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From being one of the longest-reigning monarchs in history to how many corgis she had over the course of her life, here are 10 things to know about the late queen, who died “peacefully” on Thursday at 96.
Britain’s Longest-Reigning Monarch
Elizabeth, who marked 70 years on the throne this year, is the oldest and longest-reigning monarch in British history. In September 2015 she surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years and seven months.
In 2016, Elizabeth also became the longest-reigning monarch in the world with the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. In 2022, she became the second-longest-reigning monarch in world history, behind 17th century French King Louis Xiv, who took the throne at age 4.
Apart from Elizabeth and Victoria, only four other monarchs in British history have reigned for 50 years or more: George III (59 years), Henry III (56 years), Edward III (50 years) and James VI of Scotland (58 years.
From being one of the longest-reigning monarchs in history to how many corgis she had over the course of her life, here are 10 things to know about the late queen, who died “peacefully” on Thursday at 96.
Britain’s Longest-Reigning Monarch
Elizabeth, who marked 70 years on the throne this year, is the oldest and longest-reigning monarch in British history. In September 2015 she surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years and seven months.
In 2016, Elizabeth also became the longest-reigning monarch in the world with the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. In 2022, she became the second-longest-reigning monarch in world history, behind 17th century French King Louis Xiv, who took the throne at age 4.
Apart from Elizabeth and Victoria, only four other monarchs in British history have reigned for 50 years or more: George III (59 years), Henry III (56 years), Edward III (50 years) and James VI of Scotland (58 years.
- 9/8/2022
- by the Associated Press
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Plot: A fictionalized account of the 2006 meeting between British Unionist leader Rev. Ian Paisley and Irish Republican Martin McGuinness, which was meant to end the decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland known as The Troubles. Review: One wouldn't expect to hear a Snakes On A Plane reference in a movie like The Journey, but there it is. It's somewhat emblematic of the surprisingly... Read More...
- 6/14/2017
- by Eric Walkuski
- JoBlo.com
This fictionalised take on how Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness set aside sectarian hatred to pursue peace talks pitches Timothy Spall and Colm Meaney into odd-couple comedy while simultaneously tiptoeing on eggshells
It sounds like a segment from The X Factor – or possibly like something inspired by Tony Blair’s autobiography, which famously wouldn’t even commit itself to the definite article: A Journey. Actually it’s a strained, dramatically inert and often frankly silly odd-couple bromance fantasy about the Northern Ireland peace process negotiations. The film looks like a borderline-acceptable TV play (lasting an hour) or conceivably a stage play that Peter Morgan could have done something with. Actually, the movie’s scene with a crashed car and a deer appears to have been inspired by The Queen, written by Morgan.
The question it sets out to ask is perfectly valid: how on earth did the Dup veteran Rev Ian Paisley...
It sounds like a segment from The X Factor – or possibly like something inspired by Tony Blair’s autobiography, which famously wouldn’t even commit itself to the definite article: A Journey. Actually it’s a strained, dramatically inert and often frankly silly odd-couple bromance fantasy about the Northern Ireland peace process negotiations. The film looks like a borderline-acceptable TV play (lasting an hour) or conceivably a stage play that Peter Morgan could have done something with. Actually, the movie’s scene with a crashed car and a deer appears to have been inspired by The Queen, written by Morgan.
The question it sets out to ask is perfectly valid: how on earth did the Dup veteran Rev Ian Paisley...
- 9/7/2016
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Premieres of new films from Ford, Malick and Mel Gibson join highly-anticipated Michael Fassbender/Alicia Vikander romance, Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy and Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley
Related: Venice film festival 2016: full line-up
American cinema has secured a pre-eminent position in the line-up of the 2016 Venice film festival, with new films from Terrence Malick, Tom Ford, Damien Chazelle and Derek Cianfrance among the highlights of the competition that was announced on Thursday.
Continue reading...
Related: Venice film festival 2016: full line-up
American cinema has secured a pre-eminent position in the line-up of the 2016 Venice film festival, with new films from Terrence Malick, Tom Ford, Damien Chazelle and Derek Cianfrance among the highlights of the competition that was announced on Thursday.
Continue reading...
