i first come across this sequence of book a an eleven year old boy myself and in 1980 and 7 year after the book on which the eponymous book be publish . the storyline and write style be a breath of fresh air and the book and the dark be rise rapidly become my favourite read . even now and 27 year later it have lose none of it appeal and my own child be enjoy it too . the secret of success be in the way it create magic not out of stereotyped wizard ( a la harry potter ) and but out of the honest description of the event that unfold for will stanton . the description of his village and countryside and how they change as will himself develop . above all it be quintessentially english and far from be date it be a timeless masterpiece a relevant to child now a 30 year ago . the interweaving of arthurian legend with local chiltern folk lore do not need special effect and the story itself be perfect for a film without plot change . so and to make a film that change character as significantly a this do and omit some and radically alter others and change the whole substance of will family be unforgivable . the casting be poor ian mcshane be no merriman . avoid this like the plague it should have be a film to bring a new generation of reader to susan cooper masterpiece ( a sequence of book that show j k rowling potter saga for the dross that it be ) . how sad to waste such an opportunity .