SHADOWLANDS
UK, 1985, 100 minutes, Colour.
Joss Ackland, Claire Bloom, Rupert Baderman, David Waller.
Directed by Norman Stone.
Shadowlands is a beautifully made BBC telemovie (based in Wales) on the life of Anglican scholar, novel writer, religious writer, C.S. Lewis. It focuses on his relationship with his wife, Joy - her death from cancer was the subject of his A Grief Observed. His autobiography was called (with acknowledgement to Wordsworth) Surprised By Joy.
The film re-creates the period of the `30s and '40s. It boasts excellent performances by Joss Ackland as Lewis and Claire Bloom as Joy. David Waller is also effective as Lewis's brother.
This is an intelligent film, a portrait of an intelligent and religious man, hi-s shift from intellectual conviction to heartfelt doubt. and heartfelt certainty in the existence of a loving God. It is also a portrait of love and family.
1. The impact of this BBC telemovie? The intended audience? Impact on audiences?
2. The period, Oxford, Britain in the '40s and '50s? The city, the university campus? Radio in that period? Musical score?
3. The title and images of light and shadow, C.S. Lewis's life and experiences? The Narnia novels?
4. Audience knowledge of and appreciation of C.S. Lewis? How much information? His writings? His religious thought?
5. The introduction to Jack: the dons talking, the common-room and the atmosphere of academic Oxford? His radio career and programmes, rehearsals, topics? Marriage and the banter amongst the dons? Lewis and his scholarship, the novel ('roman'): the rose, plucking the rose and falling in love? His questions of the students and their replies?
6. C.S. Lewis and his creative literature, imagination, children's books? His growth in Christianity, common-sense, reason? Theory and practice? A reserved man, the death of his mother, his brother and the bonds between the two?
7. The significance of the letter from Joy, waiting at tea, the walk and Joy's impact, the pleasing visit, the boys, their starving and Christmas? Advice? The effect on him? The reflections on the experience and his discussions with his brother? His brother's opinion?
8. Joy's return, the divorce? The story, the house, the bond and frankness? The decision to marry? Harry? Formal?
9. Joy's illness, the fall, hospital, the operation? The seriousness of the illness and the truth? Suffering and pain? Moving in and out? Jack and his search? The boys, home, sharing? Religious reflections, on death and heaven? The scream?
10. Lewis and his experience of A Grief Observed? Surprised by Joy? Sadness, the funeral? The words of the clergy? The faith loss? His brother and sharing his grief? Douglas and the books, their weeping together? The walk with David and diving into the water?
11. C.S. Lewis and his relationship with God? The devil? The myths and Jesus? Reason, death and suffering? Cerebral religion and experiential religion?
12. Portrait of a significant English figure? Scholar, creative writer, Christian?
