Film Review: ‘The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis’: Excellent but Not Complete
In adapting Max McLean’s stage play “C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert,” director Norman Stone resisted the temptation to add any filler and as a result, the running time is a scant 73 minutes, which might leave some viewers feeling a tad cheated.
What Stone’s film might lack in quantity is more than made up for with the quality of the content. If anyone were to nitpick, it would be with the omission of Lewis’s brief marriage to American author Joy Davidman and the lack of detail regarding his fictional and nonfictional written works.
While the film covers the bulk of Lewis’s relatively short life, it concentrates mostly on his religious beliefs (or lack thereof) and it does so in ingenious ways.
Max McLean Reprises His Stage Performance
Reprising his stage role as the elder version of Lewis, McLean (dressed in mid-20th century period garb) is first seen entering a sound stage that recreates his home yet is populated with present-day grips, and sound and lighting technicians. Upon taking a seat, Lewis breaks the fourth wall, looks into the camera, and speaks his first words: “When I was an atheist.” Leaving home, Lewis goes to a pub and orders two pints of beer, one for himself and the other for the audience. If for no other reason, Stone’s unorthodox beginning to the film immediately ropes in the viewer.
Growing up in a well-to-do Irish home with a non-religious family, Lewis (played as a preteen by Eddie Ray Martin) faced what was then the biggest hurdle of his life: the death of his mother from cancer. He had been told that prayer would save her and when it didn’t, he became disillusioned and decided that there was no God.
It didn’t help matters that the mood of his formerly congenial attorney father Albert (Richard Harrington) darkened after the death of his wife, and he channeled his anger toward Lewis and his older brother Warnie (Charlie Ray Reid). Lewis’s opinion of the Almighty worsened when he (now played by Nicholas Ralph) was nearly killed in action while serving as a soldier in France during World War I.
Albert Lewis (Richard Harrington, L) on the train with his son C. S. Lewis (Eddie Ray Reid), in “The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis.” (Fellowship for Performing Arts)
Prior to the war, Lewis and Warnie were privately tutored in England by William T. Kirkpatrick (David Gant), the former headmaster at Lurgan College, the private Christian middle school. This was when Lewis initially became interested in writing but also developed an obsession with the occult, which was fueled further by fantasy author George MacDonald’s “Phantastes.”
J.R.R. Tolkien and Hugo Dyson
It’s during Lewis’s time in college at Oxford and his interaction with other future famous scribes J.R.R. Tolkien (Tom Glenister) and Hugo Dyson (David Shields) did things begin to change. Already devout Christians, Tolkien and Dyson didn’t so much attempt to convert the non-believer Lewis as much as they presented him with philosophical arguments that appealed to his mind and heart as well as his soul.
(L–R) J.R.R. Tolkien (Tom Glenister), C.S. Lewis (Nicolas Ralph), and Hugo Dyson (David Shields) have a discussion, in “The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis.” (Fellowship for Performing Arts)
Frequently framing the elder Lewis with the people he’s talking about in flashback adds further texture to Stone’s approach. The movie is a little bit of a docudrama, something of an anthology and part live-action but not enough of any of those to fit into any one genre. Some might also watch the film and label it as “Christian,” but it isn’t that either. This is a hybrid production that defies easy categorization.
Lewis’s transition into Christianity wasn’t an overnight occurrence. By his own admission in the film, he resisted conversion by “kicking, struggling, being resentful, and darting my eyes in every direction for a chance to escape.” This wasn’t going to be a “come to Jesus” moment but rather a long, contemplative slog. The overlong title is certainly on the mark.
There are essentially two groups of those familiar with Lewis: the ones in love with his books about faith and the millions who are aware of him from “The Chronicles of Narnia” trilogy of movies from the 2000s. Whether intended or not, the “Narnia” filmmakers largely played down the religious subtext contained in the books that in all likelihood broadened their audience appeal.
As good as “Reluctant” is, it’s far from a complete overview of Lewis’s life, which isn’t at all a bad thing. The movie accomplishes what it set out to do; it wasn’t trying to be a full-blown biography. Much the same can be said about the 1993 “Shadowlands” starring Anthony Hopkins as Lewis and Debra Winger as Davidman that only concentrated on their romance.
