Hollywood star and family friend Jude Law has joined the Minghella family in Ryde today (Wednesday) to unveil a plaque dedicated to the memory of the much-loved Islander and film director, Anthony Minghella CBE.
The plaque has been installed at Western Gardens in memory of the Oscar winner, who sadly died back in 2008. Now friends, family and admirers of Anthony’s work can reflect overlooking the beach and the iconic Ryde Pier in a town that meant so much to him.
Anthony was a film director, playwright and screenwriter and of course, an Islander. He was best known for his works such as The English Patient; The Talented Mr. Ripley; Truly, Madly, Deeply and Cold Mountain, in which Jude Law starred.
The Minghella family have today expressed their thanks to Ryde Town Council for installing the plaque on the wall at Ryde Beach and have said they are enormously grateful to dear family friend, and Anthony’s close friend and collaborator, Jude Law, for joining them to unveil the plaque.
The unveiling was attended by a small number of people including family and friends, Cllr Wayne Whittle, the Mayor of Ryde Cllr Roi Milburn, Ryde Town Crier Steve King, plus members of the Ryde Town Council.
The Minghella’s have today said:
“Ryde Beach is a beautiful spot for reflection and holds an important place in Anthony’s life. He loved the stark majesty of Ryde Pier and the beach was the setting for his play, A Little Like Drowning. This was also to be his very first film, which developed while he was still a student, and filmed in Ryde. The play chronicles the story of his beloved grandmother with whom he spent many hours walking on this beach, while she shared her memories. The family suggested a quotation from the play for the plaque.
“We know that Anthony is an important part of the Island’s heritage. He treasured the Island and the Island treasured him; he was particularly honoured to be made the first Freeman of the Isle of Wight.
Article continues below this advertisement “We are so pleased and touched that there is now this special place dedicated to him in Ryde, where he was born and raised. We hope Islanders and visitors alike will come here to look out to sea, recall his work – the words, stunning images and music that he left us – and to remember him, as we will, always, with love in our hearts”.
In loving memory of
First freeman of the Isle of Wight
Writer & Oscar-winning film director
Anthony Minghella CBE
Who loved and wrote about this place
Born in Ryde 6th January 1954
Died 18th March 2008
“This is my life now
This beach. These walks”
From the play A Little Like Drowning
