Ironclad Stars Help Raise Awareness of Rochester Castle's Condition

The Ironclad screening at Rochester Castle on Saturday night was a huge success, with the attendant cinema goers enjoying a fantastic film in the company of two of its stars, James Purefoy (Thomas Marshall) and Jamie Foreman (Jedediah Coteral).

 

With both men giving freely of their time, no fan wanting a photo or an autograph went away without one – or without dipping into their pockets for a donation to the Restore Rochester Castle fund! The total raised on the night was at least £1300, and you can see our photo galleries of James, Jamie and their fans here. 

Telling the story of the 1215 Siege of the castle by King John, Ironclad pitched a whole host of familiar faces into battle with James (Solomon Kane, Injustice, Rome) and Jamie (Layer Cake, Nil by Mouth): Jason Flemyng (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels), Sir Derek Jacobi (Cadfael, Dr. Who, The Golden Compass), Mackenzie Crook (The Office, Pirates of the Caribbean), Brian Cox (Rise of the Planet of the Apes – soon to play Matt Busby in Theatre of Dreams) Charles Dance (The Jewel in the Crown, Going Postal) and American Paul Giamatti (Saving Private Ryan)- a suitably manic performance with an excellent English accent!

Gory and violent, the film nevertheless gives heart and soul to the rebels who held out for almost two months against all the odds, with the sterling cast bringing their characters to life. Watching it in the shadow of our magnificent Norman keep made it all the more emotional, witness the spontaneous outbreak of cheering and clapping at certain points (no spoilers here!)

  

What they said: 

George Wood of Nomad Open Air Cinema, introducing:

"This is the perfect film for this venue tonight – this is a pilot venue so we would love to know if the people of Rochester would like an annual screening here." The audience response suggested YES!

 Cllr Ted Baker, Mayor of Medway:

"It's my pleasure to welcome you all tonight, thank you for coming. I'm very glad to be a part of the Restore Rochester Castle campaign, for this is my castle – I'm Constable of the castle – any messing about, we've still got dungeons!"

James Purefoy:

"Thank you all very, very much for coming. Making the film did impact on us all and coming here is like being back with an old friend. I have to apologise for a few historical inaccuracies in the film – that I obviously had nothing to do with ;) - but I won't apologise for the level of violence. I hope you're not shocked but it is one of the most violent films you'll ever see in your life. It was a most violent period so we couldn't hold back on the blood! Especially not with Florence around (his broadsword used in the film, which accompanied him to the screening) she's called that because once you kick her into motion, you just had to go with the Flo!"

Jamie Foreman (soon to be appearing in EastEnders as the eldest Branning, Derek):

"We're having such a wonderful time, thank you all very much – I can see you're all very well equipped and I hope you enjoy the film. It is violent but when you're offered a script where you beat someone to death with a severed arm you can't really turn it down! (He's talking about Ironclad, not EastEnders! Although, give 'em time ...) The fight scenes are very intense, although heavily choreographed. You can hurt and be hurt, so you have to be careful and work hard to get it right – especially with that broadsword flying around, although I think James managed to miss everyone! The stunt guys moaned and groaned but they're used to it!"

Speaking to me before the screening, James said: "It's a beautiful castle, I love it; it means a great deal to me and it's a crying shame it's falling into disrepair. The amount of money needed just for the survey is crucial – which is why I'm being so mercenary asking for donations. What happened here, that period of English history, was so important. Ironclad shows what an incredibly violent siege it was; it holds a mirror up to nature.

Nomad deciding to screen the film here was a terrific idea – I'd suggested to Kevin (Kevin Payne, Restore committee) when he first contacted me about the castle's condition, that we should have a screening here and that I'd try to bring along some of the cast. I'm thrilled it has actually happened."

James has three new films in post production, including a BBC film for the Cultural Olympiad, while Jamie is currently filming St.George's Day. For more from my interviews with both of them, just click the links under their names. It was a real pleasure to meet them both and Restore Rochester Castle are eternally grateful for all their support.

If you wish to donate or offer to help Restore Rochester Castle in any way, please visit their website here. The Gazebo will again been in residence in the Castle Gardens for the Medieval Merriment this coming weekend, so do pop over and say hi - preferably with some loose notes ;)

Rochester People are proud to sponsor Restore Rochester Castle and I'll be out and about over the weekend with my camera, so keep an eye out for more galleries!