UK-based independent production, sales and distribution company Swipe Films has announced major global deals on the feature doc Quintessentially British, which boasts a stellar cast that includes Ian McKellen and Judi Dench.
The company has sold the film to Rialto Distribution for Australia and New Zealand, Signature Films for the UK and Ireland (release planned for December), and Vision Films for North America (release in cinemas and on VOD on October 12) and all other available international territories. The film has just completed post-production.
Quintessentially British features a stellar cast offering their take on the subject, “a veritable who’s who of British acting and political royalty” led by best-selling author Lady Carnarvon (of Highclere Castle/Downton Abbey fame), Sir Lindsay Hoyle (the Speaker of the House of Commons), Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, acclaimed Shakespearean director Sean Mathias (who recently directed Ian McKellen in both a staged and forthcoming filmed production of ‘Hamlet’ at Windsor), Sir James Birkmyre (the 4th Baronet of Dalmunzie), historian Sir Max Hastings, Lord Palmer, Lord Chris Smith (Master of Pembroke College Cambridge and former Cabinet Minister and first openly gay British politician), comedian Tom Allen, wine writer Oz Clarke, virtuoso classical musicians Braimah and Konya Kanneh-Mason and Dylan Kawende who crowd-funded his law degree at Cambridge University.
“The film celebrates everything that is great and British. This fast-paced documentary had exclusive access to Highclere Castle (the real Downton Abbey), Blenheim Palace (birthplace of Winston Churchill), Windsor, Cambridge University, The Speaker’s House in the Palace of Westminster, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and the House of Lords with the quirky Lord Palmer (who lives in a beautiful 109 room mansion) It captures the glorious history and proud traditions of British craftsmanship including car-making, Savile Row tailoring and Launer London (the famous handbag used by the Queen as a secret signal to her staff – if she crossed her handbag from one hand to the other, it was a sign to rescue her),” writes Swipe Films.
It is the sophomore film of by Irish director Frank Mannion (after his 2021 debut, Sparkling: The Story of Champagnefeaturing Stephen Fry). The doc is produced by Mannion and Oxana Popkova, executive produced by Kelly Rogers, edited by Charlie Emseis, with original music composed by James Jones, and features music by Elgar. The film is a Swipe Films production, financed by Carlow Castle Films, Kasiyan Knockbeg Entreprises, CBS 1A1 Motion Picture Fund in association with Rialto.
Lise Romanoff, CEO/Managing Director of Vision shares, “Quintessentially British is an insider’s peek into the legends and lore of Great Britain by those who really know. It is as enjoyable as it is educational and a wonderful love letter to everything British!”
Swipe Films founder, Frank Mannion, says, “On the journey of making Quintessentially British, I encountered some quirky Lords, charming Knights, irrepressible Dames, and Shakespeare-quoting taxi drivers. I hope audiences will enjoy this valentine to all things great and British. ”
Quintessentially British will be available in theatres and on VOD across the US and Canada on October 11, followed by DVD/BluRay in early November.
