We were particularly thinking about people who were not able to fully enjoy a trip to the movies with their family because they could not see or hear the film

Teri Kelly Moviehouse

Subtitles have been developed to move in sync with the film, both relaying the dialogue and describing the action sounds in text to improve the experience for deaf people.

Blind people are provided with headphone sets which relay additional narration describing the visual action in the film.

The infra-red open-ear design allows the user to listen to the narrative in tandem with the full original film soundtrack.

Six-month trial

DTS, which has developed the new system, is an international digital technology company specialising in multi-channel audio.

The system projects subtitles directly onto the screen instead of etching or over-laying them onto the film itself.

The trial at the Belfast threatre of the locally-owned Moviehouse cinema chain is for six months initially.

It is part of our company philosophy to make movie going as accessible and enjoyable to as many members of the public as we can

Movie House MD Michael McAdam

Teri Kelly from the Moviehouse told BBC News Online: "We wanted to make the films as accessible as possible to everyone.

"We were particularly thinking about people who were not able to fully enjoy a trip to the movies with their family because they could not see or hear the film."

Community groups and charities who work for blind and deaf people have been invited to attend the matinee showings which start at 1400 GMT and 1700 GMT on Friday.

Mrs Kelly said: "We want to get some feedback on how effective they find the new system.

"We hope that if it is a success, Lord of the Rings and Behind Enemy Lines will be the next movies in the pipeline."

Movie House Managing Director Michael McAdam said: "Initially this new service will be available only during selected showings so that we can gauge interest in it.

"It is part of our company philosophy to make movie going as accessible and enjoyable to as many members of the public as we can."

The UK trial of the system has been encouraged by the Cinema Exhibitor Association which it is hoping to promote greater access to the visually and audibly impaired sectors of the community.

The CEA hosted a Working Disability Group including Film Distributors, Exhibitors, the RNIB and the RNID to manage the introduction of the system to the 11 trial cinemas across the UK.

The ticket prices the special showings at the Moviehouse are the same as for all other showings.