The Peak District and Derbyshire's premier role as a prime film
location will step into the spotlight once again this summer thanks
to two sizzling new releases - plus a series of outdoor screenings
planned by QUAD, Derby's centre for art and film.
Famous historic buildings and landscapes including Haddon Hall,
Wingfield Manor, Stanage Edge and Edale will be showcased in a new
version of Jane Eyre, starring Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell of
Billy Elliot fame and Dame Judi Dench, due for UK release on Friday
September 9.
Tense psychological thriller The Holding - starring David
Bradley, best known as Argus Filch in the Harry Potter series of
films; Vincent Regan and Kierston Wareing, and filmed on location
in Longnor in the Staffordshire Moorlands - is also set for UK
release in late August or early September.
Cinemagoers will also appreciate QUAD's open-air offers,
including locally-filmed blockbuster The Duchess - recounting the
fascinating life story of Georgiana Cavendish, the 5th Duchess of
Devonshire. Starring Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes and Charlotte
Rampling, it will be shown at the National Trust's Kedleston Hall,
one of the properties featured in the film, on Friday August
26.
The Duchess - also filmed on location at Chatsworth - will be
closely followed by more recent smash hit The King's Speech,
starring Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush, at the same venue on
Saturday August 27.
Another National Trust property, Calke Abbey near Ticknall, will
be the spectacular backdrop for screenings of The Innocents, a
classic 1961 British horror film starring Deborah Kerr and Michael
Redgrave, on Friday August 12 and The Kings Speech on Saturday
August 13.
And classic sci-fi film Close Encounters of the Third Kind will
celebrate the opening of Wirksworth Festival and the unveiling of
the Star Disc sculpture created by artist Aiden Shingler, with a
free screening on Saturday September 10.
"Film tourism generates a lot of interest in the Peak District
and Derbyshire - from well-known Hollywood hits such as Pride &
Prejudice and the Other Boleyn Girl to maybe lesser-known, but
equally compelling productions such as The Damned United and
Skeletons," said David Thornton, Head of Marketing and Deputy Chief
Executive of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, the area's
official tourist board.
"This year's another big one for silver screen buffs - with
Hardwick Hall appearing as 'Malfoy Manor' in Harry Potter and the
Deathly Hallows and two more new films featuring local landscapes
and landmarks due for release over the coming months.
"Film fans can download details of locations for locally shot
movies such as Elizabeth, Pride & Prejudice and Robin Hood as
apps from the Visit Britain website - and a comprehensive list is
also available in our 2011 Visitor Guide, which can be ordered at
www.visitpeakdistrict.com,
or on our Attractions Map, now available in tourist information
centres in and around the area.
"We're delighted that QUAD has taken the initiative to organise
these outdoor screenings to underscore the importance of film in
our overall tourism offer, and hope they'll appeal to both visitors
and local people alike during the peak holiday season."