The Screwtape Letters: First Ever Full-cast Dramatization of the Diabolical Classic (Radio Theatre) [Audiobook, CD] [Audio CD]

Paul McCusker (Adapter), C. S. Lewis (Original Author), Focus on the Family (Producer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2009 | Series: Radio Theatre

From the award-winning audio drama team that brought you Radio Theatre’s Amazing Grace and The Chronicles of Narnia. In his enduringly popular masterpiece The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis re-imagines Hell as a gruesome bureaucracy. With spiritual insight and wry wit, Lewis suggests that demons, laboring in a vast enterprise, have horribly recognizable human attributes: competition, greed, and totalitarian punishment. Avoiding their own painful torture as well as a desire to dominate are what drive demons to torment their “patients.”
The style and unique dark humor of The Screwtape Letters are retained in this full-cast dramatization, as is the original setting of London during World War II. The story is carried by the senior demon Screwtape played magnificently by award-winning actor Andy Serkis (“Gollum” in Lord of the Rings) as he shares correspondence to his apprentice demon Wormwood. All 31 letters lead into dramatic scenes, set in either Hell or the real world with humans—aka “the patient,” as the demons say—along with his circle of friends and family. This Radio Theatre release also stars Geoffrey Palmer (Tomorrow Never Dies), Laura Michelle Kelly (Sweeney Todd), Eileen Page (The Secret Garden), and other world-class actors.
Includes 10 new songs inspired by the classic book, four behind-the-scenes video documentary featurettes, and a 5.1 surround sound mix. Four CDs, approx. 4 hours total.

Editorial Reviews

From AudioFile

Master demon Screwtape, played by a marvelously diabolic Andy Serkis, can sound sympathetic, urbane, and ruthless (like the best of devils) all in a single breath when he offers a little advice to his nephew, Wormwood, regarding the temptation, persecution, and ultimate destruction of the human soul. In this clear and well-crafted dramatization of C.S. Lewis's 31 satirical letters, both story and moral journey are accentuated by the wonderful acting chemistry between Serkis, who voiced Gollum in THE LORD OF THE RINGS, and Bertie Carvel's deftly understated Wormwood. A superb supporting cast, sound effects, and music that re-creates the ambiance and gravitas of Lewis's war-torn 1940s England round out this intelligent production. This is audio theater at its best. B.P. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Tyndale Entertainment; Com/DVD edition (October 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589973240
• ISBN-13: 978-1589973244
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.7 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Books on CD > Religion & Spirituality > Fiction
  • #1 in Books > Books on CD > Literature & Fiction > Religious
  • #2 in Books > Books on CD > Literature & Fiction > Classics

More About the Author

Paul has been writing since he was 10, starting on a typewriter he got for Christmas. Since then, he's published plays, sketch collections, songs and novels. Not to mention his 20 years of work on the popular children's audio program "Adventures in Odyssey," and its companion series "Radio Theatre." He won a Peabody Award for his drama "Bonhoeffer," and an Audie Award for his "Life of Jesus" epic. He has dramatized CS Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" and more recently "The Screwtape Letters." His novels include "The Mill House," "Epiphany" and the two TSI novels, with Dr. Walt Larimore. His latest project is an audio adaptation of "Oliver Twist" for Radio Theatre, out in September. Paul lives in Colorado Springs.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 89 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Listen...you'll be in for a treat! September 29, 2009

By Anne TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

I have to be honest. When I come across something that takes me by surprise, I don't think I can do it justice. That is the case with Focus on the Family's Radio Theater version of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. The Screwtape Letters were a series of letters that C.S. Lewis wrote about Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood--both workers for the Devil about how to effectively lead people to Hell and away from God. They were originally published separately in a magazine and then compiled as a book.

I think the release of this audiodrama is very timely in our culture today. It brings to life C.S. Lewis' book from 60+ years ago. What amazes me so much about it is how true it remains today--even about our culture! I thought beforehand that there would be some very insightful comments made in it, but I had no idea how many!

I have not read the actual book, but it is on our bookshelf so I picked it up after listening to the audiodrama. It is amazingly true to the book. It is not a drastic abridgement as I had expected. The language they use is true to the book and the way Wormwood and Screwtape talk is also true to the book.

There is one particular point that struck me today that I didn't want to forget to mention. It was when Screwtape tells Wormwood that the best road to (Hell) is a very gradual one--not one marked by huge sins. Huge sins make people aware of their need for God. The gradual road (in my words) is like the frog in a pot that comes to a boil gradually--so he doesn't know he's dying.

What most struck me as I listened was that what Screwtape was really talking about is Cynicism. Cynicism is the Devil's best way to turn us away from the Lord. C.S. Lewis used other words, but essentially, that is what he was talking about.

As far as the dramatization goes, it is best to listen to it in daylight--although at night, it might have more of an impact on you. The actors were excellent! I wasn't concerned about the Behind the Scenes DVD because that has never been something I've really watched on movies. On the packaging, there is a warning that it is for ages 12 and up. I would agree with that and I'm glad they placed that age recommendation on the back. I was careful not to play it around my little ones or within their earshot.

I highly recommend this audio drama! It will give you much to ponder. It is definitely giving me much to ponder today.

54 of 58 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars "Reader's Theater" Screwtape Letters December 2, 2009

By Rick Vasquez

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am minister and purchased the Dramatized Screwtape Letters to use in an Adult Class for church members. I used it in the course of the lecture hour with the class, playing it near the beginning of the class and unpacking the meaning after. I also have a straight forward reading of Screwtape by an Englishman as well The Screwtape Letters.

For the C.S. Lewis purist, this is not for you. The Screwtape Letters are first of all "letters" and not a book of theatrical scripts. So, I think, if Lewis were alive, he might slightly object to the recasting of this work into a performance and dialogue. It is, I think, meant to be read and reread, like one would read a parable or a proverb, meditating, thinking, pondering and awaiting illumination.

Having said that, this performance is truly and amazingly entertaining and for a teenage audience (whom we also have in class), it is far more effective at engagement and learning. It is funny and the voice of Screwtape is not only recognizable, it also captures the sinister-ness of the the evil being he is.

I personally thinking reading the Letters is best. Listening it being read without the theatrics is next best. But I would also highly recommend this to Amazon customers. It is superb.

Let me also suggest this resource as well: and The Screwtape Letters Study Guide CD-ROM (CD-ROM). This one is excellent for assigning Screwtape as school lesson assignment.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Audio Book Done Right October 4, 2009

By ashertopia TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Focus on the Family and Tyndale take C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters, a series of imaginative and insightful letters from a senior demon, the title character Screwtape, to his novice nephew Wormwood, and add over four hours of audio by an accomplished cast of actors, like Andy Serkis, Gollum from the Lord of the Rings movies as Screwtape, and 10 original songs written for this production all in 5.1 surround sound. The Collectors Edition comes with 4 CDs and 1 DVD in a tri-fold case with original artwork with a slipcover. All 10 original songs are included in their entirety on disc four. Disc 5 includes behind the scenes featurettes.

Anyone familiar with the original book by Lewis will instantly recognize his witty and timely message; nothing is lost in the translation. The actors play their part just right - not too over the top and certainly not blandly. The original score hits just the right creepy note. The benefits of the 5.1 surround sound can not be over-stated.

The packaging is well done and gives the impression of worth even though the set only costs about $27 on Amazon.com. ($39.99 MSRP.)

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this well done audio dramatization of Lewis' excellent book. So many times the publishers don't put in the effort on audio books and we end up with a lame soundtrack read by a boring voice actor. Not so with The Screwtape Letters. I highly recommend it to you.