Beloved Pictures has secured the film rights to C.S. Lewisʼs The Great Divorce. C.S. Lewis, the world-renowned Oxford/Cambridge scholar and best-selling author of works such as The Chronicles of Narnia and The Screwtape Letters, is regarded as one of the most profound writers of the twentieth century. The first two installments of seven in the Chronicles of Narnia film franchise (The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe and Prince Caspian), produced by Disney & Walden Media, have grossed $1.16 billion to date. Lewis was also the subject of the Academy Award-nominated, BAFTA-winning biopic, Shadowlands, starring Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger.
Dr. Bob Beltz is a consultant for the owner of Walden Media. He’s now working on bringing another C.S. Lewis classic to the big screen with The Great Divorce. It has the potential to be a fantastic film. It’s got the solid foundation of C.S. Lewis behind it, and if done well, could be a film classic. Dr. Beltz wrote about it on his blog on Examiner.
This comes to us late, but NarniaFans learned today that Andy Serkis, best known for playing the duplicitous Gollum in the Lord of the Rings, will be voicing the diabolical Screwtape in Focus on the Family Radio Theater’s upcoming adaptation of CS Lewis’s classic, The Screwtape Letters.
The Narnia Code, a new documentary based on Dr. Michael Ward’s Planet Narnia, is something we’d heard about late last year. It’s been a few months and is now complete and ready to air. We haven’t seen it yet, but you can watch a preview video for it here.
It is airing on BBC1 this upcoming Thursday, 16 April from 10:35-11:35pm.
Another successful April Fools Day comes and goes. I couldn’t have asked for a better response than the one that was given by the amount of press that we received from our three major April Fools Day jokes this year.
For our wrap up this year, Jonathon and I are collaborating on this story. We’re both weighing in on the response to the stories that I can take no credit for. Jonathon is a genius, and he is THE genius behind the April Fool’s Day jokes this year and last.
Two of the biggest Christian actors are slated to star in a film about two of the 20th century’s most prominent Christian writers. Actors Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains, Left Behind, and Fireproof), and Mel Gibson (Lethal Weapon, Braveheart and The Passion of the Christ) are slated to star as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien in an upcoming still untitled movie.
Wouldn’t you know it, just as Prince Caspian is about to be released to DVD and Blu-ray Disc, a BBC documentary is announced that won’t air until Easter. Not that I blame them… that is pure marketing.
The documentary is called “The Narnia Code” and it is based on a theory that the Chronicles of Narnia books all relate to the different planets in our solar system.
Each of the seven children’s chronicles is based on one of the seven planets that comprised the heavens in medieval astrology, says a scholar whose theory is examined in the programme.
The explanation comes after more than five decades of literary and theological debate over whether Lewis devised the fantasies with a pattern in mind or created characters and events at random.
It is put forward by Reverend Dr Michael Ward, in his book Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of CS Lewis.
Norman Stone, director and producer of The Narnia Code, to be screened on BBC2 at Easter, says the theory is the “best explanation yet” for the chimerical nature of the books.
The Chronicles of Narnia have sold over 120m copies in 41 languages since their first publication in the early 1950s first of the books, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, was turned into a film starring Tilda Swinton and James McAvoy in 2005.
The books are already known to work on two levels: the fantasy narrative enjoyed by generations of children, and the Christian allegory in which the lion Aslan represents Christ. However, Lewis never revealed the hidden key behind the series.
Dr Ward made his discovery in 2003 after reading The Planets, a poem by Lewis which refers to the influence of Jupiter in “winter passed / And guilt forgiv’n” – a theme echoed in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
He claims Lewis’ knowledge of medieval history, of which he was one of the leading scholars, made him familiar with the characteristics attributed to the seven planets during the period. Each of these planets gives one of the books its theme. Prince Caspian, for example, is a story ruled by Mars, who is manifested by soldiery and battle, while The Voyage of the Dawn Treader focuses on the Sun, with its light and gold themes. In The Horse and His Boy, based on Mercury, the planet that rules the star sign Gemini and is associated with the power of communication, the characters include twins and a talking horse.
Mr Stone said: “This isn’t the first theory on Narnia and I don’t suppose it will be the last but this is the best explanation yet.
He added: “This will help change the view of Lewis. It will help elevate Lewis to a different level and make him the equal of Tolkien – both as a writer and thinker.”
So, who’s interested in this possible theory? Thoughts?
The High Calling had a chance to interview Micheal Flaherty about their films and they brought up both Dawn Treader and Screwtape Letters. Here’s a portion of that interview. You can read the rest at the source link above.
Can you give any news about when Screwtape or Dawn Treader will come out?
