MovieChat Forums > The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1988) Discussion > NEW version Vs. BBC version (an actor by...

NEW version Vs. BBC version (an actor by actor comparison)

posted 18 years ago by Jalapeno_Fro
33 replies | jump to latest

First of all, let me stress that the BBC version was made in 1988, so I'm not going to compare its quaint effects to the estimated $180+ million budget of the new version. I'm going to compare the individual acting/performances and say which one I thought was better.

PETER: BBC. The actor was better and had a more authoritative and regal presence, something the oldest brother should defintely have.

EDMUND: New. He was an excellent actor because he did so much with his eyes and he was very believable as being a selfish, troubled young boy.

SUSAN: New. While I don't think she was an excellent actress, she at least gave the character some depth, something the BBC actress lacked.

LUCY: New. What can I say, she was good and she was adorable, though sometimes she looked happy when she was supposed to be sad. The BBC actress was a little annoying, though she did portray the naive side of her character very well.

WHITE WITCH/JADIS: BBC. This actress had a GIANT (maybe a little too giant?) and evil presence, she was more regal, and she was genuinely frightening when she needed to be, something that was lacking with the new actress.

MR. TUMNUS: BBC. He played the nervous and anxious side of his character brilliantly. I don't know how else to put it, but the new actor's performance was too 'modern.' His expressions and mannerisms seemed too familiar and modern, if that makes any sense.

ASLAN (voice): BBC. When he spoke, he had a calming yet authoritative tone, and his words sounded like they came from his depths, exactly how I imagine a lion would speak. As much as I like Liam Neeson, he sounded almost too gentle and kind.

MAUGRIM (voice): BBC. Yes, the wolf costume was corny, but his voice was scarier and much more wild and threatening than the New version.

MR. BEAVER (voice): New. He played Mr. Beaver's quirky side very well, while the BBC actor's portrayal was perhaps a little too whiny.

MRS. BEAVER (voice): BBC. She was funnier and more motherly than the New actress.

LITTLE MAN(bbc)/GINARRBRIK(new): BBC. In the credits, the two versions each gave the White Witch's right-hand dwarf a different name. The BBC actor had more authority and presence, while the New actor's character was more unpredictable (and therefore could be seen as slightly more threatening), he ultimately was more comical than he was scary.

THE PROFESSOR: BBC. The actor absolutely brilliantly played the character as a studious yet quirky old man. And even though The Professor has very little screen time, he gave his character depth, which I thought was lacking in the new version, who seemed to play his character as more of a confused/kooky old man.

MRS. MACREADY: New. Although the BBC actress perhaps played the character more realistically, the New actress made her more frightening, which is exactly how children would probably see her.

If you're keeping tally, that is 8-5 in favor of the BBC version. Now, you'll have to decide for yourself how important and crucial each specific character is to the story, but if you're comparing overall performaces, I think the BBC version is better (again, excluding visual effects).

Half a truth is often a great lie. -Benjamin Franklin

[–] floydthebarber 18 years ago

I agree on all of those.

[–] orange_peas 18 years ago

Peter - BBC, the new one just annoyed me to be honest. The way he held the sword was awful! And the one from the BBC LOOKED more like I pictured Peter from the books.

Edmund - both were very good, but again I'd have to say BBC. I didn't like how they made the new one so focused on his father's picture at the beginning, I didn't think Edmund was like that, he was far too much of a brat to care that deeply about his father's picture.

Susan - New, she wasn't brilliant as an actor, but like you said above, she did give the character more depth.

Lucy - Personally I prefer the BBC one. The new one was irritating and I just couldn't warm to her as a character. I know the BBC one looked nothing like the Lucy of the books, but at least she was someone I could warm to.

White Witch - Definitely BBC. She was much more frightening, terrifying actually! While I like Tilda Swinton, she wasn't scary enough and she reminded me too much of Galadriel in LOTR.

Mr Tumnus - I like them both equally. The BBC one was kind and loveable. The new one was quirky and sweet.

Aslan - Although I love Liam Neeson, I have to say the BBC one because I thought the CGI in the new one was terrible.

Maugrim - definitely the BBC one, he was so scary!!! And again, I didn't like the CGI of the new film.

Mr Beaver - BBC one. I did NOT like the cockney accent, so wrong.

Mrs Beaver - New one actually, I thought she was sweet.

Little Man - BBC one - he's got the right voice, and he was EVIL with that whip!

