Ben Wheatley film to get simultaneous cinema, TV and DVD release

A Field in England will have its multi-platform premiere on 5 July

A Field in England, the new movie from Sightseers director Ben Wheatley, will be the first UK film to be released simultaneously in cinemas, on DVD, on TV and through video-on-demand.

Wheatley's "psychedelic trip", set during the English Civil War, will have its multi-platform premiere on 5 July.

It stars Michael Smiley as an alchemist who forces a group of deserters to help him find hidden treasure.

Wheatley made his name with films including Down Terrace and Kill List.

"We have tried to innovate with this film, in production and distribution," the director said. "I'm very proud of the results and look forward to sharing the film with the audience."

Wheatley wrote and edited the film with his wife Amy Jump

The 91-minute film will be screened in a number of Picturehouse cinemas across the country.

Phil Clapp, chief executive of the Cinema Exhibitors' Association, described the release model as "an interesting experiment".

"I think exhibitors will watch carefully in terms of what the potential impact might be on cinema admissions," he told the BBC.

"I don't think this is something that will become anywhere near the norm. [But] it may be seen as appropriate for smaller or individual films."

Speaking to the BBC last year, Wheatley said A Field in England - shot in black and white - was "as different as it could be" from 2012's dark comedy Sightseers.

The cast also includes Reece Shearsmith from The League of Gentlemen and Julian Barratt of The Mighty Boosh.

The release is a partnership between Film4, Picturehouse Entertainment, 4DVD and the Film4 channel, with support from the BFI Distribution Fund.