MUMBAI: RAI Cinema, has acquired one hundred critically acclaimed films to air across their channels.

The RAI Cinema deal includes a large portfolio of restored and re-mastered high definition films, including Henry V; starring Laurence Olivier. Also included are Alfred Hitchcock’s masterful The Lady Vanishes; starring Margaret Lockwood, Brief Encounter; starring Trevor Howard, Sophie’s Choice; starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline and Black Narcissus, starring Deborah Kerr and Jean Simmons.

The RAI Cinema deal was brokered by Gioia Avvantaggiato at GA&A and ITV Studios Global Entertainment senior sales executive – Italian Speaking Europe Andre Renaud, who said, "These acquired films are each shimmering jewels that have rightfully found their home in Italy with RAI. The films will perfectly complement previous high-quality acquisitions by RAI from ITV Studios, such as Agatha Christie’s Marple and Murdoch Mysteries."

ITV Studios Global Entertainment has restored and re-mastered the classic This Sporting Life. The film will be unveiled to TV, VOD and home entertainment buyers in high definition at MIPTV 2010 on Monday, 12 April.

Directed by Lindsay Anderson and written by David Storey, This Sporting Life stars Richard Harris and Rachel Roberts . The critically celebrated film was Oscar and BAFTA nominated, and winner at the 1960 Macmillan Fiction Award and 1963 Cannes Film Festival.

ITV Studios Global Entertainment director Operations Fiona Maxwell said, “ITV Studios Global Entertainment proudly represents the Rank, Rohauer, Romulus, Korda and ITC film catalogues, which collectively are acknowledged as the World’s largest Classic British film archive. ITV Studios incorporates a dedicated restoration unit. Over the past two years this specialist team has overseen restoring many important classic films remastering them to high-definition, including The Ipcress File, The 39 Steps and The Red Shoes – In partnership with The Film Foundation, the UCLA Archive and the BFI."