The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: drama based on book starring Jim Broadbent about a retiree who plans to walk over 1000 kilometers to a hospice to give a friend new courage to face life
Plot and background
Harold Fry (Jim Broadbent) is well into his 60s, living with his wife Maureen (Penelope Wilton) in the tranquil seaside town of South Devon in the west of England. One day he decides to write a letter to his old friend Queenie when he learns she is in hospice care.
But once he arrives at the post office, he just keeps walking. Without much luggage or hiking gear, he sets his sights on walking to the hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed, over 1000 kilometers away. Only a compass, which he received as a gift, shows him the way. He wants to surprise Queenie, give her new courage to face life, and with his unexpected pilgrimage he becomes a hero for uninvolved people. Only his wife is rather skeptical about this action, literally the ceiling falls on her head and she worries about her husband. But Harold walks on undeterred and on his pilgrimage not only gives Queenie a new perspective on life.
“The improbable pilgrimage of Harold Fry” – background, cast
With two major stars from Great Britain in the leading roles, director Hettie Macdonald (“First Love”) adapts the debut novel by Rachel Joyce, who also contributes the screenplay for the film adaptation. Oscar winner Jim Broadbent (“Iris,” “Moulin Rouge”) becomes the unexpected hero, Penelope Wilton (“Downton Abbey”) plays his wife, who is skeptical of her husband’s action. Earl Cave (“Domina”) and Linda Bassett (“Calendar Girls”) can be seen in other roles.
The novel has already catapulted onto the bestseller lists and inspires hope, trust and humanity in the reader – at least that’s how lead actor Jim Broadbent feels. In the meantime, there are also two follow-up novels called “The Mystery of Queenie Hennessy” (Volume 2) as well as “The Amazing Voyage of Discovery of Maureen Fry” (Volume 3).
“The Improbable Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” – theatrical release
The regular theatrical release of “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” is on October 26, 2023. More than a month before that, there will be exclusive previews as part of the 2023 Cinema Festival on September 9 and 10, 2023, and the chance to experience the tragicomedy in theaters.
