Narnia ~ Part 1 ~ The World Premiere Event
[ Dateline: London, England ] A very vivid imagination! That's what Lucy was accused of after her first visit through the wardrobe in the spare room, past the rows and rows of big, old, fur coats, and across crunching snow and sharp pine needles, to the lamp post. It was there that she met . . . Oh, but you already know this story. It is the first book (*) in C. S. Lewis’s magical series, The Chronicles of Narnia. I have now been to Narnia and I have met all those characters that I was first introduced to in the book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, more than four decades ago.
I finally met them all this evening, along with HRH Charles, The Prince of Wales, and many others. No I did not actually meet bonnie Prince Charlie, he was there in Narnia with me and he also met Professor Kirke, Mrs. MacCready, Mr. Tumnus, and . . . everyone. We were all together in the Royal Albert Hall in London, that had been transformed into a palace of ice with a cool blue carpet replacing the tradition red carpet of movie premieres. This was the World Premiere of Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media’s production of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
It was as celebrity-filled an event as anything Hollywood has held recently. Here’s who we saw: Annie Lennox (of the Eurythmics and great solo tunes as well), Roger (James Bond) Moore, Cliff Richard (enormous British rock/pop legend), and Sharon (“Mrs. Ozzie”) Osborne, and most of the Narnia cast. Noticeably absent was Liam Neesan, the voice of Aslan. Seated directly in front of me, Brian May, lead guitarist for Queen. So much big curly hair in Stall H, rows 9 and 10.
The Royal Albert Hall is a huge circular arena that, for concerts, seats 7,000. Tonight (7 December 2005), it was fitted out with an enormous movie screen to accommodate the Super 35mm Panavison images that Don McAlpine, DoP, shot in New Zealand and Poland. Early in the evening--for more than an hour before the film began, we were treated to the familiar celebrity arrival moments out front on Narnia’s ice blue carpet. But rather than hearing runway interviews and “who are you wearing” palaver, there was a British entertainment announcer telling us what and who we were seeing. These live sequences were in a more traditional 16x9 TV format that grew to the ultra-wide format of 2.4 x 1--very wide--for the movie. They had also tricked out the old oval (272’ x 238’ x 135’ high) domed hall with a surround sound installation to rival the most high tech cinema. Opened in 1871, the Royal Albert is not a sporting arena with plastic seats and sky boxes, this is crushed velvet, curtained “Stalls” with plush arm chairs, marble and terra cotta grand hall. Our seats actually swiveled so that we could turn our whole body toward the screen--avoiding a stiff neck during Narnia’s 2:3o plus running time. (Note to early movie leavers: Don’t! The story isn’t finished when the end credits begin to role, and I ain’t talking cute out takes of Aslan choking on one of his big roars. Sit tight, oh, rude and inpatient ones. You came for the movie, stay for the whole movie. The closing music is new and great as well.)
Our souvenirs from the event include: our fancy, tri-fold, full color ticket envelopes, and the thick and lavish 63 page program book with small pictures from the film and way-too much text in a size too small to read in the Royal Albert’s dramatic lighting. The last page of this elegant program book is an index of the twenty-five advertising pages with easy-to-find page numbers listed. They would be easy-to-find had the program’s design team actually put numbers on the pages...there were none. (Note to brochure, magazine, annual report, program designers everywhere: bigger pictures, less text, larger point size.) The endless, tiny text (10 pt. and smaller throughout) and few, too-small photos mostly likely accounts for the endless number of the programs left behind on seats and floor by premiere attendees. My vacation companion is film maker and friend MaxPaul Franklin--head of IMS Productions in Colorado Springs. (www.imsproductions.com)
The Best part of the Narnia world premiere was, of course, the film. As the credits began to role, the applause was thunderous and would have continued for several minutes more, but the story on film continues, for a bit. Then there were lots more credits and a second wave of applause. As I wandered the crowded halls to catch snippets of post-premiere conversation every child’s voice I heard was effusive. More than one said, “I want to see it again.” There were loads of kids in attendance. Adults too were expressing their delight. “I enjoyed it very much.” One woman said as though she was surprised just how much she liked. “Yes” said a man near her. “Really terrific.” Virtually every comment I caught was positive to gushing. This was a “Strictly black tie” event--I wore a tie-it-yourself bright red tie and black linen shirt with my tux.--All topped off with my Australian (purchased in Canada) big, brown, 5X beaver, cowboy hat. It’s warm and keeps my head dry in these rainy nights.
I will see Narnia again--soon.
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Next ~ Narnia Reviewed (Part 2 of my three part Narnia series)
...you did enjoy the time for us, too, didn't you? Sure thought a lot about the folks, including you two, I knew who were there. Already heard from Doug this AM. Am eager for more...soon.
Posted by: wes | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 01:12 PM
We are the luckiest people in the world to have a man in Narnia!
especially a McNair fellow...
WOW
thank you, i enjoyed every delicious morsel and syllable
sending you love~
Posted by: susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 06:27 PM
...well, I was going to see the movie. I knew that already. It sounds like I will be calendering multiple viewings! Nice to see you back on the "post"!
Posted by: Scott | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 07:06 PM
Saw the movie today. YS asked me to write up a ditty on it for the website. Three children in my theater had to be taken out by mommies. There was a kid in my row who either had the soda with its own tide, or a bladder problem. (four trips across my feet).
BUT
I liked it.
I remember hearing Mike Yaconelli once rant about the Episcopal Church's LION video series and how horrible he thought THAT Aslan was.
I think he'd be happy with this one.
Posted by: steve | Friday, 09 December 2005 at 08:55 PM