A Cable Mini-Series Would Be Welcomed
What needs to happen at this point is for Netflix or Amazon to start the ball rolling on a limited six-hour series in either a live-action or documentary format that would delve into every aspect of this man’s monumentally interesting life from cradle to grave.
Earlier today there were three Medals of Honor awarded. Sergeants First Class Alwyn C. Cashe and Christopher A. Celiz were awarded the Nations highest decoration posthumously. Master Sergeant Earl D. Plumlee attended the ceremony.
SFC Cashe’s Medal was one of interest to me personally. It took far too long to get this exceptionally Honorable Man the recognition he deserved. He sustained life ending injuries while saving his troops while serving with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In my eyes, SFC Cashe was the NCO that all NCOs should aspire to be. Read about the action that led to his Medal of Honor below:
Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while engaging with the enemy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on Oct. 17, 2005.
Cashe was conducting a nighttime mounted patrol when the Bradley Fighting Vehicle he was in charge of was attacked by enemy small-arms fire. An improvised explosive device disabled the vehicle, causing it to become engulfed in flames.
After exiting the vehicle, Cashe began to extract the trapped driver from the vehicle. After opening the hatch, Cashe and a fellow Soldier pulled the driver out, extinguished the flames on him and moved him to a position of relative safety.
While doing so, Cashe’s fuel-soaked uniform ignited, causing severe burns to his body, but he continued toward the rear of the vehicle to help other Soldiers who were trapped in the troop compartment.
At this time, the enemy noted Cashe’s movements and began to direct fire on his position. When another element of the company engaged the enemy, Cashe seized the opportunity by moving into the open troop door and aiding four of his Soldiers to escape from the burning vehicle. Afterwards, he noticed two other Soldiers had not been accounted for, and he reentered the burning vehicle to retrieve them. Despite the severe second- and third- degree burns covering the majority of his body, Cashe persevered through the pain to encourage his fellow Soldiers and ensured they received needed medical care.
When the medical evacuation helicopters arrived, he selflessly refused to board until all of the other wounded Soldiers were evacuated first. Cashe died from wounds sustained in this action on Nov. 8, 2008, at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. His heroic actions, at the cost of his life, saved the lives of his teammates.
Throughout the entire engagement, Cashe repeatedly placed himself in extreme danger to protect his team and to defeat the enemy. Cashe’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Cashe’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal with five knots, the National Defense Service with bronze star device, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, two NATO Medals, the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Driver Badge and the Expert Rifle Marksmanship Badge.
Of the three Medals awarded today, I know the least about the action that led to SFC Christopher A. Celiz’s award. SFC Celiz was the mortar platoon Sergeant D co, 1st Battalion 75th Ranger regiment and was leading a Joint Force in Paktia province Afghanistan when he was killed.
Sgt. 1st Class Christopher A. Celiz distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while engaging with the enemy in Paktia Province, Afghanistan, on July 12, 2018.
As the leader of a special operations unit comprised of partnered forces and members of the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Celiz led an operation to clear an area of enemy forces and thereby disrupt future attacks against the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Shortly after his team reached their initial objective, a large enemy force attacked. The enemy placed effective fire on him and his team, preventing them from maneuvering to a counterattack. Realizing the danger to his team and the operation, Celiz voluntarily exposed himself to intense enemy machine-gun and small-arms fire.
Under fire, he retrieved and employed a heavy weapon system, thereby allowing U.S. and partnered forces to regain the initiative, maneuver to a secure location, and begin treating a critically wounded partnered force member.
As the medical evacuation helicopter arrived, it was immediately engaged by accurate and sustained enemy fire. Knowing how critical it was to quickly load the wounded partner, Celiz willingly exposed himself again to heavy enemy fire so he could take charge to direct and lead the evacuation. As the casualty was moved from a position of cover, Celiz made a conscious effort to ensure his body acted as a physical shield to protect his team, the injured partner and the crew of the aircraft from enemy fire. After the wounded partner was loaded, Celiz’s team returned to cover, but he remained with the aircraft, returning a high volume of fire and constantly repositioning himself to act as a physical shield to the aircraft and its crew.