- 7/28/2016
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
He is one of Britain’s favourite actors. This year, he’s been on stage in The Caretaker and is set to star in films as Ian Paisley and Holocaust denier David Irving. So why is Timothy Spall so full of doubt?
A couple of weeks ago, Timothy Spall’s agent asked his client – quite casually, as you do – how he was. Spall told him: “I’m feeling a bit that I don’t really feel I can do it at the minute.” It being acting. Acting being what he has slaved at for 40 years, hitting the summit some time back.
The agent set him straight: “You’re in the best part of your career ever!” But Spall isn’t the sort to shed vexation easily. Never was. And as he nears 60, that isn’t changing. For all those BBC barge larks (he has shot three series touring Britain with his wife,...
A couple of weeks ago, Timothy Spall’s agent asked his client – quite casually, as you do – how he was. Spall told him: “I’m feeling a bit that I don’t really feel I can do it at the minute.” It being acting. Acting being what he has slaved at for 40 years, hitting the summit some time back.
The agent set him straight: “You’re in the best part of your career ever!” But Spall isn’t the sort to shed vexation easily. Never was. And as he nears 60, that isn’t changing. For all those BBC barge larks (he has shot three series touring Britain with his wife,...
- 6/21/2016
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
Colm Meaney stars in Nick Hamm's The Journey as Sinn Fein politician Martin McGuinness opposite Timothy Spall as the late Sir Ian Paisley. The film is a fictional account of the extraordinary story of two implacable enemies in Northern Ireland — firebrand Democratic Unionist Party leader Paisley and Republican stalwart McGuinness— who are forced to take a short journey together in which they will take the biggest leap of faith and change the course of modern history. It…...
- 10/9/2015
- Deadline
The Journey
The first photo is out from Nick Hamm's Irish political dramedy "The Journey" which just began shooting in Belfast. The photo show Timothy Spall as Protestant loyalist firebrand the Reverend Dr Ian Paisley, whilst Colm Meaney is set to play the republican Sinn Fein politician Martin McGuinness.
The story is set during the Northern Ireland Peace Process and deals with a short trip these two previously sworn enemies made together. Also onboard are Freddie Highmore, John Hurt and Toby Stephens as Tony Blair. [Source: Empire]
Nocturnal Animals
Karl Glusman ("Love 3D") has joined the cast of Tom Ford's second directorial effort "Nocturnal Animals" for Focus Features. Based on Austin Wright’s 1993 novel "Tony And Susan," the story follows a woman whose life is changed when she receives a package containing the manuscript of her ex-husband’s first novel.
Reading it pulls her into the life of a fictional ordinary...
The first photo is out from Nick Hamm's Irish political dramedy "The Journey" which just began shooting in Belfast. The photo show Timothy Spall as Protestant loyalist firebrand the Reverend Dr Ian Paisley, whilst Colm Meaney is set to play the republican Sinn Fein politician Martin McGuinness.
The story is set during the Northern Ireland Peace Process and deals with a short trip these two previously sworn enemies made together. Also onboard are Freddie Highmore, John Hurt and Toby Stephens as Tony Blair. [Source: Empire]
Nocturnal Animals
Karl Glusman ("Love 3D") has joined the cast of Tom Ford's second directorial effort "Nocturnal Animals" for Focus Features. Based on Austin Wright’s 1993 novel "Tony And Susan," the story follows a woman whose life is changed when she receives a package containing the manuscript of her ex-husband’s first novel.
Reading it pulls her into the life of a fictional ordinary...
- 10/6/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Shooting has just started on Nick Hamm's Irish political dramedy The Journey, and with that comes the first still. Have a look at Timothy Spall playing Protestant loyalist firebrand the Reverend Dr Ian Paisley, and Colm Meaney as the republican Sinn Féin politician Martin McGuinness.The film focuses on the time during the Northern Ireland Peace Process when - unthinkable in previous years - the two sworn enemies put their past actions behind them and begin to forge a friendship that allowed them to move forward. The drama takes place over a short trip the pair made together, by the end of which they were both changed - the journey of the title referring to more than just miles. Some wags even began referring to them as The Chuckle Brothers.Also in the cast are Toby Stephens as Prime Minister Tony Blair; Freddie Highmore as Jack, the young government...
