Film@BirrTheatre is on a roll! and brings the best of Irish, world and independent cinema onto our very own BIG SCREEN! This week's cracker -The Phantom of the Open is full of loving, warm, funny and eccentric people where the underdog is king! If perhaps you might think this film is just for golf lovers...think again!
Based on a true story, Maurice Filcroft (who could only be referred to as- scammer golfer) entered The British Open Golf Championship having never played a game of golf in his entire life and recorded its worst ever score - 121!
Not being much of a golfer myself, I'm familiar with the odd golfey name - Shane Lowry, Arnold Palmer and of course leave it to Seve, knowing too The British Open exists however, had not heard this tale and one of its major historical quirks....
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN tells the remarkable true story of Maurice Flitcroft, a crane operator and optimistic dreamer from Barrow-in-Furness who, with the support of his family and friends, managed to gain entry to the 1976 British Open qualifying, despite never playing a round of golf in his life ever before.
With pluckiness and unwavering self-belief, Maurice pulls off a series of stunning, hilarious and heart-warming attempts to compete at the highest level of professional golf, drawing the absolute ire of the golfing elite but becoming a British folk hero in the process.
Starring Academy Award Winner Mark Rylance as Maurice, Academy Award Nominee Sally Hawkins as his wife Jean, this is the extraordinary story of an ordinary man, that's an uplifting and moving comedy drama about pursuing your dreams and shooting for the stars, no matter what hand you're dealt.
Thursday 20 Oct 8pm, Birr Theatre is the place to be! Grab a buddy or come alone to see this and many more specially chosen films for Thursday nights - just for you!
All welcome.
