Ealing Studios
With the BBC seeking to reduce costs and in particular Studios a decision was taken to sell Ealing Studios on the open market. Although a sale was agreed with BBRK the BBC inserted a buy-back clause so that in the event that BBRK (for whatever reasons) put the site up for sale then the BBC would have first option to purchase. BBRK found it necessary to sell the site and the BBC repurchased the site and sold it on for £1.00 to the NFTS
In 1995, the studios were purchased by the National Film and Television School (NFTS) and yet again in mid-2000 by a consortium led by Fragile Films' Uri Fruchtmann and Barnaby Thompson, Harry Handelsman and John Kao, with a view to reviving the fortunes of the studio. The studio has since begun to produce theatrical films again, such as Lucky Break (2001), The Importance of Being Earnest (2002), and Valiant (2005). Shaun of the Dead and the highly rated 2005 horror film The Decent were both shot on the lot. In 2007, Ealing revived the St Trinian's franchise and the first film took over £12 million at the UK Box Office, making it the 4th most successful British independent movie of all time. St Trinians The Legend of Fritton's Gold was released in December 2009 and took over £7 million at the UK Box Office. Between these, Ealing released Easy Virtue (2008), directed by Stephan Elliot and Dorian Gray (2009), directed by Oliver Parker. Ealing Studios is also home to the Metropolitan Film School of London which has a purpose built school on the lot and use of the studios.
