1066 - Wasn't There Going To Be A Movie?

last in the series of  all things 1066 

poster © IMDB 1066 the Movie

by Robin Jacob: producer

In 2000 I was in my apartment in Manila watching Lion in Winter with the late greats Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn and thought to myself they just don't make movies like that anymore. This thought holds true today even more so than in 2000.

I then began to look at what historical period in British history had not really been covered, and after much research I decided to write a script for 1066.

Now usually if I write   a contemporary script I have the first draft in two weeks but of course that was not to be the case for 1066. Much research was needed for a start.

After six drafts and a few years I arrived at a script I thought was OK. Well it wasn't. Whilst it had the events it did not have the flavour, mood, characters, back story and 'oomph' that I was looking for.

So, I decided to do some more research and came across Harold the King by Helen Hollick. I ordered it online and read it from cover to cover in three days.

Helen had what I needed, the characters and their relationship with others, which was lacking in my draft.

I contacted Helen and asked if I could steal some of her book. 

[Helen: I received an email out of the blue, explaining about a script for a prospective movie and 'could I use some of the information'... I had two thoughts: 1) this is a wind up 2) oh so he wants my research and I get nothing out of it? Don't think so... I followed up, though, to find out if this guy was for real. Turned out he was...]

She thankfully said yes. After a rewrite Helen read through the script and made some very important alterations, additions and rewrites [Helen: adding more of the women's parts etc] which put the script into shape. [Helen: *grin*]

We now had a script of substance, one that was pretty historically accurate given the availability of source material. We tried very hard not to go into the realms of fantasy as is so often done in Hollywood but to stick to the facts as best we could - and the facts are pretty amazing anyway.

Helen's husband, Helen and Robin

The first hurdle that we  walked straight into was the financial crisis that hit almost everyone...  when the UK economy is good, raising funds for movies is a difficult task -  when the economy is in the toilet the task is near impossible.

But a good idea is a good idea, and I have learnt in life never to give up. Having won awards for my documentaries and produced music Multi-platinum and Gold Discs I know how hard it is to bring projects to fruition. 

Helen talking to Mark Lester

Within a few weeks of putting 1066 up on imdb.com I found myself being contacted by many actors and technical crew members wanting to be involved on the project, including Oscar winners.

Helen With Lee Arenberg

Those who read the script thought it was good and attached themselves to the project. Many other 'A-listers' approached me either direct or via agents, but without the financing in place I decided not to attach anyone else.

Martin Klebba, Helen Lee Arenberg

I canned four co-producers who were using the high profile of the project to enhance their personal careers rather than working on getting the project done. But this is par for the course in the film industry. We have  great music, good production sketches and a host of experts in various fields from re-enactment, swordsmanship, stunts, Saxon language,etc. We are serious about this movie - I am as passionate about getting it made as Helen is as passionate about getting her novel read.

I started to produce 54mm pewter models as part of the awareness of the project and have sold quite a few. (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302881510282)

And at this moment we have the project with a major film production company...We continue to push for the project. It is a great story and a most important one to get out there.

 meanwhile ... you could always read the book...

© Robin Jacob

Harold the King (UK)
I Am The Chosen King (US)
same book different titles

IMDb

alternative 'what if' stories for the year 1066
myBook.to/1066TurnedUpsideDown

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That's all folks - the end of the 1066 series 

(until next year!)