Walden Screwtaping

Variety sez: C. S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters is getting adapted for cinema, the finance coming from Walden Media who seem to put big bank behind almost anything with a Christian message.

For a long time, John Cleese was rumoured to be orbiting a film of this book, either as a scriptwriter, star or both - which amuses me, frankly, because there's plenty of folk out there who would have difficulty reconciling this manoeuvre with his 'heathen past' writing and appearing in Life of Brian.

No mention of Cleese today, though, as Walden's involvement is announced.

This book will be quite a tricky one to turn into half-decent narrative feature, being very episodic and sometimes maddeningly didactic. There are some subtle joys to be found in the often witty text, but I'm doubtful as to how many will make the transition intact.