The tale of the Weinsteins’ efforts to buy back Miramax has – for them at least – ended sadly.

Walt Disney has operated the company, founded by Bob and Harvey back in 1979, since the brothers departed in September 2005. Given that Miramax (part of the Disney empire for nearly 20 years) was named for the brothers’ parents, it is hardly surprising they were so eager to get it back.

It has emerged that the new proprietors of Miramax are to be a property magnate and the head of a financial investment outfit. Ronald Tutor and Tom Barrack now own the rights to the name and have control over a back catalogue of some 700 titles.