This is technically fantasy rather than sci-fi...

I read The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe as a kid, and I've forgotten most of it. Watching the movie last night I was struck by the un-PC attitude towards the male characters. One of the boys is shown missing his soldier father (WWII), and this seems to be the recurring theme: the lost or missing father. Aslan the good king has been away, and the wicked White Witch has been making life miserable. The generosity and compassion of Aslan and the Professor are stressed, while the female housekeeper and White Witch are portrayed as mean and violent.

Maybe I missed something, but this seems to be a MRM-friendly flick. Does anyone know if C.S. Lewis was anti-feminist?

I know he belonged to a men only club of 4 or 5 writers which included J.R.R. Tolkien

I know that C. S. Lewis was a committed Christian, and that Chronicles of Narnia had subliminal Christian overtones.

Yes, he seems to have been a life-long bachelor until his late marriage to an American divorcee. I enjoyed the movie "Shadowlands", which is about this relationship.

Annette, there are certainly Christian elements in the Narnia stories. Lewis blends Celtic and classical mythological elements with New Testament themes.
There's a lovely medieval flavour to the movie.

I read somewhere that he based the children on his neices and nephews who he spent a lot of time with.

There is an interesting theme introduced in the character presentation as well - don't judge a book by its cover. The Ice Queen appears to be sweet and kind to the younger brother at first, offering him chocolate treats and other rewards. At first glance, she might seem gentile and kind. Behind the mask of a smile though, lurks something entirely different.

Aslan, the male character on the other hand, is initially frightening to behold. Imagine the children coming across a massive male lion with giant fangs versus a beautiful young lady, dressed in royal finery. The images are stark contrasts of one another and yet the characters are stark contrasts to the image they initially portray as well.

Alsan, like the males in our society, is seen as a terrifying brute, however, nothing could be further from the truth - he is kind, and gentle with a keen interest in the welfare of the children. Conversely, the Ice Queen appears an inviting and caring creature, when in fact she would like the children's heads served up on a plate - preferably cold.

This society mirrors this movie strongly in its depiction of men and women, especially in regards to child custody, where men are seen as abusive and unpredictable and women as caring and nurturing. The statistics paint a different picture with women comitting the vast majority of child abuse. Often times that sweet innocent face we see in child custody battles is twisted into a snarl in the home front where kids are battered and abused. Likewise, the father is painted as a horrible monster in the court room, when in fact he loves his children more than life itself. (again a telling comment, but I won't elaborate further lest I spoil the movie for those who haven't seen it.)

It is a heart-warming film, which serves as a testament to courage and sacrifice and a must see for the remnants of traditional families, wherever they might be.

An excellent interpretation of the imagery TSP!

For hundreds of years "Fairy Stories" (and C.S. Lewis was faithful to the genre) performed a useful function.

Women learned that male sexuality might seem fearsome when they are young but is vital to their development.
Frogs can turn into Princes.

Men learned that they needed women to become responsible citizens. Frogs can turn into Princes.

These days it's better for men to remain a frog. Back to the pond lads! The water is warm. Last one in is a wuss!!

The other Narnia books are just as good if not better than the Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe. All of his Narnia books make great lessons it one is willing to look for the messages.

I love mythology and fairy tales for just that reason. They carry ancient wisdom that our forebears deemed worthy to impart to their children via fables.

Agreed, good Knight. Narnia was the last book I read to my two daughters at night times before moving out of the family home. In fact, after I'd left - I continued reading to them. I'd go around at the bedtime, and read them that. Making me the last person they'd seen that day. It was a great time.

I grew up with the books and the BBC adaptations. Certainly a big part of my childhood