Screwtape Movie?

[inkspot]

Has anyone read the Screwtape Letters? The news article says there is consideration of making it into a movie, to be decided after LWW proves itself (or not). I would think it would be very difficult to bring Screwtape book to life, if I am remembering it right, because so much of it is philosophy. Any thoughts?

[Warrior-Poet51088]

I've read 'em, and I really liked 'em, too!

Yeah, it'd be rather difficult to make it into a movie, considering it's called The Screwtape Letters.

[Hope96]

Yes, I've read the Screwtape Letters. And I loved it. But it does seem like it would be difficult to make that into a movie. I would be very interested in seeing it if they do.

[Aslan the Wise one]

yes i have seen that aicle too, and you do have a poit there inkspot(LOVE THE NAME) i have not read the Screwtape Letters but i know a lot about the book that i have lernd from my borther-in-law wich has read it before and he is also a BIG cs.lewis fan,i just think we well have to see what happen over the hole narnia moive thing in a few mothes,

[tgraveline]

yes yes, i was thinking how do you put letters onto screen. My only guess is to have a lot of narrative and seeing what wormtail is doing the entire time instead of the assumptions of whats going on you make by what schrewtape writes at the beginning of each letter back to wormtail. Interesting isn't it.

tg

[inked]

Absolutely no sweat to make a movie of this! It is very visual and interactive. The potential dialogues in the characters are well outlined in the text. Placement of it in the period of WWII and the Blitz will be quite visually stunning if done appropriately. The placement in its setting as a dream would certainly allow great opening and closing scenes of Oxford and the contrast between the intellectual life of the college and the war-time status of London.

I think there would be no problem with making this book into a very good movie.

The CGI capabilities would certainly allow an interesting structuring of both Wormwood and Screwtape, not to mention Slubglob et alia. And if it incorporated the shorter work SCREWTAPE PROPOSES A TOAST, we would have an excellent view of Hell. Since Mr Lewis was at pains to portray Hell as a thoroughly nasty business concern, the possibilities for irony and social comment are enormous! No need to get Dantesque, a burlesque of the greed and grasp of, say, ENRON provides ample material for that setting.

Any one working on a screenplay need help with this? I'd be available. And we could consider THE GREAT DIVORCE as an additional project! :cool:

[Sojourner]

I think The letters would do well as a movie......as tg said.

Hey TG I am back:)

[tgraveline]

I am truly curious as to the approach that would be used for this book being turned into a movie. There are different possibilities and they don't even have to interact with each other. A more creative way could be brought to the table too. So i'm just curious as to whats going to happen.

tg

[inkspot]

It has been a long time since I read it -- is the time period during WW II or after that? It would be cool to be able to see the everyday life of the "subject" Wormwood is supposed to tempt, and yet be able to see Wormwood as he tries to follow Screwtape's advice... it could be pretty eerie, I think.

The screen writer would have to make up a lot of action/dialog for the tempted human, you know -- in the book he is just talked about, we don't actually hear from him as I recall. I better put this on my re-read list!

[inked]

By all means re-read SCREWTAPE, Inkspot.

Better yet, if you can buy a copy of John Cleese's AudioBook presentation of it - which was so good it was nominated for a Grammy! IT's a real treat to hear him read this. You might could get it via interlibrary loan at your local library, too.

[inkspot]

Thanks -- I will look for the audio, sounds great!

[Eve'sDaughter]

I've read the scretape letters and it confused me SO much. I had to read it in 7'th grade, and I think it was too early for me to read it. I didn't understand half of it. I think I'll try reading it again as well. ^_^

[Reepicheep1707]

Screwtape letters sound fantastic, but really confusing. I wonder, why are they so worried about the success of the Lion, the witch and the wardrobe movie? The trailer I've seen makes it look like it's going to be unbelievable. I think it would be interesting to watch.

[inkspot]

When you read Screwtape, remember that it is a devil trying to encourage a younger devil in how to MESS UP this guy's life ("the patient," the call him). So everything is backward -- what Screwtape says is good for Wormwood to do is really bad and evil. Also keep in mind that it is supposed to be taking place during World WAR II, so this is 60 years ago, more or less -- try to hark back to the standard of living and morality of those years. With that stuff in mind, it is interesting and funny -- but also very intellectual, you really have to think about it.