- 10/5/2015
- EmpireOnline
Im Global’s The Journey begins production in Belfast.
Shooting has begun on The Journey, a dramatic comedy inspired by a turning point in British and Irish history.
The film focuses on the improbable friendship between two Northern Ireland political titans and implacable enemies, Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall) and Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney).
The plot of the film centres on a fictional journey Paisley and McGuinness take together that leads them to forge a friendship.
Additional cast includes Toby Stephens (Believe) as Prime Minister Tony Blair, Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as a young government employee tasked to drive Paisley and McGuinness on their journey, and John Hurt (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) as an accomplished veteran political fixer overseeing the St. Andrews Agreement.
Nick Hamm (The Hole, Killing Bono) directs, from a script by County Down-born novelist and screenwriter Colin Bateman.
Independent studio Im Global is financing the film through its Acclaim speciality division, in association...
Shooting has begun on The Journey, a dramatic comedy inspired by a turning point in British and Irish history.
The film focuses on the improbable friendship between two Northern Ireland political titans and implacable enemies, Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall) and Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney).
The plot of the film centres on a fictional journey Paisley and McGuinness take together that leads them to forge a friendship.
Additional cast includes Toby Stephens (Believe) as Prime Minister Tony Blair, Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as a young government employee tasked to drive Paisley and McGuinness on their journey, and John Hurt (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) as an accomplished veteran political fixer overseeing the St. Andrews Agreement.
Nick Hamm (The Hole, Killing Bono) directs, from a script by County Down-born novelist and screenwriter Colin Bateman.
Independent studio Im Global is financing the film through its Acclaim speciality division, in association...
- 10/5/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
With the two leading men in place – that would be Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley and Colm Meaney as Martin McGuinness – the team behind political drama The Journey is adding cast members before starting to shoot later this month. John Hurt, Freddie Highmore and Toby Stephens are all aboard. Nick Hamm’s film chronicles the story of how two seemingly implacable enemies – Paisley, the fiery, vocal leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein’s McGuinness – had to find common ground and make history, becoming close friends in the process.According to Screen International, Hurt will be an unnamed political fixer who sorts things behind the scenes, Highmore will be Paisley’s driver and Stephens has the highest-profile role of the new additions: he’s playing Tony Blair. Wonder if he’ll be calling Michael Sheen up for tips?Working from a script by Colin Bateman that...
- 9/10/2015
- EmpireOnline
Freddy Highmore and John Hurt have also joined the dramatic comedy, which Im Global is introducing to international buyers here.
Production on The Journey, about the thawing of hostilities between sworn enemies Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness and their eventual role in sharing power in Northern Ireland, is scheduled to kick off in Northern Ireland and Scotland on September 28
Nick Hamm will direct from Colin Bateman’s screenplay, dubbed an occasionally fictitious account of the peace process that turned Unionist leader Paisley and Sinn Fein higher-up and former Ira commander McGuinness into friends.
Indeed the pair became such good friends that some dubbed them “the Chuckle Brothers” and McGuinness made headlines when he paid a heartfelt tribute at Paisley’s funeral last year.
Stephens will play former British prime minister Tony Blair, while Highmore will portray a young driver to Paisley and McGuinness and Hurt is cast as a political fixer. Timothy Spall will play...
Production on The Journey, about the thawing of hostilities between sworn enemies Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness and their eventual role in sharing power in Northern Ireland, is scheduled to kick off in Northern Ireland and Scotland on September 28
Nick Hamm will direct from Colin Bateman’s screenplay, dubbed an occasionally fictitious account of the peace process that turned Unionist leader Paisley and Sinn Fein higher-up and former Ira commander McGuinness into friends.
Indeed the pair became such good friends that some dubbed them “the Chuckle Brothers” and McGuinness made headlines when he paid a heartfelt tribute at Paisley’s funeral last year.
Stephens will play former British prime minister Tony Blair, while Highmore will portray a young driver to Paisley and McGuinness and Hurt is cast as a political fixer. Timothy Spall will play...
- 9/10/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Freddy Highmore, John Hurt, and Toby Stephens have signed on to join Im Global’s “The Journey,” the company announced Thursday. The film is a fictionalized account of the relationship between two implacable enemies, Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, forced to take a short journey together in which they will take a leap of faith and change the course of modern Irish and British history. It is at this moment that the future of Irish and British history is altered, as two sworn enemies put their past actions behind them and begin to forge a friendship that would lead to them being known.
