The film. The gardens. The real story.
Something beautiful
can grow anywhere.
A packet of seeds gives a withdrawn prisoner an unexpected reason to care. Starring Clive Owen, Helen Mirren and David Kelly, Greenfingers is a story of friendship and second chances — with a remarkable real history behind it.
Chapter one
The film & its roots
A small packet of seeds. An extraordinary story.
Film guide
The film & the cast
Meet the characters and cast of Greenfingers, explore its story without ending spoilers, and discover the real gardens and history behind the film.
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True story
The true story
Discover the Leyhill prison gardeners who inspired Greenfingers, their flower-show achievements and the newspaper story that brought their work to the screen.
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Fact & fiction
Which parts of Greenfingers really happened? Separate Leyhill's award-winning gardeners from the fictional prison, characters, romance and royal finale.
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Locations
Filming locations
Explore six Greenfingers filming locations and areas, from its Surrey prison setting to Hampton Court and the Cotswolds, with photographs and Google Maps.
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Behind the scenes
Behind the scenes
How a newspaper story became Greenfingers: the producers, British cast, five-week shoot and the challenge of creating a garden for Hampton Court.
Read the storyChapter two
The people who bring it to life
Three remarkable actors. Much more than one film.
Actor portraits
Clive Owen
Explore Clive Owen's career through the stories behind Croupier, Greenfingers, Closer, The Knick and his return to film noir in Monsieur Spade.
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Actor portraits
Helen Mirren
From Greenfingers to Prime Suspect, The Queen and F9, discover the stories and working choices behind some of Helen Mirren's very different roles.
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Actor portraits
David Kelly
Meet the actor behind Fergus in Greenfingers through David Kelly's stories of Irish theatre, Fawlty Towers, Waking Ned and playing Grandpa Joe.
Read the storyChapter three
Stay a little longer
The words, the music, and the things that keep growing.
Film guide
Quotes & their stories
Seven Greenfingers quotes explained, from the meaning of yellow roses to Fergus's advice, Georgina's humour and Colin's search for a second chance.
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Music
The music
Discover Guy Dagul's score and the songs of Greenfingers, from Stereophonics and Tears for Fears to U2, Sting and Bruce Springsteen.
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Reviews
Reviews & reactions
Why does Greenfingers divide viewers? Explore its mixed reviews, the praise for its cast and the gardening story that keeps finding appreciative audiences.
Read the storyTrailers
Watch the trailers
Watch checked YouTube trailers for Greenfingers, explore a Brazilian TV promo and see which international language versions could be confirmed.
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Gardening and society
Gardening behind bars
Explore real prison gardening projects in Britain, the United States and New Zealand, from show gardens and houseplants to food and habitat restoration.
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Film guides
More films to discover
Eight films to try after Greenfingers, chosen for their gardens, unlikely friendships, second chances and people finding pride in a shared endeavour.
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