COLIN FIRTH at The American Premiere of 'Nanny McPhee', Universal City, California - 14.01.06 and Rachel Weisz at the Pre-BAFTA party held at Spencer House, London, England - 18.02.06

The film is based on the novel by ANN HARRIES, and is set against the back drop of the Boer War.

The movie tells the story of ailing arch-colonist CECIL RHODES, who believes he can only regain his health if he can hear the sound of English songbirds.

Ornithologist FRANCIS WILLS is hired to transport 500 songbirds to Rhodes' South African home, where he falls in love with OLIVE SCHRIENER.

Schriener is a local activist who is battling against Rhodes and trying to prevent the inevitable war against the Boers.

The film will begin shooting this autumn (06).