An Accidental Studio
In the early 1980, British filmmaking was dominated by only two studios, EMI and the Rank Organization. In 1982 they made only 23 films, famously rejecting many projects put before them. Despite the e…
An Accidental Studio
In the early 1980, British filmmaking was dominated by only two studios, EMI and the Rank Organization. In 1982 they made only 23 films, famously rejecting many projects put before them. Despite the existence of magnificent cinemas, movie viewership was dropping rapidly. HandMade Films was the buccaneeringly brilliant but relatively short-lived indie Brit production company founded on an extraordinary impulse by George Harrison, in partnership with his business manager Denis O'Brien. His initial desire was to bail out the Monty Python team when EMI Films got cold feet about funding "Life of Brian" in 1979. Eric Idle contacted George Harrison who became a reluctant financier, more worried about the art than the profitability of the picture. Initial funding was raised by mortgaging Harrison's London home and office. Terry Jones was hired as director as he knew how to handle comedy actors. In post-production, Harrison avoided the Python group after learning how much infighting went on to create the finish product. Jewish and Christian groups alike protested the film. The film was not critical of Jesus Christ but of the stupidity of the followers. At HandMade, Ray Cooper was hired as the head of production. He was George's voice in the office and an important link between the financials and the movie makers. Previously he was a percussionist for Elton John among others. Thus, HandMade Films was born. Barry Hanson and Barrie Keefe suggested the studio to buy the film, "The Long Good Friday", a British gangster movie, that showed gangsters dealing with IRA terrorists. Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren gave critically acclaimed performances. It was first film distributed by HandMade Films and was well accepted in the United State and voted the best British gangster movie in history. Terry Gilliam approached HandMade executive with an idea for a movie about a boy and a knight breaking through a bedroom wardrobe that became "Time Bandits". The film was greenlighted without a script. Michael Palin was called upon to co-write the work with Gilliam. The film feature four Python regulars and a cast of little people. George Harrison provided the closing song. "Time Bandits" was number one in box office sales for weeks and a huge hit in 1981. In 1982, Michael Palin wrote "The Missionary", a comedic story of a reverend who is recalled to England and given a mission to work with the prostitutes in London. During this effort, Denis O'Brien proposes to become the manager of the Pythons. The Pythons do not want to lose creative control and HandMade Films parts company with the Pythons for their future movies. In 1985, "Water" was produced. The movie was about a Caribbean island which discovers Perrier water and starred Michael Caine and Brenda Vaccaro. The writer, Ian La Frenais, said most people who enjoyed the movie where high. Another movie, "A Private Function" was released in 1984. In post-World War II Britain, food rationing continues, leading a married couple to become involved in the flourishing bacon black market. This movie had the feel of a dark comedy and became an award-winning film. O'Brien's vision was to plow all the profits from early films into growing the film studio's projects, creating or distributing more films per year. As the company grew, it took on projects that didn't hold the same quality standards or held the interest of George Harrison. "Shanghai Surprise" was made with the intention of creating a blockbuster. Starring Sean Penn and Madonna, it was chosen for production by the financial side of the HandMade Films. There were many problems in production with press interference. Ultimately. "Shanghai Surprise" was rated one of the worst films of all time and Madonna won a Golden Raspberry Award for her acting. Fortunately for the studio, "Mona Lisa" was being made at the same time. This was a movie about the seedy underworld of the Soho region and how the guys in suits contributed to the crime problems there. The movie starred Michael Caine, Bob Hoskins and Cathy Tyson. Hoskins won the Cannes Festival Award which launched his career in Hollywood. Bruce Robinson was writer director for HandMades 1987 release "Withnail and I". Denis O'Brien had not approved of the script but was overridden by Ray Cooper and George Harrison. It was the story of two substance-abusing, unemployed actors retreat to the countryside for a holiday that proves disastrous. It was not successful at first, became a cult film ten years after its release. 1989 brought two commercial failures that were still respected movies. "Powwow Highway" was about two Native Americans traveling the highway, eluding the feds, to pick up one of their sister's busted for marijuana possession. "Checking out" was a film about a hypochondriac consumed with death after his best friend dies of a heart attack in front of him and starred Jeff Daniels. Both films failed commercially and it became apparent that HandMade Films needed an injection of capital. At the 10th anniversary, Michael Palin made a humorous speech. In George Harrison's speech, everyone started to see the separation of George from ongoing interests in the business. "Nuns on the Run" was spawned in the studios in 1990. When two criminals (Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane) are ordered to rob the triad, they keep the money and hide from their mobster boss, triad and police at a convent, dressed as nuns. "Nuns on the Run" was favored by the critics, but was released at the same time as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This was the last film HandMade Films would make under George Harrison. Following a series of box office bombs in the late 1980s and excessive debt incurred by O'Brien, which was guaranteed by Harrison, HandMade's financial situation became precarious. The company ceased operations in 1991.
