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Brides-ted Resuscitated - reprieve as Aloysius the bear is set to appear in Ł10million movie adaptation of classic English novel

Updated 07:28am on 19 May 2008

To purists, he was an essential part of that classic English novel Brideshead Revisited.

So they were aghast when it was revealed Aloysius the teddy bear would not feature in the Ł10million movie adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's upper-class saga.

However, as our picture reveals, Lord Sebastian Flyte's furry companion has been granted a reprieve – even if he has lost rather a lot of weight since last seen in the 1981 TV version.

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Punt: The new Aloysius with Ben Whishaw in Ł10million adaptation of Brideshead Revisted

Aloysius will, after all, be seen cosseted in the arms of the effete central character, this time played by Ben Whishaw, as he and Oxford University friend Charles Ryder enjoy a hedonistic student life before their worlds diverge.

Sir John Mortimer, who scripted the ITV series 27 years ago, led the protest when it appeared Aloysius was being axed.

He said the bear was an integral character and a symbol of Sebastian not growing up.

But the new film's producer Ken Loader said yesterday: "Rumours of Aloysius's death have been greatly exaggerated.

"As the more observant will note, the new Aloysius is smaller than the original. He's much more discreet.

"Several bears were considered and this one was the best looking. He is a genuinely old bear."

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Stars: Anthony Andrews and a bigger Aloysius in the 1981 TV series

Loader emphasised the importance of Aloysius to the story by adding: "The first time Charles sees Sebastian is when he's crossing a bridge.

"Sebastian is being punted down the Cherwell in Oxford and Charles catches sight of this unworldly figure drinking champagne with his teddy bear.

"And Aloysius is at the lunch when Charles actually meets Sebastian. He also goes to Venice with Sebastian. He's a very well travelled bear."

The Aloysius used in the TV series is now 101 years old and was not considered for the part, having retired to the Teddy Bears of Witney shop and museum near Oxford.

The TV production made stars of Anthony Andrews as Sebastian and Jeremy Irons as Charles.

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Stroll: Emma Thompson as Lady Marchmain and Matthew Goode as Ryder

And the movie version has an all British cast, with Match Point star Matthew Goode as Ryder and Sir Michael Gambon and Emma Thompson as Lord and Lady Marchmain, Sebastian's parents.

The film is due out in September. Loader said of the performances: "Ben Whishaw is extraordinary and Emma Thompson just fantastic."

Sebastian's sister Julia Flyte is played by Hayley Atwell, while Castle Howard in North Yorkshire again becomes Brideshead – as revealed in these exclusive pictures.

Loader said: "In many ways we didn't want to go back there, but in the end it was just right. It fits so well with the period and Catholic atmosphere."