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Parents may turn Madeleine McCann story into a Hollywood movie
The parents of Madeleine McCann have sanctioned talks with a Hollywood company about bringing the story of their missing daughter to the big screen.
Representatives of Kate and Gerry McCann met producers of the award-winning documentary film Touching the Void last month to hear proposals for a deal.
Their friends say that a film version of the mystery would bring Madeleine’s plight to a bigger audience, and could lead to information about her whereabouts and fund private investigators looking for her.
The development may also fuel criticism of the couple for trying to generate publicity and funds from their daughter’s disappearance.
Clarence Mitchell, a spokesman for the couple, confirmed that a meeting was held last month with film-makers from IMG, an American-owned entertainment company.
“We have only had one very tentative discussion with IMG. It may or may not happen. If we feel any particular proposal in the media has validity in helping us find Madeleine, we are happy to discuss it,” he said.
Mr Mitchell, a former BBC journalist, said that a deal could generate some much needed funds for the Madeleine appeal.
“The media are making money out of the situation themselves and we feel it is only fair and right that some aspect of that should come to the fund to help find Madeleine,” he said.
The Bafta-winning film Touching the Void used documentary-style interviews intercut with dramatic reconstruction to tell the story of two British climbers trapped on the upper reaches of a mountain.
It is believed that the McCanns’ representatives were attracted to the proposal because of the company’s highly praised documentary about a teenage girl who vanished in the United States. The family of Elizabeth Smart, who vanished from her bedroom in Salt Lake City in 2002, cooperated in the making of The Elizabeth Smart Story, shown on Channel 4 last week.
The disappearance of the angelic-looking 14-year-old had many parallels with the Madeleine McCann mystery. The tale dominated American news coverage. Her family, like the McCanns, fell under early suspicion. So did a loner who had been working on the family home and died in custody as the prime suspect.
The truth was that Elizabeth had been kidnapped by a disturbed religious maniac and his wife, and kept against her will near the family home, wearing a veil to hide her identity.
The story had a happy ending nine months later when the girl was recognised and saved by police and returned to the safety of her family. The Elizabeth Smart Storyand Touching the Void were made by Darlow Smithson, which was bought by IMG in 2006.
A Disney film that bore striking similarities to the McCanns’ story was pulled from British cinemas last September for fear of offending Madeleine’s family. Gone Baby Gone recounted the tragic tale of a four-year-old girl snatched from her bed.
IMG is one of a number of companies to have approached the McCanns with proposals to turn their story into either a TV documentary or film. This appears to be the first proposal to have been taken seriously. Mr and Mrs McCann were aware of the meeting but did not attend.
The film project will be discussed at a meeting of the fund’s directors, including Mr McCann, tonight at his home in Rothley, Leicestershire.
Madeleine vanished six days before her fourth birthday from a Portuguese holiday apartment at Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, on May 3 last year.
On-screen child horror stories
A Cry in the Dark, 1988
Starring Meryl Streep, right, as Lindy Chamberlain, the Australian mother who
was convicted in 1982 of murdering her baby daughter Azaria, who she claimed
had been taken by a dingo in the Outback. The conviction was overturned in
1988. No body was found
Gone Baby Gone, 2007
Ben Affleck’s directorial debut tells the fictional story of a girl who is
kidnapped from her bed after her parents leave her alone. The film, which
had been due to be released in the UK last November, was postponed
indefinitely last September after the disappearance of Madeleine McCann last
year
Honour Thy Father and Mother: the True story of the Menendez Brothers,
1994;
Menendez: a killing in Beverly Hills, 1994
The televised trial of Erik and Lyle Menendez attracted attention when the
brothers claimed that they had murdered their millionaire parents in 1989 in
a response to a lifetime of abuse. The brothers were found guilty
The Amityville Horror series, 1979 to 2005
Based on the 28 days George Lutz and his family spent in a house where a mass
murder had taken place the previous year. Ronald DeFeo was later convicted
of killing his parents and four siblings, and Lutz claimed that the house
was haunted by their ghosts
Everybody’s Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure, 1989
The film tells the story of 18-month-old Jessica McClure, who was trapped in a
well for 59 hours. She is said to have no memory of the incident
Sources: IMDB.com, Times database
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Anything that could help bring her back has to be good! I say go for it :)
Karen, Cleveland, UK
It is unfathomable as a human being in a "civilized" society to watch the McCann's be made to suffer daily when they are coping w/having their daughter missing. The deep anguish and pain and abject fear and hysteria that might bring a less strong Mother and Father is quite enough; show love to them.
