Such a frustrating disappointment

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

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!

When I was in 7th grade, we watched this. I thought it was pretty good. Then, when I watched the new version, I thought that it was very good. Now, about 8 years later, I watched the original version. It is no where near as good as the new version. For one thing, the special effects were horrible. None of the animals looked real. Also, the actors were horrible. The actors also looked like they were all about the same age. In the new version, you can tell easily that they are none the actors are the same age. It's one of those movies that only people who watched in when they were young and have fond memories of it, will like.

This version of the chronicles of Narnia was a TV series that was produced by the BBC and aired on television around Christmas 1988. It was directed by Marilyn Fox and produced by Paul Stone.Although the effects are not as good as they look considering most of the special effects were made from animation, there are times where the children fly which was most impressing at the time especially for BBc productions. Although this version was classed as a series it was later put together to be known as a 2 hour long film and was put onto video cassette classed as a film, however later DVD releases of the production were separated back out as as a TV series and the DVD contained it all but in episodes as a series. It won the BAFTA Award for "Best Video Lighting" in 1988. In the snow scenes the children were so cold that even the boys wore tights under their sorts and socks and they wore hot water bottles and teabags apparently?The witches costume was made from pure nylon and on a TV breakfast show Barbara Kellerman who played the witch actually said that the beautiful coat she wore was actually made from pure nylon and that she was absolutely freezing during her performance, but she still managed to uphold a fantastic performance as the wicked white witch.After the lion ,the witch and the wardrobe BBC released from 1989-1990 the next narnia stories including prince Caspian,the voyage of the dawn treader and the silver chair.Actors and acteress' who appeared in more than one narnia were mainly Ronald Pickup who played the voice of Aslan in all 4, Ailsa Berk and William Todd Jones who play in all 4 the body of Aslan and Barbara Kellerman who played the white witch,the hag in prince Caspian and the lady of the green kirtle in the silver chair.Although there has been many video releases of this version classed as a film , this version of the lion,the witch and the wardrobe will always be a TV series by BBC television!!

I have very fond memories of this adaption of C.S Lewis' masterpiece. I used to have the VHS which I viewed on many occasions and earlier this year I upgraded to the DVD.The reason for my fondness for this version is that it retains the gentleness and the magic of the novel. Something that the 2005 Disney version lacks, they just turned into another Lord of the RIngs type Epic.Everything about it is perfect, the soundtrack, story and everything else. I will say this though, if you watch things solely for the special effects you will probably be left with an empty feeling.So if you are a lover of C.S Lewis's classic work choose this as it retains the essence of the novel.