An Octogenarian Climbs a Mountain in Simon Hunter’s Heartwarming Film “Edie” Opening in Select Theaters This Weekend

Sheila Hancock stars as Edie a film by Simon Hunter (courtesy of Music Box Films)

Filmed on location in Sutherland, Scotland, the upcoming film Edie, directed by Simon Hunter (Lighthouse, Mutant Chronicles) and written by Elizabeth O’Halloran, is the story of a bitter woman in her eighties who buries her husband in the very opening of the film. Her strained relationship with her daughter grows worse as she plans to move Edie into a retirement home, where she will end the last chapter of her life. While Edie feels like it’s the beginning of the end for her, she begins to remember her father and how they never made their climbing trip to Mount Suilven, as they had planned when she was young. Thirty years later, Edie decides to make her way to the Scottish Highlands and climb that mountain at the age of 83 years old.

Edie starring Sheila Hancock (Music Box Films)

While watching this film, I was captivated by the gorgeous cinematography as I felt like I took a solo trip to Scotland, and as I gazed over the lush lands, pretending I was carrying a basket of fruit and singing, I thought to myself, does Sheila Hancock really climb a mountain?

Yes she does, and in the words of Simon Hunter, “I remember the day we discussed this with our casting director Jeremy Zimmerman and I mentioned Sheila Hancock and he replied I’ve just seen her on stage in Grey Gardens she was bouncing around like an 18-year-old.” I thought this is who we want for Edie. A couple of months later and Sheila was embarking on a 14 kilometer trek to the base of Suilven mountain followed by an extremely tough assent on a very steep ridge.”

Screenwriter Elizabeth O’Halloran also shared some insight. “As part of her preparation for the film, 83-year-old Hancock had to train for the physicality of the role which not only involved rowing, cycling and climbing, but hiking and camping with the crew. During the shoot the film’s two leads, Sheila Hancock and Kevin Guthrie and the entire crew hiked across Mount Suilven, camping out over a number of nights.”

Sheila Hancock has had a successful and continuous career for over 50 years in theatre, radio, television and film. She was nominated for two BAFTA awards (Bedtime and The Russian Bride) and was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Women in Film and Television. 

Sheila Hancock and Kevin Guthrie in Edie (Music Box Films)

After watching this film and reading about how the now 86-year-old legendary actress is still starring in roles and climbing mountains, I felt like I am letting myself down. I have to step my game up so while I go take a hike through Prospect Park, I highly recommend you go watch Edie this weekend.

Cast: Sheila Hancock, Kevin Guthrie, Amy Manson, Paul Brannigan, Wendy Morgan 

Edie opens at the Angelika Film Center in New York City on September 6, 2019.

Additional cities: Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Austin, Denver, D.C., Portland, Sarasota, Santa Fe, St. Louis, Boca Raton, Mesa and others.

Check out dates and venues here: musicboxfilms.com

Edie  (2017)| Director: Simon Hunter| Producer: Mark Stothert | Screenplay: Elizabeth O’Halloran | Editor: Olly Stothert | Director of Photography: August Jakobsson | Music Conductor: Debbie Wiseman | Run Time: 102 minutes | Rating: NR |Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 widescreen | Cinematographic Process:4K Ultra HD | Audio: Stereo 2.0 | Country of Production: Scotland | Film Location: Mount Suilven, Scottish Highlands Language: English