New York, NY – BBC Worldwide North America announces the New York and Los Angeles theatrical premiere of Private Peaceful, a feature film directed by Pat O’Connor (Dancing at Lughnasa, Sweet November). Adapted from the bestselling novel by former children’s laureate Michael Morpurgo (War Horse), the World War I film stars two of the UK’s most promising young actors, Jack O’Connell (Starred Up, Unbroken) and George Mackay (Pride, Defiance), and features Richard Griffiths’ (The Harry Potter series, The History Boys) final performance. Set to open on October 31, 2014, at New York’s AMC Empire 25 and Los Angeles’ Laemmle’s Playhouse 7, Private Peaceful will expand to other markets nationwide in late 2014 and early 2015.

Private Peaceful tells the story of two devoted brothers who struggle through a harsh childhood and adolescence in rural Devon, England, before enlisting in the military for the First World War. They experience the brutal realities of the trenches and the killing fields of Flanders, and are forced to make life-altering choices in order to remain loyal to each other through the dehumanizing reality of this unprecedented war.

Told from the viewpoint of Tommo Peaceful (George Mackay), a young child who looks up to his resourceful big brother Charlie (Jack O’Connell), Private Peaceful is also a powerful coming of age story about two brothers who fall in love with the same girl and must adapt to the evolving pressures of their feudal family life. When Charlie and Tommo enlist and join thousands of other unsuspecting young men in experiencing the horrors of trench warfare, they instinctively look out for each other – until a terrible incident reveals to them the heartless, brutal nature of war.

The release of Private Peaceful continues BBC Worldwide North America’s commitment to marking the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War with high-quality theatrical releases, allowing US audiences to reflect upon an event that changed world history. Earlier this summer, BBC Worldwide North America organized a series of free theatrical screenings in over 40 markets, featuring new and rare films about World War I.

Best known in the US for his bestselling novel War Horse, which became a phenomenal success on Broadway and an Oscar-nominated film directed by Steven Spielberg, Morpurgo describes Private Peaceful as “my most powerful book.” He serves as executive producer on this film.

Please RSVP to Rodrigo Brandão at Rodrigo@indiestrat.com in order to attend the following press screening:

Press Screenings
October 9, 2014 at 11am
Technicolor Screening Room
110 Leroy Street