The Most Reluctant Convert
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| The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Norman Stone |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Sam Heasman |
| Edited by | Fergus MacKinnon |
| Music by | Craig Armstrong |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Trafalgar Releasing |
Release date |
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Running time | 73 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom
United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1.205 million (Nov. 3, 2021 showing) [1] |
The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis is a 2021 biographical drama film written and directed by Norman Stone, based on the 2016 stage play, C.S. Lewis on Stage: The Most Reluctant Convert, by Max McLean (which itself was based on Lewis' memoir Surprised by Joy).[1] It is about the life and conversion of British writer and lay theologian C. S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia series. The film stars McLean, Nicholas Ralph, Eddie Ray Martin, Richard Harrington, Amy Alexander, and Tom Glenister.
The film was released in the United States on November 3, 2021, and in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2021.[1]
Cast
- Max McLean as older C. S. Lewis
- Nicholas Ralph as mid Lewis
- Eddie Ray Martin as young Lewis
- Richard Harrington as Albert Lewis
- Amy Alexander as Flora Lewis
- Tom Glenister as J. R. R. Tolkien
- David Shields as Hugo Dyson
- Hubert Burton as Owen Barfield
- David Gant as W. T. "The Great Knock" Kirkpatrick
Production
Funding
The film was financed by Christian theater company, Fellowship for Performing Arts, and film producer Matthew Jenkins served as an executive producer.[2]
Filming
Filming was originally planned to be done around 2023 to 2024, but when certain COVID-19 restrictions lifted in the United Kingdom, filming instead began earlier in September 2020.[3] The film was shot in three weeks, from September 21 to October 9, 2020.[4] Filming took place in Oxford, England.[2]
Release
Trafalgar Releasing released the film initially as a one night only event on November 3, 2021[5] in over 400 cities in North America and grossed over $1.205 million USD.[1][6] It became the second per-screen average (behind 2021's Dune).[3]
Due to positive reactions from audiences, it was given a theatrical run extending to November 18, 2021.[1][7]
On November 7, 2021, the film released as a special event in the United Kingdom.[1][8] According to Box Office Mojo, the film earned $47,944 in the United Kingdom.[9]
Critical reception
Film critic and commentator, Michael Medved gave the film a four out of four star rating.[10]
Alan Ng of Film Threat gave the film an eight out of ten stars, praising McLean's performance and voiceover work, Stone's direction, and called the scenes covering Lewis' life, "the perfect visual companion to McLean's voiceover and are a remarkable account of the man’s prolific life and career." He concludes the review, stating, "I don't have to tell you that the author's story is overtly pro-Christianity with the intent to convert its audience. But at the same time, it solidly presents the case Lewis made regarding the existence of God and why Jesus Christ is the right guy to follow. The film is perfect for fans of Lewis and the religiously curious."[11]
Doug Van Pelt of HM Magazine gave a positive review, calling it, "a delightful journey that succeeds from being tedious by moving at a brisk pace and spicing it up with philosophical thoughts that become his evolving framework for understanding the universe." He goes on to praise the cinematography, scenes between Lewis, Tolkien, and Dyson, and McLean's performance.[12]
Michael Foust of Crosswalk.com praised the performances of McLean, Ralph, Glenister, and Martin. Praising the film itself, he called it, "riveting and excellent", and "inspiring".[13]
Bob Hoose of Plugged In gave the film a postive review, stating, "let me attest to the fact that this thoughtful, inviting movie is anything but dry. For when the man on screen is a very well-portrayed C.S. Lewis—an individual of brilliant mind and fluent elocution—it becomes a nuanced experience worth having. And sharing."[14]
Further reading
- Alberge, Dalya (February 15, 2021). "'Quiet, CS Lewis is on': why subject of new film could be right for now". The Guardian.
External links
References
- ^ a b c d e f Goldsmith, Jill (November 4, 2021). "C.S. Lewis Biopic 'The Most Reluctant Convert' Sees $1.2M+ Box Office For One Night Event, Adds Shows". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ a b Wiseman, Andreas; Grater, Tom (December 9, 2020). "Production Wraps On C.S. Lewis Biopic 'The Most Reluctant Convert' From 'Murder On The Orient Express' Exec Producer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ a b Turley, K.V. (November 9, 2021). "C.S. Lewis Comes to the Big Screen Reluctantly". National Catholic Register. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ "On Location in England with The Most Reluctant Convert Film!". FPATheatre.com. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ Grater, Tom (September 8, 2021). "C.S. Lewis Biopic 'The Most Reluctant Convert' Sets Cinema Release; Watch First Trailer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ Brueggemann, Tom (November 7, 2021). "Eternals' Opens to a Box-Office Low for Marvel, but There's a Bigger Momentum Problem". IndieWire. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ Morris, Andrea (November 8, 2021). "'The Most Reluctant Convert': New C.S. Lewis Movie Adds Show Dates After Huge Opening Night". CBN News. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ "CS Lewis: The Most Reluctant Convert". FilmDates.co.uk.
- ^ "The Most Reluctant Convert (2021)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ Medved, Michael (November 3, 2021). "Medved's Entertainment Minute: The Most Reluctant Convert". The Michael Medved Show. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ Ng, Alan (May 20, 2022). "THE MOST RELUCTANT CONVERT: THE UNTOLD STORY OF C.S. LEWIS". Film Threat. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ Van Pelt, Doug (April 25, 2022). "The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis (movie review)". HM Magazine. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ Foust, Michael (November 3, 2021). "3 Things to Know about The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis". Crosswalk.com. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ Hoose, Bob (November 3, 2021). "The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis". Plugged In. Retrieved May 26, 2022.