A FILM director has outlined his idea for a multi-million pound production based on a true-life Cornish historical event which he hopes to shoot in Mount's Bay next year.

The screenplay for 1595 is an Elizabethan period drama set around the Spanish invasion of Mousehole and with a storyline based on a Magnificent Seven-style group who set out to defy the Spanish from their refuge on St Michael's Mount.

Director Steven Rhys Lewis says if his film gets off the ground he hopes to use local actors, scene-builders and costume and weaponry makers, alongside a cast of stars.

The Brighton-based director, whose psychological thriller Man in a Box, won awards in Canada, Mexico and California, admits his new venture is a "massive step up".

"It will cost around £5 million just for all the background stuff – the sets, costumes, weaponry and extras. On top of that, there are the large fees we will be paying the stars," he told The Cornishman.

"It is certainly not going to be a Hollywood-style romp – it's a serious grown-up movie, albeit with exciting action scenes.

"We have excellent contacts, a brilliant casting agent in Jeremy Zimmerman, who is a key figure in bringing it all together and a very strong script."

Mr Rhys Lewis used to be a fencer at national level and the idea for the film came from a chat with a friend who is an expert in historic fencing.

"He told me about the Spanish invasion of Mousehole, probably the last time mainland England was invaded, and it seemed to be a fascinating little footnote in history," he said.

It took Mr Rhys Lewis and co-writer Andrew Turvil 15 months and 17 re-writes to finish the script but now he is "totally focused" on the production and hopes the vast majority of the film will be shot in West Cornwall.

"We're very excited about coming to Cornwall. Although we won't be able to use Mousehole much, as it was burned down during the invasion, St Michael's Mount and Godolphin House will be key sites.

"I think the film could have tremendous benefits for the area, not only while it is being made but also long term."

Casting agent Mr Zimmerman, who has worked with such acclaimed directors as Ron Howard, Peter Yates and Richard Attenborough, says there is no guarantee the film will definitely go ahead but insists Mr Rhys Lewis has the attributes needed to do it.

"It's becoming harder and harder to get films off the ground which is a reflection on the wider economy," he said.

"But Steven is very thorough and has never made a move which he cannot back up.

"Sometimes films which have started shooting still do not get made but I believe in Steven and this project stands a very good chance."

● If you have experience of film-making, Mr Rhys Lewis would like to hear from you. E-mail his film production company, MBX Productions, at helen@mbxproductions.co.uk