Frost/Nixon the movie is festival's power opener

THE 52nd London Film Festival opened with the world premiere of a movie that started just round the corner from its showing in Leicester Square.

Frost/Nixon by Peter Morgan began as a play at the Donmar Warehouse more than two years ago with Michael Sheen as broadcaster David Frost and Frank Langella disgraced American president Richard Nixon.

The story of how Frost risked all to secure interviews with President Nixon about the Watergate affair went on to the West End and to Broadway. It made it to the big screen after US director Ron Howard fell for the piece.

Last night, Sheen and Langella, who reprised their stage roles on screen, paid tribute to the small theatre where it incubated. Langella added: "I was so happy it was to open the London Film Festival because its life began here."

Sir David Frost, and Lord Birt, the ex-BBC head who produced the Nixon interviews, praised the "powerful" film. Sir John said it brought back memories. "It was the most important television programme I ever produced," he said.

The festival continues for a fortnight.

Amanda Nevill, director of the British Film Institute, which organises the event, said 80 per cent of the 124,000 tickets were already sold.

"It's a sign that film viewed in the cinema is alive and healthy," she said.