[unleavened]

I'm reading screwtape for the first time right now. I love it, but it really makes you think. Am I giving into those traps?

It would be really hard to make it a movie. It's so powerful b/c of it's written aspects and I'm not so sure it could be done justice in a movie. Although it might wake up the world to the fact that there is a spiritual relm and a battle going on.

[borntofly]

I know what you mean unleavened. Sometimes I play right into the enemy's hand. I'm a little unsure about anyone making a movie out of this book, Lewis wrote them for people to read and to think about, they're not something you make a movie out of.

[Thad]

I've read the letters, which were great, but I do not think it would make a very good movie. As others pointed out, the book deals mainly with philosophy, leaving it almost impossible to put on the screen. Although, anyone who would undertake such a bold project must be creative indeed.

[unleavened]

I know what you mean unleavened. Sometimes I play right into the enemy's hand. I'm a little unsure about anyone making a movie out of this book, Lewis wrote them for people to read and to think about, they're not something you make a movie out of.
Very true. A movie would partually emiminate the thought process of thinking that is ever so important in reading the book. I think it would take away from it's potency.

[Jene Sai]

You have a point....The book makes you simmer over the ideas put forth and requires lengthy amounts of attention (if not truly gutt wreching thought about what kind of person you are and where your motives come from)...
...A movie would have more of the "shock and awe" approach...It works for the millitary, but they are after the elimination of an enemy, not the conversion of a friend.

-JS

[Sam]

I think it would be quite difficult, because the things about the book that I found mind boggling weren't really the stuff of movies. For example, I remember being so humbled when Screwtape tells his nephew not to attack a person's thoughts, but distract them from them. So, you make the Christian think they're hungry and they'll get back to their thoughts later, knowing that they probably won't. I'm not sure how the importance of things like that could come across. still, it would be well worth the try.

[inkspot]

That's true, Sam. How would that kind of insight be spelled out in a movie? It's difficult to visualize.

[inked]

It's not difficult to visualize, guys and gals. Of course, I have been reading them for 35+ years. Just imagine that you were seeing the scene and experiencing it through the tempted's eyes with Screwtape and Wormwood conversing over the issue while the events transpire. Visualize people!!! :p

The ideas naturally flow in!

Should we open a forum for the movie script and jointly write it? :D

[Gibby]

I am going to have to read this book now. So much to read, so little time...

[Sam]

If you were serious about the movie script, I think that is a very cool idea. What about taking a particular scene or section that you liked, adapting it, posting and then everyone else comments on it, or even continues it?

oh, and I would say, even if you have loads to read, this is well worth it. It felt (to my shame really) like someone had seen all my weaknesses, and written a book about the way I respond to temptation. A real wake-up call.

[Gibby]

If you were serious about the movie script, I think that is a very cool idea. What about taking a particular scene or section that you liked, adapting it, posting and then everyone else comments on it, or even continues it?

oh, and I would say, even if you have loads to read, this is well worth it. It felt (to my shame really) like someone had seen all my weaknesses, and written a book about the way I respond to temptation. A real wake-up call.

Well, it appears to be a fairly short book; I will take your advice and squeeze it in. Our local library has a copy.

[inkspot]

If you were serious about the movie script, I think that is a very cool idea. What about taking a particular scene or section that you liked, adapting it, posting and then everyone else comments on it, or even continues it?
I don't know how to write a movie script, what is the format? Post a scene you like adapted for a movie, Sam, so I can see how it's done ... I think Inked says it is easy to visualize because he is a man and they are more visual ...

[Sam]

Well, I'll have a go. Sharpen up my visual prowess. I'll post it when I'm done, and welcome any criticism. (I'm not entirely sure of the format either, but I'll improvise.)

[Sam]

ok, so here it goes. Feel free to cry 'rubbish! cliche! change everything!' I just thought I'd put this in to start the ball rolling, as it were.

THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS

PROLOGUE

You see the back of a dark figure, slightly from the side so you can see hand (this is Screwtape so he's not going to look quite like a man's, I was thinking something more like the devil in the penultimate part of Fantasia, but more subtle) -writing a letter. You can't really see a pen, just a nib, and some letters forming.

All you can hear is the scratch, scratch of a pen.


You go in closer, down the pen towards the paper and read the words 'My Dear Wormwood'. The letters then go blurry, the paper turns (from parchment) to normal, A4 lined paper, on which someone has just written (in biro) MATERIALISM.


Now we pan out and we're in a lecture hall- a man at the front is droning on about materialism/ self-sufficiency etc. We now get a glimpse of our hero who is looking thoughtful, possibly at bit doubtful. Suddenly we hear-


VOICEOVER ( The voiceover is always SCREWTAPE- Anthony Hopkins like?):

My dear Wormwood, your patient's recent interest in materialism, is no doubt, a good thing... but don't you think you are being a little naive?


From the moment the voiceover starts, we pan out and watch as our hero leaves the lecture hall, and makes his way home. Intermittently, we hear Screwtape speaking.

SCREWTAPE:

Do not seek to win your patient over by argument- who (even of our kind) can foresee where that might lead? You must distract him.

On the journey, we establish (through landmarks) that this is London, at some point during the second world war (perhaps from a newspaper headline). It is grey and drizzly- evening time. We watch him walk home- a terraced house, not huge, not tiny. Unremarkable.

SCREWTAPE:

Keep his mind on what he thinks of as 'real' life.

He goes into the house, wipes his shoes and hangs up his coat, goes into the living room, kisses an old lady (it will be established that this is his mother), goes into the kitchen and puts the kettle on. he sits at the kitchen table, and looks into space, thinking.


SCREWTAPE:

If he starts thinking thoughts that are dangerous to our purpose, and advantageous to the enemy-

Suddenly, he gets up, goes into the living room and goes to an old bookcase, looking for something. He pulls out a Bible, looks at it

convince him that he must set them aside for when he has more time; when he has had his dinner; when he is feeling 'up to it'.

-and is about to open it when he hears the kettle boil. He pauses, then puts the Bible back on the shelf. He goes to the kitchen, with a long suffering look, and starts pouring tea/ getting biscuits etc. for himself and his mother. He takes it into her, sits down on an armchair and silently drinks his tea.

We cut to a shot of him lying in bed that same night, staring at the ceiling.

SCREWTAPE:

Beffudle him... press home on him the ordinariness of things.


All the while, the credits have been coming up.


And that's the prologue to the rest of the movie. The voiceover and the action is supposed to be simultaneous, not one then the other like it's written. sorry bout that.

I think there will have to be more live action from Screwtape- constant voicovers might get annoying, but it sets up the premise of the book?

[inkspot]

I like it. Nice work, Sam!

**Spoilers**

What if we see Wormwood, but sort of ethereal, so it's obvious the patient can't see him, with Screwtape's letter in hand? The letter can look real, but Worwood look kind of ghosty or something for a weird effect.

Then when the patient is looking for the Bible, Wormwood could be dancing up and down having a fit about what to do, then maybe remember the tea kettle, run to it and fan the flame under it until it whistles, and dance around happy when the patient returns without the Bible?

Then we could kind of see what Wormwood is doing.

Even at the lecture, we could see Wormwood sitting there, reading the letter, right next to the patient -- like in the lap of the person next to him -- and when Wormwood reads that he's being naive, he could curl up his lip like he can't believe Screwtape is criticizing him!

This could be fun. You know, there's that one section where Screwtape chastises Wormwood for trying to make trouble for him, we could actually see that whole hellish incident where Screwtape is hauled in for questioning about some of his statements re God.

This is a good idea after all. If I get time, I'll work on a segment.

[waterhogboy]

No I dont think you should be able to see either of the devils.

*SPOILERS*

Even in the last chapters I think there should just be visual effects as to what is gonna happen to Wormwood..... I think it would lose its effect if you could actually see Wormwood - plus he's a spirit.