With his final reposition, Celiz placed himself directly between the cockpit and the enemy, ensuring the aircraft was able to depart. Upon the helicopter’s liftoff, Celiz was hit by enemy fire. Fully aware of his injury, but understanding the peril to the aircraft, Celiz motioned to the pilots to depart rather than remain to load him. His selfless actions saved the life of the evacuated partnered force member and almost certainly prevented further casualties among other members of his team and the aircrew. Celiz died as a result of his injuries. His extraordinary heroism and selflessness beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (2 bronze oak leaf clusters), the Navy Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medals (4 bronze oak leaf clusters), the Meritorious Unit Citation Medal (2), the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star (3), the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star (2), the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Ranger tab, the Sapper tab, the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
Master Sergeant Earl D. Plumlee took a circuitous route to being a Medal of Honor recipient. MSG Plumlee enlisted in Oklahoma National Guard, serving in the 45th Infantry Division as a rocket artilleryman (13M) during his junior year of high school. After graduating in 2000 he enlisted in the Marine Corps where he became a Recon Marine. In 2009 Plumlee decided to switch branches and enlisted in the Army as an 18x. After graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course, Plumlee was assigned to 4th Battalion 1st SFG(A).
Then-Staff Sgt. Earl D. Plumlee distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while engaging with the enemy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, on Aug. 28, 2013.
Plumlee served as a weapons sergeant assigned to Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, when the complex was attacked. Plumlee instantly responded to a massive explosion that caused a 60-foot breach in the base’s perimeter wall. Ten insurgents wearing Afghan National Army uniforms and suicide vests poured through the breach.
Plumlee and five other special operations Soldiers, intent on defending the base, mounted two vehicles and raced toward the detonation site. Plumlee’s driver purposefully maneuvered the vehicle into enemy fire to shield three dismounted teammates, two of whom were injured, placing the vehicle under effective enemy fire from the front and right side.
Using his body to shield the driver from enemy fire, Plumlee exited the vehicle while simultaneously drawing his pistol and engaging an insurgent 15 meters to the vehicle’s right. Without cover and with complete disregard for his safety, he advanced toward the enemy force, engaging multiple insurgents with only his pistol. Upon reaching cover, he killed two insurgents.
Plumlee left cover and continued to advance alone. Moving forward, he engaged several combatants at close range. Under intense enemy fire, Plumlee temporarily withdrew to cover, where he joined another Soldier.
Plumlee, ignoring his injuries, quickly regained his bearings and reengaged the enemy. Intense enemy fire once again forced the two Soldiers to temporarily withdraw. Undeterred and resolute, Plumlee joined a small group of American and coalition soldiers moving from cover to counterattack the infiltrators. As the coalition forces advanced, Plumlee engaged an insurgent to his front-left.
Plumlee then ran to a wounded Soldier, carried him to safety, and rendered first aid. Afterwards, he organized three coalition members in a defensive stance as he methodically cleared the area, remained in a security posture and continued to scan for any remaining threats.
Throughout the entire engagement, Plumlee repeatedly placed himself in extreme danger to protect his team and the base, and to defeat the enemy. Plumlee’ s extraordinary heroism and selflessness beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
His awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), the Navy Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medals (4 OLC), the Meritorious Unit Citation Medal (2), the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star (3), the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star (2), the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Ranger tab, the Sapper tab, the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
European Environmentalists Have A New Plan for Cargo Ships Based On the Paris Climate Agreements Compliance
Folks, this story is not from The Onion or any version of sarcastic media. This is very real.
To meet the compliance standards of the Paris Climate Accords and the subsequent treaty that all EU nations agreed to, they must reduce carbon emissions in freight and transit systems. They have spent thousands of hours pouring over possible solutions and will begin the test phase next month.
Bloomberg News – At the start of next year, the Ville de Bordeaux, a 154-meter-long ship that moves aircraft components for Airbus SE, will unfurl a 500 square meter kite on journeys across the Atlantic Ocean. It will undergo six months of trials and tests before full deployment.
While the industry has come up with multiple decarbonization initiatives, it is struggling to keep pace with goals set out under the Paris Agreement on climate. There’s also pressure on shipping lines from large customers who are pressing to make their own supply chains less polluting. (read more)
Yes my friends, the extremely well educated scientists, physicists, climatologists, sustainability engineers and cross functional decarbonization problem solvers for the planetary saving climate justice agenda, have invented…. wait for it….
The family of Alwyn Cashe will receive his Medal of Honor at a ceremony at the White House today. Also receiving the Medal today are Sergeant First Class Christopher A. Celiz (posthumously) and Master Sergeant Earl D. Plumlee.
