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The Dawning (Original title)The Old Jest (Alternative title)
Date: 1988 (Release)

Country: United Kingdom

Director: Robert Knights

Synopsis: Period drama set in Southern Ireland, 1920. Orphan Nancy lives with her grandfather and aunt. When she meets a mysterious man hiding in her beach hut, she relays a message for him, not realising the consequences.

Genre:
Drama
Releases
Date: November 1988Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - SoundRuntime: 97 mins Length: 8766 FeetDialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Enterprise Pictures

Credits (29)
Production Company: Lawson Productions, Executive Producer: Graham Benson, Producer: Sarah Lawson, Co-producer: Moira Williams, Associate Producer: Sara Geater, Production Executive: Dickie Bamber, Production Co-ordinator: Susan Dreghorn, Location Manager: Grania O'Shannon, Location Manager: Don Geraghty, Assistant Director: Andrew Montgomery, Assistant Director: Kieron Phipps, Assistant Director: Peter Freeman, Casting: Rebecca Howard, Script: Moira Williams, Original novel: Jennifer Johnston, Photography: Adrian Biddle, Camera Operator: Shaun O'Dell, Special Effects: Gerry Johnson, Editor: Max Lemon, Production Designer: Mike Porter, Art Director: Diana Charnley, Costume Designer: Charlotte Holdich, Makeup chief: Tommy Manderson, Make-up: Magdalen Gaffney, Music: Simon May, Sound Recording: Ivan Sharrock, Sound Re-recording: Rupert Scrivener, Sound Editor: Graham Harris
Cast (15)
Anthony Hopkins (major Angus "Cassius" Barry), Rebecca Pidgeon (Nancy Gulliver), Jean Simmons (aunt Mary), Trevor Howard (grandfather), Tara MacGowran (Maeve), Hugh Grant (Harry), Ronnie Masterson (Bridie), John Rogan (Mr. Carroll), Joan O'Hara (Maurya), Charmian May (Celia Brabazon), Ann Way (George Brabazon), Mark O'Regan (Joe Mulhare), Brendan Laird (Tommy Roche), Adrian Dunbar (captain Rankin), Geoffrey Greenhill (corporal Tweedie)
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library (11)
In: Screen International n675 22 Oct 1988  Page: 377
Title: [Screen International - n675 22 Oct 1988: no known title]Language: English

In: Time Out n948 19 Oct 1988  Page: 13
Title: [Time Out - n948 19 Oct 1988: no known title]Language: English
Description: Note on Jean Simmons' career

In: Time Out n948 19 Oct 1988  Page: 30
Title: [Time Out - n948 19 Oct 1988: no known title]Language: English
Description: Review

In: Monthly Film Bulletin v55 n658 November 1988  Page: 329
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v55 n658 November 1988: no known title]Language: English

In: Films and Filming n409 October 1988  Page: 31
Title: [Films and Filming - n409 October 1988: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: The Listener v120 n3086 27 Oct 1988  Page: 39
Title: [The Listener - v120 n3086 27 Oct 1988: no known title]Language: English

In: Variety 7 Sep 1988  Page: 30
Title: [Variety - 7 Sep 1988: no known title]Language: English

In: City Limits n368 20 Oct 1988  Page: 27
Title: [City Limits - n368 20 Oct 1988: no known title]Language: English

In: Television Today 15 Oct 1987  Page: 22
Title: [Stage - 15 Oct 1987: no known title]Language: English
Description: Details

In: Screen International n619 26 Sep 1987  Page: 2
Title: [Screen International - n619 26 Sep 1987: no known title]Language: English
Description: Note

In: Screen International n621 10 Oct 1987  Page: 29
Title: [Screen International - n621 10 Oct 1987: no known title]Language: English
Description: Credits


Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(2)
Film materials(2)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedStock date: 1987BFI identifier: N-2683649
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film


Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedBFI identifier: C-1318231
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status