Features
and Reviews
Between the Lines
As Brixham Theatre
hosted the world premier of ‘Between the Lines', the film made
by local film maker Ashley Wing, it was accompanied by the film
‘Behind the Lines' showing how he and the band of dedicated
local volunteers created a short but dramatic portrayal of young
men at Dunkirk. |
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Ashley said,
“I am often asked 'why tell another story about World War Two?'
My answer has always been that this is an open ended story about
British soldiers from the Cornwall Light Infantry and a German
Tiger Tank, and I have discarded any stereotypes. This is a
story about real people and what they had to do in order to
survive. I have only 40 minutes to tell it and a very tight
budget." |
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Phil Trayhorne,
Chairman of Brixham Battery Group, took on the mantle of producer
for the venture and gained financial support from the Heritage
Lottery Fund after meeting Ashley, who appeared at the Brixham
Battery Heritage Centre to research his initial idea. |
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By members of the Brixham Battery Group and the Devon Area Military
Vehicle Trust also adding to the cast list and military equipment
being available, the project and storyline grew, with auditions
bringing volunteer actors from further afield to take up main
roles and showcase their talent. |
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The script was then
written with the collaboration of local playwright David Murphy,
who brought his knowledge of the 40s and wartime events to the
production. Brixham and Kingswear actually provided the set locations
for Normandy, where the story follows four British soldiers caught
'between the lines' after an enemy ambush leaves them cut off
from their company, following the allied invasion. |
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Wanting authentic German
speakers for film, Gunlap Kocak came forward to play Franz Schiller,
the tank commander, and he helped others to develop their speech,
as the enemy characters were shown as equally vulnerable and hardened
as the British men in the heat of war. |
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Leading the British
soldiers, actor Russell Fusil came down from London for filming,
and expressed that he had a fascination with the 2nd World War
because he felt 'it brought out the best and worst in humanity.'
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All those involved willingly
gave their time to the project, with their specialist knowledge
adding layers of detail to the film, whilst the editing process
saw Ashley with his cousin Alex, the only person with a background
training in film, clock up hundreds of hours as they built in
special effects. |
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The arrangement of film
and the documentary of its making are now being put onto DVD,
and some will be available to the public, but there will be the
opportunity to see the film when the newly built educational suit
and viewing room at the Brixham Battery Heritage Centre is ready
this Easter. |
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Aviva Pearson, the new
Head of Tourism in Torbay, was the special guest for the evening
and spoke at the end saying “I think this film is excellent. It's
the best use of Heritage Lottery Funding I've seen.” |
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Features
and Reviews 