- 9/10/2015
- by Joe Otterson
- The Wrap
The Journey
John Hurt, Toby Stephens, Freddy Highmore, Colm Meaney and Timothy Spall have joined Nick Hamm's political dramedy "The Journey" at Im Global. Colin Bateman penned the script and filming begins September 28th in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The story will focus on the improbable friendship between former sworn enemies Martin McGuinness (Meaney) and Ian Paisley (Spall) in a story that follows the two Northern Ireland political titans after the signing of the breakthrough St. Andrews Agreement in 2006. Stephens will play British Pm Tony Blair, Highmore a government employee, and Hurt an accomplished veteran political fixer. [Source: Variety]
Bushwick
Dave Bautista ("Guardians Of The Galaxy") is set to star opposite Jane Levy in Cary Murnion and Jonathan Milott's action thriller "Bushwhack". The story follows 20-year-old Lucy (Levy) and war veteran Stupe (Bautista) during a domestic crisis as Texas tries to secede from the U.S., with NYC being used as a negotiation tool.
John Hurt, Toby Stephens, Freddy Highmore, Colm Meaney and Timothy Spall have joined Nick Hamm's political dramedy "The Journey" at Im Global. Colin Bateman penned the script and filming begins September 28th in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The story will focus on the improbable friendship between former sworn enemies Martin McGuinness (Meaney) and Ian Paisley (Spall) in a story that follows the two Northern Ireland political titans after the signing of the breakthrough St. Andrews Agreement in 2006. Stephens will play British Pm Tony Blair, Highmore a government employee, and Hurt an accomplished veteran political fixer. [Source: Variety]
Bushwick
Dave Bautista ("Guardians Of The Galaxy") is set to star opposite Jane Levy in Cary Murnion and Jonathan Milott's action thriller "Bushwhack". The story follows 20-year-old Lucy (Levy) and war veteran Stupe (Bautista) during a domestic crisis as Texas tries to secede from the U.S., with NYC being used as a negotiation tool.
- 9/10/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Veteran Irish actor looks set to join the previously-announced Timothy Spall, who will star as former Northern Ireland first minister Ian Paisley in Nick Hamm’s film
Irish actor Colm Meaney may join the cast of high-profile Troubles drama The Journey, starring as Martin McGuinness opposite Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley in the story of the two Northern Ireland political titans’ unlikely friendship.
The BBC reports that Meaney, 62, is in advanced talks to sign up for the Oscar-bait project. Spall confirmed he would play firebrand former Democratic Unionist Party leader last month. The Irishman is best known for his role on television as chief Miles O’Brien from Star Trek: The Next Generation, , and on the big screen for portrayals in The Commitments, Con Air and Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa.
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Irish actor Colm Meaney may join the cast of high-profile Troubles drama The Journey, starring as Martin McGuinness opposite Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley in the story of the two Northern Ireland political titans’ unlikely friendship.
The BBC reports that Meaney, 62, is in advanced talks to sign up for the Oscar-bait project. Spall confirmed he would play firebrand former Democratic Unionist Party leader last month. The Irishman is best known for his role on television as chief Miles O’Brien from Star Trek: The Next Generation, , and on the big screen for portrayals in The Commitments, Con Air and Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa.
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- 8/28/2015
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
In early July, the news arrived that Timothy Spall was in talks to play late politician Sir Ian Paisley in The Journey. It appears he’s gone against Paisley’s traditional “no” stance and said yes to the part, and now Colm Meaney has joined the drama as Paisley’s stalwart enemy-turned-true friend Martin McGuinness. Nick Hamm’s film chronicles the story of how two seemingly implacable enemies – Paisley, the fiery, vocal leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein’s McGuinness – had to find common ground and make history. The pair became such good friends that they were nicknamed The Chuckle Brothers.Director Nick Hamm is writing the script with Divorcing Jack’s Colin Bateman and aims to kick off filming in Northern Ireland and Scotland in the middle of next month.Meaney, who has been spending most of his time recently in Western-flavoured Us TV drama Hell On Wheels,...
