IT stars two Oscar winners and tells an astonishing international story of hate and forgiveness.

But the multi-million-pound The Railway Man, featuring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman, has premiered in a provincial arts centre in Berwick, rather than a glitzy red-carpeted venue in Hollywood or Cannes.

Producers showed the movie in the border town first because this was the home of the real-life heros of its story, Scots war hero Eric Lomax and his wife Patti.

Edinburgh-born Mr Lomax died during filming, but Mrs Lomax, 75, who lives in Berwick, was promised first sight of the film.

The film shows how Mrs Lomax helped her husband overcome terrible hatred after his release from PoW camps, which included working on the Burma Death Railway.

Mrs Lomax arranged a meeting with a Japanese interpreter her husband singled out for ire. The man, Nagasi Takashi, had interrogated him during torture.

Mr Takashi, had - unknown to Mr Lomax - been consumed with guilt over his role in the war. Their reunion was to help both men find peace of mind.

Mrs Lomax loved the film which she saw in a private showing. She said: "It was a weird experience, but I think it is very good. It's Eric's story and it is very well done. Nicole plays her part very well and Colin is excellent, as he always is."

Firth befriended the couple. When Mr Lomax died in October, aged 93, he said: "I found him a delight. You felt overwhelmed by the enormity of his story."

The film, based on a book of the same name and also starring Jeremy Irvine as a young Lomax, will be released in January. It is also to be shown in Japan.

Mrs Lomax is now expected to attend the film's full premiere - complete with red carpets - at the Toronto Film Festival next month.

Mrs Lomax added: "It is being shown in a a 2000-seat concert hall, so I am glad I am prepared for it by seeing the film first."