The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is out on DVD as of April 26, 2006, and the wait was worth every second! There are so many levels of viewing this film from the story by C.S. Lewis.

Set in the time period of WWII during the London bombing we first see the 4 children - Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter Pevensie being sent to the large home of an elderly professor in rural England.

And that is where reality as we know it steps into the world of imagination. Lucy, at first, (and who plays the foremost role of the children) literally falls into the land of Narnia through the upstairs wardrobe while playing hide and seek in the big house with her siblings.

Eventually in Narnia, we and the other siblings meet the main players in this beautiful and captivating land. Think of the winter and spring scenery you'd like to see most, and this is how Narnia appears.

The filming was done all over the world and the effort put into the background and many humanized animals certainly keeps us and the children amazed. My husband who viewed the DVD with me agreed the animals look real.

Now, I have to tell you a little secret - we were previewing it before giving it to a nephew for a birthday present, but after the movie my husband said to me, "Do you think it is suitable for Mike?" I was surprised and said, "It is one of the best movies I've seen," and then I realized my husband probably wanted to keep the movie, which is just what he then admitted. We want to watch it again and again! In fact, on a second viewing I noticed more of the symbolism bringing the plot together.

The issues coming up in the children's adventures in Narnia, mainly with King Aslan, and wicked White Witch Jadis, let us follow along to see how values we hold dear do win out in the end - I don't want to give the specifics away!

The movie has some violence, but because all comes right and just in the end, I'd recommend it for school age children. I feel the values discussed and played out make it a teaching tool for all children, regardless of ability, during their formative years.

I was sorry when the story ended (or did it)!

Highest recommendation! And recommended, too, to view the fun features of interesting facts about C.S. Lewis, and how he was inspired to write this adventure.

Details - 134 minutes; Walt Disney Video; April 4, 2006; Director - Andrew Adamson; starring Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Tilda Swinton, and the voice of Liam Neeson as Aslan; ASIN: B00005JO1X

Available from Amazon.com

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe on DVD

Review by Susan Kramer