Richard Attenborough "In Purgatory” During Last Years, Says Producer

Richard Attenborough’s producing partner has revealed the late director felt trapped inside his own body.

Anthony Haas says that during the last years of his life, the Oscar-winner became increasingly frustrated by his physical condition.

“He actually said to me, ‘I’m in purgatory’,” says Haas. “I’m desperately sad, but I’m also relieved for Dickie because he’s at peace. He was trapped inside his own body and he felt almost as a prisoner.”

Attenborough was developing British period drama ‘Silver Ghost’ with Haas up until the former’s death last weekend.

It is, says Haas, “the last true Attenborough project.” Adds the producer, “It’s got all the hallmarks of a Richard Attenborough film.”

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The ‘Brighton Rock’ star was planning to direct the real-life story before a fall five years ago.

“We were at the point of being ready to go into production when Dickie had the fall and became incapacitated,” reveals Haas. “After his hospitalization and recuperation, we were able to continue work and finish [it] with [screenwriters] Sharman MacDonald and Jeremy [Brock] and then it became clear that it wasn’t going to be possible [for him] to direct anymore.”

Instead, Haas met with Martin Scorsese, who agreed to come on as a producer.

“Dickie was able to join me at the Dorchester to meet Martin Scorsese with Jeremy Brock and Sharman MacDonald,” says Haas. “We had a three-and-a-half hour meeting to discuss it. That was December 2012. Dickie was as bright as a button.”

The movie tells the story of the beginning of luxury car company Rolls Royce, as well as the romance between motoring pioneer John Montagu and Eleanor Thornton.

“Robert Downey had expressed an interest in playing the lead role to Dickie,” says Haas.

He continues, “We’re in the process of talking to another director at the moment. I’m not able to say who it is at the moment, but it’s a very well-known director.”

Nevertheless, while the Oscar-winning director will never complete ‘Silver Ghost’, Haas says he continued to be passionate about it.

“Dickie was absolutely delighted that Marty should carry the torch, along with me, in bringing ‘Silver Ghost’ to the screen.”

Photos: PA/IMDB