The lion, the witch and the evangelicals

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will not only be doing battle at the box-office but also for the souls of mankind, according to an article published in the Guardian. US groups such as Catholic Outreach and the National Association of Evangelicals intend to use the film – and its projected sequels – as a preaching tool to reach the masses, due to its overtly Christian themes and symbolism. Bill Pullman, acclaimed fantasy author and vocal critic of Narnia’s creator, C.S Lewis, describes the popular series as “a peevish blend of racist, misogynistic and reactionary prejudice; but of love, of Christian charity, [there is] not a trace.” Disney’s marketing campaign for the first Narnia instalment – filmed in NZ by Kiwi Andrew Adamson – is one of the biggest in recent cinema history.