Episode 73: ‘Dawn Treader’ Film Analysis, Part 1

Running time: 36:15

It is time to do what NarniaWebbers do best: Nit-pick! Beginning with this episode, the podcasters will go through The Voyage of the Dawn Treader film chronologically and share their thoughts. Rilian, Warrior, GymFan, and GlumPuddle start off by talking about the first few scenes. Further up and further in!
(For our Prince Caspian analysis, see episodes 33-42)

90 Responses

  1. GlimGlum says:

    Analysis paralysis has begun! 😀 Can't wait for Part 14: Arrival on board the Dawn Treader. 😮

    Just kidding. Good to hear your different perspectives (and accents too). 🙂

  2. coracle says:

    They wisely didn't invent extra material of what Peter was doing in America, after removing the book material that he was being tutored at the now-poor Professor's little cottage.

  3. Not Of This World says:

    Does anyone else agree with me?

  4. Cyclops says:

    I'm Catholic, too. Glad to know that you and your family want to see it! I'm sure that the movie will be a big hit in Japan 🙂

  5. The Inscrutable Rutabaga says:

    LOL 😀

  6. High Queene Shelly Belly says:

    today's movies thrive on conflict, that's why they invent conflicts where there were none in the book, for dramatic effect. they are afraid bonding and cooperation would be deemed old fashioned and boring-

  7. High Queene Shelly Belly says:

    i do understand what you mean, certain times if someone rants endlessly it can be a real downer. I quess i am walking a fine line between wanting so badly a faithful adaptation, then being shocked that certain liberties were taken TOO far, then wanting to be able at least to enjoy what I can. I understand too that it's not good to be a TOTAL DOWNER and bum out every body on this board.

  8. High Queene Shelly Belly says:

    you make me chuckle- ha!

  9. Not Of This World says:

    Yeah. These movies are very special to me and it's just depressing to her it being bagged on.

  10. jagan says:

    ivel seen it 11 tims

  11. Not Of This World says:

    You've seen the movie 11 times!?!?! THAT'S AWESOME! Great job!!!!!

  12. Not Of This World says:

    LOL! 😀

  13. glumPuddle says:

    Hahahahaha. Yeah sorry about that! We're going to pick up the pace in the next one.

  14. sam says:

    Awesome! I wish I had the budget for that!

  15. HighQueenofNarnia says:

    Teeheehee!!! I personally would like to see Part 45: Dragon/Deathwater Island. 😉
    But, in all seriousness, there really ought to be some sort of abbreviated name for that combined island.

  16. QueenSusanJ316 says:

    I know this is a bit random, but I went to see it again the other day in 3d and took my mom this time. And whenever they were on the boat she got sick and like on the island did not. Did anyone else get seasick when they saw it in 3d?

  17. High Queene Shelly Belly says:

    @ANHUN, my sister recently went to eygpt and loved it, it's always been my dream too. now we are hooked on hibiscus tea!

  18. High Queene Shelly Belly says:

    me too, NOt of this world, cause I learned of narnia as an adult because of the movies, then read the books after PC> so, to me the characters in the books look like the movie actors, : )

  19. Well I see what you're saying, and I agree that to make time in the movie, you can't develop every character (one of the harsh, cruel facts of life). My question is: why couldn't they develop Caspain's character rather than the Pevensies' so much? Besides, the tantrum scene might have reminded everyone that we can't always have what we want, and we all have responsibilities. Yeah, he wasn't a huge success in PC, but you can always try to redeem characters, right?
    As a side note, the only character in LotR I was kind of disappointed they left out was Beregond. :'(

  20. High Queene Shelly Belly says:

    I wish everyone would stop using LOTR as the gold standard for fantasy movies. Maybe other directors would like to have a fresh take on their porjects, and being constantly compared to LOTR and HP must be very tiresome for them. As someone who has seen both those series and was completely unmoved by either, I am happy to report i am a full fledged Narnia addict because of the MOVIES. NARNIA ROOLS- LOTR DROOLS! and p!ss off, HP !

  21. High Queene Shelly Belly says:

    don't you dare! I loved the complete analysis! i was impressed by your thoroghness! ( I cannot spell that word!)

  22. High Queene Shelly Belly says:

    and how has your opinion changed now?

  23. Don't worry, Not Of This World, it's not really criticism, it's really just analysing. Sort of comparing the movie to the book and discussing every detail of it. It doesn't necessarily mean that anyone's complaining, in fact, I think that /most/ people here quite liked it. 😀

  24. Jared says:

    I think both Edmund and Caspian deserved more development in the movie. I can see why Edmund is so-called regressing in this one and challenges Caspian, since he is almost an adult now and feels helpless. Even though the book was spotty on characterization for everyone, I think the scene at the end where Caspian wants to enter Aslan's country could have been used in the movie and built upon throughout the movie. That Caspian is going on this "quest" as a way of avoiding settling down, because he's afraid he's an inadequate king, or maybe because he's desperately clinging on to the memory of his father. This nightmare should have been shown to Caspian on Dark Island; maybe a cameo from Miraz.

    Back to Edmund, I don't think his issues were resolved adequately in the movie. The White Witch appeared again, but I thought his rejection of her was stronger in PC than here.

    Even Lucy's development could have been built on, based on the part of the book where she wants to hear what her friends are saying about her. They could have included a snippet of this at the beginning of the movie, to show her insecurities.

    I think the adventure aspect of the movie was fine; character development would have made the movie into a deeper and more moving film.

  25. Not Of This World says:

    Exactly! And before VDT, I imagined Eustace with brown hair, very short, and a little bit of a raspy voice. Now when I hear or think of Eustace I imagine Will Poulter. I hope that happens with all the charecters in the next movies they make.

  26. Not Of This World says:

    I haven't heard of that happening before, but she must have thought the 3D was great! She must of thought she was really in Narnia 🙂

  27. Lucia says:

    Egypt…4 me,it's mysterious & facinating country!
    & Japan isn't bad place,but I want2 go2 UK in the future 2 act Aravis or other character in Narnia!!I'm sure i can't do it in my country**

  28. Bookwyrm says:

    And not only would they have saved money, they would not have had to cut so much from the film to make the 3D conversion cheaper.

  29. aileen says:

    I watched the movie 5 times and would have watched some more if not for my schedule. I would have wanted more from the movie but thinking of the time limit, I think it was good. I read the book and it was one of my fave and I was actually worried how they would bring everything from the book to hte movie an dI believe it worked out.