Professor Kirke - Both were equally good. There was more depth with the BBC version, but I love Jim Broadbent, and I think the Professor is meant to be a bit quirky and kooky.

Mrs Macready - probably the BBC version, just because I can't really remember the new one!

So thats 9 wholly for the BBC one, 2 wholly for the new one, and 2 equal.

I'm not a big fan of the new one at all, I am very faithful to the BBC version.

She says I'm obsessed, I say I'm in love...

[–] Dukerox6393 18 years ago

And what would you know about sword holding?

[–] Kingum2341 18 years ago

Peter: I liked them both. The old Peter did stay truer to the book. I did think the way the disney Peter held his sword was a bit....akward. But a big reason is because he was holding it with two hands. If it was a one handed sword it would have looked more....gallant.

Edmund: I can't say. I think from reading the books I pictured Edmund more like the BBC version. Whiny and spiteful. The new one was nasty too but also had a pity you felt for him that in the book you don't really feel. I also think the new Peter has more depth.

Lucy: I can't say. When I saw her as a little kid she seemed good for the role.The new Lucy is more adorable in a little child way.

Susan:I did like the new Susan certainly as much or more than the other one. I thought her yelling outbursts at Peter made her seem more excitable than the book who is generally calm in every situation. The BBC Susan is more like that.

WHITE WITCH/JADIS: I like the BBC White Witch. But I found the new one more frightening and scary in many ways. Perhaps it was her cruel and almost fixuated eyes which did it. The BBC version is scary in a dramatic way, but not excactly as evil feeling. Tilda brought a sensual aspect to the role which not out of character just differant.

ASLAN: BBC. I'm afraid I did like the old Aslan voice better. Maybe it was his almost wispering presence. It made him feel otherworldly all the time. The new Aslan felt authoritative, but not always as mysterious. I also thought the computer eyes were good and did help to have him walking and moving as a more wild lion. Just somehow the slow puppet seemed.....more like my childs imagination. Not just a magnificant, and allmost great general Lion as the new is played. Or was it just because I watched him as a child?

MR. TUMNUS: New. I guess he is just more charming and perhaps brings more of a faery aspect to his role as well? BBC Tummus is very suave and calculating, but a bit less simplistic and inquisitive as the new one. If you like him better thats fine, but somehow the new seems more like a faun.

MAUGRIM: NEW. I'm sorry, but while old Aslan felt very real as a puppet, that wolf never seemed that much like a wolf when I was little. Of course as a werewolf he is great. The new wolf feels and acts like a real wolf with a evil mind. More like I have pictured him. And I liked his voice, even though it maybe should have sounded more british maybe?

[–] straitjackit 18 years ago

Peter - BBC. I'm sorry, he seemed more normal and doesn't have the annoying fangirls. This alone makes him better, as well as seeming far more caring and adult than his film counterpart.

Edmund - BBC. Jonathan was such a brat! I think he really was fantastic in this and I'm afraid, while Skandar was alright, Jonathan is the one who won me over... Come on, he was a great little brat! I feel Skandar may have been a little too young...

Susan - New. She seemed to give the character more depth, as you said. Sorry Sophie!

Lucy - BBC. She was old enough to act well. I'm sure Georgie will be alright in the future, but I think she was too young, like Skandar.

White Witch - New. Tilda was far more devious than her BBC counterpart, for which I love her. She seemed more evil to me. Besides, I burst out laughing every time I saw Barbara. The outfit was just... funny for some reason!

Mr Tumnus - New. While a less true to the character of Tumnus, something about him seemed spot on. I think he was more genuine.

Aslan - BBC. Ailsa had more depth to him, he had that majestic thing going on (even if the lion itself was kinda tacky).

Maugrim - BBC. I'm sorry, the accent on his movie counterpart just got on my nerves. What was with that, was he supposed to be a bad American cop or what?

Mr Beaver - Both. The old one was true to the books, but I loved the accent on the new one.

Mrs Beaver - BBC. I loved how carefree and senile she was.

Little Man - BBC. Come on, he was so evil! And I don't associate him with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Professor Kirke - Both. Micheal had more depth, but Jim had the weird edge, as has already been said.

Mrs Macready - BBC. She was so mean, and stuck up! Plus her accent was bearable.

I must admit to being a bigger fan of the BBC drama, because it is far more accurate when considering the books. The film was just too rushed for me.

[–] heidicls 18 years ago

Peter- BBC. He acted authoritively, and yet big-brotherly at the same time. Mosely seemed to "modern" for the role as Peter.

