Academy Award Winning Director Martin Scorsese To Produce Feature Length Drama Silver Ghost

Academy Award winning director Martin Scorsese is joining Lord Attenborough and Anthony Haas to produce the feature film drama SILVER GHOST. The project will be a co-production between Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions and Zuma Productions.

SILVER GHOST will tell the story of motoring pioneer Lord John Douglas-Scott Montagu of Beaulieu, his wife Cis and his secret love affair with his secretary and mistress, Eleanor Velasco Thornton.  It also tells of John’s connection and friendships with Rolls-Royce founders Charles Rolls and Henry Royce and British artist and sculptor Charles Sykes. Eleanor was the inspiration for the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, designed by Sykes, that to this day adorns all Rolls-Royce cars.

Martin Scorsese remarks, "When I read the story of SILVER GHOST, I was mesmerised. I immediately thought: this is a picture that has to be made. And when I was asked to come aboard as a Producer alongside Richard Attenborough and Anthony Haas, I didn't hesitate for a moment."

"Martin Scorsese is a giant of the cinema and I am thrilled to be collaborating with Marty and Anthony,” said Lord Attenborough. “What a team to bring this extraordinary story to life."

“SILVER GHOST is a most complex love story, not only between men and women, but men and machines. Set at the turn of the last century, it delineates the fascinating story of Charles Rolls and Henry Royce and the highly charged love affairs within the Montagu family.”

John Montagu’s son, Edward, founder of the National Motor Museum, notes, “It is a remarkable story which has long been a family secret.  I am delighted that Martin Scorsese has joined Richard Attenborough and Anthony Haas in bringing it to the screen.”

Anthony Haas adds, "SILVER GHOST is one of the great untold stories of the last century which Richard Attenborough and I have developed.  It is a wonderful endorsement to have Martin Scorsese wanting to make this film with us and we are very much looking forward to working together."

“SILVER GHOST covers the thrilling and tragic events during which one of the greatest engineering names in the world was created,” said Sir Ralph Robins, past Chairman, Rolls-Royce plc.

Zuma Productions Ltd was established to produce SILVER GHOST and is headed by producer and creator of BAFTA nominated projects, Anthony Haas, together with his producing partner Richard Attenborough.


National Motor Museum

The world-famous National Motor Museum at Beaulieu has a collection of over 250 vehicles telling the story of motoring on the roads of Britain from the dawn of motoring to the present day. There are historic racing cars, modern rally cars and the latest F1 machines as well as World Land Speed Record Breakers and family cars from every motoring era. Visitors to Beaulieu can also explore Palace House, home of the Montagu family since 1538 and 13th century Beaulieu Abbey as well as BOND IN MOTION and World of Top Gear. Open every day, except Christmas Day, from 10am. 

For more information Tel: 01590 612345 or visit www.beaulieu.co.uk

Join the hunt for ghosts and ghouls at Beaulieu Abbey

On the 22^nd and 31^st October this year, join the Hampshire Ghost Club as they embark on a paranormal investigation at the historic 13^th century Beaulieu Abbey, the site of many spooky spectre sightings.

Beaulieu Abbey was founded in 1204, when King John gave a gift of land to the Cistercian monks to found a monastery. The largest Cistercian Abbey in England, Beaulieu thrived for over 300 years until it was destroyed in the 1530s at the time of the dissolution of the Monasteries.

The strange stories and legends surrounding Beaulieu Abbey have captured the imaginations of people from all walks of life, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who had a great interest in psychic research and made many visits to Beaulieu in search of the unexplainable. To this day, both staff and visitors to Beaulieu report glimpsing ghosts of the Abbey’s former inhabitants, as well as sounds and smells from eras past.

Now, the Hampshire Ghost Club are inviting members of the public to join them on a ghost hunt, investigating some of the most haunted areas of Beaulieu’s ancient Abbey.

The paranormal sessions will be taking place on two nights around Halloween, beginning at 9pm and continuing through to 1pm. Activities will include vigils and investigations, using professional equipment, in the Abbey’s Domus building, which was formerly the Lay Brothers’ Dormitory. Investigations will also take place in the Abbey ruins and Cloisters. Ticket prices are £50 per person, including hot drink refreshments, and are available to people aged 18+. Pre-booking for these sessions is essential, and you can reserve your place by telephoning 01590 612888.*

For more information, please visit www.beaulieu.co.uk or telephone 01590 612345.

*Minimum numbers apply