[inked]

WHB, are you worried you'll be frightened? Or are you worried we'll have in red tights with pitchforks? They needn't look other than mostly human. Have you read CSL's introduction? Of course, CGI could do a great job with the transformation from Screwtape a la humanoid to the centipede! ;)

[unleavened]

Perhaps wormwood's doings could be whispers.

You know, (just a thought) this could be really good as a radio show or something like that. I somehow don't think that visuals could add to screwtape, but voice acting on the other hand, I believe, would be wonderful.

That's just me though. I'll have to see what you guys come up with and see if I get any ideas myself for visuals. Perhaps I'm just unimaginative, or maybe it's b/c it's way too late for any of this.

[inkspot]

WHB, are you worried you'll be frightened? Or are you worried we'll have in red tights with pitchforks? They needn't look other than mostly human. Have you read CSL's introduction? Of course, CGI could do a great job with the transformation from Screwtape a la humanoid to the centipede! ;)
I want them to look SCARY! I think it could be very exciting if you could see Wormwood, even if he looks ghostly. He and Screwtape are main characters.

[Gibby]

OK, I am reading the book so I can crash into this discussion soon.

[inkspot]

Excellent! :D

I am stil trying to find time to script my scene...

[unleavened]

I'm still trying to find time to finish the book. So of course, I'm dinking around online all day, b/c that's productive...riiiiight.

[inkspot]

I'm still trying to find time to finish the book. So of course, I'm dinking around online all day, b/c that's productive...riiiiight.
LOL! I know the feeling

[Dernhelm]

I like the script idea! though I don't know about a movie...they'd probably get the theology completly mixed :(.

I loved your introduction, Sam!

[inkspot]

I still plan to do my movie treatment for one of the scenes and post it here, but I am out of the country (USA) now and don't have the book. Look for it next week ... I think it could be a cool movie.

[Sam]

I like the script idea! though I don't know about a movie...they'd probably get the theology completly mixed :(.

I loved your introduction, Sam!


Thanks Dernhelm! That's really nice to hear. I'm planning on doing another part, trying to incorporate everyone's thoughts.

[kisha]

It might make more sense for them....to make a movie after the Ishbane Conspiracy......which isn't solid letters, but told much after Lewis' Screwtape letters by Randy Alcorn

[inkspot]

Welcome, Kisha! i didn't see you post before.

I have not heard of this book, although is that the same author of The Treasure Principle? That is a great favorite of mine ...

Check out the other threads and give us more of your insight.

[crjr9833]

Yaa know, screwtape. Would probably make a great movie.

[unleavened]

I'm getting through the book now! I'm on ch 15 or something. If I can buy some time at the corner drug store, I'll write a bit of a script.

[inkspot]

Cool! I still want to, too, but I've been too busy!

[takeseven]

I am a filmmaker... currently in Pittsburgh... and my friends and I are creating a movie on the SCREWTAPE LETTERS... It is a challange..but we have found a way to totally get past the fact that they are letters... What we are doing is putting it in perspective of the Humans instead of the demons Screwtape and Wormwood... We are in early development..but it will turn out great in the end!! I hope to release in the Winter to anyone who wants a copy!!!


~~David Wooddell~~

any questions..email me at

takesevenprod@yahoo.com

[CSLewisFan]

Randy Alcorn (I think it was him, maybe someone could double check) wrote a similar book to the Screwtape Letters; only it showed the man's life in between the letters.
I think maybe they would do something like this for a movie.

-Austin

[fea~mar~vanwa~tyalieva]

wow interesting...
when I read the book the second time, I sort of thought about how one might go about putting it into a movie...I'm thinking to make it really visual, and to focus on the person (I forgot his name..did he even have a name?) and then show how the demons affect the person's choices during the whole movie...but the demons must be shown, and not just talking..hmmm...I guess the effects have to be really great though because I don't think that they should be the 'stereotypical' demons that people dress up as on Halloween LOL...they should be much more creepy than that. Anyway, Screwtape himself said that the 'image' of the stereotypical demon has been given to humans by...demons haha..so that they would seem ridiculous and not real. loll..
oh yes and the ending has to be very intense and powerful, and...hmm..I forgot most of the things I thought about when I read the book. lol
it's definitely a challenge to make this movie, so I guess everything has to be really thought out...but I don't think it's impossible, any book can be turned into a movie if it's done correctly.
cheers

[Charn_Tim]

Hey I recently learned about this and I wanted to know what people think about making Screwtape Letters into a movie. It already has an imdb site:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0956039/

I am very skeptical and curious to see how it turns out. If it will stay true to Lewis' thought then I think it would be a good idea-if only to help get these ideas into our national consciousness. At the very least, it may help incite interest and curiosity to think about what he has to say, maybe get more people to read the book who otherwise wouldn't, or incite good conversations with non-believers.

[inkspot]

I think it could be a fabulous movie! With CG effects for Screwtape and Wormwood ... I hope it will be good.

[Copperfox]

I once wrote that Jason Carter of "Babylon 5" could do the voice of Reepicheep; well, he would also be a good voice for Screwtape.

[subjectofthehighking]

Wow! this is one interesting thread. I have never read the Screwtape Letters *slap myself* but with it being released as a movie in '08, I better get my hands on a copy.

While reading other people's comments on how they will portray the demons, how I would do it if I were making is portray Screwtape as a human being following his "victim" around, his victim oblivious to his existence. this demon in the form of a human being would look generally creepy and unearthly, like Satan in The Passion of the Christ, and occasionally have a slight change in his person (flash of green eyes, or brief morph into a twisted, demented face) to indicate his real role.

I'm anxious to see how the movie will turn out, and how they will portray the demons.

[inkspot]

Wow, I hadn't considered that: a human character like the Satan one in The Passion. That could be good.

Remember, Subject, when you are reading the Screwtape Letters, that the demon writes them, so the advice is for how to trap and ensnare people, how to ruin lives. It could get confusing if you read it any other way ...

Enjoy, it's really amusing and thought-provoking.

[subjectofthehighking]

Oh yes, forgive me. the letters are titled, "My dear Wormwood" if I remember correctly (?) And Wormwood is the demon receiving advice on how to manipulate his human victim from his uncle Screwtape? Am I correct now? Thanks for pointing out my blunder.

I'll get to reading The Screwtape Letters once I'm done with Mere Christianity. AS you said, reading C.S. Lewis's work requires a lot of thought, and I'm reading each chapter twice. Therefore, ;) it will be taking a while. Thanks a lot for your advice.

[inkspot]

Oh, no, you didn't make any blunder. I just wanted you, when you started reading the book, to know that. Otherwise it could get confusing!
:)

[lieke]

I really loved the prolouge that Sam wrote earlier in this thread, and i think that if they are going to make it into a movie such a thing would work okay. From the human's perspective i mean. I know that the human in the book doesn't actually play a role, but only having the two demons in it is not something that would work well on screen i think...

This could be a good movie...

[Copperfox]

Has anyone mentioned here the fact that there has already been a stage play of Screwtape? I haven't seen it, but I have no doubt that it portrayed the human beings who were affected by the situations about which Screwtape was writing.

[lieke]

Has anyone mentioned here the fact that there has already been a stage play of Screwtape? I haven't seen it, but I have no doubt that it portrayed the human beings who were affected by the situations about which Screwtape was writing.
Have not heard of that yet.

Here there was a stage play like the Screwtape Letters, though. But it was called 'de verleiding' (English: the temptation) and it was about a still-learning-demon, like Wormwood, who had to make a boy go away from his friends, his faith, etc.
On screen you saw the guys life, and the things he was doing, and on stage there were two demons, one of them like Screwtape, and one of them like Wormwood. I don't think i have to mention that it was based on the Screwtape Letters ;).

I didn't see it (i wanted to, but i couldn't go for whatever reason), but a couple of my friends did and they told me it was really good.

[inkspot]

I think the coolest way to do this would be portraying the demons in CGI, so you see Wormwood right there with the patient, putting things in his head, or even handing him objects which it looks as if he is choosing for himself. You could really make simple choices look like life-or-death battles, you know, the way Lewis believed they were.

