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Michael Strutt
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t was my privilege to co-produce a TV film titled Shadowlands
with the BBC in England on the life of the great Christian communicator
C. S. Lewis. This little film had a surprisingly strong impact that led
to a stage play and feature film of the same title. While we were preparing
to film at Lewis' Magdalen College at Oxford, we met with the head porter,
Mr. Michael Strutt (left), who was in charge of security. We found him
so extremely cooperative, that when we were finished I stopped to thank
him for providing us access far beyond what we had any right to expect.
He opened up and told how anything he could do would be a joy to help
express his lasting gratitude to Lewis.
Over forty years earlier he had been a mail delivery boy at the college.
Lewis was the one professor who always had the time to talk with and show
interest in the young man. Then Michael's father died, and Michael himself
became seriously ill for eighteen months. Lewis secretly helped him financially
to get his education. Thus, Strutt told me, his eyes misting over, that
he was thrilled for an opportunity to express a small thank you for the
kindness of a man who meant so much to him. Anything he could do to help
us on the film was his way of gratefully honoring the memory of C.S. Lewis.
-- Ken Curtis
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