Shadowlands (1993)

C.S. Lewis, a world-renowned writer and professor, leads a passionless life until he meets spirited poet Joy Gresham.

Director:

Richard Attenborough

Writers:

William Nicholson (screenplay), William Nicholson (play)

Stars:

Julian Fellowes, Roddy Maude-Roxby, Anthony Hopkins

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julian Fellowes	...	Desmond Arding
Roddy Maude-Roxby	...	Arnold Dopliss
Michael Denison	...	Harry Harrington
Andrew Seear	...	Bob Chafer
Tim McMullan	...	Nick Farrell
John Wood	...	Christopher Riley
Andrew Hawkins	...	Rupert Parrish
Peter Howell	...	College President
Anthony Hopkins	...	Jack Lewis
Edward Hardwicke	...	Warnie Lewis
Robert Flemyng	...	Claude Bird
James Frain	...	Peter Whistler
Toby Whithouse	...	Frith
Daniel Goode	...	Lieven
Scott Handy	...	Standish

Storyline

CS Lewis is the author of the Narnia books - The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Known as Jack, he teaches at an Oxford College, during the 1930's. An American fan, Joy Gresham, arrives to meet him for tea in Oxford. It is the beginning of a love affair. Tragically Joy becomes terminally unwell and their lives become complicated.

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Plot Keywords:

oxford | england | love | author | friend | 

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Taglines:

Based on a true story.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 January 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tierra de sombras

Filming Locations:

Christ Church Meadow, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

£3,033,231 (UK) (15 April 1994)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Price Entertainment, Spelling Films International, Shadowlands Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min 115 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actor Joseph Mazzello played director Richard Attenborough's grandson in Jurassic Park.

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Goofs

The first time Jack appears in the hospital, the physician comes out of Joy's room and tells him Joy's left leg "snapped like a twig." It is her right leg which is shown collapsing and being treated throughout the film.

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Quotes

Harry: But she's not...
C. S. Lewis: Not my wife. No, how could she be? I'd have to love her, wouldn't I? She'd have to be more important to me than anything in the World. I'd have to be suffering the torments of the damned. The thought of losing her...
Harry: I'm so sorry, Jack. I didn't know.
C. S. Lewis: Neither did I, Harry.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Amazing Transparent Man (1995)

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Soundtracks

Music conducted by George Fenton

User Reviews

Intelligent, Powerful, and Joyous

I probably watch this film every two years, yet like fine wine, it grows even better after time. This picture is a beautiful, thought provoking, and highly effective meditation on how love, death, god, joy, and pain all coexist in the strange universe that is life. With subject matter as complex as this, the viewer can see where one could easily become lost in C.S. Lewis's story, but "Shadowlands" never falters. The film remains quiet, simple, and highly effective through Attenborough's understated direction, and its cast's uniformly excellent performances.

However, what sits at the very core of "Shadowlands" beauty is its ultimate truth. There are moments in this film so full of genuine, unflynching emotion that its power practically hits the audience member in the gut. Yes, the film's magnificently depicted scenes of death and grieving never fail to jerk tears from my eyes, but Lewis's closing lines regarding the choices he made as a boy and a man make me sob.

"Shadowlands" is undoubtedly representative of filmaking at its very best. I recommend this film without reservation to anyone!