A KEEN historian is to see his thriller-style books made into films for the big screen.

Dr Mark Felton uncovers untold tales from history.

Now he is finding the stories being made into films by famous film producers.

Production company Entertainment One has offered him a contract to take up the rights to Castle of the Eagles: Escape from Mussolini’s Colditz, a narrative true story.

Author and historian Dr Felton, who is from Colchester and went to Essex University, said: “I’m pleased so far with what’s been going on.

“I have met with the producers and I have been providing historical background. It’s nice to be included, it’s pretty exciting.”

The company has previously worked on films including The Woman in Black starring Daniel Radcliffe, Eye in the Sky and Suite Francaise.

The new film follows a top British soldier who is captured by Italian forces in north Africa during the Second World War.

Dr Felton will get a first look at the script for the film early next year. It is being written by screenwriter Jeff Pope.

Jeff ’s recent work includes Philomena, for which he and Steve Coogan received an Academy Award nomination and a BAFTA award, Little Boy Blue and Cilla.

Producing the film are Xavier Marchand and Brad Luff.

Xavier’s recent credits include Spotlight, Eye in the Sky, Tracks and The Woman in Black.

Brad Luff ’s credits include the new US TV series Siren, and Parker with Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez.

Another of Dr Felton’s wartime escape tales, Zero Night, is being written as a film script by Yolanda Ramke, who has just co- directed the zombie movie Cargo starring Martin Freeman.

The Zero Night film is being produced at Essential Media by Simonne Overend and Ian Collie, who recently produced Saving Mr Banks, which starred Tom Hanks and Colin Farrell, and the TV shows Rake and Jack Irish.

Dr Felton’s passion for recalling history in a creative way has grabbed the attention of film buffs across the globe.

He said: “I really enjoy World War Two, it’s a fascinating subject that keeps on giving and I’m digging up stories which have been forgotten.

“It’s attracted a lot of attention so I must be doing the right thing.”

He has just finished writing Ghost Riders, about a daring US raid behind German lines in April 1945 to rescue the famous Lipizzaner horses from the famed Spanish Riding School. It will be out in the US and UK next year.

He is now working on another new Second World War story and both projects have already been highlighted as potential films.

He said: “It’s about the Holocaust and how US soldiers were caught up in it. It’s an unknown story but it will shock, amaze and enthral readers.

“It’s an amazing story of survival.”