[The First Joke]

i can't imagine Screwtape being made into a movie. In some ways, I like books when they don't become movies because then people actually read the book instread of just watching the movie, and you can imagine all the stuff in the book on your own. I think it would be kinda cool though.

[Catherine]

Has anyone read the Screwtape Letters? The news article says there is consideration of making it into a movie, to be decided after LWW proves itself (or not). I would think it would be very difficult to bring Screwtape book to life, if I am remembering it right, because so much of it is philosophy. Any thoughts?

I've read The Screwtape Letters, and i think it would be really hard to make into a movie, and would also proably be the subject of a few religious debates if it was made into a movie, 'cause i don't really think all religions would agree with Lewis' ideas about devils.

[inkspot]

Do you mean all Christian denominations? I think most Christian churches agree there is a devil, although all might not agree with the concept of tempter demons like Wormwood and Screwtape. But still, it would be a fantasy movie more than a religious movie, I would think ...

[Catherine]

Yeah, that's what I mean, some churches would disagree with the idea of tempter demons like Wormwood and Screwtape. And I don't think it could really be a fantasy movie, 'cause I think it's just a bit too serious,and C.S. Lewis did not mean for it to be a fantasy book.

[Charn_Tim]

Yeah, that's what I mean, some churches would disagree with the idea of tempter demons like Wormwood and Screwtape. And I don't think it could really be a fantasy movie, 'cause I think it's just a bit too serious,and C.S. Lewis did not mean for it to be a fantasy book.

Interesting-I'm as skeptical that it can be made into a good movie as you are but for different reasons. If some churches disagree about the idea of tempter demons, then let them just enjoy the story as a nice metaphorical account of what's happening. The book became wildly popular (in american especially) not because everyone agreed with Lewis' views of the supernatural, but (in my opinion) because of it's brilliant psychological insight, incredibly witty dialogue, and creative form.

I just reread this book in the last 2 days and I am still baffled at how they could make this into a movie. Of all his fiction or pseudo-fiction, this seems like it lends itself to being made into a movie the least. It is literally all dialogue. I guess you could portray some of the events that the patient is going through, but then it would have to be very loosely based on the book. But the brilliance of the book, in my opinion is in the psychological exposition of Screwtape, not any actions that take place which could be portrayed as a movie.

But still, I guess we'll wait and see and if it gets people to read the book more, then it won't be a bad thing!

[Sven-El]

I too have mixed feelings about the film. While I love the film, and I'm glad Hollywood is learnign mroe and more to go back to the classics( the powers that be are trying to also adapt paradise Lost into a film.) Screwtape strikes me as not beingv ery cinimatic, mostly becasue of the format it's written in. It's more fun to imagine it all on your own.

Howver seeing the idea Sam had it coudl work, if done right.

I'm not to sure I want Screwatpe or Wormwood looking like your standard demons a la Darth Maul in Star Wars. I have a comic book adaptation of SL that Marvel put out in the 90's. while it's good, the fact is, they chose the "standard wings, horns, forked tail" look for the demons. They almost came off as too comcial or silly. All I can think of when it comes to Screwtape being rendered in CGI is that movie Megiddo where they showed the devil and the CGI rendering didn't look that great.

I'd prefer him left unseen and lurking in the shadows more, much like the devil in the Passion of the Christ. That's in reality how the devil prefers to work. Hiding in teh shadows so you can't see him. I also think as important as the look is, the voice of Screwtape is far more important. I remember seeing a making of Star Wars special and they shwoed Darth Vader speaking before the dubbing of James Earl Jones. David Prowse, the actor in Vader's armor, was speeking and becasue of his heavy Scottish accent and he came off as more silly then menacing. He looked it, but he didn't sound it. Actually he sounded like Scotty from Star Trek. Add in James Earl Jones and you had a villian for the ages.

I definitly like the suggestion of Anthony Hopkins for the voice Screwtape. He has that right sound for him. Other actors I thought would work would be Jeremy Irons ( Scar in the Lion King), Ralph Feines ( but saddly he's Voldemort already), David Warner, and Malcom McDowell ( Clockwork Orange, Star Trek generations.). If he could make sure not to ham it up, Willem DeFoe ( Norman Osborn/Green Goblin in Spider-Man) would also do it nicely.

