Ian Conningham stars in brand new feature The Great Escaper.
‘The Great Escaper’ follows the adventures of D-Day veteran, former Royal Navy Lieutenant Bernie Jordan (Michael Caine), who in 2014 sneaked out of his East Sussex care home to travel to Normandy to pay his respects on the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings. He told his carers he was “popping to the shops” but instead walked to Brighton railway station, travelled to Portsmouth and bought a one-way ferry ticket to Caen, sparking a police search for him.
Back in 2014, Bernie said, “In the months leading up to the anniversary I was trying to get an official trip to Normandy but I didn’t have the necessary passes. Then, the day before D-Day I saw all the TV coverage and thought, “I have to go and be part of it.” I was naughty and secretive.” He died a year later, aged 90, and his wife Irene, or Rene (Glenda Jackson) died just a week later.
Bernard’s adventure, spanning 48 hours, also marked the culmination of his 60-year marriage to Rene, celebrating their enduring love but always with an eye to the lessons we might learn from the Greatest Generation.
The Great Escaper is released in cinemas nationwide on Friday October 6th.
To enquire about Ian for voiceovers, email sophie@deanstreetvoices.com