RAI Buy Film Gems From ITV Studios

It has been confirmed that RAI Cinema - on behalf of Italy's public broadcaster RAI Radio Televisione Italiana - has acquired over 100 critically acclaimed films from ITV Studios Global Entertainment.
ITV additionally revealed that it will promote the restored and re-mastered version of the multi-award winning master-piece This Sporting Life at MIPTV 2010.
The film, to be aired on Monday 12th April, is Directed by Lindsay Anderson and written by David Storey. This Sporting Life stars Richard Harris (Camelot) and Rachel Roberts (Saturday Night and Sunday Morning) in the emotionally charged and dramatic love story. The critically celebrated film was Oscar and BAFTA nominated, and winner at the 1960 Macmillan Fiction Award and 1963 Cannes Film Festival.
The RAI Cinema deal also includes a large portfolio of restored and re-mastered high definition films, including Henry V; starring Laurence Olivier who was Oscar-nominated for his mesmerising performance as King Henry V. Also included are Alfred Hitchcock’s masterful The Lady Vanishes; starring Margaret Lockwood, the poignant and beautifully crafted Brief Encounter; starring Trevor Howard, the critically acclaimed Sophie’s Choice; starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline as two star-crossed lovers and the unforgettable choice of a holocaust survivor, and the two-time Oscar winning Powell and Pressburger classic Black Narcissus, starring Deborah Kerr and Jean Simmons.
The RAI Cinema deal was brokered by Gioia Avvantaggiato at GA&A and Andre Renaud, Senior Sales Executive – Italian Speaking Europe at ITV Studios Global Entertainment. They commented: "These acquired films are each shimmering jewels that have rightfully found their home in Italy with RAI. The films will perfectly complement previous high-quality acquisitions by RAI from ITV Studios, such as Agatha Christie’s Marple and Murdoch Mysteries."
Fiona Maxwell, Director of Operations at ITV Studios Global Entertainment said: "ITV Studios Global Entertainment proudly represents the Rank, Rohauer, Romulus, Korda and ITC film catalogues, which collectively are acknowledged as the world's largest classic British film archive. ITV Studios incorporates a dedicated restoration unit. Over the past two years this specialist team has overseen restoring many important classic films remastering them to high-definition, including The Ipcress File, The 39 Steps and The Red Shoes – In partnership with The Film Foundation, the UCLA Archive and the BFI."
(BMcN/BMcC)