PRE-PRODUCTION 'THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH' MUSE
ENT. / SCOTT FREE / TANDEM COMMS.
Eighteen
years after its first publication, The Pillars of the
Earth, considered by most to be Ken Follett's masterpiece,
is once again Number #1 on the New York Times trade paperback
list and has been optioned by Ridley Scott's Scott Free, Muse
Entertainment and Tandem Communications to be made into a
limited television series.
The
Pillars of the Earth
is a sweeping epic of good and evil, treachery and intrigue,
violence and beauty. This sensuous, spirited and passionate
story is set against a backdrop of war, religious strife and
power struggles which tears lives and families apart. In that
time, there rises a magnificent Cathedral in Kingsbridge.
Against
this backdrop, love-stories entwine: Tom, the master builder,
Aliena, the noblewoman, the sadistic Lord William, Philip,
the prior of Kingsbridge, Jack, the artist in stone work and
Ellen, the woman from the forest who casts a curse. At once,
this is a sensuous and enduring love story and an epic that
shines with the fierce spirit of a passionate age. Follett
masterfully weaves these stories through the political turmoil
of 12th century England, creating a relevant and viable world
for today's audience and for generations to come.
Shooting
in Hungary and Austria, the eight-hour limited series is directed
by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan (Heroes, Saving Grace, Steven Spielberg’s
Into the West). Mimica-Gezzan worked as Spielberg’s
first assistant director on several top-grossing movies including
Saving Private Ryan and Schindler’s List.
The
Pillars of the Earth stars Ian McShane, Donald Sutherland,
Rufus Sewell, Matthew Macfadyen, Sarah Parish, Hayley Atwell,
Eddie Redmayne and Gorden Pinsent amongst others.
David
will play the sadistic, power-hungry William Hamleigh.
David
on the set being directed by Sergio Mimica Gezzan.
David
on the set being directed by Sergio Mimica Gezzan.