ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment confirmed today that RAI CINEMA, on behalf of Italy’s public broadcaster RAI RADIO TELEVISIONE ITALIANA, has acquired in excess of ONE HUNDRED hugely popular and critically acclaimed films to air across their channels. ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment additionally revealed today that it will promote the restored and re-mastered version of the multi-award winning master-piece “This Sporting Life” at MIPTV 2010 this April.
The RAI CINEMA deal includes a large portfolio of restored and re-mastered high definition films, including “Henry V;” starring Laurence Olivier who was Oscar®-nominated for his mesmerizing performance as King Henry V. Also included are Alfred Hitchcock’s masterful “The Lady Vanishes;” starring Margaret Lockwood, the poignant and beautifully crafted “Brief Encounter;” starring Trevor Howard, the critically acclaimed “Sophie’s Choice;” starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline as two star-crossed lovers and the unforgettable choice of a holocaust survivor, and the two-time Oscar® winning Powell and Pressburger classic “Black Narcissus,” starring Deborah Kerr and Jean Simmons.
The RAI CINEMA deal was brokered by Gioia Avvantaggiato at GA&A and Andre Renaud, Senior Sales Executive – Italian Speaking Europe at ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment who said “These acquired films are each shimmering jewels that have rightfully found their home in Italy with RAI. The films will perfectly complement previous high-quality acquisitions by RAI from ITV Studios, such as Agatha Christie’s Marple and Murdoch Mysteries.”
ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment confirmed today that the company has restored and re-mastered the critically acclaimed and hugely popular cinematic classic This Sporting Life. The film will be unveiled to TV, VOD and home entertainment buyers in high definition at MIPTV 2010 on Monday 12 April.
Directed by Lindsay Anderson and written by David Storey, “This Sporting Life” stars Richard Harris (Camelot) and Rachel Roberts (Saturday Night and Sunday Morning) in the emotionally charged and dramatic love story. The critically celebrated film was Oscar and BAFTA nominated, and winner at the 1960 Macmillan Fiction Award and 1963 Cannes Film Festival.
Fiona Maxwell, Director of Operations at ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment said “ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment proudly represents the Rank, Rohauer, Romulus, Korda and ITC film catalogues, which collectively are acknowledged as the World’s largest Classic British film archive. ITV STUDIOS incorporates a dedicated restoration unit. Over the past two years this specialist team has overseen restoring many important classic films remastering them to high-definition, including “The Ipcress File,” “The 39 Steps” and “The Red Shoes” – In partnership with The Film Foundation, the UCLA Archive and the BFI.”