A Conversation with Narnia's Douglas Gresham

Douglas Gresham has led a remarkably varied life. He has been a farmer, broadcaster, restaurateur, author, filmmaker and a host of other professions. But for all of his personal accomplishments he may be best known to the world as the son of Joy Davidman, who became the step-son of C.S. Lewis, in the stage play and film, Shadowlands. Both the stage and film versions of the Shadowlands reflected the genuine father-son relationship between Gresham and Lewis. Since 1973 Gresham has been involved with all aspects of the C.S. Lewis Estate, including Lewis' immensely popular Chronicles of Narnia series. If anyone has the right to the title, The Steward of Narnia, it is Douglas Gresham.

Mike Parker – Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the third in the current series of Narnia films that you have executive produced. How did this experience compare to your previous outings?

Douglas Gresham – There were some major differences. In the first place we dealt with an entirely different studio. Quite frankly it was a difficult film to make. We came up against all sorts of obstacles along the way. But ultimately we got through it and I think the end result was a lovely film.

Parker – Dawn Treader has a new 'captain,' if you will, as Michael Apted takes over the director duties from Andrew Adamson, and Adamson moves into producer responsibilities. How did that affect the production?

Gresham – In lots of ways. Michael has a different style from Andrew, and we had to get used to that. He is a very efficient director and basically I think we had an efficient team. A lot of the team carried over from the previous films. It took some getting used to, but I think we all jelled well together.

Parker – I had the opportunity to interview producer Mark Johnson during the release of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, and he commented that no one even sneezed on set without clearing it first with you. I get the impression that you are very protective of this property.

Gresham – (laughs) I tend to do a lot of jumping up and down. There are going to be differences between the book and the movie. You have to accept that. But if someone has a good idea, but it doesn't fit into Narnia, I'm the guy who has to yell and scream about it. Sometimes I have to live with things I don't like; sometimes they have to live with things they don't like. But we work together as a team to achieve the best movie possible, and I think we've done that.

Parker – You have been called the Steward of Narnia. Does that title fit you?

Gresham – That's a pretty good description. I like it better than the way (producer) Mark (Johnson) introduced me to the ambassador of the Czech Republic when we were filming The Lion, The Witch & the Wardrobe. He introduced be as 'the guy who was to blame.' (laughs) I grew up in Narnia and never left. I have no desire to leave. I think of myself as the Guardian of Narnia.

Parker – Your late step-father, C.S. Lewis, is a revered figure in the world of literature. How do you think he would have reacted to the continued popularity of his works, particularly his Chronicles of Narnia.

Gresham – Strangely enough, I think he would be embarrassed. What we have done is elevate him into the realm of such great literary figures as Rudyard Kipling and Shakespeare. I think his works will go on to prove themselves to be worthy of that association. But Jack was an extremely humble man. I think he would have been embarrassed by all the attention.

Parker – How about you? Are you enjoying yourself?

Gresham – Yeah! There are times when I am shedding blood, sweat and tears trying to get all this done. But I am doing the work I believe the Holy Spirit of God has led me to do and I enjoy my life enormously.

Parker - It is probably premature to ask, but will there be another Narnia movie?

Gresham - That depends on you. If everyone goes to see the film, and takes all there friends, and all of their enemies - we're supposed to love them, too - then we will have the box office clout to go to our investors and with a clear conscience ask for the funds to make another film.

Parker – Last words?

Gresham – I think people should understand that this movie returns us to the great beauty, wonder and magic of Narnia, but it is also about temptation and how we face it; it is about love and loss. I personally think the ending of the movie is one of great endings in movie history. I think that people are going to love this film. I encourage them to see it.

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