Nora Fingscheidt to direct Ralph Fiennes in drama about trainer Henry Cecil
The German director ('System Crasher') is making a Studiocanal film about the final years of the British racehorse trainer and his wonder horse Frankel. Fiennes plays Cecil.
Archive image · Photo: Raph_PH / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Ralph Fiennes is to play legendary British racehorse trainer Sir Henry Cecil in 'Unbeaten'. German filmmaker Nora Fingscheidt ('System Crasher', 'The Outrun') directs from a screenplay by Bash Doran. Studiocanal has confirmed the project, is fully financing it and will release it in cinemas in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and selected European territories.
According to Filmstarts, the film is not a conventional biopic but focuses on Cecil's final years and his bond with the racehorse Frankel, with whom he staged a comeback despite serious illness. 'Unbeaten' is produced by Tessa Ross ('Conclave') through House Productions and Rory Aitken through Escapade Pictures, with Fiennes also an executive producer. The project was developed by BBC Film with Access Entertainment.
"I knew nothing about the legendary Henry Cecil until I read Bash Doran's screenplay," Fiennes said, as quoted by The Playlist, calling Fingscheidt's intensely immersive approach and desire for authenticity inspiring. Filming is planned for 2027, according to Filmstarts.