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“Endal”, the inspiring story of one man's best friend,
to become a new British film drama. Best-selling book about “the
most decorated dog in the world” will be brought to the
screen by Canyon Creek Films.
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ENDAL,
the story of the medal-winning “Dog of the Millennium”
and his loyal service to his disabled Gulf War veteran owner
and to a variety of charities, is to be brought to the big
screen by producer Simon Brooks (White Noise). Filming of
the Canyon Creek Films production is scheduled to start
in the Summer of 2010. The story is already a bestselling
book, published by HarperTrue, an imprint of HarperCollins.
When
Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer Allen Parton suffered crippling
head injuries during the Gulf War, his prospects were bleak,
until Endal, a pedigree Labrador bounded into his life.
The Canine Partners charity trained Endal to assist with
everyday chores, from picking items off a supermarket shelf
to operating a cashpoint machine. Allen Parton credits his
canine companion with saving his marriage and, when a passing
car knocked him from his wheelchair, with saving his life.
The dog put him in the recovery position, covered him with
a blanket and
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raised
the alarm, an act of extraordinary resourcefulness, for which Endal
received the PDSA Gold Medal – the animal equivalent of the
George Cross.
Producer
Simon Brooks acquired the rights to the Parton family’s story
after watching a TV documentary about them and has commissioned
a feature film script from writer Juliette Towhidi (Calendar Girls),
based on Sandra and Allen Partons’ co-authored book, Endal:
How One Extraordinary Dog Brought a Family Back from the Brink which
spent five consecutive weeks in the Sunday Times bestseller chart.
Winner
of countless awards, including a Gold Blue Peter Badge (one of only
two ever awarded to a dog), Endal died in March 2009 at the age
of 13, after a distinguished career as an ambassador for service
dog charitable work.
On
the announcement of the acquisition Simon Brooks said, “I
was immediately attracted to this inspirational and uplifting story
of a man and his family who had been dragged through hell and back
before an extraordinary dog called Endal ‘adopted’ them
and changed their lives for ever. This is a true story that needs
to be told and I’m thrilled to be working with Juliette Towhidi
once again on such an inspiring project.”
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Sandra and Allen Parton said “We are absolutely delighted
and still slightly amazed that the book "Endal"
is now going to be made into a film. Endal was with us for
far too short a time but it's a sad fact that dogs don't
live as long as us. This film really will be a very fitting
and lasting tribute to a very special dog who had an amazing
effect on everyone he came into contact with.”
Carole
Tonkinson, Publisher HarperNon-Fiction, who commissioned
the best-selling book, Endal said, “Allen, Sandra
and Endal's adventure is one of the most uplifting stories
I have ever encountered.
As a story of courage and friendship and canine loyalty,
I can't think of a more powerful memoir. It should translate
into an incredibly moving feature film.”
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Endal: How One Extraordinary Dog Brought a Family Back from
the Brink |
HarperCollins’
Head of Licensing & Content Development, Melanie Beer, who brokered
the deal adds, “I’m confident Simon’s excitement
and enthusiasm, coupled with his strong production values, will
ensure a sympathetic transition from book to screen.”
Simon
Brooks’ Canyon Creek Films has two other features currently
in pre-production both written by Cecelia Ahern and published by
HarperCollins: WHERE RAINBOWS END, in partnership with Optimum Releasing,
which is also being scripted by ENDAL screenwriter Juliette Towhidi
and IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW, a co-production with Gold Circle Films. |
