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80Th Anniversary 80TH ANNIVERSARY: • 4K • 2K • HD • AVIATION & WORLD WAR • DOCS • SERIES • www.espressomedia.co.uk | [email protected] +44 (0) 1273 730929 ANNIVERSARIES BATTLE OF BRITAIN: 5 DAYS THAT SAVED A COUNTRY - NEW STATUS: IN PRODUCTION - DELIVERY AUGUST 2020 1 x 52’ 4K / HD 2020 marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain - the turning point of WWII. The makers of the UKTV and Channel 4 VE Day films, Coleman TV highlight the key moments that changed the course of war and the future of Europe. The five key dates are: the RAF inadvertently bombing German civilians, leading Hitler to bomb London, instead of attacking RAF airfields. A week of good old English weather worked in the RAFs favour allow them to re equip and rest. Then, Beatrice Shilling’s experiment with a brass washer into the Spifire’s fuel supply, enabling it to dive on enemy aircraft without the engine failing - transforming the aircraft mid battle. On 15.09.1940 - Hitler thought he had won, but forces re-armed and rested shot down 56 German fighters, persuading Hitler & Goring that the attrition rate was too high to continue. Lastly, we cover the introduction of the ‘dowding system’ - female radar operators guiding RAF with ground reserves operating ‘real race’ attacks. BATTLE OF BRITAIN: ALLIES IN THE AIR - NEW STATUS: IN PRODUCTION - DELIVERY AUGUST 2020 1 x 52’ 4K / HD For decades, the sky battles of the summer of 1940 have been eulogised as a fight between good and evil, fought out between Messerschmitts, Spitfires and Hurricanes. The reality of this titanic fighter and bomber struggle was rather more blood, sweat and oil than heroic gestures. 14,000 British civilians perished in the struggle, alongside almost 5000 aircrew on both sides. This was a conflict on multiple aerial platforms, crewed by a whole range of nationalities with a diverse set of skills. Unlikely, underpowered and under performing aircraft were pushed into action, fuelling the issues of fatigue, mechanical failure, and chronic tactical miscalculation on both sides that took a bloody toll on the airmen of a whole generation. Using newly discovered archive recordings, rare footage, and unprecedented access to many of the surviving aircraft types, explore the remarkable nations that made the RAF squadrons. We visit some of the key sites, both on the ground and in the air, speak and fly with the pilots of the combatant types today. Lining up against the Luftwaffe Aces of the day were not just British pilots, but Australians, New Zealanders, Polish, Czech and even pilots from the Caribbean, combined in this anniversary piece to tell the story of “The Few’’. - 1 - ANNIVERSARIES VE DAY: WORLD’S BIGGEST PARTY - NEW 1 x 46’ HD Made for Channel 4 by Coleman TV - title for UK was “VE Day In Colour: Britain’s Biggest Party“, with 1.2m+ viewers in a peak time-slot, the highest share of the day. We have become strikingly familiar with the isolation and restrictions faced in WWII – in a worldwide lockdown of unprecedented levels. VE Day 2020 marks 75 years since a moment of unity, when the world celebrated the announcement of Victory in Europe, and the end of war. In commemoration of this momentous day, this colour film relives a time when peace was declared, and the joyous celebrations that followed. Across Europe and the USA, people of every walk of life were united in relief and gratitude after six long years of darkness and despair, and the celebrations that followed. The idea that we learn best from the past is shown to be true in this heart- warming story of a nation battling against a seemingly unsurmountable, and often invisible foe. Using newly recorded accounts and extensive rare (often previously unseen) archive, World’s Biggest Party tells the story of the day in May 1945, when the fighting finally stopped across Europe and the celebrations began as the country rejoiced in unity. We cover the UK, France, Russia, the USA and more. Most intriguing though are not the familiar words of victory from Churchill, or the balcony scenes of the Royal Family in front of the celebrating multitudes, but the stories, often from a child’s perspective, now almost faded in the minds of these youngest eye witnesses, and captured here for perhaps the final time. We hear the stories of ordinary folk, with breath-taking colour archive, as they all celebrated in their own way. Painstakingly researched and assembled, with contemporary accounts, newly researched material from social historians, and brand new content from those who live through the day and are now beyond 90 years of age, VE Day: World’s Biggest Party is a timely reminder that we are often at our best in adversity. VE DAY: COUNTDOWN TO PEACE - NEW 1 x 45’ HD 2020 marks 75 years since the world celebrated Victory in Europe. Made for UKTV, relive the last key days and events of the final moments leading to Victory, including