The Chronicles of Narnia: Never Has the Magic Been So Real (Radio Theatre) [Full Cast Drama] (Audio CD)

by Focus on the Family (Primary Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
These classic stories have enchanted millions around the world. Radio Theatre brings them to life in this dramatized audio production. Recorded in London with an all-star cast of England's brightest talent from the stage and screen, an original orchestral score, and cinema-quality digital sound design, this innovative recording provides hours of entertainment for the entire family. All seven stories are available in a single, redesigned slipcase or available individually, and both formats are marked at their lowest prices ever!

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Audio CD
• Publisher: Tyndale Entertainment (May 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589972996
• ISBN-13: 978-1589972995
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.2 x 3.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #49,807 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanted Listening, July 24, 2005

By	Cindy (Georgia) - See all my reviews

Let me start by saying that I've read the Narnia books many times in the past 30 years and believe they are some of the best fantasy books ever written. I was hesitant to buy this audio version as I do not care for audio books in general. However, I was searching for something to listen to while recovering from surgery and hoped that this would be better than an audio book since it is billed as "Radio Theatre."

WOW! The quality of the production (the music score, voices, sound effects...the whole production) is outstanding. I have been able to visit Narnia in the quiet, dark comfort of my room. It has been a truly enchanting experience to be able to go there with my eyes closed in a truly relaxed state of mind.

My heart was pounding during moments of suspense and I felt absolute joy during the victories experienced in the various books...there were scenes that moved me to tears (even though I knew what was coming...the anticipation was far greater listening to this production that it is when I read the books). They did such a great job of capturing scenes such as Aslan singing creation into being in the Magician's Nephew.

I could go on like this for quite some time, but hopefully you get the idea. I will listen to these stories again and again...it was also very nice to fall asleep to. This set is a BARGAIN for $33.00. I am buying several more to donate to a local hospice, as well as for Christmas and birthday presents.

I absolutely recommend this specific version of the Chronicles of Narnia to anyone from 8 to 88 who has even the faintest hint of imagination alive in them! If you're old enough to be a fan of "old-time radio theatre," you'll find yourself in listener's heaven for a lovely 22 hours!

69 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Magic Comes Alive, August 31, 2005

By	Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Fifty years ago, the world was introduced to a fantasy series about another world when Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy entered Narnia through a magic wardrobe. Now anyone can enjoy the stories in a new way thanks to these wonderful recordings.

This set contains radio drama versions of all seven books. There are a total of nineteen CD's and over twenty-six hours of adventure. Each story has been fully dramatized and is presented with a full cast, sound effects, and background music - everything to bring the story fully to life. The stories stick very close to the books. Paul Scofield serves as our narrator, describing settings and actions so we aren't left out of a moment. Additionally, Douglas Gresham, C. S. Lewis' stepson, gives us some trivia about the creation of each book in his roll as host of the set.

Of course, every adaptation is going to have some drawbacks to fans from another media. The biggest for me is Aslan. I found his voice too slow for my picture of the character. Scenes with a large number of people were often a little hard to follow when the voices sounded similar. And do take the warning seriously. This set isn't for young children as some parts could scare them. Over all, these are minor quibbles of a die-hard Narnia fanatic.

While nothing will replace the books, this set is another great way to enter a fun fantasy world. I used it to make the miles fly by on a couple road trips. Highly recommended for Narnia fans of all ages.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, Magical, July 17, 2005

By	A. Wen (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Focus on the Family did a wonderful job on all 7 stories. The dramatizations are terrific with music and sound effects and voice acting that are all powerful and moving. The stories creatively add to the stories (like the short introductory scenes for each story) without ever moving away from the works by CS Lewis. I know the written stories very well. The dramatizations shorten the stories but I never felt like anything was lost. My children went for the books to learn more after hearer the productions. Altogether, these are great entertainment for kids and adults.

As an aside, I enjoyed these so much that I looked into the newly released unabridged readings for the same story. Each is performed by a single actor. I heard the audiosamples and they are drastically less moving than the productions by Focus on the Family. Make sure you buy the right set!