Susan- New. Although she's not exactly a good actress, she seems more like Susan than the BBC one did. Her "logical reasonings" and sisterly affection towards Lucy appealed ro me much more than Sophie Cook did.

Edmund- BBC. Although Skandar acted bratty, Jonathan showed more of the book Edmund's selfish and self-centered side.

Lucy- New. She was more child-like and innocent, and yet quite mature for her age at the same time. Sophie Wilcox was a little too old for the role of Lucy.

White Witch- BBC. Tilda Swinton was so DULL as the White Witch. She was all talk and no action, unlike Barbara Kellerman who was comical and yet wicked at the same time. Swinton was more chilling and cold, but Kellerman was much better with her angry outbursts and shouts which I personally found quite funny!

Aslan- draw! I loved Ailsa Berk's voice: he had a quiet, calm, soothing voice that could sound bothe gentle and commanding. Liam Neeson was quite good too, but Berk's voice would win, hands down. The CGI lion was much better than the BBC one, though.

Setting: New. I loved the the scenary, and the woods and waterfall were amazing! Cair Paravel looked more impressive than the BBC one did; it looked dull and drab compared to the Disney version.

Graphics- New. Enough said. :D

Mr Tumnus- New. He seemed more timid and real; while Jeffery Perry was a little "old" if you know what I mean.

Beavers- New. They looked more animal-like while the BBC beavers were too big and unbeaverish. I can't say i like the new beaver's accent though.

Maugrim- New. Madson's voice was good portraying Maugrim.

[–] angelfish81 18 years ago

I loved Ailsa Berk's voice: he had a quiet, calm, soothing voice that could sound bothe gentle and commanding

The voice of the BBC Aslan is done by Ronald Pickup, IIRC. (Just want to clear that up, in case there's any confusion over who did what.)

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] TopGunSGA 15 years ago

Lucy - BBC. She was old enough to act well. I'm sure Georgie will be alright in the future, but I think she was too young, like Skandar.

As others had said the BBC Lucy was a bit too old for the character, Georgie is closer to the characters age

-- COOOBRAAAA! --

[–] nlpnt 18 years ago

PETER; BBC. He *was* Peter, "authoritative and regal" as you said, *very* responsible for a young kid, and a bit full of himself for it, but physically at an awkward stage, barely taller than Edmund and costumed in the same half-outgrown shorts suits. I like the new one's hamfisted swordsmanship, but the actor is just too 90210. Peter Pevensie is just *not* meant to be a teen idol, sorry.

EDMUND; New. The added depth works here, you really get the impression that this is a kid who's life hasn't been going right in quite a while and that he genuinely believes what Jadis (the first Narnian he meets) tells him at first, coming to realize what a terrible mistake he's made based on her actions toward him and others, and is well and truly "converted" long before he even meets Aslan. The BBC version seemed too much like he was just being a brat for the fun of it (and it does look like the actor had a lot of fun with it!), and comes around like someone flipped a switch in his brain.

SUSAN; Draw. The only real difference is she's dressed as a little girl in the BBC version and a young woman in the new one (teenagers hadn't been invented yet)

LUCY; New. She just nailed it! 'Nuff said.

WITCH; New. Much more subtle, much scarier.

TUMNUS; BBC. Did a better job of giving the impression of a resident of a totalitarian state who's divided between his conscience and what he's "supposed" to do. The new one just gave the impression of....I won't go there.

ASLAN; BBC (voice) New (visual); Liam Neeson is just too familiar from his other roles, and the BBC Aslan too familiar from a Dodge Omni I used to own that had those fuzzy seat covers.

MRS. BEAVER; Draw with notes. I liked Dawn French a lot, but she was very recognizably Dawn French; I don't recognize the BBC Beavers from anything else so they were almost more believable even with the clunky costumes.

I don't really have a preference for the rest.

[–] angelfish81 18 years ago

PETER; BBC. He just seemed a more natural 'take-charge' leader - and a bit cheerier than film-Peter too, maybe. (And at least he actually *fought* with Maugrim, as opposed to standing around while the wolf threw itself on his sword :p).

EDMUND; draw. Although BBC-Edmund is a wonderful little brat, film-Edmund got more to do generally, which gave him chance to expand the character and display more emotions etc, which helped a lot I think. The BBC trick of having good-Edmund arguing with bad-Edmund inside his head was interesting, though. Maybe if the BBC-Edmund had had the extra scenes that were in the film, the switch from 'brat' to 'hero' wouldn't have seemed quite so fast.

