The BFI National Archive andGranada International have announced a new plan to restore and preserve eightclassics by David Lean before 2008, the centenary of his birth.

The David Lean Foundationhas funded the initiative, which will preserve In Which We Serve (1942), ThisHappy Breed (1944), Blithe Spirit(1945), Brief Encounter (1945), Great Expectations (1946), Oliver Twist (1948), The Passionate Friends (1948) and Madeleine (1949).

Previously, Summer Madness (1955) was restored froma collaboration of the BFI National Archive, the Academy Film Archive and theFoundation.

Two other Lean titles, Great Expectations from 1946 and Oliver Twist from 1948, have beenrestored and will screen at this year's Times BFI London Film Festival and willbe re-released by the BFI in March 2007.

Revenues from theatricaldistribution of all the titles will be shared by BFI and Park Circus, which is Granada's licensee.

Fiona Maxwell, director of operations& servicing at Granada International, said: "This is a major projectfeaturing the cinema heritage of a world-class director whose importance goesfar beyond Britain. We are delighted to be able to collaborate with theBFI on these restorations in the run-up to the David Lean Centenary."