BRIEFEST ENCOUNTERS
An Untold Love Story
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BRIEFEST ENCOUNTERS
David Lean’s iconic Brief Encounter marks its 80th anniversary this year. Our documentary reveals a hidden love story behind the film. This is the real life Brief Encounter inextricably linked with the film of the same name.
Two actors meet on a Broadway stage in 1929 and have a passionate affair and the result is a child born out of wedlock. But that boy is never to know or meet his father and his mother gives him up for adoption when he is just four years old. This documentary tells the true life love story which revolves around a series of brief encounters and missed opportunities that in the end take their toll on the lead players.
Brief Encounter is an iconic and groundbreaking film, one of the first to explore the quiet heartbreak of forbidden love. It captures the emotional turmoil of two strangers who fall for each other but cannot be together. Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard brought that heartbreak to life on screen as Laura Jesson and Dr. Alec Harvey. But off-screen, a quieter, even more tragic love story was unfolding - one that’s never been told. Until now.
Celia Johnson (left) who played Laura Jesson and Cyril Raymond (right) who played Fred Jesson in Brief Encounter.
Briefest Encounters uncovers the hidden past of actor Cyril Raymond, who played Fred Jesson - Laura’s dependable husband in the film. In an uncanny twist of fate, Cyril himself experienced a ‘brief encounter’ with fellow actor Janet Morrison during a transatlantic stage production. Their love resulted in the birth of a son, Nicholas - a child who would never know his true parents. Born into a prestigious theatrical family, Nicholas was ultimately placed for adoption at the age of four.
This film is about more than one lost love - it’s about three intertwined lives, missed chances and the emotional cost of convention. It is a testament to a hidden history and a reflection of the very themes that make Brief Encounter timeless: longing, restraint and the heartbreak of what might have been.
With your help, we can finally bring this extraordinary true story to light.
Cyril Raymond (left), Janet Morrison (right) and their son Nicholas (centre)..
ABOUT US
Meaningful Films create powerful content about people and subjects that matter most in today’s society. Our projects look at issues from death to disability and homelessness and everything in between. The ultimate aim is to raise awareness and bring about positive change in the world, by giving people information so they can make informed choices. Covering all aspects of video production, Meaningful Films creates beautifully crafted work that brings our clients’ stories to life.
Joanna and Luke produce thought provoking films with impact using sensitive interviewing techniques and creative filmmaking giving companies, charities and individuals a platform to share the work they do.
Joanna and Luke met nearly 15 years ago - at the theatre, where Luke worked with Joanna's daughter Sedona. At the time, Luke was studying filmmaking at university and began collaborating with Joanna on projects that needed a videographer. That early creative partnership grew into a lasting working relationship.
Joanna has worked for ITV, BBC, IRN, GMTV, C4 and C5 as an in-house trainer and for many of these organisations as an on screen journalist and presenter. She is also the author of five published books.
Luke has worked in the video production sector since 2011, working with leading brands, charities and organisations across the UK.
HOW WILL YOUR DONATION HELP?
Your donation will help us bring this powerful story to the screen. Documentaries need a wide range of resources - from paying crew and interviewees and travel expenses. It will also help cover location costs, securing permissions, licensing precious archive material and ensuring the film meets professional standards through post-production and a BBFC age rating.
With your support, we can also host screenings that allow this forgotten love story to be shared. Our ultimate aim is to bring the finished documentary to streaming platforms so it can reach viewers around the world and be entered into film festivals.
WHERE WILL THE FILM BE AVAILABLE?
The film will premiere at our local cinema in Bath on 26th November 2025, following a special screening of Brief Encounter to mark its 80th anniversary. The evening will also include a live Q&A with the filmmakers.
We will also screen the documentary at the Carnforth Heritage Centre - the original setting of Brief Encounter - with the aim of making the film freely available to museum visitors in the future.
Following its release, we plan to submit the documentary to film festivals worldwide, before making it available on streaming platforms.
RISKS AND CHALLENGES
As with any independent filmmaking there are challenges we may face during production. These include:
Funding shortfalls: While we are budgeting carefully, unexpected costs (such as licensing rare archive material or extending filming days) could arise. Your support helps us prepare for these scenarios with flexibility as well as cover basic filming, editing and travel costs.
Scheduling and logistics: Coordinating interviews, travel and location access can be complex, especially when working across multiple regions and tight timelines. We are building in contingency time and working to minimise disruption.
Rights and clearances: Gaining permissions for archive footage, images and music can sometimes be time-consuming and/or costly. We are already in discussions with key rights holders and will prioritise transparency and proper licensing.
Post-production and distribution: Editing, colour grading, sound mixing and BBFC classification all take time and resources. Additionally, while we aim to secure a streaming release, distribution timelines can vary and are sometimes outside our control. However, we are committed to exploring every route to bring the finished film to audiences worldwide.
Despite these potential challenges, we are fully committed to completing this project. With your backing, we can bring this extraordinary true story to life - and give it the platform it deserves.
Janet Morrison (above).
Cyril Raymond (above).
THANK YOU
Joanna with her father Nicholas.
When Joanna first discovered her father's story, she knew it had to be told. Now, decades later, with all the pieces finally in place, it’s time to share it with the world. Thank you for your support and becoming part of the Briefest Encounters story.