C.S. Lewis, a world-renowned Christian theologian, writer and professor, leads a passionless life until he meets spirited poet Joy Gresham from the U.S.
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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 | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
C.S. Lewis (Sir Anthony Hopkins) is the author of the "Chronicles of Narnia" books. Known as Jack, he teaches at Oxford during the 1950s. An American fan, Joy Gresham (Debra Winger), arrives to meet him for tea in Oxford. It is the beginning of a love affair. Tragically, Joy becomes terminally ill and their lives become complicated. Written by Matthew Stanfield <mattst@cogs.susx.ac.uk>
Taglines:
He distanced himself from love as he distanced himself from pain, until one woman got close enough to open his heart to the world. See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
14 January 1994 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Tierra de sombras See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$22,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$81,082, 2 January 1994Gross USA:
$25,842,377Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$25,842,377Company Credits
Production Co:
Price Entertainment, Spelling Films International, Shadowlands Productions See more »
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (Ontario)Sound Mix:
Dolby StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
Mrs. Young: Cranberry sauce, what's that?
C.S. Lewis: Well, it's a sauce made from... cranberries.
Mrs. Young: Well, you find me some cranberries, Mr. Lewis, and I'll sauce them.
See more »
(uncredited)
Written by Johann Sebastian Bach
Heard at the insignia ceremony
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Sir Nigel Hawthorne, who played the role on stage, was replaced in this movie version by Sir Anthony Hopkins, because Hawthorne was still almost unknown internationally. See more »Goofs
Jack never learnt to drive, despite numerous attempts at learning. See more »Quotes
C.S. Lewis: Have you got any cranberry sauce, Mrs. Young?Mrs. Young: Cranberry sauce, what's that?
C.S. Lewis: Well, it's a sauce made from... cranberries.
Mrs. Young: Well, you find me some cranberries, Mr. Lewis, and I'll sauce them.
See more »
Soundtracks
Toccata and Fugue in D(uncredited)
Written by Johann Sebastian Bach
Heard at the insignia ceremony
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
See more »Contribute to This Page
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C. S. Lewis is making a bit of a comeback with the "Chronicles Of Narnia" movie of late, but here's a film portrait of him made in 1993 starring the great British actor Anthony Hopkins.
To Christians, Lewis has always been a familiar name: one of the greatest and most well-known Christian apologists theologians ("Merre Christianity," "The Screwtape Letters,"etc.) and fiction (the Narnia series) writers of all time. But this film - no surprise - doesn't really deal with that: it's mainly a love story, the love he had toward his American wife, played by Debra Winger.
Being a Brit, the film takes place in England and features some wonderful landscapes of that great country. Hopkins exudes warmth in the role of Lewis and Winger is okay, New York City accent and all, as the American. I would have chosen someone else for the role, but Winger gets by.
Not to be forgotten is the fine job Edward Hardwicke did as "Warnie," Lewis' brother. Joseph Mazzello, one of the top child actors of the early '90s, is the Lewis' young boy. When father and son cry together at the end, it is one of the most touching scenes I've ever viewed on film.
It's a touching story, period, and if it doesn't get your eyes moistened at least once, check your pulse. The dialog in here is excellent, too. I particularly enjoyed the by-play of dry wit between the professors and Winger's various comments to her husband.
Nice films like this are unusual and should be treasured, as Lewis and his works are by so many people, Christian or non-Christian.