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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    BBC's heroic Narnia adventure marred by slow pace.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Bullied children follow a magical quest and return to their world prepared to stand up to their tormentors. The main characters are repeatedly reminded of their responsibility to complete their noble mission despite deep fear and physical danger. A cowardly adult character offers his life in exchange for that of a child, learning that he is indeed heroic.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Scenes of fantasy violence and threats: giants hurling boulders at fleeing children and threatening to eat them, a bewitched character grabbing a child, an attack by an admittedly low-tech gigantic snake.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    No profanity, but a few "shut ups" and "idiots," which may not be appropriate for younger kids.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    The adult guide for the children gets drunk and has a hangover.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair

Parents need to know that this 1990 BBC adaptation of C.S. Lewis' book from the Chronicles of Narnia series does justice to the original story, but is slow moving and feels dated by the nearly 20-year-old special effects. The story of two children who escape from bullying schoolmates and set off on a noble quest presents rich and imaginative characters. Facing challenge after challenge -- some of their own making -- the children become the heroes of the story.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the quest that Jill and Eustace undertake. Why did Eustace want to help his old friend Caspian? Some of the challenges the children faced were choosing whom to trust, keeping promises at great personal sacrifice, and staying alert to the world around them -- have you ever been faced with any of these challenges? Also, the Narnia books contain many allusions to Christianity that could generate discussion, such as who Aslan is meant to represent.
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