When it comes to ‘Narnia,’ will viewers get it?

http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/movies/stories/MYSA120905.01A.narnia.1d1423ba.html http://tinyurl.com/eyp5w

Web Posted: 12/09/2005 12:00 AM CST

Amy Dorsett

Express-News Staff Writer

Hollywood once is again betting big bucks that the viewing public will have a little faith.

With the anticipated-to-be-a-blockbuster “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” opening today, audiences are expected to flock to multiplexes across the country to see C.S. Lewis’ classic book brought to life on the big screen.

What those masses may or may not know, however, is that what they’re watching is more than a fantasy about four children discovering a magical winter wonderland by entering a massive armoire.

The story is an allegory, according to Lewis scholars, of the life and death of Jesus.

Michael Crocker, an associate pastor at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, has based a five-series sermon on “Narnia,” and the church hosted a sneak peek of the movie Thursday night, filling two theaters at the Alamo Quarry cinema with about 500 people.

Crocker, who preaches at the church’s contemporary services called New Heights, said he became engrossed by the Lewis books as a boy, though at the time he missed the symbolism.

“It really drew me in – what kid doesn’t like to hear about talking animals and battles? It was cool, but I didn’t understand it like I do now,” he said. “It’s a great story. As I was listening to it through the ears of a believer and a pastor, I thought people needed to hear this story.”

Crocker said that in the Bible, Jesus told stories in ways people understood, which is what Lewis was trying to do with “Narnia,” published as a children’s book in 1950.

“We’re trying to speak in a relevant message,” he said. “It lays out the story of redemption, it’s Christ sacrificing himself for the sake of us.”

Unlike Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” though, Narnia is more of a mainstream movie filled with subtle symbolism.

Craig Taliaferro said that he enjoyed the movie but the references to the story of Jesus were nuanced and not obvious.

“There’s some of that but I don’t think it would be the first thing that would come to mind,” he said. “It’s a good story.”

In the story, four siblings are sent from their home in London because of World War II air raids to live with a professor. Soon after arriving, the youngest discovers the secret world of Narnia while exploring a wardrobe, or armoire, and brings the three others to see the land that is stuck in perpetual winter where Christmas never comes.

According to Crocker, Lucy represents the apostle John, Edmund represents Paul and Peter represents Peter. He hasn’t quite figured out whom the fourth child represents.

Edmund is tempted to follow the White Witch, symbolic of the devil, after she plies him with Turkish delight candies. He should be killed for his actions, but Aslan the lion, in the place of Jesus, gives his life instead and is resurrected.

Crocker knows not all who see the film will understand or believe its symbolism, but he thinks it could plant a seed.

“You might go in there and miss the element about Jesus, but who’s to say that your imagination won’t be opened up to hear a story about Jesus?” he said.

Jeanie Wehmeyer said that she hopes the movie may spark Christianity in some.

“I hope they’ll see the beautiful symbolism,” she said. “I think even the non-believer knows the story of Jesus. They may not always believe it but I hope this will open their eyes.”

Disney, which reportedly spent $180 million on the adaptation, shrewdly wooed churches with the movie before its general release in theaters. Across the country, countless churches hosted viewings of the film Thursday night.

Crocker said he doesn’t doubt Hollywood executives have motivations beyond benevolence for making the film, but that doesn’t keep him from embracing movies. And this isn’t the first time Crocker’s used Tinsel Town as a basis for sermons. He also preached a series on “The Lord of the Rings” films, based on books by J.R.R. Tolkien, who was close friends with Lewis.

“I honestly think it’s about money,” he said. “Gibson took a huge leap of faith, yet it made a lot of money. It seems to me that if Hollywood found something that works, you see a slew of movies in that vein.”

“I don’t think Hollywood really wants to tell the story of Jesus Christ. That’s not their goal.”

And Crocker knows some won’t agree with churches’ encouraging movie attendance.

“There are people out there, people in our church, who will say ‘I can’t believe they’re pushing Hollywood,’ but I believe this is where God is calling us,” he said. “Bringing people to God is important. How we get them there isn’t as important.”

Crocker encouraged members to attend Thursday’s movie gathering and to buy tickets for those who aren’t active in a church. Mike Sims, a freelance artist, and his wife brought along two friends who are Christian but who aren’t now in a church home.

“Hollywood often misses the boat in supporting our beliefs and it’s good to see, on some level, they’re interested,” he said. “So many movies these days are filled with tragedy and violence, and it affects me when I leave the theater. I’d like to be uplifted and grab hold of hope.”