The incredible opening ceremony for London 2012 may have been an amazing spectacle for the country and the world in terms of sport but Danny Boyle’s directorial influence also gave his films an amazing bonus. Amazon.co.uk reported a 5,800% increase in sales of the cult-classic TRAINSPOTTING, that’s a bigger percentage than even Wonga add but the public weren’t finished there, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE increased in sales by 900% which is, quite frankly, slightly insane but well done that man and if it pushes more money into the British film industry, then everybody wins.
There were a few more winners from the show as well, world-favourite recluse Rowan Atkinson’s Mr Bean went down well on the night and so did his MR BEAN’S MOVIE BOX SET collection, up 311%. As I love a good stat, I’m also pleased to report that Sir Kenneth Branagh’s portrayal of Isambard Kingdom Brunel (Not Abraham Lincoln USA Networks) meant his MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING saw a 300% increase and remember the Mary Poppins from the sky? Yes, a somewhat trippy exploration of young literature also helped CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG fly back up the charts, pun intended.
Did the Olympic ceremony influence you to pick up anything new or old? Aside from more alcohol? Hey, we had to get through to 2am somehow but what an amazing beginning and Boyle firmly set himself as a leading director with a cast of literally thousands all perfectly arranged, organised and gave us something that we’ll never forget.
