Closing out the 62nd BFI London Film Festival was the world premiere of Stan & Ollie, a film from Filth director Jon S Baird, screenwriter Jeff Pope (Philomena) and producer Faye Ward, following the British tours of legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy in the 1950s, with Steve Coogan and John C Reilly perfectly cast as the comedic pair. Alongside them, often with their own tête-à-tête ongoing, are Shirley Henderson and Nina Arianda as partners Lucille and Ida.

We hit the red carpet to chat with cast and crew about the film.

A Scottish-quilt-and-bowler-hat-clad Coogan and Reilly stopped to tell us about what made Laurel and Hardy such comedy greats, how they prepared for their respective roles and the fun they had working together.

Rufus Jones also spoke with us about playing Bernard Delfont and what a fan he was of the comedy pair.

Pope spoke about the off-screen relationship between the double act that inspired him to write the feature.

Amanda Nevill, CEO of the BFI, spoke to us about why she chose Stan & Ollie for the closing Gala.

By Sarah Bradbury. First published on The Upcoming on 24th October 2018.
Videos: Marta Starczynowska

Stan & Ollie is released nationwide on 11th January 2019. Read our review here.

Read more reviews and interviews from our London Film Festival 2018 coverage here.

For further information about the festival visit the official BFI website here.

Watch the trailer for Stan & Ollie here: