The Screwtape Letters

Authors: Zgamer
Location: Eagle, IO

“The Screwtape Letters"

Distributed by: Walden Media
Produced by: Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks
Directed by: Scott Derrickson
Written by: Alan Ball
Based on the book “The Screwtape Letters” and the short “Screwtape Proposes a Toast” by: C.S. Lewis

Principal Cast:

John Cleese as Screwtape
Ewan McGregor as Wormwood
Jude Law as “The Patient”

Tagline: "There is wishful thinking in Hell as well as on Earth"

Release Date: December 14, 2008

Synopsis: Earth. It is here that man exists on the crossroads of the Eternal Plan. In one direction is the path of Heaven, where the guardian angels work to bring all men to salvation. The other is the path of Hell, where the “tempters” work to bring men to their eternal damnation. And it is to this end that Screwtape puts his eternal life’s work into.

Screwtape, who was once one of the greatest tempters under the command of “Our Father Below”, now has to deal with the training of new tempters to bring about the work of damnation. This includes his nephew Wormwood, a novice temper who is working on a new “patient” in Europe, right as WW-II is starting. The problem is that he has no idea how to properly tempt. Now it is up to Screwtape to instruct him on the devices of Hell and how to combat the “Enemy’s” angels.

What the press would say:

The years of toil to get this movie into production have finally paid off. C.S. Lewis’ classic story of good and evil from the devil’s point of view is faithfully and expertly adapted to the big screen, with a well picked cast and a powerful spiritual message to give it its strength. The stylish direction of “Emily Rose”’s Scott Derrickson, complemented by the clever writing of Academy Award winner Alan Ball show a great view of the struggle of moral choices and temptations, while also capturing the humorous satire and irony of the book.

The cast, though short of big names, does a good job, but the real star is John Cleese, who reprises his role from the famous audiotape version of the story with ease. His performance captures the audience’s attention with its wit, power, and Cleese’s natural vocal talent. His most powerful scene, an adaptation of the short “Screwtape Proposes A Toast”, is as unforgettable as it is foreboding for its accuracy of the situation of the world. Even if you are not a spiritual person, this movie will touch you deeply when it doesn’t make you chuckle at the irony of it all.

Possible Nominations

Best Picture- Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks
Best Director- Scott Derrickson
Best Adapted Screenplay- Alan Ball
Best Actor- John Cleese
Best Original Score- John Debney