memories of those who were there, in colour. VE Day was celebrated across the world, and this film aims to show the final steps on all sides, including Hitler’s death, POW marches to freedom, the lesser-known story of the UK accidentally bombing Cap. Arcona, which held 4500 concentration camp survivors and much more. Archive footage, restored and in full colour, sits alongside newly recorded interviews with those who lived through this momentous time, to compact the key events in a dramatic style, walking through a countdown of the timeline that changed the world. The streets of Paris, London and New York sit alongside areas that were still under partial occupation, as well as the moments of liberation and freedom. This film sensitively recaptures the hope for free nations into what Churchill described as ‘The broad, sunlit uplands’, with a timeline across Europe in the final week leading up to VE Day, 1945 - the last chance to hear direct recollections of this turning point in history. - 2 - AVIATION FLYING DREAMS: WOMEN AIRFORCE PILOTS OF WWII 1 x 52’ HD 25,000 women volunteered as WASP, handling fighters and the heaviest bombers but were disbanded in 1944. There were no honours. Their contributions to WWII were hidden for decades, but they fought for recognition 66 years later. WASP interviews and footage of restored WWII aircrafts with archive inspires viewers with this remarkable true story. THE LANCASTER AT WAR 1 x 47’ HD The Avro Lancaster has been described as the outstanding bomber of WWII. When Hitler’s armies had spread the Nazi empire, the bombers were the only means of carrying the offence to the Nazi heartland. This film documents the Lancaster’s history, from the destruction of Hamburg to the missions throughout occupied territory. THE LAST OF THE FEW 1 x 47’ HD* The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight prepares for its 50th commemorative flight with a top display. As Spitfires, Lancasters and Hurricanes undergo maintenance, new footage, archive and interviews with personnel reveal their passion for the planes. Veterans describe the reality of battle. Airing: UK, Russia, Saudi Arabia, AUS, Poland. NANCY CORRIGAN: SKY BLAZER 1 x 52 HD’ At 19, Nancy took flying lessons. In 1932 she broke a solo flight world record and hit the headlines. The film includes unique footage of Nancy competing in air races, before she was headhunted by Kansas University as the first woman to head their aviation department. Across her career, Nancy got nearly every aviation certificate. THAT’S ALL, BROTHER 3 x 52’ / 1 x 90’ 4K / HD 1944: a C-47 nicknamed That’s All, Brother left England to drop Allied men into Normandy. Post war she disappeared. The leader of the invasion was destroyed, broken for parts, or melted. A chance discovery led a race to save the aircraft, after standing in a scrapyard for decades. Airing in Germany, Australia, France and the UK. SPITFIRE: BIRTH OF A LEGEND 1 x 47’ HD* To this day, the Spitfire remains in our minds as the fighter aircraft that saved Britain from invasion and defeat. Spitfire tells the story of this legendary aircraft that became the symbol of Britain’s determination to fight on to victory. Airing in France, Canada, Australia and UK, Israel, USA, Czech Republic and Poland. - 3 - AVIATION SKYDANCERS: QUEENS OF THE SKY 1 x 50’ HD Airing on Red Bull and Netflix, this beautifully shot documentary follows eight female pilots, as they entered the toughest aerobatic competition on the planet - the 27th World Aerobatics Championship. Often called ‘Skydancers’, they rivaled renowned male pilots as they headed into the clouds to pursue their dreams, each considered groundbreaking pioneers in aviation and extreme sports. RESTORATION: BRISTOL SCOUT: REBUILDING HISTORY 1 x 52’ HD A 14-year journey of discovery and reconstruction that begins with two grandsons finding aviation artefacts and rebuilding the Bristol Scout aircraft, to the original specifications, seeking the original plans, using old techniques of construction. Discover how early aviators learned the art of flying as they take to the air over the battle grounds of Greece, where their grandfather served. Airing on Foxtel. GAINING ALTITUDE: THE MOSQUITO REBORN 1 x 90’ / 1 x 60’ HD The incredible story of a dedicated team who restore a plane that hasn’t flown in 50 years. The Mosquito achieved legendary status in 1940, when it became the fastest aircraft on the planet and a crucial tool in winning WWII. But due to its wooden construction, nearly all have decayed - it’s now one of the rarest planes in the world. Airs on Canal + Poland, Foxtel and DR TV. PLANE RESURRECTION: SERIES 3 & 4 - NEW 2 series of 12 available OR total of: 24 x 60’ HD / 4K As seen on PBS & Netflix, this Royal Television Society Award-nominated documentary series returns with seasons 3 and 4 - larger than life & looking at some high-adrenaline planes.
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