5th April 2004

Hartswood Films' acclaimed documentary
THE ROAD TO COLDITZ to be screened
following "The Colditz Story" on BBC2

This Easter television viewers are in for a treat. BBC2 are repeating Hartswood Films' acclaimed and moving documentary THE ROAD TO COLDITZ immediately after the classic 1955 film THE COLDITZ STORY starring John Mills, Lionel Jefferies and Ian Carmichael. But whilst the black-and-white movie had to be shot in a studio as Colditz was in the Eastern bloc and therefore inaccessible, the documentary crew were able to shoot much of their film within the notorious castle's walls.

Hartswood's documentary was first screened in November 2000 to great critical acclaim as part of THE WAR BEHIND THE WIRE, personal stories of captivity, escape and freedom told by the men who were there. During the Second World War the Germans took more than seven million prisoners. They told their captives: "For you, the war is over." But this was not true. A new war, the war behind the wire, was about to begin.

THE DAILY MAIL exclaimed: "This tale has everything - bravery, drama, humour, bulldog spirit," whilst THE TIMES wrote: "These are riveting first-hand accounts by seven prisoners of war who ended up in ColditzÄ They tell stories of bravery so modestly that it takes a little while before the significance of what they are saying sinks inÄ experiences which, thank heavens, subsequent generations haven't had to go through - largely due to these extraordinary men." TIME OUT commented: "These men are from another lifetime, but while they're still around to recount with such grace, don't miss them."

This major documentary marked the fifth collaboration between Producer Beryl Vertue and Director Michael Davies. Personal stories of hope and despair unfold throughout the film: first-hand testimony combines with archive film and extracts from famous movies to create an exciting, dramatic and moving story.

THE ROAD TO COLDITZ will be screened on BBC2 on Good Friday 9th April at 5.30pm following THE COLDITZ STORY.

For further information please contact:

Anya Noakes, Publicist for Hartswood Films +44 (0) 20 7483 2005