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Since 1996 |
Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready.... |
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C.S. Lewis Beyond Narnia
DVD
Time: 54 Minutes It’s remarkable how ordinary and seemingly insignificant events prove pivotal, and in God’s economy part of his grand design. Such is the case in the life of C.S. Lewis. He wrote, "I always believed that miracles can happen. You just have to be at the right place at the right time." The tragic loss of his mother led to a cruel English boarding school experience. Begging to leave, he came out into the spacious freedom of a demanding but beloved tutor, who inspired a love of learning and knowledge. It served as preparation for Oxford University. His education was interrupted by what was called "The Great War." Did the tragedy and horror of it confirm his atheism? Wounded in battle, he returned to his studies and Christian friends like J.R.R. Tolkien, who challenged his atheistic assumptions. His defenses began to crumble when he realized that not only were his best friends Christian, his favorite books were written by Christian authors. He could no longer deny God’s existence and felt the pressure of God’s pursuit. He had been filled with trepidation at the thought of becoming a believer, but in1929 he reluctantly surrendered. It was anything but joyous. But years later, after a career in writing had emerged, he agreed to meet with an American woman who had written him. This seemingly insignificant event would forever change his life. He was at the right place at the right time. Joy Gresham would become his friend, and later to make it possible for her to stay in England, Lewis agreed to a hasty "paper" marriage. It was the tragedy of Joy’s cancer that brought their love to the surface, which led to a real marriage before God. At last Lewis would know the joy in his sixties that he had been denied in his twenties. This pleasure would prove to be fleeting, as Joy’s recovery was only temporary. She eventually succumbed leaving Lewis to question the faith he had espoused and defended. In back of all the twists and turns in his life, stood the God who helped Lewis and his stepchildren carry on. All of these scenes and more are beautifully depicted in this dramatic presentation. Amazingly, it condenses into 54 minutes all the periods and highlights of his life. The pacing is even and relaxed; it never feels rushed. This is not a documentary. An assortment of actors, including a man who looks like an older Lewis, vividly and expertly recreate his life. The promotional DVD copy opens with an advertisement for this production and did not have any of the bonus features listed on the box. This includes Lewis and Narnia trivia, information about Lewis and a few other items related to the Narnia books. The presentation opens with Lewis as a child exploring an old cottage. Then it flashes forward to 1963 with the older Lewis narrating his story. The different episodes are played out in between narration and commentary. Lewis serves as a guide; everything comes to us from his perspective. As you might expect, this is more realistic and less dramatic than "Shadowlands," the popular Hollywood version of his life. It also has a warmth and production that exceeds the PBS story. This may be the best and is probably the most concise depiction of Lewis on film. Those who know his story may not learn anything new, but this works because it’s well-done, entertaining and realistic. It’s a loving depiction that serves as a great follow-up to the "Narnia" movie. It takes us beyond Narnia to show us the miracle of the life behind it. Michael Dalton
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