Shadowlands (1994)

This emotionally moving romantic drama was adapted by William Nicholson from his own acclaimed play, based upon the real-life romance (during the 1950s) between the British writer C.S. Lewis and a divorced American poet named Joy Gresham. Best known for writing The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Lewis (Anthony Hopkins) is living comfortably as a respected Oxford don, his academic lifestyle a kind of shell protecting him from the emotional risk of love. Joy Gresham (Debra Winger) arrives at Oxford as an avid admirer of Lewis's writing, and the safety of his collegiate routine is quickly disrupted when Lewis realizes that he's fallen deeply and unexpectedly in love. Their courtship is uniquely engaging; he's shy and uncertain, she's outspoken and bold. But when Joy is diagnosed with cancer, Lewis's Christian faith is put to the test--he cannot fathom why their happiness together would be so drastically challenged. Together, they find a way to accept and honor the time they have shared together, and under the sensitive direction of Richard Attenborough, Shadowlands arrives at a conclusion that is both heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. Hopkins and Winger are equally superb in this absorbing story of personal and spiritual transformation--a story previously filmed for British television in 1985, with Joss Ackland and Claire Bloom. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com essential video

Great Product

The product was pretty close to the description given. The VHS itself was in awesome shape. The case was said to be in perfect condition - it was slightly worn however - which was kind of a disappointment. But overall I was pleased and happy with my purchase. December 30, 2008

Well acted historical FICTION

If one were to pick apart the film for its historical inaccuracies, one would have a field day. The film, however, is not a documentary. It is fiction using the names of real, historical people. Once you get beyond that, it is much easier to enjoy it.

The most moving theme of the story is how Lewis deals with the problem of pain as he experiences it. When he holds it at arms' length and examines it with scholarly detachment, pain is easy to understand. It is a necessary means God uses to sculpt and shape his creatures. When actually felt, it is mysterious, confusing, and apparently unnecessary. Why do the good suffer and lesser people flourish? Why does the wonderful joy of love have to be tempered with the excruciating pain of loss? While Lewis was able to speak authoritatively about the purpose of pain in his lectures, he was unable to give an answer to his wife's grieving son. All he could do was to cry along with the child.

Perhaps one could learn from the story of Job that it's best not to try to give the grieving an explanation for their pain. Like Job, the fictional Lewis could know that God had a reason but that he could not understand it.

I recommend the film as a reminder for viewers that oftentimes pain doesn't make sense. Instead of expostulating on God's reason for allowing others to suffer, it is better to sit and weep with them. December 17, 2008

great price and delivery

The price on this tape was great and the delivery was very timely. The tape box shows wear (as stated) but the tape is in excellent condition. I would certainly use this seller again without hesitation. November 23, 2008

Moving

When C.S.Lewis, author of such books as "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" was only a small boy of 9, his mother died and he learned that his only way through the pain and loneliness was to encase himself in an impenetrable shell, so that pain could not touch him. He leads an ordered, safe life as an Oxford Don, singing in the cathedral choir and lecturing to audiences of adoring women readers. When he meets American writer, Joy Gresham, her brash, New York, Jewish forthrightness almost batters him but luckily he summons enough courage to begin a friendship. He agrees to marry her so as to allow her and her son to remain in England and gradually she softens his defences and becomes part of his life as a platonic friend. When they discover that Joy is dying from incurable cancer, Lewis realises the depth of his love for her which allows them to enjoy a brief few months together before she dies. Anthony Hopkins is brilliantly cast as Lewis and is such a fine actor that the viewer is able to see, in his eyes, everything that he is saying inwardly, while Debra Winger is equally as good as the loud American who is the foil for his timidity. August 14, 2008

Beautiful and Infuriating

This movie is beautiful and has lovely acting and gorgeous sets and even terrific writing.

The directing, as usual with Attenborough, is first-rate.

But Lewis is an infuriating person.

That's partly the movie's subject: Lewis is SO repressed, SO insulated, SO narcissistic, that it takes a very aggressive woman and a tragedy to (partly) penetrate his shell.

He wrote a book called "Surprised by Joy." This is a reference to Wordsworth; but it seems perfectly apt--and horrifying.

You get the sense from this movie that Lewis was so cut off from the emotions that anything--even pain--was better than the numbness in which he spent most of his life.

It's sad, and it's pointless.

Oddly--or perhaps not oddly at all--Lewis erects Pain into his First Principle of Theology: for Lewis, God does not want us to be happy, He wants us to Suffer, because by Suffering we learn to love.

It is pitiful that Lewis had to suffer to learn love.

Hard to know why Joy would love him.

You don't know whether to laugh or scream at him.

Great movie about a pitiable person.

May 16, 2008

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