‘Screwtape Letters’ to be Released on Film

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Well, it’s certainly good to have films that address moral subjects. . .even if it’s showing the ‘improper’ (i.e, the ‘hellish’ perspective).

I did not really care for the “Narnia” movie (nor even for the PBS mini-movie, animated or live action); and I’m probably among the few who prefer the ‘book’ trilogy of “The Lord of the Rings” to the movie version (which messed unforgivably with plot and character IMO).

“The Screwtape Letters”, though, having been radio broadcasts to begin with, might lend themselves better to film than books do. One can hope. For those who’ll enjoy this, I wish them the greatest of viewing pleasure. 🙂

Now pardon me while I open up my copy of “The Screwtape Letters” and settle down (cup of tea in hand) for a totally individualized imaginative experience rather than one engendered in a film studio with its ambience arranged by those with a particular perspective, with actors who express their perspectives on a screenplay written by someone expressing his/her perspective, in a set, lights, sound, costume etc. done by those expressing their perspectives. . .
😃
 
The way the “Screwtape Letters” are written will make it kind of hard to bring to the screen. To me, it will only work if there is heavy narration with the dialog coming from the letters.

The closest one in years that I have seen was “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” which used some of the journaling as part of the movies.
 
Interesting…I love the book, but I’m just having a hard time imagining it as a movie. I think Walden Media did a good job on The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, though. Hopefully it’s good and generates a lot of attention.
 
YES! Wow. I needed some good news today, even if it is about a film.
 
Well, you can imagine (from my handle 😃 ) that I think this is good news.

I used to have the tape version of the book, read by actor (& Python) John Cleese–I can never read the book, or cite a quote from it without hearing his oh-so-appropriate condescending (and sometimes enraged) voice
 
WanderAimlessly said:
The way the “Screwtape Letters” are written will make it kind of hard to bring to the screen. To me, it will only work if there is heavy narration with the dialog coming from the letters.

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84 Charing Cross Road, with Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins was based on correspondence between an American writer and a London-based bookstore over many years. They did an excellent job interspersing the letters with scenes from the lives of the writers and the bookstore owner, with an occasional aside to the camera by the writer. I think Screwtape would lend itself very well to this type of technique. I see Jack Nicholson as Screwtape and that creepy little guy who always plays sidekick to somebody (Tommy or Coneheads come to mind) as Wormwood.

I am now eagerly awaiting the film versions of Lewis’ space trilogy beginning with Out of the Silent Planet. I am currently re-reading Perelandra, the second book of the series.
 
originally posted by puzzleannie
I see Jack Nicholson as Screwtape and that creepy little guy who always plays sidekick to somebody (Tommy or Coneheads come to mind) as Wormwood.
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Oh, Jack Nicholson is a great idea for Screwtape!
I think you may be referring to David Spade as Wormwood. I also see Martin Short in that part.
 
catsrus said:
Oh, Jack Nicholson is a great idea for Screwtape!
I think you may be referring to David Spade as Wormwood. I also see Martin Short in that part.
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I think Tim Curry may be better than Jack Nicholson. He’s more convincing playing evil (Jack is more comical). However, I do agree about Martin Short. He’s great in his voice over as Preminger in Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper (I know, I know, but princess movies are all I seem to be able to watch b/c my dd loves them). He’s also pretty good in his other films.
 
okay, I’ll accept Martin Short, unfortunately I don’t know who Tim Curry is (I don’t get out much). What studio should to the sfx and computer generated demons? don’t forget Screwtape’s transformation scene, when in a fit of rage he is changed into a slug or beetle or something.
 
puzzleannie said:
okay, I’ll accept Martin Short, unfortunately I don’t know who Tim Curry is (I don’t get out much). .
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Did you ever see Home Alone 2? Tim Curry plays the creepy concierge at the New York hotel where Macauley Culkin’s charater is staying.
 
puzzleannie said:
okay, I’ll accept Martin Short, unfortunately I don’t know who Tim Curry is (I don’t get out much). What studio should to the sfx and computer generated demons? don’t forget Screwtape’s transformation scene, when in a fit of rage he is changed into a slug or beetle or something.
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If you ever have seen the movie Clue, Tim Curry is the butler. He also is the bad guy in the Mupet’s Treasure Island, he also was in Oscar (I think), he has this huge evil grin. He’s most famously known for his role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He also has a very evil laugh, actually come to think of it, I don’t know if he’s ever played a nice guy.
 
And he was the bad guy in “Annie.” I still think his best role was Long John Silver in the Muppets’ “Treasure Island.”
 
Ok ill admit im tainted because I also have the audio version but John Cleese would be awesome for the part. Its gotta be an english guy though cus the accent seems to lend itself to the devilishly cynical voice the part seems to demand!😃
 
Nicholson and Curry are good choices for Screwtape, but I’ll have to throw in for Christopher Walken or Gary Oldman. Either one of those would be amazing.

It’ll be interesting to see how they do this.
 
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