Cashe was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on 17 October 2005. Despite suffering second and third-degree burns over 72% of his body, saved the lives of six of his fellow soldiers after the Bradley fighting vehicle they were riding in struck an improvised explosive device. Cashe succumbed to his injuries on November 8, 2005 at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was survived by his wife and children. Cashe is interred at Restlawn Cemetery in Sanford, Florida.
the last picture before the webcam stopped working
” well fix it,…. it’s gone man”
Caution … sign post up ahead
Wifey, I sharpened all the knives
no more complaining about dull knives right
I found the problem as I told the lady on phone, the frigging Torsion spring broke
” how did you that”
Listen lady, using one finger to gently push down the lever does not cause a torsion spring to break
( inserts thought as I type this )
I wonder how many of the pussyhat brigade even know what a torsion spring is ffs
the lady started to blather on about shipping an cost for a new spring , I didn’t mean to, just sorta came out
shut up lady, I ain’t paying nothing for something that’s still on warranty. If you think I was hard her, remember this:
she started it when she mentioned shipping I needed some air after that encounter so I walked to the mail receptacle, ever notice bills are never late from the post office, everything else is
but not bills.
Alrighty then, I’ve been waiting for this
i
Be safe… don’t talk to me about shipping
here… learn something useful
I’ll make trappers of you people yet
the garden lady is all kinds of happy, her Christmas cactus bloomed
Technology is not my friend; however, apparently, it is not my state government’s either. Thrice I have attempted to obtain information from my motor vehicle agency. All three of their sites are down. 😲🙄🤔😠
Wait, What? Jake Sullivan’s Wife Is AG Merrick Garland’sLegal Counsel At DOJ?
The first words that crossed my mind were “SERIOUSLY?!” Joe Biden’s National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, is married to Attorney General Merrick Garland’s legal counsel at the DOJ?…. What the…
The same Jake Sullivan who was one of Hillary Clinton’s foot soldiers, a foreign policy advisor pushing the fraudulent Trump-Russia conspiracy theory, is now Joe Biden’s national security advisor. That was always sketchy by itself. However, to discover that Sullivan’s wife, Margaret Goodlander, is the legal counsel to Attorney General Merrick Garland, opens up an entire world of conflict issues.
As noted by Chuck Ross, Attorney General Merrick Garland is being advised by Jake Sullivan’s wife and overseeing the John Durham criminal probe, which is looking into the role of Jake Sullivan in the construct of the fabricated Trump-Russia conspiracy, the use of the FBI as a political tool, and Sullivan’s lies in testimony to congress.
Comment/Opinion: This too will set your wheels a spinning as to why, no one ever seems to be held accountable on any level.
“It’s all in the family for some well-known members of the Biden administration.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, senior adviser Anita Dunn, White House counselor Steve Richetti, deputy chief of staff Bruce Reed and Presidential Personnel Office Director Cathy Russell each have at least one direct family member working for the Biden administration.” https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-white-house-family-members-psaki-sullivan
Not The Bee: Former Danish Minister to Be Sent to Prison for 60 Days for Opposing Child Marriages
In this day and age, some reports are so hard to believe they sound like something out of the Babylon Bee: In Denmark, the new socialist government has convened a kangaroo court and sentenced the former Integration Minister to 60-day prison for opposing child marriages.
Støjberg was responsible for immigration law under the previous liberal-conservative government from 2015-2019, and gained international fame when she advertised in Middle Eastern newspapers, warning against applying for asylum in Denmark.
She also campaigned against child marriage. In 23 cases, child brides were separated from their tormentors.
“It is completely unacceptable that child brides are housed with their husbands in Danish asylum centers,” Støjberg wrote in February 2016 on Facebook. “This has to be stopped, and I will notify the Danish immigration authorities immediately.”
Støjberg has now been sentenced by a special court set up by the new “Social Democratic” majority in parliament, which consists of one-half politicians and one-half judges. It is only the second time that this questionable instrument – a blatant politicization of the justice system – has been used in the past 100 years.
Comment/Opinion: It’s a sick old world when the politicians & legal community condones destroying children’s lives. So, can we anticipate the same from the Ghislaine Maxwell trial?
You now have nine days to accomplish all your Christmas assignments. If you have a car trip planned, do not forget to perform all those little checks. Sitting on the roadside is not a good time!
