Only When I Laugh was written by Eric Chappell (Rising Damp Home to Roost) and directed by Vernon Lawrence (Duty Free The Bounder). The series starred James Bolam (Beiderbecke) Peter Bowles (To the Manor Born) and Christopher Strauli (Raffles) as three congenital hypochondriac layabouts forever haunting the ward patrolled by the droll Doctor Thorpe (Richard Wilson - One Foot in the Grave). This 4 DVD collection includes every episode from all four series!
While it's true that this 1959 screen adaptation of The 39 Steps pales in comparison to Alfred Hitchcock's seminal 1935 version, it's still a thoroughly enjoyable romp that compensates for a lack of any tension whatsoever with a generous dose of genial good humour. Affable Kenneth More's Richard Hannay more closely resembles the kind of roles Cary Grant was playing for Hitch in the late 1950s; Finnish blonde Taina Elg, in the somewhat unlikely role of a prim Scottish schoolmistress, is his love interest. Although handcuffed together, More and Elg fail to radiate any sexual chemistry, even when scandalously forced to share a room and a bed. Much better are the delightful cameos: Sid James as a roguish lorry driver; Brenda De Banzie as voluptuous psychic Nellie; and Joan Hickson as a simpering teacher. As a thriller it's hardly in the same league as North by Northwest, but as a window on life in England and Scotland in the 1950s, this 39 Steps has much to recommend it. --Mark Walker
Lads' mag favourite Kelly Brook makes her starring debut (opposite real life fiance Billy Zane) in this hotly charged thriller.
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
Physics Professor Dr Pederson (Kirk Douglas) and underground leader Straud (Richard Harris) must convince British Intelligence that the Nazis are planning to build the A-bomb. The Norse Hydro Plant at Telemark is central to enemy strategy and the Allies decide to send in a task force to destroy it. Legendary director Anthony Mann (Winchester 73 El Cid The Fall of the Roman Empire) tells the story of nine courageous and indomitable Norwegians without whom the Second World War may ha
A global byword for cinematic quality of a quintessentially British nature Ealing Studios made more than 150 films over a three decade period. A cherished and significant part of British film history only selected films from both the Ealing and Associated Talking Pictures strands have previously been made available on home video format - with some remaining unseen since their original theatrical release. The Ealing Rarities Collection redresses this imbalance - featuring new transfers from the best available elements in their correct aspect ratio this multi-volume collection showcases a range of scarce films from both Basil Dean's and Michael Balcon's tenure as studio head making them available once more to the general public. LONELY ROAD (1936) On a drunken drive to the coast an ex-naval officer interrupts what he believes to be a smuggling operation and informs Scotland Yard... Black and White / 70 mins / 1.33:1 / Mono / English THE WATER GIPSIES (1932) A.P. Herbert's famous tale about a girl living on a Thames barge and her love for a local artist. Black and White / 74 mins / 1.33:1 / Mono / English THE SIGN OF FOUR (1932) Arthur Wontner stars in the classic Sherlock Holmes mystery in which an ex-convict seeks revenge on a man who failed to honour his word. Black and White / 74 mins / 1.33:1 / Mono / English FEATHER YOUR NEST (1937) Unseen since its original theatrical release this George Formby vehicle stars George as a gramophone record factory worker who creates a hit song. Black and White / 78 mins / 1.33:1 / Mono / English
He was King. She was barely 18. And in their thousand days they played out the most passionate and shocking love story in history! This lush perfectly cast 1969 drama concerns both a doomed royal love affair and a pivotal moment in British history. Based on Maxwell Anderson's 1948 play Anne of the Thousand Days concerns the mess that surrounded King Henry VIII's decision to rid himself of his first wife Catherine of Aragon (Irene Papas) and marry the young Anne Boleyn (G
This winning 1990 comedy stars Arnold Schwarzenegger in an initially self-deprecating role as a grizzled, big-city cop who goes undercover as a small-town kindergarten teacher to nab a killer. One of the best films of director Ivan Reitman (Dave), this comedy (with some thriller elements) went a long way to further soften and broaden Schwarzenegger's image after Reitman worked with him in the gentle Twins. But Kindergarten Cop is genuinely touching, the story of a hard man who visibly finds his true passion and soul by leaving behind the rot of urban crime. Penelope Ann Miller is a delight as the love interest, Pamela Reed is wonderful as Arnold's cop partner, old pro Carroll Baker is quite nasty as the villain's evil mother, and Linda Hunt--whose diminutive stature makes for quite a contrast with Schwarzenegger when they share scenes--is entertaining as a tough principal. Upon its release, some people assumed the title meant this is a good movie for little kids, but it isn't. --Tom Keogh
