Reach for the Sky was a box-office hit in 1956 and rightly remains a fondly regarded classic of British cinema. Kenneth More is ideally cast as Douglas Bader, the gifted pilot who loses both legs in a pre-war air crash, only to play a major role in the Battle of Britain, rise to the rank of Group Captain and become a war hero. Based on Paul Brickhill's biography, this is an "official" history maybe, but Lewis Gilbert's screenplay and direction are historically accurate and informed by that very British humour, of which More was a natural. The film is graced by a decent supporting cast and a typically "widescreen" score from John Addison. On the DVD: Reach for the Sky is vividly reproduced in 16:9 anamorphic format and decent mono. There are subtitles for the hard of hearing and detailed biographies of More, Gilbert and Barder. The original theatrical trailer is included, but it would also have made sense to include an interview or documentary footage of Bader himself. --Richard Whitehouse
Martin Cruz Smith's bestselling mystery novel seemed ideal material for a movie version, but in Gorky Park director Michael Apted and the usually reliable writer Dennis Potter couldn't quite solve the problem of taking the story from page to screen. William Hurt plays Renko, a Cold War-era Moscow police detective who must cope with both crooks and Communist party protocol as he tries to solve a murder case in the middle of one of Moscow's public parks that leaves three faceless corpses. The strands of the mystery involve corruption, American money and the fur trade and, ultimately, take Renko to New York. But the tension is never all there, despite a deliciously menacing performance by Lee Marvin as the bad guy and Brian Dennehy as an American cop who becomes Renko's ally. --Marshall Fine
Kirk Douglas produced the trendsetting barbarian epic The Vikings and took the showiest, most aggressive role: lusty Viking Prince Einar, the "only son in wedlock" of King Ragnar (a cackling, wild-eyed Ernest Borgnine). With jagged scars down his face and a milky-white blind eye that almost glows in his skull, Douglas has a rowdy time battling defiant slave Tony Curtis (the long-lost heir to the British throne) for the hand of the beautiful princess Janet Leigh. It's pure Hollywood hokum, sure, but spectacular hokum: the great cinematographer Jack Cardiff turns his Norway locations into a lush Valhalla on earth. Faced with an absurd story, journeyman director Richard Fleischer goes for the gusto in brawling Viking parties, furious sieges, and clanging broadsword battles. An enormous hit, the film spawned a huge wave of Viking movies, some perhaps smarter but none as much fun. --Sean Axmaker
An atmospheric adaptation of The Ringer - the play that earned global fame for English master of suspense Edgar Wallace and remains his best-known story - this classic whodunit combines taut direction and inspired characterisation, with Patrick Barr starring as a beleaguered Scotland Yard investigator, John Longdon his hawkish superior and, in an early film role as a particularly haughty secretary, Patricia Roc. Also notable as the first film produced at Ealing by Michael Balcon, The Gaunt St...
Sean Connery and Gina Lollobrigida star in this 1960s drama based on the novel by Catherine Arley. When Anthony Richmond (Connery) learns of his wealthy uncle Charles (Ralph Richardson)'s ill-health, he plots a way to get his fortune after his death. Employing attractive young nurse Maria (Lollobrigida) to care for Charles in his final days Anthony encourages his uncle to fall in love with and marry Maria. As Anthony realises that he, too, is falling for Maria, a love triangle emerges and complications arise.
Operation Amsterdam One of the covert operations at the beginning of World War II is enacted in this fast-paced thriller about a government-approved diamond heist. A Major from the British army (Tony Britton) joins up with a Dutch diamond expert (Alexander Knox) and another adventurous Dutchman (Peter Finch) to steal a fortune in diamonds from a bank vault in Amsterdam. There is no time to waste as it is estimated that the city will be overrun by the Nazi army in just fourteen hours. ...
""I am become Death destroyer of worlds..."" - J. Robert Oppenheimer A thrilling miniseries biopic of American physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer who led the U.S efforts during World War II to develop the atomic bomb only to find himself suspected as a risk to national security from Communist sympathies stemming from an increasing ambivalence toward's his life's work... Nominated for a Golden Globe for Sam Waterston in the title role.
