Closing the Ring

In between tirelessly campaigning for a viable British film industry, Academy Award-winning director, actor and all-round national treasure Richard Attenborough has found time to make a new film, bringing his own wealth of experience to directing a script by debut-screenwriter Peter Woodward.

This warm-hearted epic romance spans 50 years and two continents, in a story of love, loss and reconciliation. Closing the Ring re-unites the director with Shirley MacLaine, who plays Ethel Ann, a woman whose first beloved husband Teddy was a casualty of war. Before his death Teddy had made a pact with his friend Chuck that he would look after Ethel Ann should anything happen to Teddy. Ethel Ann duly married Chuck, burying her heartache and pain, until a chance discovery thousands of miles away forces her long-hidden secrets out into the open.

Attenborough's skill with actors sees him relishing the opportunity to work with an ensemble cast which features Christopher Plummer, Pete Postlethwaite and Brenda Fricker alongside newer talents such as Mischa Barton and Martin McCann. Together they've created an unashamedly romantic film that serves as a timely reminder of what war and conflict can cost the human heart.

Sandra Hebron