A Simple Films Development project THE TOUR OF 2718 RIVERSIMPLE JOHN FILMSSTATION LTD ROAD THEProducer: StuartBIG Cresswell Writer: SHIP Julie Welch with Justyn Barnes Nova Scotia,River John, B0K 1N0 : TELEPHONE 1-902-701-2483 Armstrong’s [email protected] EMAIL Australians won 8 successive test matches, a feat TV mini-series outline unequalled in test match history. 4-PART DRAMA BASED ON A TRUE STORY... A SWEEPING STORY SET IN AUSTRALIA AND ENGLAND SHORTLY AFTER WORLD WAR ONE This is a story of immense characters, facing each other over ten matches of 3-day duration on opposite sides of the world. At stake: personal glory, a place in the annals of sporting history, fortune, honour and the public need for heroes after the loss of so Warwick Armstrong’s touring Australians, 1921 many during The Great War. It’s a tale of opposites: The English social and cricketing hierarchy, still clinging gravely to the attitudes and tactics that cost the country so dear in the previous decade; and the free- spirited determination of the Australians, keen to finally eclipse the mother country. But above all, it’s a story of personal triumphs and drama; love and fellowship; pride and tragedy, told against the backdrop of one Lionel Tennyson batting bravely one-handed Warwick Armstrong, 1921 of the most famous sporting contests in the “Australians have made world, and culminating in the biggest sporting cricket a war game...with shock of all time. an intensity of purpose Period setting, sporting action, characters, too deadly for a mere drama, massive potential for global audiences. game.” We’re aiming for a powerful series and looking to develop as co-production, ideally with UK Neville Cardus and Australian partners. The Tour of The Big Ship |TV Mini-series | International co-pro potential | Historical Sports Drama 1. THE DEVIL IS COME AMONG US, HAVING GREAT WRATH! PAGE2 Huge crowds came to watch the Test matches C.B. Fry - superstar and polymath Scenes of men returning home from the business deal, are particularly The journey over introduces us to other war, leaving behind rows of crosses, disappointed in the cricket situation. players, for instance the cheeky, gambling craters and trenches give way to simple ways of Herbie Collins, Australia’s vice pleasures once more, like cricket. Cricket writer Neville Cardus is about to captain. be married, but that doesn’t stop him Australian troops return to civvy life and entertaining the affections of several England’s captain, Johnny Douglas, is very soon they are welcoming a touring other women. But his mind is already openly criticized by selectors and they English team to play five test matches for preparing for the true event of the year - make it known they want him replaced, the Ashes. the return Ashes series, when the but C.B. Fry refuses to take over and Australians will play five more test Douglas is left in charge but without the There is a new slaughter on the cricket matches in England. authority needed. pitch as Australia massacre England five tests to nil. A feat that was not repeated Both teams leave Australia on the same Australians are given a superstar welcome until very recently. ship, and whilst the Australians are in England. The world - and England - ebullient, the English party is already needs heroes right now. The stage is set But behind the scenes, already we can see squabbling. for a historical Ashes series, and an Australia’s Captain, Warwick Armstrong, unbeaten run that will go down in history. clashing with his own cricket authorities. Armstrong again has a long-running row He fights every corner for his players, with tour manager Syd Smith, with In early games the Australians continue and they repay him with massive Smith wanting the players to board with the rout to the first test at Nottingham, performances on the pitch. families in England - Armstrong where in the crowd, a teenage Harold demands the best hotels. Larwood witnesses a devastating display News of the crushing defeats reaches of fast bowling by McDonald and England, and is met with a sense almost We also see politicians on both sides, Gregory, and vows one day to hit back. of grief through all levels of society. Two hanging campaigns and careers on the former English players, Ranji - an Indian Ashes series. Australians want to prove The scenes of cricket destruction remind Prince, and Archie MacLaren, having they have outgrown England, English us of the scenes of devastation after The narrowly escaped legal action over a politicians are clinging to a sense of Great War. It is a stunning victory for Empire. Armstrong’s Australians. For more information contact: Simple Films, River John, NS. Canada | 