Rolls-Royce Motor Cars launched its second film that explores its origin myths and is narrated by no less than Kate Winslet. Under the banner “House of Rolls-Royce Presents…” the film is about the Spirit of Ecstasy statue that’s sat on the prow of every Rolls-Royce since 1911.
It is the first in a series of films to mark the arrival of an all-new Rolls-Royce Phantom, which will see the light of day in the middle of 2017 before meeting its first customers in early 2018.
The last of the current Phantoms – which relaunched Rolls-Royce under BMW ownership and at a new, purpose-built HQ at Goodwood, in Sussex in 2003 – are under construction and all will be finished and delivered by Christmas.
“House of…” then is less about “better than” and all about “different from”. And what better way to begin that separation with an exploration of the obsessives Charles Rolls and Sir Henry Royce and their passionate exploration of science, art, engineering and how the sense of “ecstasy” evolved.
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That feeling from driving fast, beautiful automobiles found physical form in Charles Sykes’ sculpture of English actress Eleanor Thornton, secretary and lover to John Montagu (later the first Lord Montagu of Beaulieu). But I’ll let Kate Winslet – who has a home just a few miles from Goodwood – tell you the story.
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The Spirit of Ecstasy will be followed by a series of teaser films with customers and aficionados treated to preview screenings and exclusive gatherings around the world leading up to 2018.
“We are releasing this first film at the end of this year to mark 2017 when the Phantom will be made after 14 years here,” says Müller-Ötvös. “It is a remarkable moment for us at Goodwood.”
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