Netflix film based on life of Dave Fishwick premieres in Burnley

The biopic, which follows the life of self-made millionaire and former minibus salesman Dave Fishwick as he goes about trying to set up the first new bank in more than 150 years, got its first showing at the town’s Reel Cinema.

Rory Kinnear as Dave Fishwick (Image: Netflix)

Starring Rory Kinnear, of James Bond fame, Joel Fry who is most famous for being in Plebs, and Phoebe Dynevor, daughter of Coronation Street legend Sally Dynevor, the film was projected to be the next feel-good British movie of the decade, and it didn’t disappoint.

The cast and crew of Bank of Dave (Image: Netlfix)

Billed by Dave himself as the “first Hollywood film ever to premiere outside London”, the debut showing was attended by Rory Kinnear and Jo Hartley, who plays Dave’s wife Nicola, as well as MPs for Burnley and Pendle, Anthony Higginbotham and Andrew Stephenson.

Wholesome, fun, heart-warming, ridiculous in parts, relatable in others, the film, which was shot in and around Burnley and Colne, as well as in Dave’s actual house in Sabden, was everything and more you could expect from a true-ish story, and has firmly put Burnley on the map.

Dave Fishwick (Image: Netflix)

The home changing rooms at Burnley FC's Turf Moor also make an appearance in the film; Mr Fishwick sponsored a stand at the Clarets' home ground.

Rory Kinnear, as Dave, was spot on – from his accent to his mannerisms, with Dave even saying, “he looks more like me than I do”.

Joel Fry ad Dave's lawyer Hugh, and Rory Kinnear as Dave Fishwick (Image: Netflix)

Streaming site Netflix acquired the rights to the film last year, with financing and distribution arm of talent agency WME International handling worldwide sales.

Written by Piers Ashworth and directed by Chris Foggin, the film is based on the real-life experiences of Dave, a working-class Burnley man and self-made millionaire, who fought against all the odds to set up a community bank so he could help the local businesses of Burnley thrive.

Dave Fishwick and Rory Kinnear (Image: Netflix)

Channel 4 documentary Bank Of Dave, which aired in 2012, chronicled how Dave, and his right hand man David Henshaw, took on the elitist financial institutions of London and fought to receive the first, new banking licence to be issued in Britain in more than 100 years.

The story of the down-to-earth businessman sticking up for ordinary people struck a chord with television viewers.

Jo Hartley as Dave's wife, and Rory Kinnear as Dave (Image: Netflix)

Burnley Savings & Loans Ltd still operates in Keirby Walk in Dave’s beloved Burnley.

The film is available to stream now on Netflix.