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Production Completed On British Lion’s
The Wicker Tree From Director Robin Hardy Creator Of The Wicker Man |
Peter Snell |
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The venerable film production and distribution company British Lion headed by CEO Peter Snell is being revived and the company has completed its first new production, Robin Hardy’s The Wicker Tree. Hardy, who directed the 1973 cult-classic The Wicker Man, has reunited with Snell who produced The Wicker Man and also has produced The Wicker Tree, a contemporary tale about two young Texan Christians who travel to the Scottish fiefdom of Tressock to spread the gospel. Snell says, “The Wicker Tree is a chilling contemporary horror/thriller. We have a very strong cast, with Graham McTavish (The Hobbit) who plays the sinister laird Lachlan Morrison who presides over Tressock. The cast also includes newcomer Brittania Nicol and Henry Garrett, Clive Russell, Honeysuckle Weeks and Jacqueline Leonard. Christopher Lee, who played Lord Summerisle in the original, has a cameo role. . Like The Wicker Man, music plays a pivotal role in the story-telling.” Composer John Scott (Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes) has written the score with renowned Scottish musician Keith Easdale writing the songs.
Commenting on the revival of British Lion Films Peter Snell said, “We are currently in the process of raising finance to re-position British Lion Films as a British production and distribution company. There is a rich mother lode of talent in the UK and our aspiration is to provide the vehicle for not only established filmmakers, but particularly new and upcoming filmmakers. With modern technology there are many new avenues for distribution, and many more for the way in which films are produced. With a mixture of seasoned and experienced filmmakers and vibrant newcomers across the spectrum of the industry we believe there is a gap in the UK for a British company that will help underpin the local industry”.
Snell is currently in discussions for the US domestic release of The Wicker Tree. British Lion hold worldwide rights.
About British Lion
Founded by S.W. Smith in November 1927, by the end of World War II the company had released over fifty-five films including In Which We Serve for which writer/producer Noel Coward received an Academy Award.
In 1946 Sir Alexander Korda bought a controlling interest in British Lion, which also owned Shepperton Studios. Among early British Lion classics were The Third Man, Hobson's Choice, Odette, and David Lean's The Sound Barrier (1952). A new working management in 1958 saw significant change at British Lion, with film producers the Boulting Brothers, Sidney Gilliat and Frank Launder. Many notable films such as A Taste of Honey, The Entertainer, The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery, I'm All Right Jack, The L-Shaped Room, and Saturday Night and Sunday Morning were released under their tenure.
In the early 70’s the company was sold to John Bentley of then Barclay Securities. Peter Snell was appointed Head of Production and then Managing Director. Don't Look Now and The Wicker Man followed.
In the mid 70’s British Lion was acquired by EMI for the value of its film library.Snell subsequently bought British Lion from Thorn/EMI to recapitalize the company. British Lion celebrates its 85th anniversary in 2012.
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