SUSAN; New. I just didn't like something about the BBC-Susan. Maybe she reminded me too much of my own bossy blonde sister. ;)

LUCY; New. The BBC Lucy was a bit too old really, the age gaps in the BBC version were generally too small. She needed to be younger, so film-Lucy works better. Also (*nitpick*) film-Lucy is less 'breathy' - it annoys me occasionally in the BBC version when Lucy is gasping about *everything* ("HEd-mund!").

WITCH; New. Although I have a nostalgic spot for the mad-witch ("Mauuuu-grimmmmmmm!"), the subtle approach seems better. I know if some woman yelled at me from her sledge when I was a kid, I wouldn't be inclined to go looking for her again, no matter what sweets she offered. :p
BBC-witch definately left an impression, but film-witch was more convincing.

TUMNUS; draw. I *heart* the new Tumnus (it's Steve from Shameless!), the way they gave him proper goaty-legs and ears everything, and that they followed him through to the witches house and gave him more to do etc. But again, nostalgia creeps in with the BBC-Tumnus, who was also very good (and I know more people find the new one comes across more creepy, although to be fair any man-faun taking a little girl home with him can probably be viewed as a tad creepy these days. But the older actor may have seemed less threatening, somehow? I'm not sure, because I never saw either that way, but I don't recall it being an issue with the BBC-Tumnus).
BBC-Tumnus is probably best when compared to the book.
But then I also know which Tumnus the nearly 25-year-old me would want to follow home for 'tea and toast'... ;) :p

ASLAN; draw. The BBC-aslan had the better voice, more authority etc, I thought - but he was always just one step up from a pantomime horse really. A *nice* pantomime horse, but still...
Film-Aslan looks more real (although his face looks kinda narrow - or is that just me?), you can see him bounding around like a real lion etc.
For looks, film-aslan - for personality+voice, BBC-aslan.

Beavers - draw. BBC for voices, I love Mrs Beaver especially, she's so...mothery-sounding (the 'name' thing is a problem when you're hearing voices you know very well, you always get that 'ooh, it's Dawn French moment' that pulls you out of it for a minute). Film for looks, and for a few extra comedy moments.

Professor - BBC! Much as I love Jim B, the BBC-professor is so much more tongue-in-cheek, especially with Mrs McCready, he's just brilliant. Film-prof is a little too quirky...I've seen a few people asking if he's Tumnus's father, maybe his look was taken a wee bit too far. :\
I like the cheeky/sarcastic side of the prof which the BBC version used well. :)

[–] mabra144 18 years ago

I think something that many you are overlooking is the fact that you are making directing critiques not acting critiques. Pretty much you are giving actor by actor descriptions of the director's overall vision for the film (for instance: making Edmund more of a sympathetic character or having the beaver be cockney). So for my opinion, I liked the direction in the new film better...especially for Edmund (no one cares about an unsympathetic character). IMO, however, the acting overall wasn't that great and was probably better in the BBC version (it's been a really long time).

"You better watch yourself Jane, or you're going to turn into a real BITCH, just like your MOTHER!" AB

[–] thecashmeister 18 years ago

The old peter seems to be generally considered as the better of the two
he is just more beliveable, a better actor, fights the wolf, he is posh
and fatherly to the other to the other children whereas the new peter is
just as childish as the rest, not good enough for the title of high king.
Peter shouldn't be seen as a bully towards edmund, he merely was trying
to keep in control a brat that needed a telling off.

As for edmund, he is really good in the bbc one, however the new one is
more set up for the sequels in which the character of edmund is much more
grown up and is like how peter is in the lion the witch and the wardrobe.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] majorbase2 18 years ago

Peter: New. Neither were great, but the old Peter didn't seem like he was the brother of the rest of the Pevensies. William Moseley also seemed more like the leader that he was in the books.

Edmund: New. He fits the description much better. The old one just wasn't good at showing how bratty Edmund was, and he showed too much of a soft side in the beginning.

Susan: New. The old one had absolutely no depth whatsoever. She was one dimensional, and she hardly showed any emotion. Anna Popplewell showed how much Susan wanted to be the mother figure, and how she always thought things out.

Lucy: New. Georgie Henley takes this one EASILY. She was great, especially for her age. The old one didn't seem anything like Lucy, and didn't seem like she was a part of the Pevensie family.

