NEW YORK, NY – “The Phantom of the Open,” the heartwarming movie with an award-winning cast that earned rave reviews in London early this spring, is opening in theaters across America beginning June 3.
The new, family-friendly “Phantom” – distributed by Sony Pictures Classics – is the hilarious, delightful and unbelievably true story of a dreamer and unrelenting optimist, Maurice Flitcroft, the “world’s worst golfer.”
An ordinary man and 46-year-old, British shipyard worker, Maurice – with encouragement from his family – made history by reminding us to dream big, no matter the outcome. Upon receiving a pink slip, Maurice feels it’s time to try his hand at something new.
Deciding on a whim that golf is his new calling, the budding, frumpy sportsman sets his sights on mastering the game. But Maurice is not a man to do things by halves and, in a turn of events that can’t be made up, he secures a coveted spot in the qualifying round of the 1976 Open Championship (won by Johnny Miller) and subsequently shot the worst round (49 over par, 121) in Open history, becoming an international folk hero in the process.
The film stars Oscar® winner Mark Rylance and two-time Oscar® nominee and Golden Globe winner Sally Hawkins as Maurice and Jean Flitcroft. One scene presents a classic locker-room conversation between Maurice and a dashing, 19-year-old Seve Ballesteros. Other scenes involve Maurice’s sons, two disco fanatics of the ’70s with upbeat, nostalgic sing-along music blasting.
“The movie’s main messages involve happiness being the best version of yourself in life and sport, and that golf is for everyone, no matter the score,” says Tom Bernard, Co-President of Sony Pictures Classics. “Non-golfers love ‘Phantom’ as much as golfers and, by all indications, the film will be a summer sleeper with cult-like potential.”
In the name of Hollywood helping to move Americans from the couch to the course, the golf industry is rallying around “Phantom.” Product manufacturers and service providers, leading governing bodies and associations, media, Tour players, caddies, golf courses, country clubs and resorts are supporting the movie through their marketing vehicles.
“Phantom” is directed by Craig Roberts and adapted by Simon Farnaby from his book The Phantom of The Open: Maurice Flitcroft, the World’s Worst Golfer that’s co-written by Scott Murray.
“The Phantom of the Open” trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYbJWWnQHSE
#ThePhantomoftheOpen, #GolfForEveryone, #GoodForGolf
About Sony Pictures Classics
An autonomous division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony Pictures Classics distributes, produced and acquires independent films from around the world. It has released films which have won 37 Academy Awards and 183 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture nominations for “The Father,” “Call Me By Your Name,” “Whiplash, “Amour,” “Midnight in Paris,” “An Education,” “Capote,” “Howard’s End” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”
About Sony Pictures Entertainment
A subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation, Sony Pictures Entertainment’s global operations encompass motion picture and television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films and Sony Pictures Classics.
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