A Georgian merchant’s house in Cambridgeshire looked after by the National Trust is the key location for a new film starring veteran film actor Peter O’Toole, which opens at cinemas across the UK on 12 December.
Based on the novel by Baron Dunsany, 'Dean Spanley' follows a father and son as they encounter an eccentric man-of-the-cloth who claims to have had a rather strange past life.
© Icon Films
Set in Edwardian England, the film was shot over four weeks at the Trust’s Peckover House in Wisbech and other locations across the east of England, including Wisbech Castle and Norwich cathedral, before the production moved to New Zealand.
Eight-time Academy Award nominee Peter O’Toole, Sam Neill and Jeremy Northam were among actors to tread the boards of Peckover House, which was completely transformed to become the home of Fisk Senior, the character played by O’Toole.
© Icon Films
Whilst a number of rooms were used during the shoot, the extensive library was perfect for the creation of three temporary film sets. The house also underwent a number of transformations. For example the 19th-century crystal chandeliers in the library were taken down and replaced with turn-of-the-century fittings, an artificial smoke machine was used to simulate steam in the laundry room, and even the National Trust shop had a new function as Peter O’Toole’s dressing room.
Peckover’s Property Manager, Teresa Squires, explained how the elegant Georgian street in which Peckover sits was also enhanced for the filming:
'The street outside the property was dressed with artificial cobblestones and mud. Authentic background touches included a coalman’s cart, complete with horse, and a butcher’s bicycle with dead rabbits as cargo. One memorable shot at night included a spotlight mounted on a crane on the other side of the river, illuminating the front of the house as if it was a streetlight. A lot of effort to go to, but the final effect was magical.'
Shooting the film at Peckover was a truly enjoyable affair, as described by the National Trust’s Film and Locations Manager, Harvey Edgington: 'The crew was at Peckover a long time and used every bit of the property. It was a very happy shoot despite the freezing weather. When I sat watching O’ Toole on the top of his game, it was one of the most relaxed sets I have been on. Northam was playing the piano in the breaks and everyone was on first name terms.'
Regional screen agency, Screen East, invested £250,000 in the production of 'Dean Spanley' through its £2.25m Content Investment Fund. Screen East Locations assisted the production team to find the ideal locations within the region. They also helped source local crew and identify facilities companies. 'Dean Spanley' has had an impact in the region already by creating five full time jobs and spending £950,000 through sourcing local crew and facilities.
Kerry Ixer, Head of Locations at Screen East, said:
'Dean Spanley' is the first production supported by Screen East’s Content Investment Fund to come to screen and helps fulfil one of our ambitions which is to put more of the region on screen. Given it is anticipated the film will be well received by a global audience and the locations look truly amazing, it is anticipated this film will attract visitors to the region for many years to come.'
'Dean Spanley' will open in cinemas across the UK on 12 December 2008.
|
