THE National Trust has joined forces with the Purbeck Film Festival to host a season of films in the grounds of Corfe Castle this summer.

Six nights of films will be screened between Thursday and next Saturday.

The works, spanning 70 years of cinematic history, will be screened against the dramatic and atmospheric backdrop of Corfe Castle's ruins.

The season ranges from Leonardo DiCaprio in Romeo & Juliet which kicks the series off on Thursday to the 1930s black and white classic The Ghost Camera which was filmed at Corfe Castle itself.

That will be shown next Thursday as part of a double feature alongside Murder at the Gallop (1963) starring Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple.

Sandwiched in between are cartoon heroes Wallace & Gromit, the delightful comedy The Titfield Thunderbolt, Lee Evans in Mousehunt and Maggie Smith in The Secret Garden.

Doors open for all films at 8.30pm, with the projection starting at 9pm. Audiences are encouraged to take rugs and warm clothes. In the event of a rainy night, organisers say the film will be shown in Corfe Village Hall.

PROGRAMME

Thursday: Romeo & Juliet (1996), starring Leonardo DiCaprio Friday: The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953) classic comedy about a branch steam line being kept open by locals Saturday: Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Thursday, August 31: Double Feature! Murder at the Gallop (1963) starring Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple and The Ghost Camera 1933 black & white classic believed to be filmed in Corfe Castle and surrounding area!

Friday, September 1: The Secret Garden, starring Maggie Smith Saturday, September 2: Mousehunt, starring Lee Evans