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MELODY was BAFTA Award-winning Director Alan Parker’s (Bugsy
Malone, The Commitments, Midnight Express) debut screenplay
and his first film collaboration with Producer David Puttnam (Midnight
Express, Chariots of Fire). Directed by Warris Hussein it stars Mark
Lester and Jack Wild (stars of the 1968 musical film adaptation of Oliver!)
alongside Tracy Hyde making her acting debut aged just 11.
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MELODY is the wonderfully nostalgic, funny and
touching story of childhood based around romance between 11-year-olds Daniel
and Melody who, despite their age and the objections of their families and
Daniel’s best friend Ornshaw, are determined to get married. Alan Parker
sets a fledgling Romeo and Juliet romance against the backdrop of a 1970s
London comprehensive school and tells this innocent story of growing-up,
first-love and youthful rebellion entirely from the children’s point of view.
Since its original release in 1971 MELODY has been
see all over the world and has become a cult favourite
.In the US, Director Wes Anderson loved MELODY
so much he used it as the inspiration for his film “Moonrise Kingdom”
and in Mexico Director Alfonso Cuaron saw the film as a child and says
it was one of the films that inspired him to become a filmmaker.
Quiet, well-behaved Daniel Latimer (Mark Lester) and cheeky
troublemaker Ornshaw (Jack Wild) could not be more different but they become
the best of friends.
That is, until Daniel spots Melody Perkins (Tracy Hyde) at
the school disco. The boys’ friendship becomes jeopardized, as Ornshaw grows
jealous when his best friend seems more interested in a hanging out with a
girl! Initially embarrassed by the attention, Melody comes to return Daniel’s
feelings, and the couple announce to their parents, teachers and friends that
they want to get married.
Not sometime in the future, but now. The adults –
incredulous parents and moronic teachers - attempt to dissuade them, but Daniel
and Melody's determination leads Ornshaw to have a change of heart.
He and their classmates gather together at one of the
children's hideouts to 'marry' the couple, with their discovery leading to a
final riotous, no-holds-barred showdown where the children stick it to the
grown-ups
Alan Parker’s script captures what it was like to be a kid
on the brink of adolescence in 70s Britain, drawing inspiration from his and
Puttnam’s own school experiences in London. Those are brought to life by Warris
Hussein and Cinematographer Peter Suschitzky (Tale of Tales, Maps To
The Stars, Eastern Promises, A History Of Violence) and the film features
many timeless London locations plus an evocative soundtrack, including songs by
the Bee Gees ("In the Morning", "Melody Fair",
"Give Your Best", "To Love Somebody" and "First of
May"), and the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young hit "Teach
Your Children".
MELODY is released on DVD, Blu-ray and EST on 8th
May 2017 from Studiocanal as part of their Vintage Classics Collection
– showcasing iconic British films, all fully restored and featuring brand new
extra content:
SPECIAL FEATURES:
New interviews with Lord David Puttnam, Sir Alan
Parker, Waris Hussein and Mark Lester; Stills gallery
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