The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a motion picture that represents and demonstrates the elements of drama, such as mood and symbols, place and time, and focus. In particular, one scene from this movie is selected to be analyzed, in regards to the elements. The movie is directed by Andrew Adamson who has worked in the visual effects and animation industry for movies such as Batman Forever and Batman and Robin. Adamson's debut in the directing division was in the year 2001, for the animated sensation Shrek.
The element of mood and symbols displayed in The Chronicles of Narnia adds to the plot and action of the movie. The scene begins and the blue sky filled with clouds, provides the perfect setting and suspenseful mood together with the howling of wolves and sad, haunting music. In this very moment, the viewer is still unsure of what will happen, but has a clue that something has to happen. Edmund steps over the wolf statue and he is caught unawares. The statue turns out to be a real wolf and he soon realizes this along with the viewers. Edmund enters the castle leaded by Maugrim (a wolf), who is the Head of the Secret Police, and not long after, the Witch catches him by surprise as he sits in her throne. She gets angry, when she discovers that Edmund did not do what he was told to do and her voice changes from calm and soothing, to booming and frightful. Symbols in this scene include the crown that the White Witch wears, representing power: winter setting, which is the result of the Witch's ruling over Narnia and Edmund sitting in the throne, as his future role as a king of Narnia.
Place and time is not as clearly defined in the specific scene, as the other elements of drama. The setting for this movie is Narnia is a mystical, enchanted place ruled by Aslan, a courageous and kind-hearted lion. In this amazing place, animals can talk and there are fauns and other half-human half-creature inhabitants roaming about. Narnia is filled with snow and icecaps, because ever since the Witch began her reign, there was no other season, but winter. Edmund enters the Witch's palace and he is greeted by an entirely different array of colors and textures. In front of him is the Witch's throne, which looks and feels like velvet. The castle has high ceilings and is adorned with statues of creatures the Witch froze.
In the scene, the focus is mainly on important characters/ surroundings in Narnia. When Edmund is approaching the castle and Maugrim attacks him, near the entrance, the camera is drawn to the sudden tension between him and Edmund. When the wolf leaves Edmund alone, as Edmund walks up the stairs leading to the entrance of the castle, the focus is on the castle itself, and this is because the castle plays an important role in the story. The statues placed near, are also in focus, and this is because they prove just how powerful and merciless the Witch is. Edmund finally enters the castle and he is drawn to the throne as if it is of importance. Later in the scene, when the Witch yells at Edmund, the camera is drawn to the Witch's face. The focus plays a very important part in this scene as it helps the audience understand what is happening and adds to the suspension.
The elements of drama are successfully represented and demonstrated in this scene, and in the whole movie. The Chronicles of Narnia- The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, is an imaginative and unique movie that involves the audience in the story and puts the viewer on the edge of their seat, in every moment.
