Experience C.S. Lewis’ profound journey from vigorous debunker of Christianity to become, as he said, “the most reluctant convert in all England.” Through Max McLean’s detailed and masterful performance, Lewis’ story of grief, loss and redemption comes to life on screen in his own magnificent words. Read more

Directed by Norman Stone
Starring Max McLean, Nicholas Ralph
Audio languages English [CC]
Subtitles English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Korean, Spanish
1 h 13 min Ages 13+ Released Nov 2021
Directed by Norman Stone
Starring Max McLean, Nicholas Ralph
Audio languages English [CC]
Subtitles English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Korean, Spanish

“The Best Christian Movie of the Year!”

Plugged In

“Max McLean brought Jack Lewis vividly to life, so much so that my wife and I were moved to tears.”

Tim Keller

“The friend you thought you knew will become
more real than ever.”

Christianity Today

“An absorbing glimpse into the faith journey of one of the 20th century’s most influential authors.”

World Magazine

“A miniature masterpiece and a tour de force.”

Os Guinness

Follow Us

Synopsis

An elder C.S. Lewis looks back on his remarkable journey from hard-boiled atheist to the most renowned Christian writer of the past century.

The Most Reluctant Convert features award-winning actor Max McLean as the older Lewis and Nicholas Ralph – breakout star of PBS Masterpiece’s All Creatures Great and Small – as young Lewis. Beautifully filmed in and around Oxford this engaging biopic follows the creator of The Chronicles of Narnia from the tragic death of his mother when he was just nine years old, through his strained relationship with his father, to the nightmare of the trenches of World War I to Oxford University, where friends like J.R.R. Tolkien challenge his unbelief.

Written for the screen and directed by two-time Emmy and BAFTA winner Norman Stone (BBC’s Shadowlands), The Most Reluctant Convert brings to life the spiritual evolution of one the 20th century’s sharpest minds and keenest wits.

Directed By

Norman Stone

Starring

Max McLean
Nicholas Ralph
Eddie Ray Martin
Richard Harrington
Amy Alexander
Tom Glenister
Hubert Burton
Michael Ward

PRODUCED BY

Reviews

A thoughtful, inviting movie. When the man on screen is a very well-portrayed C.S. Lewis—an individual of brilliant mind and fluent elocution—it becomes a nuanced experience worth having. And sharing.”

- Plugged In

Movie Review from Focus on the Family

A thoughtful retrospective. In this Lewis, perhaps, the friend you thought you knew will become more real than ever—simultaneously intent on the person of Christ yet stumbling toward eternity, just like you.”

- Christianity Today

Global Media Ministry

An absorbing glimpse into the faith journey of one of the 20th century’s most influential authors. Thanks to this film’s concise script, the influences and turning points in his [C.S. Lewis’] life emerge in about 70 entertaining minutes.”

- World Magazine

Max McLean brought Jack Lewis vividly to life, so much so that my wife and I, who have been so formed by him, were moved to tears. Anyone who is a fan of C.S. Lewis (as well as those who have yet to encounter his razor-sharp mind) will enjoy this movie.”

- Tim Keller

A miniature masterpiece and a tour de force. Powerful for anyone wondering about the meaning of life. Not to be missed.”

- Os Guinness

Author, Long Journey Home

Max McLean’s masterly performance brings me vividly back to 1962 when I attended C.S. Lewis’ final official lectures in Cambridge. Max has captured the essence of Lewis’ personality so wonderfully.”

- Dr. John Lennox

Emeritus Professor at Oxford & student of Lewis

A richly detailed, professional film. Surprise: it’s about C. S. Lewis’ conversion to Christianity. I saw a preview and found it very well-written and well-acted. Two thumbs up!”

- Philip Yancey

Author

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to spend an evening with famed writer C.S. Lewis, now’s your chance. Max McLean is pitch-perfect as the older Lewis. The cinematography is first-rate, and the settings are beautiful.”

- John West

Discovery Institute

The Most Reluctant Convert is an extraordinary experience and a singularly touching artistic and even spiritual experience.”

- Michael Medved

The Michael Medved Show

A disciplined and beautifully constructed motion picture with a cast understanding of all the fine nuances of Lewis’s life and Lewis’s written words.”

- Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com