1939
On the eve of World War Two, Sigmund Freud, an ailing atheist, invites C.S. Lewis, a devout Christian and Oxford don, to his London study for a debate on the existence of God, love, sex, and the meaning of life. As air raid sirens blare and news of the impending war fills the air, their intellectual sparring is punctuated by flashbacks to their pasts, revealing the formative experiences that shaped their beliefs, including Lewis's conversion to Christianity and Freud's childhood exposure to anti-Semitism and his complex relationship with his daughter, Anna. Lewis challenges Freud's skepticism, recounting his own journey to faith and questioning Freud's refusal to consider the divine, while Freud, suffering from oral cancer, probes Lewis's personal life, particularly his relationship with Janie Moore and his wartime trauma. The debate escalates as Freud's pain intensifies, leading to a medical crisis where Lewis assists him, and they share a moment of vulnerability, discussing death and the unknown. As Lewis departs, leaving Freud with Anna and Dorothy, the film concludes with Lewis reflecting on their conversation during his train ride home, while Freud listens to the King's speech and music, both men left to ponder the profound questions raised during their final session.
Save the Cat beat sheet
In wartime London, famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud and C.S.
Open full beat sheetC.S. Lewis is listed as Oxford Don and Christian Apologist. Youthful spirit, veteran of the Great War, intellectual. In the parsed data, C.S. Lewis is connected to 78 scenes, 159 dialogue lines, 161 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
78 scenes / 159 dialogue linesSigmund Freud is listed as Psychoanalyst. 83 years old, suffering from oral cancer, brilliant, cynical, and rigid. In the parsed data, Sigmund Freud is connected to 71 scenes, 186 dialogue lines, 188 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
71 scenes / 186 dialogue linesAnna Freud is listed as Psychoanalyst. 43 years old, daughter of Sigmund Freud, bright but tightly wound. In the parsed data, Anna Freud is connected to 37 scenes, 51 dialogue lines, 52 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
37 scenes / 51 dialogue linesDorothy Burlingham is listed as American heiress and psychoanalyst. Pretty, short cropped hair, intimate with Anna Freud. In the parsed data, Dorothy Burlingham is connected to 16 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
16 scenes / 13 dialogue linesJanie Moore is listed as Companion to C.S. Lewis. Striking woman, nearly twenty years older than Lewis. In the parsed data, Janie Moore is connected to 8 scenes, 20 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
8 scenes / 20 dialogue linesDr. Ernest Jones is listed as Neurologist and psychoanalyst. British colleague of Freud. In the parsed data, Dr. Ernest Jones is connected to 6 scenes, 22 dialogue lines, 22 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.
6 scenes / 22 dialogue linesJ.R. Tolkien is listed as Author and member of the Inklings. Close friend of Lewis. In the parsed data, J.R. Tolkien is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 46.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesWarren Lewis is listed as Brother of C.S. Lewis. Close friend and companion to Jack. In the parsed data, Warren Lewis is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 46.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesIntroduction to Freud's study and collection of artifacts.
Introduction to C.S. Lewis' bedroom and a religious artifact.
Close up of an Egyptian statue.
Close up of a religious carving.
Anna Freud assists her father, Sigmund Freud, as he prepares for the day.
Anna Freud, Sigmund FreudEstablishing shot of C.S. Lewis' home.
Janie Moore tries to convince Lewis not to go to London.
C.S. Lewis, Janie MooreLewis leaves for his trip despite Janie's protest.
C.S. Lewis, Janie MooreLewis observes the evacuation of children as war is announced.
C.S. LewisFreud listens to the war news and discusses his upcoming meeting with Lewis.
Sigmund Freud, Anna FreudLewis arrives in London amidst war preparations.
C.S. LewisLewis and Anna cross paths outside Freud's home.
C.S. Lewis, Anna FreudFreud prepares for his guest.
Sigmund FreudFreud calls for his dog.
Sigmund FreudLewis arrives at Freud's home.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFreud and Lewis begin their conversation.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFlashback to Freud receiving an award.
Sigmund FreudFreud and Lewis are in the garden.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFlashback to the award ceremony.
Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud, Dorothy Burlingham, Dr. Ernest JonesLewis checks on Freud.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFlashback to Anna and Dorothy.
Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud, Dorothy BurlinghamFreud gives Lewis a flower.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFreud and Lewis discuss faith.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisAnna is on the phone.
Anna FreudFreud continues the call.
Sigmund FreudAnna deals with a difficult student.
Anna Freud, Dorothy BurlinghamAnna begins her lecture.
Anna FreudFreud and Lewis discuss Tolkien and faith.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFlashback to Lewis's childhood.
C.S. LewisFlashback to Lewis leaving Ireland.
C.S. LewisFlashback to Lewis receiving a gift.
C.S. LewisFreud and Lewis discuss 'Joy'.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFlashback to Freud's childhood.
Sigmund FreudFreud and Lewis discuss father figures and their respective relationships with their fathers.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFlashback to Freud's childhood where his father is humiliated by anti-semitic men.