White Witch/Jadis: Tie. The old one was better at showing how mean and cruel Jadis was, but she wasn't very good at actually acting, sometimes. Tilda Swinton, while not as good at showing how mean and cruel Jadis was, was a much, much better overall actor, and did a much better job in the scene where she first meets Edmund.

Mr. Tumnus: Tie. The old one seemed more like the Tumnus in the book, but James McAvoy showed Tumnus more depth and did a GREAT job in the scene where Tumnus lulls Lucy to sleep. The old one also didn't seem to be too good at conveying emotions, while McAvoy was.

Aslan (voice): New. Liam Neeson did a wonderful job. He had a low, authoritative voice. The old one sounded odd and rarely changed his tone of voice.

Maugrim: New. The new Maugrim had a better voice. The old Maugrim was lame. Instead of growling he would yell.

Mr. Beaver: New. He was perfect. His voice was exactly the kind of voice that I had imagined for Mr. Beaver. The old one wasn't bad, but not good either.

Mrs. Beaver: New. Dawn French did one of the best jobs of VOs that I've ever sen. It was absolutely perfect. The old one was too plain.

Ginarrbrik: BBC. The old Ginarrbrik was prefect. He actually looked more like a dwarf than the new Ginarrbrik did, and was a better actor than the new one.

Professor Kirke: New (barely). This one was a tough one. The old Professor did a great job showing how odd he was, and how he hinted at having been in Narnia. However, the old one was also inconsistent at times, and had several awkward lines. Jim Broadbent did a wonderful job as the Professor (I honestly think that if he had a bigger part in the movie, he could've and would've been nominated for some awards). He was just like I had pictured the professor. He was very mysterious, and did a great job all around. He was great in the discussion that he had with Peter and Susan, and he also did a great job at hinting he had been to Narnia before (ESPECIALLY at the end).

Mrs. Macready: New. She had more lines and showed the angry side of her. The old one hardly had any lines and didn't show much emotion.

[–] mychalangelo 18 years ago

Are you serious? Go see the (7.0? You must be joking....) and the (Dear Goodness....) topics. That is all I have to say.

[–] celestialstarfire 18 years ago

Hang on Hang on, the BBC Lucy was a little annoying? She was a casting DISASTER! And ****ing HIDEOUS.

[–] Callz 18 years ago

All of the actors in the new movie are better than those in the old one. The BBC version of the White Witch made me laugh whenever she shouted. Also, the scenery in the new Narnia is better.

Plus the actors do a far better job at acting than in the BBC version!

[–] mychalangelo 18 years ago

Yes, some rational minds... YES!!!!!

[–] wolverine_5129 15 years ago

I agree. I grew up watching the BBC versions, and I loved them. Natually they havent aged the best, espcially Silver Chair. So when I sat down to watch the new one I imediatly begun to compare the two. Mainly the White Witch.
First thing I thought was, this new one is too quiet and cool.
But then it hit me, its not that Tilda was underacting, the original White Witch was severly over-acting. As if it was a play.
Yes there are times I wish the new one would yell instead of speaking harshly, but the old witch never made me fear her, Tilda can freeze my heart.

I couldnt really compare the old children with the new ones, except for Lucy, the new one wins hands down, and if you say otherwise, youre wrong.

But after watching the new Prince Caspian. I could make comparisons.

some spoliers for PC i guess

Peter - He has a bitter attitude about things these days, which to me is so much more realistic, becase this guy was High King of a country, and he has been reduced to a teenager again, maybe its just me, but I think anyone would have a hard time adjusting to that change. You could tell he missed that life. But he learns his lessons about life and his place in it. And I'll just add that his character in PC is more believeable in the new movie then it was in the BBC and book. But thats the 'problem' (if you could even call it that) with books back then, the Heroes were almost flawless, not like todays heroes in books.

Edmund - In the BBC he looked older then Peter, and I could never let that go. In the new movie he sees the consequences of his choices before he makes them, and as they unfold, creating a more dire need for redemption. And he constantly makes the wrong decisions for what he thinks are the right reasons. The BBC Edmund (first movie) was just a dick.

Susan - Both actresses nailed thier roles. Thats all I'll say.

Lucy - As stated, new one wins in all categories.

I wont compare special effects because thats silly, but allow me this. Why couldnt they give Peter and Edmund armor for thier final battle in the First BBC movie? Did the budget run out?

If you like the BBC version more, thats fine. Every diamond has a flaw.
I'll stick to the new ones instead