British Comedy Guide
The Phantom Of The Open. Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance)
The Phantom Of The Open

The Phantom Of The Open

  • 2022 film

Comedy film from Simon Farnaby about a dreadful golfer who blagged his way into the 1976 British Open. Also features Mark Rylance, Sally Hawkins, Jake Davies, Christian Lees, Jonah Lees and more.

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The Phantom Of The Open. Image shows left to right: Gene Flitcroft (Christian Lees), James Flitcroft (Jonah Lees), Michael Flitcroft (Jake Davies), Jean Flitcroft (Sally Hawkins), Keith Mackenzie (Rhys Ifans), Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance)

Key details

Genre
Film
Released
2022
Stars
Mark Rylance, Sally Hawkins, Jake Davies, Christian Lees, Jonah Lees, Mark Lewis Jones, Johann Myers, Ian Porter and more
Writers
Simon Farnaby and Scott Murray
Directors
Craig Roberts and Darragh Mortell
Producers
Nichola Martin, Tom Miller, Kate Glover, Christine Langan, James Swarbrick, Alison Thompson, Mark Gooder, Peter Touche and more
Companies

At the age of 46, happy-go-lucky crane operator and all-round lovable family man Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance) feels it's time to try his hand at something new. Deciding on a whim that golf is his new calling, the budding sportsman sets his sights on mastering the game. But Maurice is not a man to do things by halves, and in a turn of events that you just couldn't make up, he secures a coveted spot in the qualifying round of the 1976 British Open.

With the enduring support of his loving wife and disco-dancing sons, Maurice borrows some books, buys the clobber and gets hold of a set of clubs. There's only one problem; he has never played a round in his life.

Adapted by Simon Farnaby from his book The Phantom of The Open: Maurice Flitcroft, the World's Worst Golfer (co-written by Scott Murray), Craig Roberts' film is a heartfelt celebration of an eternal optimist who never let his sporting inadequacies stand in the way of his dreams. You'll laugh. You'll cry. All hail the underdog!

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Additional details

UK certificate
PG
UK release
Friday 18th March 2022
Produced
2020
UK premiere
Tuesday 12th October 2021, Royal Festival Hall
Distributors

Entertainment One

Also known as
  • The Fantastic Flitcrofts (Working title)
Production
Location
Camera set-up
Single camera
Picture
Colour

Website links

Broadcast details

All previous repeats
  • Thursday 18th July 2024 at 11:05pm on BBC2
  • Sunday 9th June 2024 at 10:00pm on BBC2

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