- 8/27/2015
- EmpireOnline
Exclusive– Colm Meaney has come on-board Nick Hamm’s The Journey as Sinn Fein politician Martin McGuinness opposite Timothy Spall as the late Sir Ian Paisley. The film is a fictional account of the extraordinary story of two implacable enemies in Northern Ireland — firebrand Democratic Unionist Party leader Paisley and republican stalwart McGuinness— who are forced to take a short journey together in which they will take the biggest leap of faith and change the course of…...
- 8/27/2015
- Deadline
Timothy Spall is being lined up to play the former Democratic Unionist Party (Dup) leader Sir Ian Paisley.
The actor could star as the late Northern Ireland first minister in The Journey, about Paisley's unlikely friendship with Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness, Deadline reports.
Liam Neeson and Sir Kenneth Branagh were previously linked with the role.
Novelist Colin Bateman is writing the screenplay for the project, which is expected to begin production this September.
Nick Hamm is directing, and will also produce alongside Mark Huffam and Piers Tempest.
Paisley passed away in September last year at the age of 88.
Spall is known for starring in Mr Turner, The Damned United, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and the Harry Potter series.
The actor could star as the late Northern Ireland first minister in The Journey, about Paisley's unlikely friendship with Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness, Deadline reports.
Liam Neeson and Sir Kenneth Branagh were previously linked with the role.
Novelist Colin Bateman is writing the screenplay for the project, which is expected to begin production this September.
Nick Hamm is directing, and will also produce alongside Mark Huffam and Piers Tempest.
Paisley passed away in September last year at the age of 88.
Spall is known for starring in Mr Turner, The Damned United, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and the Harry Potter series.
- 7/5/2015
- Digital Spy
Drama will document the Protestant leader’s unlikely road towards friendship with his longterm political enemy, Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness
Timothy Spall looks set to play the Reverend Ian Paisley in the Northern Ireland Troubles drama The Journey, which will document the firebrand politician’s unlikely friendship with Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.
Deadline reports Spall is in advanced discussions to portray the late Democratic Unionist party leader in a role with significant awards season potential. Belfast-born Nick Hamm, best known for 2001’s The Hole and 2011’s Killing Bono, is set to direct from a screenplay by Divorcing Jack’s Colin Bateman.
Continue reading...
Timothy Spall looks set to play the Reverend Ian Paisley in the Northern Ireland Troubles drama The Journey, which will document the firebrand politician’s unlikely friendship with Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.
Deadline reports Spall is in advanced discussions to portray the late Democratic Unionist party leader in a role with significant awards season potential. Belfast-born Nick Hamm, best known for 2001’s The Hole and 2011’s Killing Bono, is set to direct from a screenplay by Divorcing Jack’s Colin Bateman.
Continue reading...
- 7/2/2015
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Having won major acclaim (and an acting award at Cannes) for his performance in Mr. Turner, Timothy Spall has his eye on another job playing a real person. He’s in talks to play the late Sir Ian Paisley in The Journey.Nick Hamm’s film chronicles the story of how two seemingly implacable enemies – Paisley, the stalwart, vocal leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness – had to find common ground and make history. Hamm is writing the script with Colin Bateman and aims to kick off filming in Northern Ireland and Scotland this September, once he’s found someone to play McGuinness. It’ll represent another meaty role for Spall, playing a man who managed to forge a lasting friendship with someone he once bitterly opposed, to the point where McGuinness was visibly moved at Paisley’s funeral last year. The actor...
- 7/1/2015
- EmpireOnline
Exclusive: Timothy Spall (Mr Turner) is in advanced discussions to star as the late Sir Ian Paisley in Nick Hamm’s The Journey. The film is a fictional account of the extraordinary story of two implacable enemies in Northern Ireland — firebrand Democratic Unionist Party leader Paisley and Sinn Fein politician Martin McGuinness — who are forced to take a short journey together in which they will take the biggest leap of faith and change the course of modern history. It is…...
- 7/1/2015
- Deadline
It was a fiery minister who inspired Liam Neeson to be an actor. His name was Ian Paisley, a towering Irish Protestant politician, known for his sharp tongue and fierce sermons. Twice a week, he would proselytize at a church in Neeson’s small town, where, as a boy, the Non-Stop star would sneak into the back of the room to listen. “He was fantastic,” Neeson recalled in a 2012 episode of Inside the Actors Studio. “He put the fear of God in me -- and the love of acting.” That love spawned into a three-plus decade career of on-screen accomplishments -- and that's after years of working odd jobs (he was a Guiness factory forklift driver, a truck driver and an amateur boxer, and once aspired to a teaching career). Since his film debut in 1978’s...
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- 2/26/2014
- by affiliates@fandango.com
- Fandango
TV reporter wrote Shadow Dancer after covering the Troubles in the 1990s – a crucial period in Northern Ireland's history
When Tom Bradby arrived in Belfast as ITN's newly appointed Ireland correspondent in 1993, the Troubles were raging, Bishopsgate had just been bombed and the peace process was no more than a whispered rumour. The new film Shadow Dancer – adapted by Bradby from his late 1990s novel of the same name – shows how far we have come since then.
"It really hit home for me when I saw the Queen shaking hands with Martin McGuinness the other month," says Bradby, now ITN's political editor. "I was gobsmacked by that and very uplifted by it too. It shows that anything is possible in the world."
Shadow Dancer, to be released on Friday 24 August, opens in the early 1970s before switching to the 1990s when the British security forces had infiltrated every level of the Provisional Ira.
When Tom Bradby arrived in Belfast as ITN's newly appointed Ireland correspondent in 1993, the Troubles were raging, Bishopsgate had just been bombed and the peace process was no more than a whispered rumour. The new film Shadow Dancer – adapted by Bradby from his late 1990s novel of the same name – shows how far we have come since then.
"It really hit home for me when I saw the Queen shaking hands with Martin McGuinness the other month," says Bradby, now ITN's political editor. "I was gobsmacked by that and very uplifted by it too. It shows that anything is possible in the world."
Shadow Dancer, to be released on Friday 24 August, opens in the early 1970s before switching to the 1990s when the British security forces had infiltrated every level of the Provisional Ira.
- 8/20/2012
- by Xan Brooks
- The Guardian - Film News
Gossip abounds at the Oldie of the Year lunch as the great and good gather to exchange jokes, jibes and a bit of mild filth
Off to the Oldie of the Year lunch and some of the nicest gossip of the year. I noticed the magazine's slogan – "Buy it before you snuff it", which does not have quite the same cheery ring as, say, "It's naughty but it's nice". I bumped into the great children's illustrator Shirley Hughes, who was chatting to the celebrated TV critic Philip Purser, whom she had met only once since they learned ballroom dancing together in Wirral, Merseyside, some 70 years ago.
There was Lord West, the former First Sea Lord (the head of the army told him he envied his splendid title. West replied: "Then you would be the First Land Lord.") The former terrorism minister arrived wearing the first bowler hat I've seen, on a head,...
Off to the Oldie of the Year lunch and some of the nicest gossip of the year. I noticed the magazine's slogan – "Buy it before you snuff it", which does not have quite the same cheery ring as, say, "It's naughty but it's nice". I bumped into the great children's illustrator Shirley Hughes, who was chatting to the celebrated TV critic Philip Purser, whom she had met only once since they learned ballroom dancing together in Wirral, Merseyside, some 70 years ago.
There was Lord West, the former First Sea Lord (the head of the army told him he envied his splendid title. West replied: "Then you would be the First Land Lord.") The former terrorism minister arrived wearing the first bowler hat I've seen, on a head,...
- 2/8/2012
- by Simon Hoggart, Ken Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
With The King's Speech tipped to triumph at the Oscars, Mary Beard examines public speaking from Demosthenes to Obama
The world's first recorded cure for stammering was the "pebble method": go down to the seashore, fill your mouth with pebbles, and force your words to overcome the impediment. This was the self-help cure that, in the 4th century BC, cured the stuttering orator Demosthenes, and launched his career as the greatest public speaker of the ancient Greek world. And it was still being used 2,400 years later, in the 20th century Ad – marbles substituted for the original pebbles. Henry Higgins forced them into the mouth of Eliza Doolittle in Shaw's Pygmalion, only to see her swallow one of them. In The King's Speech, marbles are one of those quack remedies that have failed to cure the stammering Bertie.
But the ancient story was about much more than a clever, or quack,...
