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 was never to know or meet his father and his mother placed him for adoption when he was 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 film which explores 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 - who now works as a professional actor. 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.
Any donations that exceed our target will go towards the creation of a book about this story.
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.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT BY MAKING A DONATION,
PLEASE CLICK HERE.
UPDATES
26th September 2025
Well, yet again the sun shone for us on another filming day for our documentary
Briefest Encounters – An Untold Love Story.
This week, Joanna and Luke headed back to Carnforth in Lancashire to gather shots at the Brief Encounter Heritage Centre and to interview the volunteers. Situated next to the platform is the lovingly preserved Refreshment Room where Laura and Alec’s unforgettable love story began and a museum full of memorabilia from the film.
Brief Encounter was filmed during World War Two and Carnforth was a chosen location because it was considered remote enough to be safe from any attacks. Interestingly, the crew and cast had to shoot between 10pm and 6am so trains could still run through the station during the day.
The Centre not only recreates the atmosphere of David Lean’s 1945 masterpiece but you really feel like you’ve gone back in time. Visitors can also enjoy sitting in the plush seats of the recently restored miniature cinema where the iconic love story is run throughout the day.
But, the museum wouldn’t exist without the volunteers, some of whom have worked there since the Heritage Centre was set up in 2003. The team is led by Robin who also creates extraordinary model railways and that includes one of Carnforth, complete with the cinema showing of course – Brief Encounter!
This week we also hit £10,000 on our campaign. We are truly grateful for all the support.
Please continue to share this story and help us reach our goal.
Thank you!
19th September 2025
Whitstable has become a favourite place for us to visit.
This seaside town on the north coast of Kent has always been a popular destination for tourists and celebrities alike and is known for its oysters as well as the famous actor Peter Cushing who lived there.
When Joanna discovered that her grandmother Janet Morrison spent the final years of her life in Whitstable (she went to look after her mother and aunt - actors Zoe and Dora Davis in their dotage) – it became a place that held poignant memories of the long lost relatives she never met.
We went to film in Whitstable a few weeks ago and the sun was out and the town full of visitors which lent it a cheerful atmosphere.
But in truth, it seems that Janet wasn’t as happy to live here as some. She had gone through duty to look after her relatives at the family home of Pear Tree Cottage and by all accounts was planning to go on her travels again. Known as ‘Madame Pear Tree – the Lady from the BBC – she was found dead in her home, alone, at the age of 66.
The cottage which must have given her a measure of sanctuary and the garden, salt air and sea some peace, this was the place where Janet would have reflected on her life and losses. Waiting for things that never quite arrived.
Joanna had the chance to stay at Pear Tree a few years ago when it was a holiday let and she went there with her three children, Skye, Merrick and Sedona and the family dog – a large and rather badly behaved Bouvier des Flandres. It was so special for them to be in the former home of their ancestors.
On this occasion Luke captured some beautiful shots of the sea and the evening light and we reflected on how Janet would have taken some solace and comfort from these elements when in so many ways her life hadn’t been full of the fun, laughter and opportunities that she must have once hoped for.
5th September 2025
If we could have picked two dream locations for filming our documentary Briefest Encounters it would have been at the Little Theatre cinema and the Theatre Royal in Bath.
Unbelievably, we got to film at both this week and we had an artist in residence to record this very special day!
We took over Screen Two at the Little Cinema where Manager Mason put footage of Joanna’s father Nicholas up on the big screen and she and her actor daughter Sedona reflected on his life and adoption.
Ironically, Nicholas probably went to the cinema to see the iconic David Lean film Brief Encounter when it was released back in 1945 never realising that he was watching his father playing the faithful and cuckolded husband in the heart-breaking film. Also, Nic adored drama, acting and films throughout his life.
In the afternoon we relocated to the Theatre Royal Bath. Luke set up his four cameras and monitors on the main stage with help from partner Dan and Henry at the TRB who sorted lighting and props.
It was an extraordinary moment to record how Sedona had literally been treading in the same theatrical footsteps as her great grandparents who had been on that same stage as her decades before.
Cyril Raymond and Janet Morrison had both performed on several occasions at the TRB during their lifetimes and Janet had made a notable performance in Pollyanna and had been celebrated as the ‘youngest leading lady’ of her time.
One hundred years later, almost to the day, Sedona Rose made her acting debut on that same stage when she was 11 years old in the Musical Annie and went on to perform there as a professional actor.
These moments were beautifully captured by award winning Bath artist Ben Hughes who did a series of pen and ink drawings as a memento of the occasion.
For Luke, the day carried its own full-circle significance. He met Sedona when they were both working at the Egg Theatre 14 years ago and she told him about the extraordinary story of her great-grandparents Janet and Cyril. He was later introduced to Joanna and they have been working together ever since but making this documentary is their most important and meaningful work to date.
It was also Luke’s birthday AND our campaign reached £8,000!
Thank you for all your support and please keep sharing our fundraiser to tell one of the greatest love stories never told.
