I just re-watched The Lion, the Witch, and the wardrobe yesterday for the first time in a long while. You know each time I watch/read it, something different stays with me for a while. This time, it is the Professor. I really loved the portrayal Professor Kirke--the more I see that movie, the more I love him. He has that knowing twinkle in his eye, that unspoken curl of secrecy in his mouth. I know some did not like his performance, but I think he did excellently. I want to see more of him! After all, he was the first human in Narnia!
His story is bittersweet, as he was never brought back, except at the end of all things. Clearly he longed for it, and never stopped believing in it, and his love for Aslan never waned, though he had only but briefly met him. Though he was considered responsible for bringing Jadis into that world, Aslan forgave him and changed him forever. You can still see it in his eyes, all these years later, as he hears the children talking about the Wardrobe. I hardly know how he could contain himself. I don't think I could!
I heard a suggestion by someone that part of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader should include "footage" of Peter studying with the Professor. I would love this. Naturally such an idea would only vaguely follow the storyline, detailing something that was only very briefly narrated, but I think it would be a wonderful thing, to draw the Professor into the story more, show the un-narniated audiences how he relates to it--that he's not just some old man with a really big house.
I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Digory/the professor.