Humphrey Bogart plays Saloonkeeper Joe Barrett in postwar Tokyo. With an interesting cast including Alexander Knox and an outstanding performance by Sessue Hayakawa (Bridge on the River Kwai) as the japanese gang lord. Florence Marly adds a european/international touch as White Russian Cabaret singer. The theme of postwar Japan is rarely touched on, and like Sam Fuller's 'House of Bamboo', Tokyo Joe takes a long, slow look at the underbelly of Japan's postwar milieu. Like Casablanca, this film has all the elements, haunting theme music, guns, girls and gangsters with a whiff of geopolitical intrigue.
Humphrey Bogart (Sirocco) stars with Alexander Knox (The Damned), and Florence Marly (Queen of Blood) star in Tokyo Joe, a post-war film noir tale of smuggling, treason, and blackmail. World War II veteran Joe Barrett (Bogart) returns to his Tokyo gambling den and finds that his wife, Trina (Marly), has remarried to American lawyer Mark (Knox). After learning that Trina was forced to broadcast Japanese propaganda, he finds himself blackmailed into assisting war criminals in order to protect her. Directed by Stuart Heisler (The Glass Key), Tokyo Joe features a powerful central performance from its iconic star, and also represented a return to Hollywood for former silent screen legend Sessue Hayakawa (The Bridge on the River Kwai). Product Features High Definition remaster Original mono audio Audio commentary with writer and film historian Nora Fiore (2022) Bertrand Tavernier on 'Tokyo Joe' (2017, 34 mins): archival appreciation by the celebrated filmmaker and critic A Superstar Returns (2022, 15 mins): archivist Tom Vincent assesses the career of actor Sessue Hayakawa, the silent-era star who made his return to Hollywood filmmaking with Tokyo Joe Second unit photography (1948, 11 mins): rare footage shot by second unit director Art Black and cameramen Joseph Biroc and Emil Oster Jr in Tokyo for use in the main feature The Negro Soldier (1944, 41 mins): WWII documentary film intended as a recruitment drive for African American enlistees, directed by Stuart Heisler and now preserved by the National Film Registry for its cultural and historical significance Jim Pines on 'The Negro Soldier' (2010, 41 mins): audio presentation by the author and lecturer, recorded following a screening of the film at London's BFI Southbank Image gallery: promotional and publicity material New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Lieutenant Goodbody (Crawford) has absolutely no idea how to lead his British regiment in the North African battlefield of WWII. But what he lacks in experience he makes up for in enthusiasm. And when he's ordered to build a cricket playing field 100 miles behind enemy lines he's determined to succeed even if this means most of his men are killed in the process. Abandoned by his superiors betrayed by his inferiors and finally captured by Nazis it's going to take more than his unre
Set in the expanse of the Sudan desert in the midst of holy war, Khartoum (1966) plays like an attempt to work the Lawrence of Arabia magic on the (mostly) true story of eccentric British general Charles "Chinese" Gordon in 1884 North Africa. The magnificent opening desert battle suggests David Lean's epic sweep, at least until the film settles into a more modest story of political games, military standoffs, and a battle of wits and wiles between two fierce leaders. Charlton Heston plays the Christian soldier as cocky, unconventional maverick, and Laurence Olivier (behind heavy make-up and a thick black beard) is almost as good as his cagey nemesis the Mahdi, the Islamic holy warrior on a mission of annihilation. More talk than spectacle, the film falls short of Lawrence but is nonetheless a compelling story of colonial politics, cynical manoeuvring and the unconventional heroics of another colourful British maverick abroad. --Sean Axmaker
Four classic Hammer chillers presented on Blu-ray for the very first time in the UK. Accompanied by a wealth of new and archival extras including exclusive new documentaries, audio commentaries, alternative versions, new and archival cast and crew interviews, a series of appreciations of their female stars, analyses of their composers' scores, and extensive booklets this stunning limited edition box set is strictly limited to 6,000 units. Extras: INDICATOR LIMITED BLU-RAY EDITION BOX SET SPECIAL FEATURES: THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN New 4K restoration Original mono audio New and exclusive documentary about the film, produced by Hammer expert Marcus Hearn (2019) Audio commentary by celebrated horror and fantasy authors Stephen Jones and Kim Newman (2019) A Frankenstein for the 20th Century (2019): video essay by film historian Kat Ellinger and Dima Ballin Hammer's Women Eunice Gayson (2019): profile of the Hammer star by critic and film historian