Channel 4 will broadcast a new documentary from Eye Film which follows the extraordinary renovation of Norwich Castle on Sunday 24 August at 7.30pm, just three weeks after the much-anticipated reopening of the Norman Keep as Royal Palace Reborn.
Ahead of this, Cinema City will be showing the feature-length film, with tickets now on sale. Showings will take place from 6 until 23 August in Norwich, giving locals an exclusive opportunity to see the film ahead of its national broadcast. It’s also showing at Abbeygate Cinema in Bury St Edmunds on 12 August.
The Castle Keep reopens on August 7 with tickets now on sale.
Narrated by Sir Stephen Fry, The Castle Rebuilding History follows the multi-million-pound redevelopment of the Castle’s medieval Keep undertaken by Norfolk Museums Service, restoring it to its former glory as a Norman Palace.
Not only will the film be reaching a nationwide audience with Channel 4, but distributor Silverlining has also sold the film to SBS in Australia, where it will be shown in the coming months.
Filmed over eight years, Eye Film has captured the redevelopment process, working alongside project curator Dr Tim Pestell, Fielden + Mawson architect Erin Davidson, Conisbee Structural Engineer Tom Lefever and main contractor Morgan Sindall Construction.
Charlie Gauvain, Eye Film’s Managing Director, said: “The renovation of Norwich Castle marks a landmark chapter in the city’s history. What started out as a passion project for Eye Film will now reach audiences worldwide. This documentary captures the scale and ambition of the transformation, while offering an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the challenges along the way.
“For us, as a small, local production company, it’s been a real privilege to help tell the story of a project so deeply woven into the history of Norwich.”
Dr Robin Hanley, Project Director, Norwich Castle: Royal Palace Reborn, said: “The transformation of Norwich Castle’s magnificent keep has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us working on the project. We’re delighted to have worked with Eye Film to capture this journey and share the dedication and expertise of the many different teams who’ve been involved in transforming the keep into the UK’s most accessible castle.”
Norwich Castle, originally constructed under William the Conqueror and completed by Henry I in 1121, is a symbol of pride for Norwich and East Anglia. Its transformation will ensure that future generations can explore and appreciate its rich history. The work has been supported by a £13 million grant from National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund – making it one of the most significant heritage projects in the UK.
Eye Film is an RTS-award winning and BAFTA-nominated production company in Norwich, which prides itself on telling compelling stories, from promotional videos and documentaries to commercials and feature films.
