Date: 3rd September 2001

British Film Industry Boosted By Lara Croft And Harry Potter


An 11-year-old wizard and a gun-slinging cyber-babe attracted over half a billion dollars (pounds) to Britain last year (00). High-profile film productions including Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) and TOMB RAIDER (2001) were responsible for $700 million (£539 million) of overseas investment, according to a government report.

Ministers are delighted that the British film industry is contributing so much more to the economy. Following tax breaks introduced by Chancellor GORDON BROWN aimed at making Britain a more attractive destination for filming on location, record numbers of movies have been shot in the UK.

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE (2001) - the eagerly awaited celluloid version of the first of J.K ROWLING's hugely successful books - is not due out until November (01). But as well as the money from the film-makers themselves, the regions used for filming have also assisted local businesses and will undoubtedly attract tourists to Britain.

Tomb Raider (2001), featuring ANGELINA JOLIE as LARA CROFT, was also filmed in the UK. And other productions, including the JAMES BOND film WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, The (1999), PROOF OF LIFE (2000), CHOCOLAT (2000), and PEARL HARBOR (2001), also contributed to the investment figure. (MCM/WNSIN)

Source: WENN