An Accidental Studio
Documentary
Film Details
In the early 1980, British filmmaking was dominated by only two studios, EMI and the Rank Organization. In 1982 they made only 23 films, famously rejecting many projects put before them. Despite the existence of magnificent cinemas, movie viewership was dropping rapidly.
HandMade Films was the buccaneeringly brilliant but relatively short-lived indie Brit production company founded on an extraordinary impulse by George Harrison, in partnership with his business manager Denis O'Brien. His initial desire was to bail out the Monty Python team when EMI Films got cold feet about funding "Life of Brian" in 1979. Eric Idle contacted George Harrison who became a reluctant financier, more worried about the art than the profitability of the picture.
Initial funding was raised by mortgaging Harrison's London home and office. Terry Jones was hired as director as he knew how to handle comedy actors. In post-production, Harrison avoided the Python group after learning how much infighting went on to create the finish product.
Jewish and Christian groups alike protested the film. The film was not critical of Jesus Christ but of the stupidity of the followers. At HandMade, Ray Cooper was hired as the head of production.
He was George's voice in the office and an important link between the financials and the movie makers. Previously he was a percussionist for Elton John among others. Thus, HandMade Films was born.
Barry Hanson and Barrie Keefe suggested the studio to buy the film, "The Long Good Friday", a British gangster movie, that showed gangsters dealing with IRA terrorists. Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren gave critically acclaimed performances. It was first film distributed by HandMade Films and was well accepted in the United State and voted the best British gangster movie in history.
Terry Gilliam approached HandMade executive with an idea for a movie about a boy and a knight breaking through a bedroom wardrobe that became "Time Bandits". The film was greenlighted without a script. Michael Palin was called upon to co-write the work with Gilliam.
The film feature four Python regulars and a cast of little people. George Harrison provided the closing song. "Time Bandits" was number one in box office sales for weeks and a huge hit in 1981.
In 1982, Michael Palin wrote "The Missionary", a comedic story of a reverend who is recalled to England and given a mission to work with the prostitutes in London. During this effort, Denis O'Brien proposes to become the manager of the Pythons. The Pythons do not want to lose creative control and HandMade Films parts company with the Pythons for their future movies.
In 1985, "Water" was produced. The movie was about a Caribbean island which discovers Perrier water and starred Michael Caine and Brenda Vaccaro. The writer, Ian La Frenais, said most people who enjoyed the movie where high.
Another movie, "A Private Function" was released in 1984. In post-World War II Britain, food rationing continues, leading a married couple to become involved in the flourishing bacon black market. This movie had the feel of a dark comedy and became an award-winning film.
O'Brien's vision was to plow all the profits from early films into growing the film studio's projects, creating or distributing more films per year. As the company grew, it took on projects that didn't hold the same quality standards or held the interest of George Harrison. "Shanghai Surprise" was made with the intention of creating a blockbuster.
Starring Sean Penn and Madonna, it was chosen for production by the financial side of the HandMade Films. There were many problems in production with press interference. Ultimately.
"Shanghai Surprise" was rated one of the worst films of all time and Madonna won a Golden Raspberry Award for her acting. Fortunately for the studio, "Mona Lisa" was being made at the same time. This was a movie about the seedy underworld of the Soho region and how the guys in suits contributed to the crime problems there.
The movie starred Michael Caine, Bob Hoskins and Cathy Tyson. Hoskins won the Cannes Festival Award which launched his career in Hollywood. Bruce Robinson was writer director for HandMades 1987 release "Withnail and I".
Denis O'Brien had not approved of the script but was overridden by Ray Cooper and George Harrison. It was the story of two substance-abusing, unemployed actors retreat to the countryside for a holiday that proves disastrous. It was not successful at first, became a cult film ten years after its release.
1989 brought two commercial failures that were still respected movies. "Powwow Highway" was about two Native Americans traveling the highway, eluding the feds, to pick up one of their sister's busted for marijuana possession. "Checking out" was a film about a hypochondriac consumed with death after his best friend dies of a heart attack in front of him and starred Jeff Daniels.
Both films failed commercially and it became apparent that HandMade Films needed an injection of capital. At the 10th anniversary, Michael Palin made a humorous speech. In George Harrison's speech, everyone started to see the separation of George from ongoing interests in the business.
"Nuns on the Run" was spawned in the studios in 1990. When two criminals (Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane) are ordered to rob the triad, they keep the money and hide from their mobster boss, triad and police at a convent, dressed as nuns. "Nuns on the Run" was favored by the critics, but was released at the same time as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
This was the last film HandMade Films would make under George Harrison. Following a series of box office bombs in the late 1980s and excessive debt incurred by O'Brien, which was guaranteed by Harrison, HandMade's financial situation became precarious. The company ceased operations in 1991..