The studio came about through Sir Bernard Delfont, then head of EMI Films. Reading the script of Monty Pythons Life of Brian and turning it down days before filming was due to start, Eric Idle told George Harrison about the problem in conversation and George said that he would find the money and so, Handmade Films were formed in 1978, Long Good Friday after being made was going to be dropped until Bob Hoskins in talking to Eric said that he must have made a fortune with Brian did he want to buy a film. Eric saw it and past it onto Handmade, Other successful films that have come their way include Mona Lisa, The Missionary, Private Function, Water, Bellman and True,Lonely Passioon of Judith Hearne, Withnail and Time Bandits,