Actually, there are two "Shadowlands" videotapes that should be readily available to either buy or rent. One (the first one I saw was broadcast on PBS some years ago, possibly on Masterpiece Theatre, but I wouldn't swear to it -- anyway, it was a BBC production) was with Joss Ackland as C. S. Lewis and Claire Bloom as Joy Davidman (Gresham). The other, and better known, was a feature film with Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger.

Firth's thumbnail film review:

"Shadowlands" is a strange and deeply touching love story.

The 1994 one with Hopkins and Winger was much bigger budget, had two high-profile stars, and very good production values. The acting was great (although I wasn't fond of Debra Winger's slightly phony New York accent), the movie in general was excellent. Video rental places should have it. See it.

The 1985 one with Ackland and Bloom was well produced, it had two stars that were not quite as high-profile but they were rock-solid, long-time, journeyman actors who played it straight, and the production values, though not lavish, were adequate and unobtrusive. The acting was flawless. It was totally absorbing, and there are scenes, especially the one toward the end, when Lewis and Joy's young son are sitting alone together and talking, that are emotionally wrenching. This is an exceptional production. Video rental places may or may not have it, but typing "Shadowlands Ackland" into google.com's search window will turn up a bunch of places where you can buy it. Also, try your local public library.

My recommendations: See them both, but not back-to-back. Wait at least a month or two between viewings. But if, for some reason you can only see one of them, by all means, see the BBC production with Ackland and Bloom.

Have a box of Kleenex handy and enjoy.

Don Firth

P.S. There are three British actors that I know of named Firth: Colin, Peter, and Jonathan. No relation as far as I know. Once, when I met Ewan McColl (Berkeley Folk Festival, 1960), he noted my Scottish surname and I asked him if he knew anything about it (I was thinking geneology). He said that it would be a bit hard to trace because "every pub-keeper and sheep-rustler north of the border is named 'Firth'." Glad to know I come from good stock.