The world's first recorded cure for stammering was the "pebble method": go down to the seashore, fill your mouth with pebbles, and force your words to overcome the impediment. This was the self-help cure that, in the 4th century BC, cured the stuttering orator Demosthenes, and launched his career as the greatest public speaker of the ancient Greek world. And it was still being used 2,400 years later, in the 20th century Ad – marbles substituted for the original pebbles. Henry Higgins forced them into the mouth of Eliza Doolittle in Shaw's Pygmalion, only to see her swallow one of them. In The King's Speech, marbles are one of those quack remedies that have failed to cure the stammering Bertie.
But the ancient story was about much more than a clever, or quack,...
- 2/26/2011
- The Guardian - Film News
Chairman of film industry support body condemns move to shut it down as part of cost-cutting measures affecting 16 public bodies
The culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt, today confirmed plans to abolish the UK Film Council.
A Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms) statement confirmed the proposal, rumours of which first emerged on the Deadline London blog.
The move is part of a raft of Dcms cost-cutting measures that involve the merger, abolition or streamlining of 16 public bodies.
Hunt answered questions in the Commons this afternoon about his proposed aboliition of the council, which comes alongside plans to do away with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.
In answer to a question from the MP Ian Paisley Jr about the wisdom of the measure, Hunt said he was keen for £3m per annum saved via cuts to the council's administration to be given more directly to film-makers. He also said the plans were not absolutely final,...
The culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt, today confirmed plans to abolish the UK Film Council.
A Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Dcms) statement confirmed the proposal, rumours of which first emerged on the Deadline London blog.
The move is part of a raft of Dcms cost-cutting measures that involve the merger, abolition or streamlining of 16 public bodies.
Hunt answered questions in the Commons this afternoon about his proposed aboliition of the council, which comes alongside plans to do away with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.
In answer to a question from the MP Ian Paisley Jr about the wisdom of the measure, Hunt said he was keen for £3m per annum saved via cuts to the council's administration to be given more directly to film-makers. He also said the plans were not absolutely final,...
- 7/26/2010
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
Britain's Prince Charles showed off his agricultural knowledge in Northern Ireland yesterday (12.05.10). The prince - who arrived in Belfast yesterday - attended the Royal Ulster Agricultural Show at The King's Hall complex where he discussed issues affecting agriculture and rural development in the country. Charles was also joined by the city's Lord Mayor Naomi Long and the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast Dame Mary Peters Dbe. Speaking of the prince's visit, MP Ian Paisley, chairman of the assembly's agriculture committee, told BBC News: "Prince Charles showed himself to be well acquainted with the issues and challenges facing our rural communities and agricultural sector." At the show the prince toured and met livestock exhibitors, judges and stewards.
- 5/13/2010
- Monsters and Critics
Director Neil Jordan would like to film Ian Paisley’s life story. In a candid interview with Irish press on Monday, Oscar winning director Jordan, who's previous hits have included modern classics like “The Crying Game,” “Interview with the Vampire” and “Mona Lisa,” said he is keen to return to Northern Ireland as a subject, and particularly to the new, more peaceful version. “I always found Ian Paisley an absolutely fascinating character,” he told the press. “His kind of rhetoric was extraordinary. It would be interesting, considering the changes he went through. And you know who wants to play him — Liam Neeson!” In Jordan's latest film, “Ondine,” a fisherman (played by Colin Farrell) falls in love with a young woman he rescues in his nets. “It was a lovely film to make, very sweet,” the 60-year-old director said. “This story had a redemptive quality to it and I just decided to follow it.
- 3/31/2010
- IrishCentral
This Halloween marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of Utv. The station began broadcasting at 4.45pm on 31 October 1959 and was introduced to the Northern Ireland viewing public by Sir Laurence Olivier saying: "It is my privilege, my rare privilege; in fact it is my unique privilege to be the first person to appear before you on Ulster Television." In a series of six half hour programmes personalities who have appeared on Utv over the past 50 years will look back at the events and experiences that helped to shape their careers with Utv and beyond. In addition audiences will hear from two prominent viewers and occasional participants in Utv programmes, Rev Dr. Ian Paisley and President Mary McAleese.
- 10/27/2009
- IFTN
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