Kenneth Williams to be profiled in new documentary film
- Documentary film The Last Years Of Kenneth Williams will profile the final decade of the Carry On star's life
- Notably, the project sees the four beneficiaries of the actor's last will and testament to appear on screen for the first time
- Creator Wes Butters says: "I have always wanted to create a truly authentic portrait of Kenneth Williams"
A new documentary film is to profile the last ten years of the life and comedy career of Kenneth Williams.
Billed as "the most authentic portrait of the enigmatic comedy actor", The Last Years Of Kenneth Williams has been created by writer, producer and broadcaster Wes Butters. Notably, he has organised for all four beneficiaries of the star's last will and testament to appear on screen for the first time.
Williams - who worked his way up from bit parts in repertory theatre to become a major comedy star, appearing in hit formats including the Carry On films, Round The Horne, Hancock's Half Hour and Just A Minute - died in his flat of an overdose of barbiturates in 1988.
Talking about the new profile, producers Mediable explain: "The Last Years Of Kenneth Williams takes the end of the Carry On films as its starting point. In the last decade of life, Kenneth was attempting to move into directing and writing, areas he felt had more worth, while caring for his elderly mother who increasingly relied on him, and dealing with his own bouts of ill-health. Professionally, he was busier than ever but the work mainly consisted of chat shows, game shows, children's television, and voiceovers. His comedy persona was too loved and too much of a success to be replaced with the Kenneth Williams he wanted to be.
"In addition to other contributors, such as book editor Peter Shellard, writer John Lahr, priest Dr Mark Oakley, and animator Mary Spargo, the film has an incredible amount of unseen and unheard archive footage, private cassette recordings, and his sister Pat Williams's home movies.
"Crucially, the film also provides new and compelling information regarding Kenneth's mysterious death and its aftermath."
The production company is currently looking to secure a broadcaster for the 90 minute documentary, and hopes it will be on screen in 2023.
Talking to British Comedy Guide, Wes says: "I have always wanted to create a truly authentic portrait of Kenneth Williams, a man who has fascinated me ever since I picked up his diaries as a teenager. That will be 30 years ago next year. Since then, of course, there has been countless documentaries, books, plays, and a BAFTA nominated biopic. However, for me, I don't think any have succeeded in getting past the caricature and myth.
"After all, there was another side to Kenneth, a private side that only the four beneficiaries of his will could legitimately claim to know. Now, for the first time ever, this inner circle have gone before the cameras for my new feature-length documentary film."
Below is the teaser trailer for the project: