Shadowlands [DVD]

This very underrated movie, which is somewhat based on real events in C.S. Lewis' life (the noted theologian that also wrote the Narnia books), is a real gem. After reading my description below, you'll probably think "this is NOT a feel good movie" and in a way you'd be right - but it is a movie that you will likely not regret seeing one bit and will be glad for the experience. A tearjearker love story (I have found it is impossible for me not to cry in this movie even when I tell myself I won't) that is wonderfully acted by Anthony Hopkins (his best work IMHO), this movie is great because it forces us all to deal with the real issues of life that we all really need to deal with and come to grips with but we really don't want to. Things such as pain, hurt, death, afterlife, and what we really believe. It shows us that it's one thing to declare something as head-knowledge, but when that head-knowledge gets tested in our own personal real-life experiences (i.e. pain) - well, that's where the rubber meets the road. I did find it striking that in the movie they merely seemed to just "accept" the circumstances thrust upon them without even really trying to exercise faith for healing, etc. As someone who has personally witnessed a person (my mom) who was given a serious terminal diagnosis that chose to fight in faith and believe God for healing, defy the doctors and their "diagnosis", I really can't help but wonder what might have happened if they had taken a different approach. There is an interaction between faith and healing - you can see it in the vast majority of healings that Jesus performed in the Gospels. I'm a very very long way from being convinced that every bad thing that happens to us is God's will for us to just accept and submit to, which is an undercurrent to this movie. Nevertheless, this movie is still worthwhile for forcing us to consider the reality of our faith in a clear and straightforward way, especially since there will come a time when we all must leave this world. It does help when watching this movie (because of where they leave the viewer) if you know a bit of the backstory in that after the events depicted, Lewis went on to document his feelings in a unique work ("A Grief Observed") - his faith was strengthened at the end of the day, and that his stepson who is still alive is a fellow believer in Christ and as far as I know really now has the hope which he stated he wished for at the end of the movie. Anyone who has ever loved, and lost, will instantly be able to identify with this movie and the emotions involved. Yes, you can tell from my description that this is a "sad movie" - but it's sad in a good way. Though we frequently try to avoid, we all need to live in reality and address the hard questions of life head on. This movie forces that hand in a very poignant way with an excellent, moving story that is well-acted. I highly recommend it. If you walk away from this movie questioning your faith, that's okay as long as it leads you to look deeper and go deeper with Jesus - just as Lewis did. As believers, we NEED to not only know what we believe, but why we believe it on a deep level. A note about the DVD versions: I have both the U.S. and UK versions. The U.S. version (out of print) isn't very good because it is non-anamorphic and thus the picture looks extra small on modern HDTV's (it's much better on old-style sets). Widescreen + Non-anamorphic = bad news for modern HDTV's. The UK version is anamorphic and thus solves this problem but as a R2 DVD will only play on Region 2 or multi-region/region free players. Note that some R1 (U.S.) players can be made multi-region by entering a special code on your remote - search the net for your DVD model to see if one exists for yours. I really hope this film comes out on Blu-ray, though I suspect I may be waiting awhile. Reviewed by MoviesForChristians laughandlift dot com/moviesforchristians

Wonderful movie with excellent portrayal of CS Lewis' life and marriage. Anthony Hopkins captured the essence of this intriguing author. Debra Winger's poignant portrayal of his friend and wife was strong and moving.

Anthony Hopkins is superb in his role of C.S. Lewis! Plays him very well including giving extraordinary lectures and showing the true intellect and personality of Lewis. Having been filmed at Oxford University where Lewis was a professor and Oxford township, the setting is ensconced in beautiful scenery and architecture, where the events actually took place, and are great settings for an endearing, true, love story, as well as a look into one of the greatest lecturers and writers of all time. I have read many of Lewis' books, which are truly intellectual and insightful as well, and they have become my friends, much, as I understand, Lewis' library of books were also friends to him and at his request surrounded him in his hospital room during his last days of life. Movie is a great tribute to a great and forever renowned man, as well as to one of the greatest actors of our time, Anthony Hopkins.

Anthony Hopkins at his best! True story, love this film

I love this movie. It's one of my favorites. I had it on DVD but it was an old copy from the 1990s that didn't look all that great on the modern large flat screen led televisions. So I decided to see if I could find it on Blu-ray. Yay Amazon! There is such pretty scenery in some of this movie. It's nice to see it to it's advantage.

How can you miss with Anthony Hopkins (playing C.S. Lewis) and Debra Winger as the lead actors? Look for a strong supporting cast as well. This film is somber, and the power of its emotional punch really grabs you in the second half of the film. I hadn't seen the movie in years and a recent viewing confirmed that it still has the ability to bring on the tears. Recommended!

If you're a CS Lewis fan - you have probably read enough of his writings to have a background for this movie. And if you haven't read much of his work, Shadowlands is a beautiful story, well done, superbly acted, and might help you get into the whole body of work. Whether you read more CSL or not, this is a love story - the world always needs a good love story. Shadowlands fills you in about the personal life of the author of all the stories and essays. Lewis's work includes the seven Narnia books, the Perelandra trilogy, the non-fiction books - start anywhere! Surprised by Joy, the story of Lewis's early life, makes you want to go to Oxford and wear a short scholar's gown and ride a bike and write an essay a day! Many people read Mere Christianity, also a good place to start, as part of their getting serious about practicing the Christian faith in daily life. It helps to have Lewis's books and his life story at hand, when you see Shadowlands - you can start reading right away; I think you're going to want to!

Very few movies have impacted me as this lovely film has. It is a work filled with beauty, honesty, nobility, and reality. Hopkins and Winger are perfectly cast and turn in flawless performances that you will never forget. I cannot overstate the wonderful and powerful chemistry that develops between their characters, nor can I overstate how delightful are the subtleties and nuances that abound in their discovery of each other. And the performances turned in by the rest of the cast are all solid and fit like a good glove. There just are no holes in this movie - it is excellent from the opening credits and never diminishes a whit. Even if your heart is as cold and hard as an Arctic ice floe, I doubt you will be able to watch this and not be moved. Build a fire, take the phone off the hook, dim the lights, and prepare to spend two fabulous hours sharing a magnificent story with those you most care for. If you fall in love with this elegant portrayal as much as I have, you will watch it again and again through the years and always come away feeling enriched and satisfied. What I wouldn't give to see Hollywood would turn out more movies of this caliber!