Harry Potter and other big-budget films triggered a welcome surge in spending on British movies last year, according to figures released on Monday.
The amount spent in 2006 on making films in Britain reached £840,1-million ($1,65-billion) — the second-highest figure to date, the United Kingdom Film Council said.
Spending on films like Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Atonement and His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass made for a 48% rise on the 2005 total of £568,8-million.
Britain was involved in the production of 134 movies (up from 124 in 2005) including 50 British feature films, 27 inward investment films (those which were more than 50% financed from abroad), and 57 British co-productions.
”We are back in business with British filmmakers winning international awards, a crop of great British films produced, British talent and facilities in demand from filmmakers around the world,” said John Woodward, chief executive officer of the UK Film Council.
The government’s film minister Shaun Woodward said: ”Two Potters — Harry and Beatrix — a Golden Compass and a bit of Stardust have helped the UK’s film industry have one of its best years ever.”
British films included Atonement starring Keira Knightley; Mr Bean’s Holiday featuring Rowan Atkinson and Shekhar Kapur’s The Golden Age”, the sequel to Elizabeth.
Inward investment from international filmmakers, such as major Hollywood studios locating productions in Britain, increased 83% to £569,6-million.
Inward investment films included His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass; Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; and The Bourne Ultimatum featuring Matt Damon. – Sapa-AFP