Narnia film-makers upset Czech authorities

New Zealand film-makers shooting a $143 million screen version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C. S. Lewis, face a fine for breaching conditions negotiated with Czech authorities.

Hana Hentschelova, manager of the protected sandstone reservation of Labske Piskovce in Tisa, was reported by ABC radio as saying the Kiwi film crew had brought more people and vehicles on to the site than had been agreed.

They also broke a promise not to put equipment arbitrarily on sandstone rocks in the north of the Czech Republic, she said.

"The film-makers did not behave correctly, which is why we launched legal proceedings."

Ms Hentschelova declined to say exactly how much the fine might be but said it could be up to 3000 ($5540).

New Zealand-born director Andrew Adamson finished shooting in Auckland at the end of October. Filming moved to the Czech Republic and Poland in February for the snow scenes.

The film-makers declined to comment until after the proceedings end.

- NZPA