I was 7 when this film came on television so I was able to watch it when it first aired. I recall falling deeply in love with this fantasy story as a child and was given the entire 7 book collection as a gift. Needless to say, I read the entire collection because of my love for this made-for-TV Movie. I do not personally have the books but the are still in the family.This old TV film is a good watch but I will admit that it is not perfect yet it is a good classic TV film for kids and adults alike.If you liked the older animated dramas like "The Hobbit (TV Movie 1977)", "The Black Cauldron", "The Secret of NIMH" or "The Last Unicorn" then you might like this TV movie classic The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe (1979).9/10

In the 1979 rendition of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," details normally overlooked by today's movie makers are masterfully transfered to film. C. S. Lewis's intricate dialog is flawlessly adapted with wonderful voice actors and added to greatly by Michael J. Lewis's gorgeous score. At a time before computer effects, The music played a key role in making the story come to life. Unfortunately, the new live action version greatly suffered an unmemorable score. Another advantage of the 1979 is that it, unlike the Disney version isn't another horrible attempt to copy Peter Jackson's rendition of "The Lord of the Rings." This one follows the book, doesn't concede to today's tasteless standards, and has perfectly appropriate music.

If you appreciate the Narnia books, you should find a way to see this movie. Though very stylized, it is a solid adaptation of the classic story.In fact, this movie is only genuinely unfaithful to the book in one (inexplicable!) place: the "Father Christmas" scene is mostly omitted. Maybe they didn't have a clear idea of the look they should go for with him, who knows? At least they cover it well, later in the movie.Special note must be given to the sound in this film: the voice work (at least in the English version!) is quite good, with the exception of Lucy's crying, which is really, really terrible. And definitely pay attention to the musical score--it is one of the best I've ever heard in an animated film.If you can find it, give it a watch you won't be disappointed.

This cartoon has impressive credentials. It is a co-production of Bill Melendez (Charlie Brown) and the Children's Television Workshop (Sesame Street and The Electric Company).It is simply and economically animated. The draughtsmanship may be rudimentary, but that is not a serious drawback. The music is very good. The humiliation, death, resurrection, and ascension of Aslan, the lion, are handled movingly. The parallels with Christ are clear.This is the first novel, in publication order, in C.S. Lewis's Narnia series. The books have most recently been reissued in internal chronological order, according to the author's posthumous wishes. Franz Kafka's posthumous wish to have all of his works destroyed was ignored by his literary executor, Max Brod. If only Lewis's nonsensical request had also been ignored. This book unfortunately and regrettably now appears as Volume 2 in the current series.I recently saw this programme in French, not English, under the title "Le lion, la sorcière et l'armoire". If there was a shortcoming to the French version, it was in the actor cast to portray Aslan. His voice was too gruff and did not have the majesty necessary for a Messiah, as English-language Aslans can normally be counted upon to have.The excellent live-action BBC series from 1988 based on the Narnia books improves even on this praiseworthy cartoon.