
In 1992, Producer Keith Barnfather and Actress/Presenter Sophie Aldred worked together on the pilot for a new children’s TV series Sophie’s Choice. The format of actuality filming using hand-held camerawork, was ground-breaking for its time and many future series developed the idea in years to come. The premise involved taking children to see the kind of careers they could take on when they left school. From Oil Rig Workers to Air Crew - the list was endless! This pilot programme, featuring a vet Francis Anthony and a soundtrack by composer Mark Ayres, was submitted to Carlton television and the series so nearly made it to commissioning! Buried in the Reeltime Pictures archive for over 20 years, we’ve now brought it out, dusted it down and present it here, with a brand new introduction from Sophie and Keith. Sit back and enjoy the pilot - and wonder at what might have been!
Status
Released
Original Language
EN

Set in the storybook world of Enchancia, the music-filled movie follows Sofia, an average girl whose life suddenly changes when her mother marries the king and she is whisked off to live in a castle with her mom, new step-father, King Roland II, and step-siblings, Amber and James. Along the way this ordinary girl learns to navigate the extraordinary life of royalty, and in the process makes everyone around her feel special.

Actor William Hartnell felt trapped by a succession of hard-man roles while wannabe producer Verity Lambert was frustrated by the TV industry's glass ceiling. Both of them were to find unlikely hope and unexpected challenges in the form of a Saturday tea-time drama. Allied with a team of unusual but brilliant people, they went on to create the longest running science fiction series ever made.