The Ghost of Richard Harris

The film explores the life and times of Richard Harris, perhaps the most remarkable actor Ireland has ever produced.
Richard brought an intense and electric presence to both stage and screen, and his career spanned five decades as well as many different film genres. In 1964 he starred the film Red Desert, which was awarded the Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival, and was Best Actor in Cannes that same year. He was nominated for Oscars twice: for This Sporting Life in 1963 and again for The Field in 1990. He died 20 years ago—bowing out as the first Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films. However, this is no ordinary biography. Harris will take centre stage through previously unheard tapes from Irish journalist Joe Jackson interviews which were conducted over 15 years; as well as through unseen family footage and interviews with those who knew him best including Vanessa Redgrave and Russell Crowe. The ghost of our title is this complex individual who comes back to haunt the people and places who were dear to him. The film also features his three sons—Damian, Jared and Jamie—as they explore the work and character of their father. Led by Jared, a successful actor in his own right, the film will reveal that there was much more to Richard Harris than the hellraising image he created. He was also a singer who topped the charts and released five albums as well as an acclaimed poet who wrote and published throughout his life.

I didn’t want to make a predictable biographical film about Richard Harris as he was far from predictable. What interested me was trying to understand who he really was through his own words as well as through the eyes of his sons. Jared Harris was particularly keen to show there was much more to him than the hellraiser image he created. So, with his brothers we embarked on a journey twenty years after their father died. It’s a story about how Dickie Harris from Limerick became Richard Harris and it’s a story of father and sons. I hope the film shows that Richard is still relevant today, a fascinating man who had plenty to say about what he calls ‘a turbulent journey’ of ‘great highs and lows’.

PRODUCTION 1: David Collins – Samson Films
The Barracks, 76 Irishtown Rd.
D04 N5K2 – Irishtown, Ireland
Tel. +353 016670533
info@samsonfilms.com
http://samsonfilms.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samson_films/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Samson_Films

PRODUCTION 2: Adrian Sibley – Bright Yellow Films
17 Oldfield road
N16 0RR – London, United Kingdom
Tel. +44 7958902884
info@brightyellowfilms.com
https://www.brightyellowfilms.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightyellowfilms/

PRODUCTION 3: George Waud - Groove International
Third Floor 20 Old Bailey
EC4M 7AN – London, United Kingdom

WORLD SALES: Jonathan Ford – Abacus Media Rights
2 John Street
WC1N 2ES – London, United Kingdom
Tel. +44 7734606996
sales@abacusmediarights.com

PRESS OFFICE: Jon Rushton – Jon Rushton Film Publicity Ltd
Tel. +44 7969837242
jon@jonrushton.com