MA Major Production, 2007.

A father in search of his son. A beast in search of its prey.

Following a chain of brutal child deaths in a secluded North Yorkshire village, a local farmer journeys out into the wilds to discover the fate of his missing son. Whilst searching, he begins to track a predatory, cat-like animal, which roams The Dales. After uncovering the dreadful truth, the farmer must now face the creature alone in a final confrontation of man versus beast.

The Wilds premiered as part of the 2007 Leeds International Film Festival and is currently being submitted to festivals by The Northern Film School.

Following the introduction of The Dangerous Wild Animals Act in 1976, owners of exotic pets were legally required to be licensed. Rather then comply with the terms of the Act, it is suspected that many private collectors released their animals into the wild. It is thought that some have managed to live on and breed and the numbers currently roaming the countryside could be increasing. 2,123 sightings of large, wild cats were reported between April 2004 and July 2005 in the United Kingdom.

Starring Steve Granger as The Farmer

Katey Purkiss-McEndoo as The Farmer's Wife
Benjamin Purkiss-McEndoo as The Son

with Pip as The Farmer’s Dog
Dog Handler: Dennis Craggs

Director: Matthew David Ridley
Screenplay: Matthew David Ridley and Sam Hollis
Producers: Matthew David Ridley and Sam Hollis
Executive Producers: Nick Wright, Sue Palmer, Matthew David Ridley
Director of Photography: Adam Conlon
Editor: Tamsin Spivey
Post Production Sound Designer, Mixer and Foley Artist: Tim Gait
Make-up Effects Artist: Nina J. Harper
Art Department: Darren Bean, Sofia Katsoura, Rosy Lubrani, Mike Scott
Casting: NE Representation
Catering and Craft Service: Susan Ridley and Sheila Robinson
Transportation: Krishna Francis, Ben Liversidge, Gemma Ovens, John Ridley, Susan Ridley
Armourer and Weapon Effects Co-ordinator: Darren Bean
Health and Safety Supervisor: Jim Hemingway
Assistant Director: Vangeli Voudouris
Location Sound Recordist and Boom Operator: Matt Holloway
Script Supervisor and Continuity: Tamsin Spivey
Stills Photographer and Video Documentation: Gemma Ovens
Gaffer: Joe Macdonald
Steadicam Operator: Michael Marriage
Camera Operators: Adam Conlon and Oskar Idin
Camera Assistants: Christopher Devlin and Oskar Idin
Sparks: Cameron Macgregor and Ivan Szabo

© MMVII Leeds Metropolitan University
School of Film, Television and Performing Arts