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CS Lewis failed his driving test a gobsmacking 17 times. So perhaps it’s no wonder that he felt the need to create imaginary alternative worlds. But that wasn’t the half of it. As AN Wilson’s very heartfelt documentary explains, Lewis’s life was simultaneously magical and tragic, encompassing a miserable childhood, service in World War I, crises of faith and non-faith, a lifelong relationship with a much older woman and the semi-permanent care of an alcoholic brother.
A fascinating tale then, which doesn’t even reach Narnia until the 40-minute mark. Wilson is often hilariously bufferish (who else refers to sex as ‘congress’?) but, as a biographer of Lewis, this film is clearly a labour of love for him and his knowledge and enthusiasm soon become infectious.