The nation’s most loved polymath, Stephen Fry, was this week’s guest on Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode’s film review sequence on Radio 5. You can download this as a podcast from the BBC website. For about 25 minutes he discussed a number of his film projects, including a couple of references to work on the Dambusters remake. He describes how David Frost, who had bought the rights to Paul Brickhill’s book, couldn’t find anyone for the remake. When he was told that Peter Jackson had a poster for the 1955 Michael Anderson film hanging in his office, he rang him immediately and did the deal there and then. (If you don’t want to listen to the whole thing scroll to about 18.30-22.00 minutes.)
At about 33.30, he also responds to the inevitable listener’s question about the dog’s name. I don’t normally mention this tedious debate, but in this case, I’m making an exception.
[Hat tip: Nigel Parkin]
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Dambusters Blog 
I live in Australia and having been in New Zealand recently I was taken to a place in Wellington which is a tourist ‘hobbity’ centre belonging to him. I dont believe for one minute that he is interested in a Dambuster’s re-make but rather in more ‘magical’ projects. Please, Stephen Fry, keep searching for a genuine producer to make a film that will do us proud!.
I beg to differ mate, just because he owns a ‘hobbity’ tourist attraction that does not mean his keen, life-long interest in military and aviation history is a sham. He’s right into the Warbird and historic recreation scenes, owns a Sopwirth Camel and has long term plans to make a film about Gallipoli.
Hi Jim. Don’t worry about Peter Jackson, Google The Vintage Aviator. Its all his doing, not many have as much aviation in there blood as he has.The full scale lancaster at Masterton aerodrome looks fantastic, a bit of nightime stealth to visit, but well worth the effort.
Hello, I lived near the Edertalsperre und now I took a look in the historie and saw these facts – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZNiG3JRfIo&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Tanja Krienen
Jim the Aussie must have very high standards. I thought I had an interest in aviation but I don’t own a Gulfstream jet or have impressive hangars at both Omaka and Hood aerodromes.
Finding a more enthusiastic and talented producer may be a very tall order.
I am sure the movie will be ‘magic’ when it hits the big screen.