Howard Winstone was simply an amazing sportsman who captured the imagination of millions back in the 1960s with his awesome displays of skill, tenacity and courage in the boxing ring. His three epic encounters with Mexican ring legend, the awesome Southpaw Vicente Saldivar are still remembered with awe by those who were there.

In an era when there were not as many weight divisions and the proliferation of World governing bodies that there are today, Winstone’s achievements are all the more impressive. He really did go toe-to-toe with the best and won the hearts of the fans and the highest accolades from the press and the boxing world.

He was a master craftsman, what we call a ring technician. With excellent footwork, fast hands, a piston-like left jab, a granite jaw and an iron will he was very special indeed. That he had to overcome many personal problems to achieve what he did makes him all the more remarkable...

There are videos and clips on You Tube for those of us unfortunate not to have seen Winstone in his prime. These clips attest to a consummate professional and a master at work. Little wonder he was nicknamed ‘The Welsh Wizard’ by his contemporaries.

Well, a new generation can now learn about this huge Welsh sporting icon as a film ‘Risen’ is in production and due for release early next year. Made by production company Burn Hand Film Productions it follows Winstone’s life and boxing career. Produced and Directed by Neil Jones with a screenplay by Leo McKellen (Story by Stuart Brennan), this promises to be a huge ‘event’ film for the British industry. It is full of rising and established actors as well as being packed with cameos from famous boxers.

Stuart Brennan not only produces and assists with the screenplay he also stars as Howard Winstone (Sylvester Stallone eat your heart out!). To ensure authenticity, Brennan was trained by close Winstone friend and boxing trainer Don James for ten months. He certainly looks the part.

Also starring are: John Noble, better known as Denethor in ‘Lord of the Rings: Return of the King’ as revered trainer Eddie Thomas. Larger than life character actor Brian Blessed (‘Gordon’s alive?’) is boxing promoter Harry Levene. BAFTA award winning actress Helen Griffin is Winstone’s mother, Katie.

The rest of the cast is packed with promising up and coming talent and also reads like a who’s who of British (and International) Boxing over the last 40 years. Appearing in the film in major roles and cameos are: Eddie Avoth, Enzo Maccarinelli, Steve Robinson, Alan Minter, Richie Woodhall, Robbie Regan, Michael Bentt and more recent Welsh ring legend Joe Calzaghe! Mexican ring great Erik Morales is Vicente Saldivar.

That is quite a coup in casting and shows what a great pedigree this film has. For me as a boxing and film fan this merges the two seamlessly together. It has bags of potential and the trailer of the film looks like the man it is portraying: a winner!

I for one cannot wait for this special project to go on release.

To learn more about the production and to view the trailer visit this link:

BURN HAND FILMS - RISEN