Bryanston Films (UK)
Encyclopedia
Bryanston Films was a British film company formed by Michael Balcon
and Maxwell Setton in mid-1959 following the collapse of his Ealing Studios
. Neither a production studio, nor a distributor it released independent British films through British Lion Films
In operation until 1963, it was intended to be an unofficial group of independent film producers.
The Bryanston consortium
was composed of 12 to 15 members who bought their way in by putting up £5,000; the equity of the group guaranteed distribution through British Lion and financing from the National Film Finance Corporation
, banks, and American producers. In addition to Balcon and Setton, members included John Bryan, Tony Richardson
, Julian Wintle and Ronald Neame
.
Bryanston distributed several films made by Woodfall Films but refused to produce Tom Jones
in colour. United Artists stepped in to finance the film and the ocmpany ended soon after. Balcon later became head of British Lion Films.
Michael Balcon
Sir Michael Elias Balcon was an English film producer, known for his work with Ealing Studios.-Background:...
and Maxwell Setton in mid-1959 following the collapse of his Ealing Studios
Ealing Studios
Ealing Studios is a television and film production company and facilities provider at Ealing Green in West London. Will Barker bought the White Lodge on Ealing Green in 1902 as a base for film making, and films have been made on the site ever since...
. Neither a production studio, nor a distributor it released independent British films through British Lion Films
British Lion Films
British Lion Films Corporation is a film production and distribution company active under several forms since 1919. Until 1976 they were also film distributors as British Lion Films Ltd, with a distributor filmography of 232 films. As a production company they are still active and have produced...
In operation until 1963, it was intended to be an unofficial group of independent film producers.
The Bryanston consortium
Consortium
A consortium is an association of two or more individuals, companies, organizations or governments with the objective of participating in a common activity or pooling their resources for achieving a common goal....
was composed of 12 to 15 members who bought their way in by putting up £5,000; the equity of the group guaranteed distribution through British Lion and financing from the National Film Finance Corporation
National Film Finance Corporation
The National Film Finance Corporation was a film funding agency in the United Kingdom which operated from 1949 until it was wound up in 1985...
, banks, and American producers. In addition to Balcon and Setton, members included John Bryan, Tony Richardson
Tony Richardson
Cecil Antonio "Tony" Richardson was an English theatre and film director and producer.-Early life:Richardson was born in Shipley, Yorkshire in 1928, the son of Elsie Evans and Clarence Albert Richardson, a chemist...
, Julian Wintle and Ronald Neame
Ronald Neame
Ronald Elwin Neame CBE, BSC was an English film cinematographer, producer, screenwriter and director.-Early career:...
.
Bryanston distributed several films made by Woodfall Films but refused to produce Tom Jones
Tom Jones (film)
Tom Jones is a 1963 British adventure comedy film, an adaptation of Henry Fielding's classic novel The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling , starring Albert Finney as the titular hero. It was one of the most critically acclaimed and popular comedies of its time, winning four Academy Awards...
in colour. United Artists stepped in to finance the film and the ocmpany ended soon after. Balcon later became head of British Lion Films.
Selected films
- The Battle of the SexesThe Battle of the SexesThe Battle of the Sexes is a title given to three notable tennis matches between a male and a female player. The first match was between Bobby Riggs and Margaret Court, over the best of three sets. The second was a nationally televised match between Riggs and Billie Jean King, over the best of five...
(1959) - Light Up the Sky!Light Up the Sky! (film)Light Up the Sky! is a 1960 British comedy film directed by Lewis Gilbert and starring Ian Carmichael, Tommy Steele, Benny Hill and Dick Emery- Plot :...
(1960) - The EntertainerThe Entertainer (film)The Entertainer is a 1960 film adaptation of the stage play of the same name by John Osborne, which told the story of a failing third-rate music hall stage performer who tried to keep his career going even as his personal life fell apart....
(1960) - Saturday Night and Sunday MorningSaturday Night and Sunday MorningSaturday Night and Sunday Morning is the first novel by British author Alan Sillitoe and won the Author's Club First Novel Award.It was adapted by Sillitoe into a 1960 film starring Albert Finney, directed by Karel Reisz, and in 1964 was adapted by David Brett as a play for the Nottingham...
(1960) - Girl on ApprovalGirl on ApprovalGirl on Approval is a 1961 British drama film directed by Charles Frend and starring Rachel Roberts, James Maxwell and Annette Whiteley.-Cast:* Rachel Roberts - Anne Howland* James Maxwell - John Howland* Annette Whiteley - Sheila...
(1961) - The Wind of Change (1961)
- A Prize of ArmsA Prize of ArmsA Prize of Arms is a 1962 British crime film directed by Cliff Owen and starring Stanley Baker, Helmut Schmid, Patrick Magee and Tom Bell with early appearances by several actors including Fulton Mackay, Tom Adams and Rodney Bewes...
(1962) - The Small World of Sammy LeeThe Small World of Sammy LeeThe Small World of Sammy Lee is a 1963 British crime film directed by Ken Hughes and starring Anthony Newley, Julia Foster and Robert Stephens...
(1963) - Sammy Going SouthSammy Going SouthSammy Going South, retitled A Boy Ten Feet Tall for its later US release, is a 1963 British adventure film directed by Alexander Mackendrick, photographed by Erwin Hillier, and starring Edward G. Robinson, Fergus McClelland and Constance Cummings. The film was based on a novel by W.H. Canaway and...
(1963)