Pathé has launched its trailer for ALLELUJAH which is set to open in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on 17 March 2023. ALLELUJAH is directed by Richard Eyre (Notes on Scandal, Iris) from a screenplay by Heidi Thomas (Call the Midwife, Cranford) based on the stage play by Alan Bennett (The Madness of King George, The Lady in The Van). It is a warm, humorous and deeply moving story about surviving old age:
When the geriatric ward in a small Yorkshire hospital is threatened with closure, the hospital decides to fight back by galvanizing the local community: they invite a news crew to film their preparations for a concert in honour of the hospital’s most distinguished nurse. ALLELUJAH celebrates the spirit of the elderly patients whilst paying tribute to the deep humanity of the medical staff battling with limited resources and ever-growing demand.
The film features a powerhouse cast led by Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous) and newcomer Bally Gill, supported by Judi Dench (Notes on A Scandal, Iris), Derek Jacobi (I Claudius, Frasier), David Bradley (Harry Potter, Game of Thrones), Russell Tovey (The History Boys) and Julia McKenzie (Cranford, Marple).
ALLELUJAH is produced by Kevin Loader (The Lady in The Van, The Personal History Of David Copperfield, The Death Of Stalin) and Damian Jones (The Lady In The Van, Belle, Absolutely Fabulous The Movie, The Iron Lady). Eyre’s creative team includes Director of Photography, Ben Smithard (The Father, Downton Abbey); Costume Designer, Jacqueline Durran (Little Women, Darkest Hour); Hair and Make-up Designer, Naomi Donne (1917, Skyfall); Production Designer, Donal Woods (Downton Abbey, My Week With Marilyn); and Composer, George Fenton (The Duke, The Lady In The Van).
ALLELUJAH is a Pathé, BBC Film and Ingenious Media presentation of a DJ Films/Redstart Production. Executive Producers are Cameron McCracken and Jenny Borgars for Pathé, Rose Garnett for BBC Film, Andrea Scarso for Ingenious Media; Alan Bennett, Nicholas Hytner, Charles Moore and Paul Grindey. Pathé will distribute the film in the UK, France and Switzerland and will handle sales for the rest of the world.
ALLELUJAH opens in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on 17 March 2023
Running time: 99 minutes
Certificate: to follow