902-701-2483 | www.simple-films.com 2. PLAY UP! PLAY UP! AND PLAY THE GAME!! PAGE3 Men Behaving Badly Armstrong continues to challenge his own case, there are still those who don’t accept he cricket authorities - he doesn’t want anyone should ever have played for England, but the else taking the credit for what he feels his team two men’s connection to political events in is about to achieve - nor does he want the India, closes the door on both of them. pressure the political schemes will put on his players. Amid all this, is the tragic figure of Johnny Douglas, the captain of England - but only England’s selectors are having a bad time too. because no one else will take it on. Jack Hobbs, arguably the best batsmen in the Undermined by his superiors at every turn, world has an injury sustained in Australia that ordered to compete against a plagues him, leaving him unavailable for powerful opponent without England duty. being given the men or means to do the job properly. Risking Hobbs and Percy Fender clash over the his lumber business he runs legitimacy of Hobbs’ injury. with his father (Douglas was an amateur player), he is the very Despite inflicting crushing victories on county type of man England needs in teams, Armstrong refuses to underestimate the the new era. Yet he appears English, keeping his own players focused. crushed. Warwick Armstrong batting, 1921 Archie MacLaren, always desperate for On the cricket pitches of money, celebrates a successful ‘deal’ with his England, Armstrong’s team continues to partner Ranji, but his champagne lifestyle is trample all before them. But Armstrong also always short-lived. After a heavy night, the upsets many, as his burning desire to win, boils bullish talk of ‘saving England’ sticks in his over into arguments with umpires and his mind and he starts to pressure the MCC to let gamesmanship angers players, press and him play a part in beating the Australians. public. As the Australians stand on the brink of Herbie Collins has been taking bets on games. Fry, performing his party-piece of jumping eight consecutive Test Armstrong turns a blind eye, but makes him backwards onto his mantlepiece, begins to victories against promise not to bet on the Ashes series or the show signs of mental strain. Angry at the way England, and a third quest to be unbeaten in England. things are going, he meets with Tennyson and win on English soil to they speak to Douglas to tell him before the retain the Ashes, Neville Cardus marries, but his wife is ‘more selectors, that Lionel Tennyson will offer to be of a sister’ and he continues to have other England’s captain for the remaining tests and tension and tempers relationships. Fry himself is not available for selection. in both camps rise to snapping point. It The selectors continue to scheme for C.B. Fry Fry also persuades Ranji to behave himself takes the dignity and to become England captain, but he again and for players and managers on both sides, diplomacy of Fry and refuses. Meanwhile Hobbs is ‘injured’ despite to ‘play the game.’ Tennyson to prevent a turning out for his county team, and public huge fall-out on both calls for Ranji and MacLaren to return to the With dignity restored, the stage is set to truly England team (calls made mostly by Ranji appreciate the cricket and sporting history sides. and MacLaren) are thrown out. In Ranji’s that Armstrong is about to make. For more information contact: Simple Films, River John, NS. Canada | 902-701-2483 | www.simple-films.com 3. ASHES FOR THE NOBLE ROMAN! PAGE4 "It was like watching the armies of succeeding generations in combat, artillery and tank against sword and horse" - Gideon Haigh England’s new look team is hopeful of saving Lord Harris of the MCC lays into the The Ashes. A draw in the third test would defeated English players, evoking thoughts of give them a chance in the final two tests to tie the painful inadequacies of British military the series. Only the foolish believe that staff during the war. The players find England can win here at Headingley, but a themselves admiring the alternative methods draw would buy time. of Armstrong. Hobbs - finally fit to play for England - has to Politicians become leave the pitch on the first day. It turns out he involved as the situation had acute appendicitis and was rushed to in India concerning hospital for life-saving surgery. Later he is Ranji’s family and their visited by Percy Fender, and the two bury the power struggles hatchet over their squabbling. worsens. Ranji enlists the help of his friend, Things get worse for England, as Lionel C.B. Fry, to prepare for Tennyson is hit at close range with the ball a new post at The and splits his hand.