Catalogue

THE "BOUNTY" FILMS (Unrealised Film Project, 1977 - 1980)

Item id: DL/12/47

Description: Correspondence relating to the 'Bounty' film project, arranged chronologically and covering the initial idea, script development, the recce and problems encountered with both Warner Brothers and Dino de Laurentiis Corporation, 1977 - 1980, including: i) Letters from Robert Bolt to David Lean, expressing excitement at the new project, discussing his initial ideas and making arrangements to join Lean in September 1977 to commence work on the script, May - July 1977. ii) Correspondence between David Lean, Phil Kellogg, Lean's former agent at the William Morris Agency and his producer on the Bounty film project and Warner Brothers, regarding the project, including a copy of the turnaround acquisition agreement between Warner Brothers and Dino de Laurentiis Corporation, 15 November 1977, August - November 1977. iii) Correspondence between David Lean and Phil Kellogg, regarding the acrimonious departure of John Box from the film set, October 1977. iv) Correspondence between David Lean and his associates and Dino de Laurentiis and his associates, covering de Laurentiis' initial offer to finance the cost of the two Bounty films, discussions of script and locations, and the subsequent withdrawal of backing on the part of the Dino de Laurentiis Corporation, November 1977 - December 1978. v) Correspondence between David Lean and Eddie and Kathleen Fowlie, general discussions of ongoing film - related developments, discussion of potential locations and tax issues and series of reports on the recce, June - August 1978. vi) Letters from Robert Bolt to David Lean, regarding financial backing and Bolt's heart trouble, including one, dated 11 November 1978, giving details of an operation that he has undergone, November 1978. vii) Correspondence between David Lean and his associates and United Artists Corporation, regarding potential financial backing for the film project, December 1978. viii) Letter to David Lean from George Macdonald Fraser, regretting that he is unable to take over from the incapacitated Robert Bolt as scriptwriter for the film project, 29 May 1979.