A NEW exhibition will shine a spotlight on a historic hall's cinematic past.
Lights, Camera, Brontë explores East Riddlesden Hall's long-standing relationship with movie and TV productions.
The 17th-century property has been a popular filming location for more than 100 years.
Taking centre stage in the exhibition, being held at the National Trust property from Saturday (February 14), are three major adaptations of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights – a pioneering 1920 silent film, the 1992 production featuring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, and the 2009 ITV series starring Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley.
Visitors can discover how directors used the hall's Great Barn, house interiors and grounds to bring the world created by Emily Brontë to life.
Original film stills and production materials, and recreated sets based on the surviving screenplay of the 1920 film, offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the classic story has been reimagined for the screen across generations.
In addition to Wuthering Heights, the hall has served as the backdrop for a wide range of productions. A timeline charts appearances in The Meaning of Life, Sharpe’s Justice, Lost in Austen, Gunpowder and Anne Boleyn.
The exhibition also highlights the legacy of the Brigg family, which helped preserve both East Riddlesden Hall and the literary heritage of the Brontës.
John Jeremy Brigg, a founding member and later chair of the Brontë Society, played a key role in saving the hall from demolition in the 1930s.
An oak buffet linked to the Brontës, believed by some to be the inspiration for the 'pewter-bearing dresser' in the opening chapter of Wuthering Heights, is among the pieces that will be on display.
Amy Gregory, house and collections officer at the hall, says: "With its dramatic stone facade, romantic rose windows and striking architecture, East Riddlesden Hall has been an irresistible filming location for over 100 years.
"The hall may not be the largest National Trust property but its scale, architecture and atmosphere offer visitors an evocative glimpse into the world Emily Brontë imagined.
"This exhibition celebrates the creativity and imagination that continue to bring her story to life.
"Though modest in size, the hall remains a place where past and present meet – its historic character offering a window into the world of the Brontës, while its role as a community space welcomes families, school groups and film crews alike."
The exhibition – which will run until May 20 – is free, but normal hall admission charges apply.
