EXACTLY one hundred years after the cry of "It's a wrap!" ended the filming of early silent movie 'Ivanhoe' in Chepstow Castle, the film is to get two special screenings in the castle where most of it was filmed, to celebrate the centenary of the making of the film.

One of the first Hollywood films to be made outside of the USA, 'Ivanhoe' was produced by Herbert Brenon, and starred the-then major film star King Baggot in the title role. Filming finished on July 15 1913, and it was on general release by the following September.

The filming took place over more than four weeks, and involved a cast of 500 people and 50 horses. The storyline, a loose adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's novel of the same name, included a lavish battle scene, involving hundreds of local people as 'supers' (extras) in full medieval costumes. The film shows extensive shots of the castle – with the walls completely covered in ivy.

The two presentations of the film, set to take place on a big screen in Chepstow Castle, will see the audience protected by the new canopy, to shield them from the elements, and will take place on Saturday 13 and Sunday July 14. The gates open at 7.30pm for picnics, before a pre-screening choral concert organised by the leader of Chepstow, Usk and Lydney singing clubs, Karl Daymond. The choir will be dressed in full medieval costume, which has come from the Glyndebourne Opera Company. The concert starts at 8.30pm, and the film will be shown after darkness falls.

Karl will also be playing piano

accompaniment for the 48-minute movie, including music that was composed in 1913.

Tickets are £5 and are available from Chepstow Museum, details on 01291 625981.