Saturday, April 11, 2009

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

1,300 years after the Pevensie siblings leave Narnia, a Telmarine prince, Caspian, is awakened by his mentor Doctor Cornelius, informing him that his aunt has just given birth to a son and that his life is now in grave danger. Cornelius gives him Queen Susan's ancient magical horn, instructing him to blow it if he needs help. Knowing that his uncle Miraz would kill him to steal the kingship, Caspian flees. Pursued into the woods, Caspian falls off his horse and is rescued by two Narnian dwarfs, Trumpkin and Nikabrik, and a talking badger named Trufflehunter. While Trumpkin acts as a decoy, Nikabrik saves Caspian from capture. Confused, Caspian blows the magical horn to summon help.

In England, one year has passed since the Pevensie children returned from Narnia. As their train to boarding school pulls in, the station collapses and the Pevensies are transported to Narnia. They discover the ruins of their castle, Cair Paravel, and realize it was attacked in their absence.

In the Telmarine castle, the lords of the council find out that Prince Caspian is gone. Lord Sopespian blames Miraz, but Miraz blames the Narnians and tell the lords to fight them to get Caspian back, though Miraz actually wants to kill Caspian.

The Pevensies save Trumpkin from being drowned by two Telmarines; he quickly realizes that the four children are the Kings and Queens of Old and they all continue on together. On the way, Lucy glimpses Aslan and tries to convince the others that she's seen him, but only Edmund believes her.

Meanwhile, Nikabrik and Trufflehunter lead Caspian to the Dancing Lawn, where the old Narnians have assembled. Caspian convinces them to help him win his throne so that he can give them back their land. Caspian and the Narnians steal a number of weapons from the Telmarines. They also encounter the Pevensies and Trumpkin; they all journey together to Aslan's How, a huge barrow built over the Stone Table. Peter decides that they will attack Miraz's castle. Lucy suggests waiting for Aslan to return, but Peter thinks they have waited long enough.

The Narnians succeed in raiding Miraz’s castle, but Peter calls for a retreat when he realizes that they are being overwhelmed by Telmarine soldiers. Peter, Susan, Edmund, Caspian, and half of the Narnians manage to escape, but the rest are trapped and slaughtered. When they return to Aslan's How, Peter and Caspian have an argument about the attack on the castle, which almost culminates in a swordfight. Back at the castle, Miraz is crowned King of Narnia.

Nikabrik, with the aid of a hag and a werewolf, tells Caspian that they can help him claim his throne and guarantee Miraz's death. However Nikabrik tricks Caspian and the hag then uses black sorcery to summon the White Witch. From inside a wall of ice, the Witch tries to convince Caspian to free her by giving her a drop of blood. Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Trumpkin arrive and kill Nikabrik, the werewolf, and the hag, and Edmund shatters the wall of ice before the Witch can be freed.

As Miraz and his army arrive at Aslan's How, Caspian suggests that Peter and Miraz duel one-on-one under the condition of surrender, in order to buy Lucy and Susan time to find Aslan. Miraz agrees to the duel. Chased by Telmarine soldiers during their search, Susan sends Lucy off and remains behind to deal with the soldiers; she is rescued by Caspian and the two return to the battle. Peter is able to wound Miraz, but gives his sword to Caspian to finish him off. Caspian spares Miraz's life but says that he intends to give Narnia back to its people.

Lord Sopespian stabs and kills Miraz with one of Susan's arrows and accuses the Narnians of shooting Miraz, leading to a battle between the Telmarine army and the Narnians, with the Telmarines gradually winning. Lucy, meanwhile, finds Aslan in the woods and he awakens the trees that have long been in a deep sleep. The tide of battle quickly turns as the trees join in attacking the Telmarines. Lord Sopespian orders retreat to a bridge, where they are confronted by Lucy and Aslan. Aslan summons the river god, who destroys the bridge and wipes out the majority of the Telmarine army. The battle is won with the surviving Telmarine soldiers surrendering and handing over their weapons.

Before the Pevensies depart Narnia, Peter and Susan declare that Aslan has told them they will never return to Narnia. Aslan explains that Susan and Peter have gained everything they could from their experiences in Narnia and are no longer needed there. Susan and Caspian share a kiss, knowing they will never meet again. The Pevensies then go back to England, leaving Caspian as King of Narnia.

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