Pic Courtesy of Bright Yellow Films
Abacus Media Rights has acquired for worldwide distribution the Sky Original feature doc The Ghost of Richard Harris, directed by Adrian Sibley.
A Bright Yellow Films, Samson Films and Groove International production, the film concerns the late actor, poet, lover and singer whose prodigious career was overshadowed by a reputation for drinking and riotous behaviour earning him the epithet “hell raiser.” The Ghost of Richard Harris is financed by Groove International and Screen Ireland alongside Sky Arts. Executive Producers are Celine Haddad (for Screen Ireland) along with David Blake Knox and Mike Downey.
The doc features Harris’ three sons, BAFTA Award-winning actor Jared Harris (Chernobyl, The Crown), actor Jamie Harris (Carnival Row, West Side Story) and director Damian Harris (Brave The Dark, Wilde Wedding). The Ghost of Richard Harris will air in the UK on Sky Arts and streaming service NOW later in 2022.
Jonathan Ford, Managing Director at AMR comments: “This fascinating documentary offers an intriguing and insightful look into the life of a person we all know from his global work and talent. We’re delighted to add this incredible feature to our expanding non-fiction catalogue.”
Director Adrian Sibley adds: “I had the pleasure of meeting Richard Harris through his son Damian at the Savoy to talk about making a documentary about his life and times. He’d seen my film with Anthony Hopkins where he talked about drinking and thought we’d work well together. Richard took me out for supper and I had one of the best nights of my life. He was the ultimate storyteller and everyone in the restaurant stopped to listen to him but I still felt that he was only talking to me. I knew I could make a fascinating film about this unusual man, but unfortunately soon afterwards he became ill and died. Now on the 20th anniversary of his death, using hours of unheard audio tapes of interviews with Richard over many years, I have the opportunity to actually work with him from beyond the grave and make the film we discussed, with him unravelling the story of what he calls “a turbulent journey” of “great highs and lows”, in short, a life that few can even imagine.”
Executive producer Mike Downey further comments: “Richard Harris is one of the great legends of the golden age of the silver screen, and Adrian Sibley’s take on the life of the man, the artist, the hellraiser and the genius is brought vividly to life through the collective eyes of his three sons, and a wide range of personalities who knew and loved him. The journey through a life of one of the great artists of the twentieth century.”
