For years the truth about Jeffrey Archer was suppressed for reasons of state security. He took the blame selflessly, suffered abuse, disgrace and imprisonment for the nation's good.

Now, finally, he's free to tell his story. And from The Beatles to Blair, from Lady Archer to Lady Thatcher, at last the shocking facts can be revealed. It's a story of intrigue, jealousy, passion and romance.

With characteristic modesty, Archer charts his stratospheric rise to fame and fortune, revealing details of his friendships with the great and the good and exposing the malign forces who sought to destroy him. This is a tale of conspiracy, heroism and romance - and a good deal of it is true.

Damian Lewis stars as Jeffrey Archer in the irreverent comedy by Guy Jenkin (Drop the Dead Donkey). Greta Scacchi plays Mrs Thatcher, while Ben Miller is Archer's fictional nemesis, Roland Moxley-Nemesis, and Richard Griffiths is Willie Whitelaw.

Jenkin describes the film as "an alternative history of modern Britain, which owes more to Naked Gun than to Jonathan Swift."

He reveals that his portrait of Archer may well augment the nation's knowledge of, and fascination with, the dynamic politician.

"My Jeffrey Archer is the man who has frequently saved Britain over the last 30 years. He's beloved of all women he comes across, all men, all dogs - he's a superhero,'' he says.

To prepare for this demanding role Damian Lewis immersed himself in the noble pursuits of the great man: "I'm learning how to hurdle, I'm learning how to dance, I'm learning how to make love. Because, as we all know, these are things that Jeffrey does amazingly."