The Making of The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis

On Nov. 3, 2021, Fellowship for Performing Arts’ first film, The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis, premiered in cinemas nationwide for what was intended to be a one-night event.

It opened as the No. 2 film in the country behind only Dune. By Dec. 2 and four extensions later, the film was showing in the U.S., the U.K. and Canada, drawing nearly 250,000 viewers. Later in the year, people in 137 countries worldwide streamed or downloaded the film on major platforms such as Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

So, how does a theatre company focused for decades on live theatrical productions pivot to the filmmaking business? Simple answer: God’s timing and His blessing.

“By now, everyone is tired of thinking back on COVID; however, it was the pandemic lockdown that opened the door for The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis,” said FPA Founder and Artistic Director Max McLean. “We had four shows on tour and, quite literally, live theatre shuttered nationwide overnight.”

Film Was a Natural Extension for FPA’s Live Theatre Productions

Film was a natural extension for a production company creating live theater from a Christian worldview meant to engage a diverse audience. Plus, the success of C.S. Lewis On Stage: The Most Reluctant Convert provided proven subject matter to adapt for the big screen. Finally, Max and the FPA board had been considering a move into film, even if it was a few years down the road.

It was remarkable God used the lockdown to accelerate the production of FPA’s first film and He created the window of opportunity to do it.

“FPA’s donors responded with visionary generosity when we announced the film project,” Max said. “And by God’s grace the film has recouped those costs.”

Landing Just the Right Team at Just the Right Time

Partnering with two-time BAFTA-winning writer and director Norman Stone was the first coup. The British filmmaker was a believer and had produced the BBC’s first teleplay of Shadowlands, the moving story of Lewis’ late-in-life marriage to the American, divorcée and Jewish convert to Christianity Joy Davidman, who tragically died of cancer not long after they wed.

Norman wrote the screenplay for The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis, which, like the play, traces Lewis’ spiritual journey from ardent atheist to belief first in God and then to accepting the finished work of Christ on the cross for him.

“The film version of The Most Reluctant Convert re-imagines and expands our stage play,” Max said. “It includes multiple actors in multiple locations to visualize the key events behind Lewis’ turn from atheist to fully believing Christian.”

Max played an older Lewis in the film, looking back on his life. Breakout Scottish TV star Nicholas Ralph of the hit show All Creatures Great and Small played Lewis as a young man in World War I, as a student at Oxford and as a professor there.

With film production mostly shut down as well, Norman was able to secure the production team normally working with Academy Award winner Kenneth Branaugh, so we had a top-notch crew.

Filming Opportunities in the U.K. Arose

Then the Lord showed up once again. In the fall of 2020, a brief pause in the U.K. lockdown allowed FPA to shoot the film.

Production began on an unusually sunny, cloudless fall day in Oxford, England, as a small army of filmmakers descended upon the storied Oxford University campus of Magdalen College, founded in 1458.

“Norman was a ball of energy who kept everyone engaged all the time and was a pleasure to work with,” Max said. “He saw everything in pictures and is a good partner for me as I paint in words. I did a lot of quick pace walking and talking through fabulous settings and backdrops such as the Oxford Museum of Natural History and Magdalen College in just the first two days.

“The production was very well organized and tightly scripted with a first-rate crew and equipment, who in the preceding year had worked on the James Bond film No Time to Die and Murder on the Orient Express, among many others. Every day felt like a NASA space launch.”

On the second day of filming, Max was in wardrobe and makeup at 7 a.m. and on set at Magdalen College by 8:30 a.m. for a day that ended at 6:40 p.m. That included almost a dozen shot setups with five to six takes each. One scene took 10 takes to get the desired effect. On the third day he started a bit later but ended at 11 p.m.

Clearly, the effort was worth it as the film was a hit by any measure. Positive reviews poured in.

• “The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis is one of the best films this year with Christian content.” MovieGuide
• “The best Christian movie this year.” Plugged In
• “Max brought Jack Lewis vividly to life, so much so that my wife and I were moved to tears.” Tim Keller, the late pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC
• “An absorbing glimpse into the faith journey of one of the 20th century’s most influential authors.” World Magazine
• “The friend you thought you knew will become more real than ever.” Christianity Today
• “Four Stars! An extraordinary experience!” Michael Medved

About a year after filming and following post-production, The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis launched in theatres and continues streaming now. FPA is grateful to God for His guiding hand and to our Fellowship Circle of supporters who made this possible.

Click the link below to view the trailer for The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis. And visit major streaming services like Amazon Prime, Google Play and Apple TV to watch Lewis’ journey from atheism to faith come to life on screen.