Abacus Media Rights secures pre-sales for Christopher Lee documentary

Abacus Media Rights has pre-sold the brand new feature documentary "The Life and Deaths," about the actor, Christopher Lee to Sky Arts, SBS Television Australia; NonStop Entertainment for Scandinavia, Iceland and Baltics and Movistar Spain. “Christopher Lee is a cinematic icon but what is commonly known about him pales in comparison to the true story of this driven, complex, fascinating man," Jon Spira said. "It has been fantastic working with the BFI and our returning creative team from last year’s Reel Britannia to create a really special film which will illuminate and entertain movie fans of all ages.” 

Produced in association with the British Film Institute and Trigger Films by Canal Cat Films, "The Life and Deaths" of Lee is a documentary feature that follows the life of of an iconic actor who defined the role of Dracula and went from being the star of the 1960s. The title will feature exclusive new interviews, archive material and multiple forms of traditional and animation to bring the actors' life to the screen. Directed by Jon Spira, produced by Hank Starrs and executive produced by Adam F. Goldberg, the documentary is narrated by popular actor and voice artist Peter Serafinowicz, who plays the voice of Christopher Lee.

The title will follow, the 93-year journey from Italian aristocratic roots through his wartime experiences in the Finnish and British military, his post-war Nazi-hunting spy adventures, his side career as a Heavy Metal singer and his bizarre and unequalled, acting career which spanned eras in Britain, Hollywood and all across Europe, and culminated in a Guinness World Record for the highest number of screen performances. The directors and actors already confirmed as contributors include Peter Jackson, John Landis and Joe Dante, as well as Christopher Lee’s niece, actor Dame Harriet Walter, all of whom will join members of Lee’s family, friends and professional collaborators in exploring his work and life. 

The film will feature animated sequences from a number of award-winning artists including legendary illustrator/artist/filmmaker Dave McKean, artist/animator Astrid Goldsmith and 2000 AD’s Simon Coleby.  It will also feature puppet work from Arch Model Studios.“There is so much more to the life and career of Sir Christopher Lee – and who better to tell that story than the man himself," Jonathan Ford, Managing Director at AMR said. "Despite being dead for the past six years, there could be no better candidate for narrator than the Prince of Darkness and Master of Macabre himself.  We’re very pleased to have this captivating and ingenious piece of film-making to offer our clients around the world.”