Very few first-time film directors would have been capable of making such a triumphant adaptation of Henry V; but a still-youthful Kenneth Branagh's years of stage experience paid off handsomely and his 1989 version qualifies as a genuine masterpiece, the kind of film that comes along once in a decade. He eschews the theatricality of Laurence Olivier's stirring, fondly remembered 1945 adaptation to establish his own rules: Branagh plays it down and dirty, seeing the Bard's play through revisionist eyes, framing it as an anti-war story in contrast to Olivier's patriotic spectacle. Branagh gives us harsh close-ups of muddied, bloody men, and of himself as Henry, his hardened mouth and wilful eyes revealing much about the personal cost of war. Not that the director-star doesn't provide lighter moments: his scenes introducing the French Princess Katherine (Emma Thompson) trying to learn English quickly from her maid are delightful. What may be the crowning glory of Branagh's adaptation comes when the dazed leader wanders across the battlefield, not even sure who has won. As King Hal carries a dead boy (a young Christian Bale) over the hacked bodies of both the English and French, a panorama of blood and mud and death greet the viewer as Branagh opens up the scene and Patrick Doyle's rousing hymn "Non nobis, Domine" provides marvellous counterpoint (like the director, the composer was another filmic first-timer). A more potent expression of the price of victory could scarcely be imagined. --Rochelle O'Gorman, Amazon.com
An unusual adult Western for its time Vengeance Valley (1951) gave Burt Lancaster his first Western role. His athletic prowess made him perfect for the genre and he'd go on to make Gunfight At O.K. Corral Apache and The Unforgiven among others. Vengeance Valley emphasises character development and the solid cast meets the challenge. Robert Walker plays Burt's foster brother. Joanne Dru John Ireland Ted de Corsia Hugh O'Brien and Glenn Strange lend support. One of the real stars of the picture is the gorgeous three-strip Technicolor photography by George J.Folsey. The West has rarely looked more colorful.
A farce set in an old hospital that alarmingly resembles Britain at its most chaotic. Everything starts to go wrong when the medical administrators are faced with a threatened strike angry scenes and a Royal visit.
He's handsome talented and half her age. But Nina Talbot always gets what she wants. Abby and Nina: they're the best of friends - until a forbidden passionate affair threatens to devastate their friendship. Abby Hewitt has high ambitions for her 18 year old son Paul and who better to give Paul advice than glamorous free spirit Nina a hugely talented designer. Abby sends Paul to stay with Nina in San Francisco in the hope that Nina will persuade him to take up a university place in the city. But the plan backfires. Instead Paul becomes totally infatuated with Nina a woman twice his age. And Nina finds Paul the perfect companion - passionate and irresistible. It seems like the perfect secret relationship - until a horrified Abby stumbles upon the affair...
In an effort to subdue a bout of depression a millionaire playboy (Cary Grant) makes a 50 000 British pound bet with a psychiatrist that he could become a famous business tycoon without using his family's inheritance. Based on the novel The Amazing Quest by Ernest Bliss.
An unusual adult Western for its time Vengeance Valley (1951) gave Burt Lancaster his first Western role. His athletic prowess made him perfect for the genre and he'd go on to make Gunfight At O.K. Corral Apache and The Unforgiven among others. Vengeance Valley emphasises character development and the solid cast meets the challenge. Robert Walker plays Burt's foster brother. Joanne Dru John Ireland Ted de Corsia Hugh O'Brien and Glenn Strange lend support. One of the real s
An extraordinary look inside the normally closely guarded and secret world of the Freemasons. The largest charitable organisation on Earth the Freemasons have thousands of members in Britain and around the world. The Freemasons are a source of fascination to millions and viewers will be captivated by this rare chance to go behind the scenes of the secret society. This DVD delves into the age old allegory infamous rituals and secret associations to explore this society and answer the questions many are afraid to ask. This title includes exclusive and revealing interviews with current and former Freemasons offering unprecedented access to the usually well guarded secrets.
Stolen Youth: When Abby's 18-year-old son Paul becomes passionately involved with her best friend Nina emotions and passions run high. Separate Lives: Ex-homicide detective Tom Beckwith (James Belushi) is hired by psychologist Lauren Porter (Linda Hamilton) to watch her every move. Haunted by a secret fear that she is leading a dangerous double life Lauren confronts a dark incident from her past.
Owen Daybright has taken the rap for his boyhood pal Les Strobie all his life. Now the foreman on Strobie's ranch he is even willing to accept paternity of Strobie's illegitimate child. Daybright continues to make life easy for his friend partly from high motives - to protect Strobie's wife - and partly from habit. He even dodges bullets and doesn't give his friend up for the heel he is until Strobie negotiates to make off with his father's cattle. An unusual adult Western for its
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