On another note, should this be kept PG like Narnia? I personally think that because of teh demons and a lot of things they talk about ( like sexual temptaion) that it is best to reach for PG-13 so parents don't take kdis to see it who arent' ready for it. I personally woudln't even read the book to my children untill I thought they were "old enough" and "mature" enough to handle it.

[inkspot]

Good thoughts, Sven-El.

I would agree with PG-13 because the book is more for adults anyway, plus they could make it kind of scary that way.

[Copperfox]

Screwtape has been done as a stage play; it SHOULD be possible to make an effective movie of it. They couldn't ruin it any WORSE than they ruined Caspian! And I vote for Alan Rickman as Screwtape.

[PrinceOfTheWest]

Ha! Rickman would do a superb job as Screwtape! Suave, understated.

But please - please - don't say that they can't ruin anything worse than they ruined Caspian. That's just asking for it.

[Copperfox]

I guess you're right, POTW. They might make a list of things which in fact the churches _should_ be doing, such as defending the true definitions of marriage and family, and have Screwtape tell Wormwood that these things are the _sins_ he wants to "tempt" us to do.

[inkspot]

ooooh! Alan Rickman as Screwtape! I love it!!!

I thought, though that Screwtape and Wormwood would be CGI characters ... like I hoped we would see a shadowly Wormwood hovering around his patient, trying to get him to do things ... scary like.

[Sven-El]

You know, it's too bad Vincent Price is dead, I don't know why, but for some reason I think his voice would have been perfect for the role of Screwtape. Then you woudln't even have to see him to be scared of him.

[PrinceOfTheWest]

Yes, Price's voice would be very good - silky, caressing, enticing. But Rickman would do a fantastic job.

Actually, if you wanted to get the true "Lewis-esque" feeling, you'd have Wormwood and Screwtape portrayed as solid beings in a tangible world, and the humans displayed as shadowy and vaporous. You could occasionally "switch perspectives", but from hell's point of view, theirs would be the real world and earth would be the vaporous illusion.

[inkspot]

Hey, good point, Roger! That would be pretty cool ... maybe they could do a bit of both, because they will doubtless want the human characters to be pretty well developed.

[Sven-El]

Yes, Price's voice would be very good - silky, caressing, enticing. But Rickman would do a fantastic job.

Actually, if you wanted to get the true "Lewis-esque" feeling, you'd have Wormwood and Screwtape portrayed as solid beings in a tangible world, and the humans displayed as shadowy and vaporous. You could occasionally "switch perspectives", but from hell's point of view, theirs would be the real world and earth would be the vaporous illusion.

Exactly my thoughts on Price, POTW. That's the "voice" I hear in my head when I read the book any way. He should sound silky, caressing, enticing, but a bit at the same time a bit scary. He would sound, ultimatly, like an uncle.

But yes, Rickman would be fantastic in the role, he's great at handling dry wit, something Screwtape is known for.

That would be an interesting way to handle the perspective.

Another thing that is important for this movie would be the "right" music. The leitmotif can add so much to a film. Jaws for example was scary not just becasue of the fiin in the water but the theme that accompanied it.

The music should sound "dark, gothic, and haunting" ( like a dirge) as they are demons and stay away from being lofty or majestic ( that sound would be fine for Paradise Lost or Inferno) or comical. The music should also be an "enticing" feel as they do want to tempt us. A composer like Danny Elfman would be good for it ( He compose the scores for Batman, Spider-Man, Nightmare Before Christmas, and Corpse Bride) as he can do dark, gothic, and haunting ( his themes for Batman, Batman Returns and Nightmare come to mind) and pompus (The Joker's theme in Batman.) Any other suggestions for composers for the film score?

I would also say stay away from using Heavy Metal, pop music or Rap as background music. Those kind of songs are fine for end credits but not for the film itself.

[Copperfox]

If techno-pop composers are allowed, how about Rick Wakeman? He is reported to have become a Christian, and would probably love the chance to score a Lewisian film. Then again, there's Michael Omartian, also Christian, and with possibly a broader range of musical emotions.