David Leland in Britain" won the Prix Italia (an international Television award) in 1984. In 1986 he wrote the screenplay for the thriller-drama "Mona Lisa", featuring Bob Hoskins. This film was critically acclaimed and Leland earned nominations for the Golden Globe and the Writers Guild of America. He then wrote "Personal Services" in 1986. It was directed by Terry Jones and was about Cynthia Payne, a real-life British madam who ran a private brothel. Julie Walters took the leading role. While "Personal Services" dealt with the adult life of Cynthia Payne, Leland's next film, "Wish You Were Here", concerned her teenage years.
Little Dorrit (1987 film) Together they represented overlapping chronicles. The production company which made the film, Sands Films, is run by Christine Edzard, the screenwriter and director, and her husband, Richard B. Goodwin. "Variety" wrote, "what she (Edzard) has accomplished on a small budget is astounding." and "The New York Times" noted "The cast is spectacular." The film was nominated for two Oscars: Actor in a Supporting Role (Alec Guinness) and Writing (Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium) (Christine Edzard). The Region Two DVD was released in the UK on 27 October 2008. Little Dorrit (1987 film) Little Dorrit is a 1987 film