eve, nj,
Considering the talks were only 'tentative' this seems to be a bit of a media blow up but anything that keeps Madeleine in the headlines is good. I think that the McCanns have every right to sell the rights and make some money for the fund to help them to locate their daughter. To the people who criticize them for doing so, just go away and read other stories to bleat and judge and work your boring selves up over. Why do you continue your puerile witch hunt against these people who have shown amazing courage and fortitude in the search for Madeleine?
Jo, Sydney, Australia
The circus has come to town and shows no sign of leaving.
Alan, Oswestry, UK/Shropshire
There are still too many unanswered questions including the involvement (if any) of the McCanns.
I am not convinced that any proceeds from this film could help Madeleine. This film could not be made until the story is complete at which point (safe or otherwise) she would no longer be in need of help.
On the other hand there are plenty of others who could profit from this.
R Bingham, Lauzun, France
Please, no.
Alex Ritchie, Salisbury, UK
Apparently they will stop at nothing...they have no shame, really
j dv, london,
The intial part of your article makes it sound as though the McCanns are in serious discussions when in fact it appears that a tentative talk was held between their representatives and someone from a production company some time ago. Sky News (following a posting on Gerry McCann's blog) are reporting that the McCanns are not currently considering making any such film. In circumstances where the McCanns need to raise money and Madeleine's profile, selling film rights (noting that no film might be made for years, if ever) might be a good idea. But if no such discussions are taking place then it is unfortunate that this story (in effect that the McCanns considered one of their many options and decided against it) is untrue, they should re-think their PR strategy. This story has done nothing for the McCanns except rile Daily Mail readers who do so love to be "shocked" at every turn.
Bella, London,
Anything for money seems to be the motto these days.
ron, toronto,
Here, here to Mary, USA. I could not agree with you more. The McCann's have shown great courage during this harrowing ordeal. Anything they can do to raise awareness of the plight of their missing child should be supported. I know that if it were my child, i also would use all means at my disposal to get them back.
The more positive publicity this generates the better. In continuing their search, the McCann's raise awareness for all missing children. This couple should be praised for courage and strength of character they show. I hope the film does well and i wish them all the best in their search!
Kelly, london, uk
I have been in support of the parents, but now feel that they want to make money out of this tragic situation. This is obscene. The whole world knows who Madeleine McCann is and that she disappeared while on holiday. To say that this will widen the appeal is nonsense. This is purely to make money. Shame on the McCanns. Their dignity has now turned to greed.
When the Vatican turns its back on Catholics, you know that there is a major problem. Suddenly the information was removed from their web site - this is unusual. Now maybe we understand why.
Olga Scott, Avening, Gloucestershire
What about all the other small children who go missing every year? Are they going to have films too?
John Annis, London,
'One day everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes': Andy Warhol.
paul james, istanbul, turkey
How will the film end?
Moviegoer, London, UK
I think it is an excellent idea to promote more and continuing awareness of Madeleine's disappearance. It will also increase the fund for the search. The longer the pressure is kept on the people responsible for her disappearence the more likely that one of them will break and she will be found.
People who comment negatively seem not to realise that any search for Madeleine may turn in another paedophile or save another stolen child. Let's not sweep this horrific type of crime under the carpet.
gill scott , malaga, spain
I admire the McCanns for refusing to give up on the search for Madeline. Anyone who thinks it's easy for them to pursue this kind of publicity is an idiot in my opinion, it has to be the hardest thing they've ever done. I believe they refuse to give up because of the tiny bit of hope that remains, that Madeline could still be found. So they try to keep the story going, keep Madeline's name and face out there, hoping someone will see something or know something, and provide that one bit of information that will make a difference. I can't imagine the pain they are going through.
Mary, USA,