Discovering Narnia

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"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," a $150 million film combining religion and fantasy, is being pitched to churches as a cross between "The Passion of the Christ" and "The Lord of the Rings."

Not only was the anticipated blockbuster shot in New Zealand, like the Rings saga, but Aslan -- the lion who lords over the mythic world Narnia -- is an explicit Christ symbol. The film was co-produced by Walt Disney Studios and Walden Media, the latter a Boston-based firm known for religion-friendly fare such as "Because of Winn-Dixie."

Voiced by actor Liam Neeson, Aslan dies for one of the characters -- a British schoolboy -- and then is resurrected to defeat the White Witch, ruler of Narnia.

Dennis Rice, Disney's senior vice president of publicity, hedged on whether the film reproduces the Christian character of the book.

"We believe we have not made a religious movie," he said. "It's just a great piece of cinema that is true to a great piece of literature."

However, Zondervan, the evangelical imprint for publishing giant HarperCollins, is calling the film's release one of the season's "biggest religion stories."

"It is the product for the fall," spokeswoman Jana Muntsinger said. "In the Christian world, they are just salivating over this. C.S. Lewis is the evangelical gold standard."

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" was written by the British author C.S. Lewis as the first published book of a series of seven Narnia children's books that has sold almost 100 million copies over 55 years.

It premieres Dec. 7 at London's Royal Albert Hall. Prince Charles and Camilla, the duchess of Cornwall, will preside at a glittering reception decorated with ice sculptures and white carpet reminiscent of Narnia's 100-year winter.

"It's my understanding that His Royal Highness loved these books as a child and is excited to see the movie," Mr. Rice said.