Pamela Hutchinson David Huckvale on Leonard Salzedo (2019): new appreciation of the renowned composer by the author of Hammer Film Scores and the Musical Avant-Garde Super 8 version: original cut-down home cinema presentation Original theatrical trailer Trailer commentary (2013): short critical appreciation by filmmaker Joe Dante Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing Limited edition box set exclusive booklet with new essays by Marcus Hearn and Kieran Foster, archival interview materials, historical articles, contemporary reviews, and film credits UK premiere on Blu-ray THE TWO FACES OF DR. JEKYLL High Definition remaster Original mono audio New and exclusive documentary about the film, produced by Hammer expert Marcus Hearn (2019) Audio commentary by film historians Josephine Botting and Jonathan Rigby (2019) Interview with Paul Massie (1967): rare archival audio interview with the film's star Hammer's Women Dawn Addams (2019): British cinema expert Laura Mayne explores the life and career of the UK-born star David Huckvale on Monty Norman (2019): new appreciation of the renowned composer Original theatrical trailer Trailer commentary (2013): short critical appreciation by Josh Olson Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing Limited edition box set exclusive booklet with a new essay by Kat Ellinger, archival interview materials, historical articles, contemporary reviews and film credits UK premiere on Blu-ray TASTE OF FEAR High Definition remaster Original mono audio Alternative presentation with US Scream of Fear title sequence New and exclusive documentary about the film, produced by Hammer expert Marcus Hearn (2019) Audio commentary with Kevin Lyons, editor of The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film and Television (2019) The BFI Interview with Jimmy Sangster (2008): archival audio recording of the celebrated filmmaker and screenwriter in conversation with Marcus Hearn at London's National Film Theatre The BEHP Video interview with Jimmy Sangster (2008): archival video recording, made as part of the British Entertainment History Project, featuring Sangster in conversation with Jonathan Rigby The BEHP Interview with Douglas Slocombe Part Two (1988): archival audio recording, made as part of the British Entertainment History Project, featuring the renowned cinematographer in conversation with Sidney Cole Fear Makers (2019): interviews with camera operator Desmond Davis, assistant editor John Crome and clapper loader Ray Andrew Hammer's Women Ann Todd (2019): Melanie Williams, author of Female Stars of British Cinema profiles the English star and producer David Huckvale on Clifton Parker (2019): new appreciation of the renowned composer Super 8 version of Scream of Fear: original cut-down home cinema presentation Original theatrical trailer Trailer commentary (2013): short critical appreciation by Samm Hamm Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing Limited edition box set exclusive booklet with an essay by Marcus Hearn, archival interview materials, historical articles, contemporary reviews and film credits UK premiere on Blu-ray THE DAMNED: New 2K restoration Original mono audio Two presentations of the film: The Damned, the original UK theatrical release version; and These Are the Damned, the complete and uncut restoration which first premiered in 2007 New and exclusive documentary about the film, produced by Hammer expert Marcus Hearn (2019) Audio commentary by film historians Samm Deighan and Kat Ellinger (2019) Beneath the Surface (2019): new interview with filmmaker Gavrik Losey, son of director Joseph Losey Interview with actor Shirley Anne Field (2019) Interview with screenwriter Evan Jones (2010) Children of 'The Damned' (2019): new interviews with actors Kit Williams, David Palmer and Christopher Witty Hammer's Women Viveca Lindfors (2019): profile of the renowned actor by critic and film historian Lindsay Hallam David Huckvale on James Bernard (2019): new appreciation of the celebrated composer Beyond Black Leather (2019): appreciation by film expert I Q Hunter No Future (2019): analysis by author and film historian Neil Sinyard Original theatrical trailer Trailer commentary (2013): a short critical appreciation by filmmaker Joe Dante Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing Limited edition box set exclusive booklet with a new essay by Richard Combs, archival interview materials, historical articles, contemporary reviews and film credits UK premiere on Blu-ray Limited edition box set of 6,000 numbered units All extras subject to change
A man shows up at Kimberley Prescott's villa claiming to be her brother Ward. But Ward died in a car accident a year ago. Despite Kim's protests that the stranger isn't her brother everyone else accepts him including their uncle. Kim begins to fear for her sanity and her life.
