I revisited yet another adaptation of Narnia that I watched as a kid and back then I actually loved it, I mean when I saw the remake by Disney, while I also liked that I thought "What? They already have this!" but... Not to hate on this movie but looking back, I prefer the Disney version.The plot, 4 children are taken into the country in World War 2 away from London, there they go to the house of a professor and when one thing leads to another the youngest, Lucy finds a magical world inside a wardrobe but the magical world is under the tyranny of a Witch that has made the world always freezing with snow and no matter how much time is spent there, only a few seconds will go past. Once she tells them all about this they don't believe her but soon they find it under other circumstances and must rise up against the White Witch.Okay my problems, for one Barbara Kellerman. In the Silver Chair I thought she was bad but passable but HERE... Every note she hits is loud and over the top evil. She's supposed to talk Edmund into betraying his family by getting him to prefer her with sweets and offering him the position of the royal heir but when she shouts, erratically gasps and acts completely insane - the scene comes off as hilarious the first time you're watching it.What else? As I may have already brought up the effects don't really hold up, stuff like the Beavers and when there are other people pretending to be animals (except Aslan, that effect does hold up even if they make no effort to lip synch it) it really shows the limitations they had and how it doesn't really work. Because when I think Beavers I think 6 foot tall people wearing obvious prosthetics and clearly rubber gloves. That and being that around about half of it is set in woods I think the sets, while they're okay I don't buy they're in a fantasy world after the woods. With that said some do stand out as being good like the Witch's castle, Tumnus' house and the beaver's hut. Mainly my problems are stuff like Care Paravel (I haven't read the books so I don't know if I spelled that right, if I read the books and it's wrong then it will change).Now onto what I liked. I enjoyed the story, even in some areas improving on the Disney version such as playing out Aslan's sacrifice as a complete gamble, even talking out battle plans with Peter to give them the best chance of winning, and as I said for the budget, Aslan looks pretty damn good and I don't have a problem with the actors all that much, aside from the one I mentioned But easily my favourite performance in the thing goes to The Professor. I want to know his story, he clearly knows about Narnia in this version in the sense of convincing the other kids that Lucy is telling the truth and saying he was once a King there as well, I wish he had more screen time as well. I also liked the 2D animation. It gives it it's own style that I think existed before the days of CGI.So in terms of watching it... I'd say it has more then it's fair share of problems but I'd say it can be worth it. As I said I do like the story and while I may be seen as unfair to the effects and sets I acknowledge there are some that are really good. I'd say it is worth it to fans of the source material and as a kid this was harmless. So I'd say while I didn't really like it, I can see why some people do.

Ah, Narnia... Just mentioning the name of this enchanted land sends a soothing cool breeze over your face. Opening this masterpiece series of children's literature is always a delight. So, the book was begging to be put on the big and small screen. I had seen this 1988 television adaptation when I was very young and just now bought the DVD copy at a flea market. I remembered having a good experience watching it as a child, and was glad I got to see it again. While primitive in its production values compared to modern films and television, this show is as good as the recent film adaptation was not. Yes, there is some mediocre acting (especially the actress playing the white witch -- a lesson in overacting if ever I've seen one, although her performance will probably send chills down children's spines), but there is also some very good acting, especially on the part of the children and Mr. Tumnus. I suppose playing the witch convincingly must be challenging, as even the fabulous Tilda Swinton couldn't do a convincing job of being intimidating in the recent film version. But where the video is rough around the edges, it excels in tone. The movie version although loaded with state of the art effects, did little to capture the whimsy and fancy of the novel. Indeed, it felt more like an adult action film marketed to children. And it took itself so seriously!. There is a light touch carried all throughout this 1988 television version. The music is just right, the actors have a certain delight on the set pieces that makes their performances all the more charming, and the pacing is nice and slow, taking its time to let you soak in the world of Narnia. Though that very same quality may be lost on the new generation accustomed to fast paced slam action effects and hollow story lines, it will still surely charm youngsters. It is a good family TV series and highly recommended for rainy day viewing. You do feel like you are taken to a new world, even with the low budget. Enjoy!

This BBC Production is one that i have truly fond memories of watching,when i was a child. It is still i believe to be the Best production of C S Lewis's book that exists today. (dare i say better than the new film ) This now classic version will still enchant young people and adults alike for many more years to come. Barbara Kellerman a fine actress.Plays the white witch just as i imagined her to be in the book.And i find the over all innocence of the film all the more endearing. The special effects are indeed special (considering the fact that this was a fairly low budget production) However there is nothing cheap about this production.All in all,this is a great series well worth the watch! The story is a moral and good one,that encourages friendship and loyalty. and is also one of those films that as one watches one is filed with excitement and the desire to go on a great adventure. And so to conclude,i would say this is a remarkable film. which still looks pretty good. if you are willing to over look the fact that the story comes before the special effects. I am sure it will continue to inspire many for years to come.

It is hard to express just how magical this series seemed when it first aired. It held the nation enthralled.The animation and special effects that some reviewers have condemned as hokey really seemed utterly amazing to a me as a seven year old child. Part of that is obviously my naivety, although I was the target audience so it was fair for the BBC to assume that of the viewers. However special effects at the time were far less advanced and less common than now. The skeletons in Jason and the Argonauts don't rate by today's standards but were pretty amazing at the time and this should be viewed in a similar light.I actually think this is more effective in capturing the spirit of Narnia as a fantasy land if you are prepared to enter into that spirit of fantasy than the more recent big budget film that attempts to leverage in a photo-realism that, I think, didn't quite come off.I should also mention that the acting is really lovely across the board and the witch terrified a generation!This was sort of the Doctor Who of its time: The whole family sat down together to watch it at teatime; We were wowed by the TV budget special effects; The BBC props department had one of its finest hours; and all the kids hid behind the sofa terrified of the witch!