LETTERS OF NOTE: Why Narnia Won't Work on TV

Today's Bank Holiday Letter of Note concerns C. S. Lewis and his views on adaptations of his Narnia series.

In a letter to BBC producer Frank Sieveking, he praises the recent radio adaptation of The Magician's Nephew, only to express his adamant opposition to any form of TV adaptation. He makes an interesting point about how narrative creations or characters can often become ridiculous when the reader's unique imagination is replaced by a standardised, universal version that comes with a visual medium.

The text of Lewis' letter can be found here. One wonders what he would have made of the "digital pantomimes" present in the recent adaptations.

Daniel