Stephen (Dirk Bogarde - The Servant) is a middle-aged professor at Oxford University. Stifled by his life of marriage and academia, he yearns for an affair with his beautiful and enigmatic student Anna (Jacqueline Sassard – Les Biches). He is locked into a battle for Anna's affection against her fiance, William (Michael York - Logan's Run), whose youthful vitality he envies, and with his friend and academic rival Charley (Stanley Baker - Zulu), whose media profile and sexual success he covets. Along with The Go-Between and The Servant, Accident is one of the three film collaborations between legendary director Joseph Losey and playwright Harold Pinter. Often acknowledged as the pinnacle of Losey's distinguished career, Accident is a compelling and unforgettable masterpiece. Special Features: Interview with Dirk Bogarde biographer John Coldstream Interview with Harry Pinter expert Harry Burton Interview with feminist author and academic Melanie Williams Interview with film critic Tim Robey Joseph Losey and Harold Pinter discuss Accident (1957) Talking About Accident documentary featuring an interview with Harry Pinter
Temp
This 1954 drama directed by Charles Crichton (The Lavender Hill Mob, The Avengers, A Fish Called Wanda) starring Cornell Borchers (Never Say Goodbye), Yvonne Mitchell (Woman in a Dressing Gown, The Queen of Spades) and Armin Dahlen has been newly restored. Franz and Inga Hartl have brought up Toni, who they believe to be a war orphan, as their own child; he is ten years old when two officials from the International Refugee Organization visit them with the news that his actual mother, a Yugoslavian woman, is alive and desperately wants him back. A heart-breaking drama between two women that both call Toni their son that can only be decided in court... Product Features NEW Interview with actor Michel Ray NEW Interview with author Quentin Falk Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
A pilot recounts a dream in which a plane carrying eight passengers crashes in the mountains of Japan. An Air Marshal due to fly to Tokyo the next day overhears the dream but thinks nothing of it until a series of events manages to convince him that the premonition might actually become a reality.
Stephen (Dirk Bogarde - The Servant) is a middle-aged professor at Oxford University. Stifled by his life of marriage and academia, he yearns for an affair with his beautiful and enigmatic student Anna (Jacqueline Sassard – Les Biches). He is locked into a battle for Anna's affection against her fiance, William (Michael York - Logan's Run), whose youthful vitality he envies, and with his friend and academic rival Charley (Stanley Baker - Zulu), whose media profile and sexual success he covets. Along with The Go-Between and The Servant, Accident is one of the three film collaborations between legendary director Joseph Losey and playwright Harold Pinter. Often acknowledged as the pinnacle of Losey's distinguished career, Accident is a compelling and unforgettable masterpiece. Special Features: Interview with Dirk Bogarde biographer John Coldstream Interview with Harry Pinter expert Harry Burton Interview with feminist author and academic Melanie Williams Interview with film critic Tim Robey Joseph Losey and Harold Pinter discuss Accident (1957) Talking About Accident documentary featuring an interview with Harry Pinter
This 1954 drama directed by Charles Crichton (The Lavender Hill Mob, The Avengers, A Fish Called Wanda) starring Cornell Borchers (Never Say Goodbye), Yvonne Mitchell (Woman in a Dressing Gown, The Queen of Spades) and Armin Dahlen has been newly restored. Franz and Inga Hartl have brought up Toni, who they believe to be a war orphan, as their own child; he is ten years old when two officials from the International Refugee Organization visit them with the news that his actual mother, a Yugoslavian woman, is alive and desperately wants him back. A heart-breaking drama between two women that both call Toni their son that can only be decided in court... Product Features NEW Interview with actor Michel Ray NEW Interview with author Quentin Falk Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
The Sleeping Tiger is a 1954 British noir directed by Joseph Losey (under the credit of Victor Hanbury,due to his blacklisting in the McCarthy era) this was the first collaboration between Dirk Bogarde and Losey, marking the beginning of one of British cinema's most important actor/director partnerships. A psychiatrist, Clive Esmond (Alexander Knox) catches young gunman Frank Clemens (Dirk Bogarde) breaking into his house. Rather than send him to prison he invites the delinquent to stay at his home as a social guinea pig - Esmond believes he can curb the fugitive's criminal tendencies. Further tensions arise however when the youth begins an affair with Esmond's wife (Alexis Smith). Product Features Interview with Dirk Bogarde's Biographer John Coldstream Interview with Matthew Sweet Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
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