay beyond Narnian-land? If you have then you must watch this Classic! Share in the excitement as Lucy and Edmund get plunged into another adventure aboard the Dawn Treader. Meeting up with their old Friend Prince Caspian again, and together with their extremely annoying cousin Eustace they join Caspian in his quest to find Seven missing Lords. This tale is true to form and very exciting. Full of toe curling dangers and nail biting clashes with Narnian Wildlife! This is a must see film, especially if you have seen the other Chronicles. Oh and try not to laugh when Eustace gets taught a rather valuable lesson!!!!
Enjoy.......!!!!

Another Exciting Tale From Narnia! Not to be missed!.......2002-03-20

This Narnia Chronical is just as Magical as the others. Full of excitement and adventure. Narnia is a very different place now, under King Miraz's cruel rule, there are no talking beasts, fauns, dwarfs, dryads or nyads, and no talk of Aslan the Lion. Prince Caspian, with the help of his guide have to escape in order to save himself from being killed by his Uncle, King Miraz. Will Caspian learn the the Old magic of Narnia does still exsist, along with talking beasts? Will he be able to call back the High King Peter, Susan Edmund and Lucy from our world? And will he find Aslan the Lion? There's only one way to find out!

lovely.......2001-09-19

I remember loving Voyage of the Dawn Treader when i was younger but hadn't seen it again until today and i still love it. You'll have to try and ignore the tacky special effects and just appreciate it as a great fairy tale.

It really had me gripped throughout, the story is terrific and therein lies the reason you can ignore its dated look. The whole series is well worth the money and it will last for generations.

I love Aslan, he's great.

Wonderfully made adaption of a wonderful book!.......2000-09-26

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader...A voyage to unknown regions, far away on the Eastern Sea... The BBC team responsible for the adaption of the third book in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia have captured the sense of adventure of the book perfectly.

The Dawn Treader is a real ship, with a dragon's head on front, and it sails the real sea. British isles with their familiar rugged coasts seem like far away mysterious islands, inhabited by dwarfs and dragons. You almost believe that you are actually there. The art direction department did a great job in creating the wonderful costumes, too.

But a special nod goes to 3'4'' actor Warwick Davis, who performs Reepicheep, the heroic mouse, to the standard of perfection. Reepicheep already was one of my favourite characters in the books; he now is my favourite on screen.

Customer Reviews:

The Chronicles of Narnia just keep getting better!.......2002-03-20

Another Exciting Tale From Narnia! Not to be missed!.......2002-03-20

lovely.......2001-09-19

It really had me gripped throughout, the story is terrific and therein lies the reason you can ignore its dated look. The whole series is well worth the money and it will last for generations.

I love Aslan, he's great.

Wonderfully made adaption of a wonderful book!.......2000-09-26

All in all one of the best television productions I have ever seen.

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