Helen Hollick. Mark Lester & Ian Whyte at Battle, Sussex (see slide show below for more photos)~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEWS NEWS!LATEST NEWS!
NOVEMBER PRESS RELEASE
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1066 Attracts more industry veterans!
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On a recently concluded trip to Los Angeles visiting the Hollywood Film Festival, producers Robin Jacob and Hollywood-based Chris Carson have attracted more industry veterans to the film project 1066.After spending an afternoon with film veteran Fight Director Anthony De Longis at his Canyon Country ranch, the producers asked him to come on board at this early stage as fight director. Anthony’s credits are extensive. Currently training Harrison Ford in the latest Indian Jones epic ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ he has appeared in such movies as Second Hand Lions, ‘Sinbad the Battle of the Dark Knights’, ‘Almost Heroes’, ‘Far and Away’, ‘The Outer Limits’, and ‘Star Trek’ to mention a few. With extensive fight scenes planned for 1066 Anthony’s vast experience will add to the production.Also joining the production on the cast is Gary Daniels, former Professional Karate Association Light Heavy Weight Kickboxing Champion - he has appeared in more than fifty movies including ‘White Tiger’, ‘American Street Fighter’, ‘Fist of the North Star’ and ‘City Hunter’ with Jackie Chan. Gary will play Gyrth, the brother of Harold Godwinson.
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October 2007
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Mark Lester, Ian Whyte and Bronwen Harrison joined author Helen Hollick at the annual English Heritage Battle of Hastings re-enactment in Sussex, UK, on October 14th for the 941st anniversary of the Battle. Helen was delighted to have sold over a hundred copies of her book Harold the King - aided by the two enthusiastic actors and Bronwen. Several re-enactors strolled up to say hello, and Mark enjoyed questioning them about their chain mail and weaponry. Our thanks to English Heritage for their welcome and co-operation towards Lance Prebble who was busily filming events.
Meeting Mark for the first time, Helen said she could easily picture him as Harold; "As an author I have a very clear vision of my characters - in looks and personality. Mark is perfect for the part, he will bring Harold to life."~~~~~~~~~~~~~"As an estimated big budget movie this is not an easy project but one that deserves to have the right production value rather than trying to do some low budget movie that devalues the story."~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The CAST so far
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I'd like to meet:
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Art work by courtesy of
Chris Collingwood ________________________________________________
More information on this project can be found in the blog above and at the following links:1066 the Movie
imdb: Robin Jacob
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Christopher Carson
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Associate Producer Lance Prebble______________________________________________
Myspace friend:Author Helen Hollick
Helen Hollick's World of Books______________________________________________Music DirectorAlessandro Ponti______________________________________________Official Guesswork Website
Bronwen's Myspace______________________________________________
Chris Collingwood Historical Art
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An interview with Producer - Robin Jaconb: PART ONEPART TWO______________________________________________From the Sunday Mirror (UK) March 30th :-
.... Mark Lester has at last come full circle. After a gap of 30 years he is due to return to the big screen, starring as King Harold in 1066, a movie epic about the Battle of Hastings."I'm incredibly excited about this film - it's going to be a cross between Elizabeth I and Gladiator. I can't wait to show people that, after all this time, there's more to me than just looking pretty. We will go into production soon."Producer Robin Jacob and UK actor Ian Whyte (Harald Hardrada)
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Are You Interested in the History of King Harold ll?
~ PLACES & THINGS TO SEE in the UK ~
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BATTLE:Battle Abbey, Sussex site of the Battle of Hastings.WALTHAM ABBEY:The Abbey at Waltham was the last in the country to be dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540. There had been a church on the site for hundreds of years, although the building had been rebuilt several times. A settlement existed here in Saxon times, but the earliest recorded history of the town dates back to the reign of King Canute when a member of the royal court, Tovi the Proud, brought a miraculous stone crucifix from his estate in Somerset to Waltham. From this is derived the old name for the district, Waltham Holy Cross. The church containing the cross was rebuilt in the 1050's by Harold Godwinsson, later King Harold II, as a college of secular canons.After his death at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, Harold's body was taken to Waltham Abbey and buried. Today, two stones mark the spot, just to the east of the present building, where his body is believed to lie. The inscription on one reads: "THIS STONE MARKS THE POSITION OF THE HIGH ALTAR BEHIND WHICH KING HAROLD IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN BURIED 1066" and on the other "HAROLD KING OF ENGLAND OBIIT 1066". The present building is the fourth on this site, and was erected in the first quarter of the 12th century to replace the church founded by King Harold. In 1177, Henry II re-founded the church as an Augustinian abbey, as part of his penance for the murder of Thomas Becket. When the abbey was dissolved, the buildings erected for the canons were then pulled down – only the nave survived, because it had always belonged to the parish.
With thanks to
Waltham Abbey Church
for the photos and information.
