Anthony Minghella
Conclusion

Would the product make a profit? Could its star-studded cast be relied upon to draw a guaranteed audience? Might the director's Oscar-winning status raise expectations? Would publicity and promotional material manufacture the audiences needed for the film to realise a profit? Miramax Films' Harvey Weinstein, who took the biggest financial risk (£48m) of his career with 'Cold Mountain', concludes:

It's too early to predict the ultimate outcome for 'Cold Mountain', but the film has opened to strong box office, has been embraced by numerous reviewers, and has already made its mark in terms of award nominations. But beyond all this, for me, it will always be a film that resonates in a more profound way. Every day, we read the cold statistics of war - the loss of soldiers from Britain, from the US, and in other conflicts around the world. We read about soldiers shot down in a helicopter. For most of us, it's just another name in a newspaper. But behind every one is a family who have suffered this devastating loss, and who are going to have to find the strength and courage to go on.