War hero's life heads for screen

The film about Charles Upham will be more than just a war movie, say film-makers.

The life of shy war hero Captain Charles Upham could be on the big screen in 2008 after his daughters gave the rights to his story to a film production company.

Matt Walsh - the chief of Fat & Thin Productions - said the script was completed and pre-production work had begun for a movie on New Zealand's most-decorated soldier.

Upham was one of three people to win the Victoria Cross twice, awarded for valour in Crete and North Africa in World War II.

Mr Walsh said his company had secured the movie rights for the book Mark of the Lion from Roger Sandford, the son of author Kenneth Sandford.

This year it also entered a separate agreement with Upham's three daughters, securing the family's support as well as access to historical documents such as letters.

Mr Walsh said no money had changed hands to secure the family's co-operation.

"We have an arrangement which does not involve money changing hands. What they are in this for is to see the story made right."

He said he could not divulge the exact terms of a detailed deal with the daughters, or whether they would have any share in the profits.

Upham's daughters caused controversy in April when it was revealed they were considering selling his VC and bar - a rare medal collection which attracted an offer of $1.1 million from an English collector.

Mr Walsh said they were hoping to secure an "international A-lister, who has links to New Zealand" to take the lead role and another A-lister for Upham's wife, Molly.

Weta Workshop was doing the costumes and props for the movie, which would mainly be filmed in either Upham's homeland of North Canterbury or Taranaki. Some desert scenes would be filmed overseas.

The target release date was 2008.

Although full funding for the project was not yet secured, Mr Walsh said a private funding body - Southern Mountains Movie Fund - had been established and would start to pitch for investors soon.

Upham died in 1994 and was renowned as a man who shunned the limelight.

For many years he shunned attempts by writers to persuade him to tell his life story. He eventually agreed to Sandford's book on condition that the proceeds went to educate his descendants.

The movie will be directed by Nigel Hutchinson, who was also the producer of Goodbye Pork Pie.

Fat & Thin Productions owner Craig Aitken will co-direct and co-write.

Mr Aitken said the film would be more than a war movie.

It would give a personal insight into Upham's character, his life before and after the war and his relationship with Molly.

SOLDIERING ON

* Charles Upham was awarded his first VC in October 1941 for conspicuous gallantry in the battle for Crete. Later captured by the Germans, he made repeated efforts to break out of prisoner-of-war camps.

* During his captivity his fellow officers successfully lobbied for him to receive a bar for his Victoria Cross for gallantry in North Africa.