BOSHAM:Bosham village the Godwin's Manor House was here - the Church is on the Bayeux Tapestry and is another possible location for Harold's grave.WESTMINSTER ABBEY:The Abbey is depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. Edward the Confessor was the first King to be buried here and - contrary to Norman claim - Harold Godwinson, King Harold II, was the first King to be consecrated and crowned within the Abbey. (With thanks to Westminster Abbey for permission to use the photo)The BAYEUX TAPESTRY:the Victorian copy of the Bayeux Tapestry________________________________________________
COMMENTS - PLEASE NOTE!
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the comment box below is for general comments - I'm sorry there isn't room for debating general issues there - SO - go up to the blog above and debate, argue, take issue, say what you want - but please be aware, all views expressed in the debate blog are YOURS, they are not necessarily shared by the production team of 1066 the Movie!
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Music:
.. The music is a small taster of the score for the film. "Battle" is only a DEMO however; we are quite aware that the Latin wording is incorrect!
Picture the scene:- Tostig, Harold's brother and the Hardrada have landed in Yorkshire intent on taking the Kingdom of England. There has already been one battle at Gate Fulford, outside York. Now Harold must march north as soon as he can to defend his realm. He sends out the men with the war horns to call up the fyrd (the army) and as Harold hurries northward so men flood to join him. Imagine: the mud, the sweat, the tramp of feet,the chink of armour, the creak of leather. The war drums. Marching, marching. Exhaustion, fear, anxiety. They must get there! They must win ....! Now, close your eyes and picture the scene, listen to this background music again.Oscar winning stuff or what!
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Official Guesswork Website
Movies:
1066 is the most famous date in English history. It is the year in which Duke William of Normandy led his conquering campaign against King Harold II of England culminating
with these two powerful and determined men warring against each other in the Battle of Hastings.
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British writer / producer / director Robin Jacob has spent the past three years researching the history and writing this epic feature film. Earlier this year (2007) the acclaimed British historical novelist Helen Hollick, best known for her novel "Harold the King" joined Robin's project as his screenwriting partner. His team is joined by Lance Prebble as Associate Producer in charge of marketing and merchandizing, composer Bronwen Harrison (from the band Guesswork / Moonstruck Music) and Chris Collingwood, the British artist famed for his historical works of art.
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"The phones are ringing all the time with enquiries from Hollywood and U.K. actors wanting roles in this movie," says Robin Jacob. "With 15 strong male and 5 female roles this is surely an ensemble cast production." 1066 is a story full of intrigue, treachery, Papal conspiracy, murder, deceit and an abundance of rape and pillaging. 1066 is the last time England would ever be conquered by foreign invaders. The newly completed screenplay attracted two Hollywood producers who joined Robin as Co-Producers on the ambitious feature film. Producer, the late Sydney Rose and his Academy Award winning filmmaker partner Christopher Carson of Hollywood based Reverie Productions, joined forces with British-born director Robin Jacob's Singapore-based Tiger Films in April of 2007. "Robin is being very smart about the scope of the project. He has plans for a long format ..ary to work in conjunction with the feature film," said Christopher Carson, "Reverie Productions is proud to be associated with such an impressive project."1066 - the MOVIE______________
Television:
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THE TEAM
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Books:
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Helen Hollick's World of Books
Synopsis of HAROLD THE KINGAn epic retelling of the tide of events that led to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, told through the charismatic and compelling characters at its heart.England 1044. The Godwines are one of the most powerful families in the Country. As each of Earl Godwine’s six sons reach maturity, so they are rewarded with title and influence. Harold Godwine has inherited his father’s diplomatic skills – but none of his lust for battle.In Normandy, William, bastard son of a duke is trained to be a soldier. A charismatic leader he inspires those who pledge loyalty with the promise of ever greater victories.King Edward, both influenced and angered by his powerful mother, Emma, is England’s reluctant monarch. His passions lie away from the tedium of government, as his ambitious wife, Harold’s sister Edith, soon discovers.Meanwhile, Harold’s stature grows – and with it the pressure to abandon his love, Edyth Swanneck, and make an alliance of political advantage. William’s spirited young bride Mathilda has brought him land and wealth to further his cause – and a stormy partnership.As a power struggle begins to emerge, events take a dramatic and bloody turn - for the ultimate prize is England and a royal crown.In this masterly and colourful recreation Helen Hollick superbly weaves together the history of a powerful family of noblemen, with that of the aggressive bastard of Normandy culminating in the fierce and tragic battle which changed the course of England’s history at a place a few miles from Hastings.........isbn 1-905108-18-4
order from any good bookstore or buy on line from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk
Heroes:
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CAST & CHARACTERS
see BLOG above
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The 5/6th January (1066)was the anniversary of the death of King Edward and the Coronation of Harold II of England in the newly consecrated Abbey of Westminster. After the Battle of Hastings most references to Harold as King were deleted and Chroniclers recorded that William was the first king to be crowned in the Abbey on December 25th 1066.He was not the first. Harold Godwinsson has the rightful claim to that honour.
