THE Winchester Festival has scooped the first UK screening of a film packed with Hollywood stars prior to its West End premiere later in the year.

The Winslow Boy features Nigel Hawthorne and Gemma Jones leading a starry cast which includes Jeremy Northam.

For one night only on Tuesday July 6 the film will be shown at The Screen in Winchester.

Mr Northam famously graced the big screen, as Gwyneth Paltrow's love interest in the 1996 film, Emma, based on Jane Austen's book.

After the film, viewers will have the opportunity to ask some of the film-makers questions.

Winchester Festival's Director John Miller managed to secure the preview with the help of cinema boss Romaine Hart.

She explained to the film's distributor that Winchester would provide the perfect audience for the film.

Ms Hart said: "We are delighted to get such an entertaining and suitable film with talented British actors."

Terence Rattigan based his famous play, The Winslow Boy, on the true story of a naval cadet accused of stealing a postal order who was expelled from his naval academy.

It was first filmed in 1950 with Robert Donat. David Mamet's new version has been expanded to include scenes in court and the House of Lords and has already received good reviews in America. The film follows the family's quest to prove the cadet's innocence, which in the early years of this century involved arguing the case in the House of Lords.

Mr Miller was keen to secure a top film premiere for the event after the success of last years premier screening of The Land Girls.

He said:"As a multi-arts festival we were keen to have film as part of art."

The Winchester Festival takes place between July 1-11 bringing a varied programme of music, film, drama, literature and art to the city.

Tickets for this special Winchester Festival screening at 8.15pm on July 6 can be obtained by calling The Screen box Office on 01962 877007.

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