Rose-Tree Dryad wrote:Well, wouldn't you say that a scene where a would-be killer is talking about the things he will do has a very different atmosphere compared to a scene showing the killing? The former is creepy and disturbing and made all the more so because of the carefree way the conquest is spoken of, whereas the latter is going to get a much more adrenaline-pumping, fight-or-flight kind of response out of the audience.
Well, maybe..... But actually when Rilian was outlining his creepy plans, it was after dinner, and it was coming up to his Silver Chair session. And yes, he did sound rather off when he met the three travellers. He starts by telling them about his afflictions then goes on to say: "The Queen knows by her art that I will be freed of this enchantment once she has made me king of a land in Overworld and set a crown on my head...." At this point I'd like to start seeing some visuals accompanying his creepy voice, even if they are just diagrams or vague images, if only to compensate for those in the audience who have difficulty hearing. All the moreso as a film is there to
show what is happening, not just the actors having a conversation. And we need to have some inkling about what is horrifying Jill, Eustace and Puddleglum.
The prince goes on to tell them the place has already been chosen (though he doesn't know where it is, but perhaps, Puddleglum might recognise it?), and the very place where they will break out. (and here LOTGK assembling her Earthmen for the breakout would be useful). He says: "Her Earthmen have worked day and night digging a way beneath it, and have now gone so far and so high that they tunnel not a score of feet beneath the very grass".
And at this point, we, the audience, should be realising the dangerousness of this plan, as the prince goes on to say why LOTGK is not there and that he is expecting a message any minute. And it is at this point he tells the three travellers that he is to ride out with a thousand Earthmen at his back, to fall suddenly on enemies, slay their chief men etc. At this point I do see that keeping it vague visuals might be a good idea. But up to this point they could be clear enough, slowly fading, especially as the appalled Eustace and Jill start arguing with him. As the evening wears on any visuals should fade away as Rilian's voice changes, up to the time he is to be bound.
Would it be a good idea to portray the enchanted Prince being able to project his thoughts in some way? And how would it affect the tone of creepiness you talk about? With the prince's ability to do so, fading away the nearer he gets to his "hour"? If there is one weakness in the BBC version is that there is very little difference between the Prince's voice and appearance at dinner and what he is when bound, apart from what looks like an aluminium or silver foil mask of some sort, which he wears at all times. Yes, he sounds horrible at first, starts fighting the three children, even pinions Puddleglum to a wall. But there is no gradual change for us to notice. I'd expect there to be a gradual change that we could see in some way. Rather than seeing Puddleglum pinned to the wall, I'd rather see the Prince's thoughts leaking out and being projected to the wall, even if at first these sorts of thoughts might include battles, killing etc.