Shadowlands (1993)

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.

Director:

Richard Attenborough

Writers:

William Nicholson (screenplay), William Nicholson (play)

Stars:

Anthony Hopkins, Debra Winger, Julian Fellowes

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 11 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

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.

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Plot Keywords:

oxford | england | friend | book | author | 

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Taglines:

He thought that magic only existed in books, and then he met her.

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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:

Randolph Hotel, Beaumont Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$81,082, 2 January 1994

Gross USA:

$25,842,377

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$25,842,377

Company Credits

Production Co:

Price Entertainment, Spelling Films International, Shadowlands Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min 115 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was Michael Denison's final film before his death on July 22, 1998 at the age of 82.

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Goofs

Joy actually broke her leg at Jack's home, The Kilns.

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Quotes

C.S. Lewis: He comes; he sleeps; he goes. So the plot thickens.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojoUK: Top 10 Anthony Hopkins Performances (2018)

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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!