Bagpipes in Narnia

**Wompet** · 16th May 08, 03:43 PM

This may be considered a little off topic, but I'm putting it here for now (the mods will move it later if they wish).

Towards the end of the movie, there's a scene where a mouse plays the bagpipes. They were only on screen twice, but I think they had blowstick, single chanter, and two drones (or maybe one drone, I'm not sure). Given the appearance and sound, I would guess a duda or gaida was the inspiration.

Hopefully one of the piper here can give a better identification.

**Prester John** · 16th May 08, 07:17 PM

My boys just confirmed this, having just returned from Prince Caspian.

**Daibhidh O'Baoighill** · 24th May 08, 08:16 AM

Great movie! Just watched it Thursday night with my family. Loved hearing the pipes!

**wgority** · 27th May 08, 01:36 PM

Anyone get any photos of the wee timorous beastie?

**Wompet** · 27th May 08, 03:42 PM

Those will have to wait a few months, when the DVD comes out.
Though if I had the time, I would go watch it again.

**KiltedKop45** · 7th June 08, 11:41 PM

I have to admit, I almost got a little teary

when the mousies came marching to the Durge.

**Kilted_MJM** · 24th June 08, 09:44 PM

Sounds like reverential music for a fallen comrade. This had to be a twist added for the film as I don't recall it from Lewis' storyline. Many of his animal and mythical characters could speak but I don't recall but one, Tumnus, who played an instrument. Anyone else have anything to add on this?

**Wompet** · 25th June 08, 09:53 AM

The scene was in the book, but it's been a couple decades since I read it, so I don't remember if bagpipes were mentioned or not.

**haukehaien** · 25th June 08, 05:51 PM

"For at that moment, a curious little procession was approaching - eleven Mice, six of whom carried between them something on a litter made of branches, but the litter was no larger than a large atlas. No-one has ever seen mice more woebegone than these. They were plastered with mud - some with blood too - and their ears were down and their whiskers drooped and their tales dragged in the grass, and their leader piped on his slender pipe a melancholy tune." - C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian.

I suspect Lewis had something like this in mind, but bagpipes are a perfectly acceptable interpretation of the scene.

**Kilted_MJM** · 26th June 08, 08:29 PM

Wompet, thanks for the original post and your follow-up. Same to you haukehaien; it was a blessed reminder to hear Lewis' words directly. I must say that Wompet's avitar looks like it leapt right from the pages of Narnia or, perhaps, Brian Jacques Land of Redwall.

"Long live the talking beasts", I say, "particularly those who play the pipes!"