Shadowlands

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Shadowlands

PG,

1994,

2h 10m,

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

100%

28 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

C. S. Lewis (Anthony Hopkins), the renowned author of "The Chronicles of Narnia" series, is a bachelor and Oxford University professor who spends his free time debating with fellow academics at a pub. Although he seems entirely uninterested in love, Lewis agrees to marry Joy Gresham (Debra Winger), an American writer who is looking to secure British citizenship. Their arrangement soon becomes a romance, and, when Joy is diagnosed with terminal cancer, their bond grows even stronger.

Critics Consensus

Thanks to brilliant performances from Debra Winger and especially Anthony Hopkins, Shadowlands is a deeply moving portrait of British scholar C.S. Lewis's romance with American poet Joy Gresham.

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Sheila Johnston

Independent (UK)

Nov 14, 2017

It's not hard to see what drew Richard Attenborough to the story. It is a character-driven piece with two potent leading roles, and he is a former actor known for teasing outstanding performances from his cast.

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Derek Adams

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

Biting down on his pipe, his shirt collar permanently askew, Hopkins assays another concerted study in English repression -- a condition unexpectedly relieved by Winger's brash intelligence and brittle wit.

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

Nov 30, 2005

4/5

Superlative acting by Hopkins and Winger elevates this fictionalized late-in-life romance between the repressed British scholar and writer C.S. Lewis and the American Jewish housewife-poet who introduces him to sex and rejuvenates his life.

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

May 8, 2019

9/10

Beautiful film about marriage and how faith can help you get through the toughest of times

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Nov 6, 2005

4/5

This is the biggest tear-jerker you could ever see.

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Theodore R

Dec 26, 2018

Beautiful written and told story. It gives a great insight into C.S Lewis's marriage and private life that I personally knew very little about. As a love story or wanting to learn about C.S Lewis it's a great watch

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Kylo S

Nov 4, 2018

Amazing to think this film was just one year AFTER the dreadful Silence of the Lambs. I guess Hopkins wanted to redeem himself after that. Shocking that he was no even nominated for this performance, yet he won for SOTL.

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Hagrid S

Jun 12, 2018

The movie left me in a profound thinking, using the words of C.S. Lewis "There's nothing to say". The message of this film is simple and clear - love and be loved; the only difference is, be opened to it, don't just theorize about it, there's nothing noble in doing that, in experiencing it is the whole key to understanding of the meaning of life and to happiness. You can live your whole life thinking that you are content, but at one point you may arrive at a great regret of living a false life. Anthony Hopkins is excellent in the role of the fame scholar, you don't want to blink in order not to miss even a second of his performance. Debra Winger is good too in the role of the woman who drastically enriched the life of the learned man, who was convinced that he knew all answers. It's kind of a film which through its sadness opens the gates to sheer optimism.

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Draco P

Dec 3, 2017

An incredible film with a real emotional punch. It's a heart-crushing film that portrays the time it is set in so well. I love Debra Winger, and Anthony Hopkins was born for this part. Very well directed also. I love Richard Attenborough's films

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Richard Attenborough

Director

Anthony Hopkins

Jack Lewis

Debra Winger

Joy Gresham

Edward Hardwicke

Warnie Lewis

Michael Denison

Harry Harrington

Joseph Mazzello

Douglas Gresham

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Synopsis

C. S. Lewis (Anthony Hopkins), the renowned author of "The Chronicles of Narnia" series, is a bachelor and Oxford University professor who spends his free time debating with fellow academics at a pub. Although he seems entirely uninterested in love, Lewis agrees to marry Joy Gresham (Debra Winger), an American writer who is looking to secure British citizenship. Their arrangement soon becomes a romance, and, when Joy is diagnosed with terminal cancer, their bond grows even stronger.

Director: Richard Attenborough
Producer: Richard Attenborough, Brian Eastman
Screenwriter: William Nicholson
Distributor: Warner Bros., Argentina Video Home
Production Co: Price Entertainment, Shadowlands Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 14, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $25.0M
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR

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