Sigmund FreudFreud and Lewis discuss anger toward God, interrupted by an air raid siren.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFreud and Lewis head toward a church shelter during the air raid alarm.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFreud and Lewis join the crowd entering the church.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFreud and Lewis enter the church interior.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisLewis suffers a panic attack in the basement; Freud helps him.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisAn air raid warden announces the alarm is a false alarm.
The siren stops; Lewis is relieved.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFreud identifies a statue as St. Dymphna.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFreud and Lewis walk home, discussing humor and jokes.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFreud receives a frustrating phone call; they listen to news of the war.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFlashback to the Inklings meeting.
C.S. Lewis, Warren Lewis, J.R. TolkienThe Inklings discuss Tolkien's work.
C.S. Lewis, Warren Lewis, J.R. TolkienTolkien and Lewis discuss faith and Lewis's brother.
C.S. Lewis, J.R. TolkienFlashback to Weldon admitting he believes the Bible.
C.S. LewisTolkien explains the difference between myth and truth to Lewis.
C.S. Lewis, J.R. TolkienLewis walks to the library.
C.S. LewisLewis researches the New Testament.
C.S. LewisJanie Moore confronts Lewis about reading the Bible.
C.S. Lewis, Janie MooreLewis explains his reasoning for believing in Christ to Freud.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFreud takes medication while continuing the conversation.
Sigmund FreudLewis challenges Freud's assessment of Christ.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFreud admits he has not.
Sigmund FreudFreud returns to his desk.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisLewis experiences a moment of clarity regarding his faith.
C.S. Lewis, Warren LewisFreud remains skeptical of Lewis's conversion.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisLewis tells his family about his conversion.
C.S. Lewis, Janie Moore, Warren LewisJanie confronts Lewis about the implications of his faith.
C.S. Lewis, Janie MooreFreud listens to Chamberlain's broadcast.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisAnna and Dorothy listen to the broadcast.
Anna Freud, Dorothy BurlinghamAnna and Dorothy discuss the war.
Anna Freud, Dorothy BurlinghamFreud and Lewis discuss the inevitability of war.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFlashback to Freud being urged to leave Vienna.
Sigmund Freud, Dr. Ernest JonesFreud and Lewis discuss Anna's release from the Gestapo and Freud's views on Hitler and God.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFlashback to young Freud being taken to church by his nanny.
Sigmund FreudYoung Freud attends mass and is fascinated by the religious imagery.
Sigmund FreudJacob Freud catches young Freud making the sign of the cross.
Sigmund FreudJacob fires Ilsa for influencing young Freud's religious behavior.
Sigmund FreudFreud and Lewis debate religion and morality; Freud reveals his physical pain.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisFreud experiences ether dreams during surgery.
Sigmund FreudFreud wakes up after surgery to find a hydrocephalic dwarf.
Sigmund FreudFreud reflects on the dwarf who saved his life.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. LewisAnna lectures until interrupted by a phone call.
Anna Freud, Dorothy BurlinghamAnna takes a call from her father.
Anna FreudFreud demands Anna come home due to his pain.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. Lewis, Anna FreudAnna is confronted by Dr. Berbridge about her devotion to her father.
Anna Freud, Dorothy BurlinghamThe Village Atheist was an Insurance Agent. He asked the local Pastor if he would make a sick call. The Atheist's family was astonished. He was on his deathbed, they couldn't believe he had the strength to speak with the Pastor, of all people. All day the two men quarreled, then all night. Finally, at dawn, the weary Pastor stumbled from the house. The Villager had died, still an atheist. But the Pastor was fully insured.
I also think you're terribly selfish, putting your own pain above the pain of those you love. You lie to yourself, thinking you can control death like you control your world and your daughter. You believe you can out-think your fear by hiding behind your desk of dead gods, but the truth is that you're terrified.
Do you even hear yourself? Anna spent years in psychoanalytical treatment for a masturbation complex, which proves she is capable of sexual longing. A complex that most often stems from her unhealthy paternal attachment. Not that you need concern yourself, doctor. Primum non nocere. I'm sure you remember that.
It's the same fantasy I always have. We're on horseback. His family hates mine, he's avenging them. I can't escape. He's coming closer, closer- Then he kisses me. Everywhere I'm bleeding. His face to mine, his lips near my lips, red and dripping. He whispers - "Tell me your family's secrets."
I'm in England, aren't I? With you. Reasonable would be that we at least shared the same roof. The children don't even understand. I didn't know your father had such delicate sensibilities.
I have spent much of my life examining Fantasies. In the time I have left I am determined to understand what I can of reality. Your parents, did they inject you with this fairy tale faith?
What if God wants to perfect us through suffering? Make us realize that real happiness, eternal happiness, can only come through him? If pleasure is his whisper, pain is his megaphone.
Your Irish will always win out. We all try so valiantly to leave our past. Our childhood. But they will never leave us. Nor the sorrows of the world... This will never be my home.
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.