Synopsis:
The Rise of a True British Champion. Based on a true story.

As a young man, Howard Winstone was one of the biggest rising talents in amateur boxing. Already with a number of schoolboy titles under his belt, the boy from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, was fast making a name for himself with his knockout right hand.

A career as a professional fighter beckoned. Being from a poor family and struggling to make ends meet, Howard helped out by working weekends in a toy factory. And it was there his dream effectively came to an end as a metal pressing machine malfunctioned and crushed Howard's fingers, injuring his right hand so severely he had to undergo amputation. He lost the tips of three fingers so his right hand could no longer make a proper fist.

A depressed Howard seemingly lost everything. But his father wouldn't let him gripe and soon got him punching a coal bag to keep his spirits up. Then, under the guidance of a new trainer, Eddie Thomas, and with the support of his father, he started to learn a new style and once again began to rise up victoriously through the amateur ranks.

By the time of his first professional fight, Howard had completely changed the way he boxed. Remarkably, he went on to become Champion of Britain and Champion of Europe. As with any person who achieves great things there is also a cost and Howard's was that of his marriage. At 16 he wed his childhood sweetheart, Bennita, who stood by him and had four beautiful children. But when pressures got too much for both of them the relationship came to a dramatic end.

The dramatic finale culminates with Howard exceeding the hopes of an entire nation and being crowned Featherweight Champion of The World.

Reviews:
"One of the greatest films in Welsh and British history."
BBC News

"The boxing scenes are as good or even better than Scorsese's Raging Bull."
New Jersey Film Festival

Cast:
Stuart Brennan (The Lost)
John Noble (The Last Airbender / Lord of the Rings)
Shane Richie (Flushed Away)
Erik Morales (Pacquiao-Morales III: The Grand Finale)

Crew:
Director: Neil Jones
Producers: Stuart Brennan, Neil Jones
Writers: Stuart Brennan and Neil Jones
Original Music: Alan Deacon
Director of Photography: Louis Fonseca
Editor: Neil Jones

Theatrical Run:
UK: May 2011 (5 screens)
Mexico/Latin America: Expected Release on 100 screens.
USA: Expected Release on 30-40 screens.

Here are a few facts to set Risen apart from other movies in history:

• After viewing footage from the film, the World Boxing Council was so
  impressed it made Stuart an Honorary World Champion, awarding him his belt at the Cardiff Premiere in July 2010 and giving the film the unique honor of having its lead actor win a World Title Belt!
• Stuart was trained by the real Don James, Howard's best friend. In the movie Don plays Billie Evans, one of Howard's trainers.
• The first boxing movie to portray fight scenes where the lead actor is actually trading blows with his opponents. Those big hits aren't faked!
• More world champions than any other movie, a total of 12 (and two honorary world champions, bringing the official total to 14!).
• Risen was the first to use the HD Glove Cam, where you see the point of view of the boxers gloves!
• The film took 5 years to make and the lead actor Stuart Brennan trained for this whole time for the role – arguably longer than any other actor has done in the line of duty!
• 2011 BAFTA CYMRU Nominee: Best Actor (Stuart Brennan)
• One of only 3 movies officially supported by the WBC. The other two: 'The Hurricane' (starring Denzil Washington) and 'Million Dollar Baby' (starring Clint Eastwood).

Biography/Drama | HD | 90 minutes | 2010 | UK

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