The first time I spoke with you, I had just received the first draft of Dawn Treader. Literally as we were speaking it was there on my desk. I hadn’t even opened it up yet. I couldn’t wait to read it, though, because Eustace is one of my favorite characters.
Dawn Treader is moving very well. Michael Apted, who directed Amazing Grace, is directing it. He also directed Coal Miner’s Daughter and a bunch of others. He’s a great director. He’s the president of the Directors Guild.
Screwtape on the other hand is just a really tricky adaptation.
I think a big part of being faithful to that work is keeping it dark in a way that’s probably going to bother some people. I don’t know how that works with movie profitability, but Screwtape always takes the approach of the demons. They have to be the heroes—even if they’re tragic heroes—for it to be faithful to what Lewis did.
We’re trying to find that balance between the comedy and the stakes. We’re working hard on the script. One of the questions we’re asking is how do you show the real transformation that happens inside a person.
Screwtape keeps encouraging the patient to go through the motions in his daily life and work.
You just nailed the entire paradox of this project. The book is so clever, because Screwtape is saying things like, “Have them write the check out to Unicef.” Just have him writing, saying, “Oh boy, this is going to hurt.” It goes back to that great Corinthians passage, you can do all of these things, but if you do them without love, it’s worthless. We’re trying to figure out how to illustrate that. What I love about Screwtape, what I love about the Gospel is all this external behavioral stuff that too often people confuse as central to our faith, is just an element of it. What really matters is the outpouring of love and the reflection of love.
It strikes me how much “God is love,” and when we love what we’re doing and when we get other people to love it, there’s truth in it. I’m excited to see what comes out of it.
Please note the following in this issue of the C.S. Lewis Society Update (2/15/08):
http://www.lewissociety.org
1. C.S. Lewis in TV’s “Lost”
2. Recent Articles
3. New Books
4. Next meetings of the C.S. Lewis Society Bay Area Book Club
5. Other Events
1. C.S. Lewis in TV’s “Lost”:
The extremely popular ABC-TV series of mystery, spirituality and intrigue with a group of people marooned on a desert island, “Lost,” is now in its fourth season. And in episode two, the program is revealing remarkable clues that point to C.S. Lewis’s influence. For example, when Ben noted that Charlotte’s complete name is “Charlotte Staples Lewis,” the blogosphere utterly lit up about Lewis, with people pointing out the connections to Lewis’s books, PRINCE CASPIAN and PERELANDRA. Such suggestions have arisen before, especially in the first season, when the original program was produced by Christian film producer Ralph Winter, who is also currently producing the film version of THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS. Here are example articles:
“Tiddlywinkydinks: Perelandra Lost” (Inner Toob)
“Lost’s Second Episode Reveals More Clues,” by Sonja Zjawinski (Wired News)
“‘Lost’: Chute First, Ask Questions Later,” by Jeff Jensen (Entertainment Weekly)
2. Recent Articles:
A. Here is another article from the author of the important, new book, PLANET NARNIA (Oxford University Press):
“C. S. Lewis and the Star of Bethlehem: Recovering the Medieval Imagination,” by Michael Ward (Christianity Today)
http://www.christianitytoday.com/bc/2008/001/15.30.html
B. Is the warning in C.S. Lewis’s dystopian science fiction book THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH coming true in Britain? In the book, Lewis conceived of a government-funded scientistic think tank, the National Institute for Coordinated Experiments (N.I.C.E.), which would rule society absolutely according to eugenic, utilitarian principles. Incredibly enough, in 1999, the Labor government established the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (N.I.C.E.) with special powers to determine the treatments in Britain’s government-funded health system. As Elizabeth Woodeson, head of scientific development and bioethics at the Department of Health has stated, “The Secretary of State believes that…clinicians should be able to follow the N.I.C.E. [quality of life] guidelines without being obliged to accede to patient demands.” The result for example was the decision to withhold food and water from Leslie Burke, who was suffering from a degenerative motor neurone disease, with Burke filing a lawsuit in response in order to save his life:
“Commentary: Britain’s N.I.C.E. Think Tank Not So Nice – C.S. Lewis’ Prophesy Comes Eerily True,” by Hilary White (LifeSite)
C. Review of Dinesh D’Souza’s bestselling book, WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT CHRISTIANITY:
“God’s Advocate: Dinesh D’Souza goes the distance with the atheists,” by Peter Wehner (Weekly Standard)
D. For decades, the world’s leading atheist (and David Hume) scholar Antony Flew attacked theism as irrational. In his new book, THERE IS A GOD, he reveals why he has changed his mind and has abandoned atheism. Here is an interview with him:
“My Pilgrimage from Atheism to Theism: A Discussion between Antony Flew and Gary Habermas”
3. New Books:
SURPRISED BY HOPE: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, by N.T. Wright
GOD’S UNDERTAKER: Has Science Buried God?, by John Lennox
CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE EXISTENCE OF GOD: A Theistic Argument, by J. P. Moreland
CHRISTIANS AT THE CROSS: Finding Hope in the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus, by N.T. Wright
IS YOUR LORD LARGE ENOUGH: How C.S. Lewis Expands Our View of God, by Peter J. Schakel
THE REASON FOR GOD: Belief in an Age of Skepticism, by Timothy Keller
THE HEART OF NARNIA; Wisdom, Virtue, and Life Lessons from the Classic Chronicles, by Robert Velarde
INSIDE PRINCE CASPIAN: A Guide to Exploring the Return to Narnia, by Devin Brown
THE CASE FOR THE REAL JESUS: A Journalist Investigates Current Attacks on the Identity of Christ, by Lee Strobel
4. The next meetings of the C.S. Lewis Society Bay Area Book Club will be as follows:
Book for Discussion:
TILL WE HAVE FACES: A Myth Retold, by C.S. Lewis:
Wednesday, February 20, 7:30 p.m.; Meeting moderator/leader: Roy Carlisle
Wednesday, March 5, 7:30 p.m.; Meeting moderator/leader: Roy Carlisle
TILL WE HAVE FACES was considered by Lewis to be his greatest novel, and critics agree. Based on the classic Roman myth, this tale of two princesses — one beautiful and one unattractive — and of the struggle between sacred and profane love is Lewis’s reworking of the myth of Cupid and Psyche and one of his most enduring works. The book is brilliant and intriguing study of love, pride, power and God.
“The most significant and triumphant work that Lewis has yet produced”.”
–New York Herald Tribune
“In Mr. Lewis’s sensitive hands the ancient myth retains its fascination while being endowed with new meanings, new depths, new terrors.”
–Saturday Review
The meetings will be held at:
11990 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94619 (atop the Oakland hills)
510-482-2906 phone
wine, soft drinks and other refreshments served
Here also are numerous articles re TILL WE HAVE FACES:
“TILL WE HAVE FACES” by Henry Karlson:
“TILL WE HAVE FACES” by Wikipedia:
“A Great Gulf Fixed: The Problem of Obsessive Love in C.S. Lewis’ TILL WE HAVE FACES,” by Amelia F. Franz
“TILL WE HAVE FACES, by C.S. Lewis,” reviewed by Peter Schakel; Literary Encyclopedia
“TILL WE HAVE FACES, by C.S. Lewis”, by Kevin Stilley
“A review of TILL WE HAVE FACES by C.S. Lewis”
TILL WE HAVE FACES is available in paperback
TILL WE HAVE FACES on CD
Here also is the schedule of future Lewis Society book club meetings
Here also is information on C.S. Lewis
We hope that you and/or others you know will be joining with us! (Please feel free to forward this update to others.)
5. Other Events:
http://www.lewissociety.org/events.php
“Sixth Frances Ewbank Colloquium on C.S. Lewis & Friends”
Sponsored by Taylor University, Upland, IN
May 29-June 1, 2008
“LionCon: A Narnian Convention”
Sponsored by LionCon.org
June 20-22, 2008
http://www.lioncon.org/
“Charles Williams and His Contemporaries”
Sponsored by The Charles Williams Society
Sr. Hilda’s College, Oxford, England
July 4-6, 2008
“Oxbridge 2008: The Self and the Search for Meaning”
Sponsored by the C.S. Lewis Foundation
Oxford University, July 28 – August 2, 2008
Cambridge University, August 3-8, 2008
Please contact me with any questions.
Best regards,
David
David J. Theroux
Founder and President
C. S. Lewis Society of California
100 Swan Way, Suite 200
Oakland, CA 94621-1428
(510) 635-6892 Phone
(510) 568-6040 Fax
dtheroux@lewissociety.org
http://www.lewissociety.org
Founder and President
The Independent Institute
(510) 632-1366 Phone
DTheroux@independent.org
http://www.independent.org
The Kindlings Muse Podcast, with host Dick Staub, has just released a new episode that features an interview with filmmaker Bob O’Donnell.
Bob O’ Donnell is a filmmaker, broadcaster (he produced “Unshackled,” the longest running radio drama on the planet!) & actor who created the first documentary (and many say the best) of C.S. Lewis.
New to the Seattle area–[The Kindlings] wanted to get a firsthand account of his amazing work in collaboration with Walter Hooper on a documentary & companion book “Through Joy & Beyond.” He is joined later in the discussion by his son Marty O’Donnell, audio Director at Bungie studios (creators of Halo).
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