Budgets and Markets

Chapter 13 Enchanted April

Summary

Enchanted April is a typical product of contemporary British cinema, a confidently handled period piece and literary adaptation that provides a showcase for ensemble acting. Well-crafted and beautifully performed, it is in all departments a decently professional piece of work.

However, Enchanted April, like an increasing number of European films, was financed entirely by television. It was shot on 16mm, lit for 16mm and framed for the television aspect-ratio. The shooting schedule, on a difficult location in Italy, was very tight. As in much of British television drama, attention was mostly focused on the performances.

The London Film Festival's decision to invite the film to be its opening night gala presentation, ...