National Geographic Society
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But callooh, callay, what’s this you say? Not familiar with Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, flamingo mallets, and ravenlike writing desks? Well, National Geographic is here to help. In 1991 the magazine published a story on Dodgson, better known by his pseudonym Lewis Carroll. The author of our story informed me that her lifelong love for Dodgson’s craft and ability to play with words had motivated her to pitch the piece. She retraced the geographic world that inspired the author and his stories, viewed the original manuscript at the British Library, and met with the granddaughter of the Alice. Read Cathy Newman's story. Marvel at Sam Abell's photographs and the wonderfully illustrated story map of Wonderland by William H. Bond. Not only will you get an excellent primer for the adventures and characters you’ll see in the movie, but you’ll also learn that, in fact, 'twas brillig, and the slithy toves did National Geographic in the wabe. Whatever that means.
As for the movie itself, if you're anticipating a direct retelling of either Alice's Adventures in Wonderland or its follow-up, Through the Looking-Glass, you'll be disappointed (or pleased?). The familiar characters do populate the film, echoes of Dodgson’s words dance (and occasionally galumph) through Linda Woolverton’s screenplay, and John Tenniel’s illustrations are startlingly realized. But it’s not the same old Wonderland. Instead, you’ll find a sincere (though heavy-handed) effort to make sense out of a nonsense story and an attempt to create a sort of plot game that's to be won instead of a game to be played for play‘s sake. I couldn't fully connect with the film's heart for these reasons (it all made too much sense?), and my film companion went further to describe it as very well done made-for-TV movie. I understood, but I should have argued against this, as it didn't feature the greatest acting performance in the history of, like, all time EVER. (Apologies to Anne Hathaway, who portrays the White Queen. Love you, Anne. Really!)
The director being Tim Burton, you’re guaranteed nothing less than a fantastic visual poke in the eyeballs. And one shouldn’t expect any less from a film that’s been given a PG rating due to a smoking caterpillar. No, really. Search the MPAA site and see for yourself. Smoking. Caterpillar. Um, YES? One ticket please!
As an added bonus, check out New York Magazine's wonderfully trippy photo illustration of Alice in Wonderland's influence on culture.
—Ruben Rodriguez
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Comments
Mar 5, 2010 2PM #
That Carol Channing performance is epic. Great post, looking forward to going back and reading the NG story.
Mar 5, 2010 2PM #
Spirits in the Sand-March, 2010
Throughout the article expressions like "...may evoke..."; "No one knows for sure...";"Archaeologists believe..."; "...a person 'could' step in..."; "...More people 'may' have..."; " ...team concluded..."; "...would suggest..."
ad nauseum.
Yes there is more archaeological evidence than ever about the people and their culture but in the beginning of the piece you dismiss "...anyone fascinated..." "and amatuers" out of hand.
While I don't agree with his conclusions you fail to mention the massive impact on the world's view of the lines themselves caused by Von Daniken's book "Chariots Of The Gods". And you dismiss Maria Reich's beliefs by saying they have been discredited. Why? What evidence has changed?
The new archaeological findings tell volumes about the people and their culture but anything conerning the lines appears no more today than the conjecture of those professionals and amateurs that have gone on before. Yet they are dismissed. Why?
Sadly the article does nothing to help me understand the lines other than how they were constructed. I am truly disappointed in NGM.
Mar 5, 2010 2PM #
Just watched the Carol Channing link you referred to on YouTube. Wow, bizarre!
My mother read me Alice's Adventures in Wonderland when I was a child so I thought I knew everything there was to know about the story (naive of me!) until I just perused the full screen article provided here. :)
I haven't seen Tim Burton's "Alice" but I'm looking forward to seeing it in the theater.
Mar 5, 2010 2PM #
I know a little about Dodgson, he was a photographer too.
Dodgson had a crush with Alice, but Alice was a child and Dodgson older.
Want to see Alice and Lorina, sister of Alice taked by Dodgson?
http://valnouveau.blogspot.com/2009/01/dodgson-y-alicia.html
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