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 & 12 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:

writer | marriage | 1950s | honesty | train | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The role of C.S. Lewis was first played on television by Joss Ackland, who also appeared in The Hunt for Red October with Sam Neill. This was the first of Neill's "Montana trilogy," in which his characters either live there or wish to. The second such film was Jurassic Park, which featured Joseph Mazzello and director Richard Attenborough.

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

Douglas Gresham: [Reading Jack's inscription from his Narnia book] The magic never ends.
Joy: Well, if it does, sue him.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

Performed by London Symphony Orchestra and The Choir of Magdalen College Oxford
Directed by Grayston Ives
Soloists Daniel Cochlin & Daren Geraghty

User Reviews

Attenborough's best directorial effort.

This film is Richard Attenborough's best directed film. Unlike Gandhi, it had no ambitions of being a grand scale historical epic. It actually played to Attenborough's strengths as a director, which are story and character development. Of course some fantastic performances from some great actors helped him out immensely. Debra Winger was nominated for an Oscar, and she was great, but we already saw her play the same disease in Terms of Endearment. Anthony Hopkins should have received an Oscar nomination for his incredible multi-layered turn as C. S. Lewis. His lifelong bachelor that falls in love and then questions his own theological beliefs when he grieves is the polar opposite of his most famous role, Hannibal Lechter, and yet he is just as convincing. With Hopkins in the lead, and Attenborough's attention to detail, this movie is one of the most overlooked films on every top 100 list, or in the case of this site, top 250 list. If you like movies that have stories, characters, and atmosphere, this is for you. 8 of 10.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 January 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Shadowlands

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:

2.39 : 1