#BriefestEncounters #DocumentaryFilm #Storytelling #LoveStory #UntoldStories #LittleTheatreBath #TheatreRoyalBath #PicturehouseCinemas #CinemaHistory #StageAndScreen #FamilyLegacy #GenerationsOnStage #TheatreHistory #FilmHeritage
29th August 2025
This week we’ve been planning our filming for September, which includes heading up to Carnforth to film in the Heritage Centre and the famous Brief Encounter Tea Room.
It’s been a truly exciting time as we also plan our filming at the The Little Theatre Cinema in Bath next week, followed by an afternoon at the City’s Theatre Royal Bath. Joanna will be joined by her daughter, actor Sedona Rose, as together they reflect on their family’s theatrical history and their deep ties to Bath and the South West.
It feels especially meaningful to share this part of the story in Bath, where Joanna raised her three children and where Luke was born and grew up. Discovering Joanna’s familial connection to the city and its theatre has been a remarkable revelation - uncovering a history she never knew existed, in the very place she calls home.
Today, we’ve been diving into boxes of archives, piecing together more of the story for the documentary. Amongst the treasures are rare photographs of Joanna’s father Nicholas and his parents, Janet and Cyril. Joanna’s sister has also shared some remarkable albums and scrapbooks filled with clippings, articles and memories from across Nicholas’s life.
We’re especially looking forward to filming on Monday 1st September - which happens to be Luke’s birthday too!
We’re delighted to share that we’ve now raised over £7,500 towards production costs. A huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far - your support means the world and is helping us bring this very special story to life. Please continue to share and donate if you can, to keep supporting the Arts.
Donate today: https://www.indiegogo.com/.../briefest.../x/38658911...
#BriefEncounter #Carnforth #HeritageCentre #LittleTheatreBath #TheatreRoyalBath #TheatreHeritage #BritishTheatre #FamilyHistory #BathUK #SouthWestArts #DocumentaryFilm #ArchiveStories #SupportTheArts
Archives, archives, archives!
26th August 2025
We’re delighted to share that fundraising for Briefest Encounters is off to a flying start!
We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of the donations received so far and it has given us a huge confidence boost for this deeply meaningful project.
A special thank you to our major backers, Penn and Richard Wall, who join us as Executive Producers and members of 'Cyril's Circle.'
In just the past week, we’ve raised an incredible £7,675! This not only makes a vital contribution toward our production costs but also stands as a powerful reminder of the ongoing support for the arts.
Thank you to those who have donated to our project.
We’d love for you to continue sharing our campaign and donating if you can - it truly makes all the difference.
Thank you for standing with us on our most meaningful film project to date.
#BriefestEncounters #FilmCommunity #SupportTheArts #IndependentFilm #FilmMakers #ThankYou #Gratitude #Storytelling
21st August 2025
🎥 Filming with Anthony Pratt for Briefest Encounters 🎬
Filming is well underway for Briefest Encounters and we began with a very special interview. 💜
We met with Anthony Pratt - who is Brief Encounter actor Cyril Raymond’s nephew.
Anthony was close to Cyril, whose second marriage was to his aunt, actor Gillian Lind. As well as his moving recollections, he also shared an incredible collection of photos and archives - including Cyril’s original Brief Encounter shooting script. 📽️
“He was a lovely man - very calm, very quiet, very composed. A gentleman. Very funny too.”
Anthony’s moving memories capture the essence of Cyril’s character in a way no archive ever could - revealing the man behind the actor and the quiet dignity that defined both his life and his performances.
✨ We’re so grateful to Anthony for sharing his stories and memories.
Take a look at some behind-the-scenes footage below, with a snippet of Anthony’s reflections that will feature in our documentary. 🎬
Please keep sharing our campaign and help us to make this film a reality.
CLICK HERE
Thank you for your support.
Joanna and Luke x
A behind-the-scenes look at our filming with Anthony Pratt.
OUR SUPPORTERS
(Updated 26th September 2025 12:12)
With thanks to our generous supporters:
Alphabetical Order
Carol Anstey
Miranda Armitage
Renee Bajor
Vanessa Banks Coursimault
Sally Bennett
Pamela Barton
Madeline Blackburn
Tina Butler
Seana Brennan
Philippa Clarke
Ronald Darlington
Mary Davis
James Eynon
Annette and Bob Farrer
Tessa Ferguson
Helen Friel
Hilary Goodlet
Daniel Grist
Cathryn Hayes
Anne Hassett
Poppy Hocken
Lesley Houston
Trish Jennery
Rosie Jones
Hilary Gail Jopling
Bryony Keen
Andrew Kingsley
Jo & Al Lord
Skye Lyon
Mila Mackenzie
Liam Macauley
Nigel Mackintosh
Maya Monro-Somerville
Kelveen Morgan-Griffiths
Terry Mullen
Laura and James Nicholas
Kelly Nicholson
Claire Payne
Natasha Powell
Anthony Pratt
Julian Smithers
Eileen Speight
Peter Sutcliffe
Gary and Gill Taylor
Jamie Taylor
Chaya Tagore
Kim Townsend
Carly Thomas
Lisa Tugwell
Dr Emily Wall
Penny and Richard Wall
Walshe Family
Caroline Wyatt
For GDPR reasons we are unable to feature the names of contributors who have not selected a perk on Indiegogo or have requested to remain anonymous.