Oscar-winner Guillermo del Toro's (Pan's Labyrinth, The Shape of Water) directorial debut offers a unique take on the classic vampire story and went on to win the Critics' Week award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1993. When antiques dealer Jesús Gris (Federico Luppi) discovers an ancient artifact, in the form of a golden mechanical scarab, he is unaware of the power it holds. Whilst the parasite inside the device grants eternal life to its new host, it also causes an extreme aversion to daylight and an unquenchable thirst for human blood. Desperate to claim the device for himself, a dying millionaire (played by Claudio Brook) and his brutish nephew (Ron Perlman, Hellboy) are in hot pursuit. Newly restored in 4K, the BFI is delighted to be bringing Cronos back to UK audiences, in an extras packed limited edition Blu-ray.Extras¢ 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)¢ Newly recorded audio commentary by Jason Wood¢ Audio commentary with Guillermo del Toro (2002)¢ Audio commentary with producers Arthur H Gorson and Bertha Navarro and co-producer Alejandro Springall (in English and Spanish with optional English subtitles)¢ Optional original Spanish-language voice-over introduction¢ Cronos - An Introduction (2024, 34 mins): director Guillermo del Toro in conversation with the former head of the Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes film festival and current managing director of Arte France Cinéma, Olivier Père (2024, 34 mins)¢ Geometria (1987, 7 mins): a short film by Guillermo del Toro about a young man who pays dearly to have his dreams come true¢ Guillermo del Toro on Geometria (7 mins): a short interview with the director about Geometria¢ BFI Screen Talk: Guillermo del Toro (2017, 74 mins): filmed around the release of The Shape of Water, the writer and director discusses his career with journalist, author and screenwriter Mark Salisbury and the BFI London Film Festival¢ The Making of Cronos: An Interview with Federico Luppi (2006, 5 mins): a short archival interview with the actor ¢ Interview with the director (2010, 60 mins): an archival interview with Guillermo del Toro¢ Interview with Guillermo del Toro (2010, 18 mins): an interview with the writer and director ¢ Interview with Guillermo Navarro (2010, 13 mins): an interview with the film's cinematographer¢ Interview with Ron Pearlman (2010, 7 mins): an interview with the actor who since Cronos has gone on to become one of Del Toro's regular collaborators¢ Theatrical trailer¢ Stills gallery¢ 60-page book featuring new essays by Michelle Kisner, Rich Johnson, Barry Forshaw, and Michael Leader. Also includes and edited version of Guillermo del Toro: The origins of horror and Cronos', an interview that originally appeared in The Faber Book of Mexican Cinema, by Jason Wood and an original Sight & Sound review by John Kraniauskas.¢ Fold-out poster featuring the new artwork for the film
Novelist James Clavell wrote, produced and directed this 1967 British film (based on the novel by E. R. Braithwaite) about a rookie teacher who throws out stock lesson plans and really takes command of his unruly, adolescent students in a London school. Sidney Poitier is very good as a man struggling with the extent of his commitment to the job, and even more as a teacher whose commitment is to proffering life lessons instead of just academic ones. The spirit of this movie can also be found in more recent films such as Dangerous Minds and Mr. Holland's Opus, but none are as moving as this. Besides, the others don't have a title song performed by Lulu, who also stars. --Tom Keogh
Anthony Asquith directs this wartime propaganda drama. When his actress wife Irena (Diana Wynyard) moves to Berlin to further her career, throat specialist Dr Karl Roder (Clive Brook) decides to accompany her, although he is vehemently opposed to the newly-elected Nazi regime. There he meets Hans Glaser (Derek Farr), a young engineer whose girlfriend has been incarcerated in a concentration camp. Together, they set up their own broadcasting service, Freedom Radio, to denounce the Nazi movement.
British intelligence officer Richard Burton poses as a high-ranking Nazi who leads a ragtag group of POWs on an impossible mission in this exciting World War II desert adventure. Based on the real life battle of Tobruk this action-crammed drama has Burton and his 'army' battling Nazi Panzer Divisions destroying fuel dumps and making a suicidal assault on Rommel's infamous gun emplacement that has the potential to destroy the British fleet...
Word t'ya mum! These are all the Celebrity Juice DVDs in one 'andy box set. Inside you'll find all the best bits from Series 1 - 9 as well as hours of unseen stuff that the ITV sex scientists said was too rude for TV behind the scenes footage bloopers and tons more extra juicy stuff... Featuring Ant and Dec! Pamela Anderson! Kelly Brook! Gino D'Acampo! Danny Dyer! Olly Murs! Phillip Schofield! JLS! Jonathan Ross! The Wanted! Joey Essex!
In the sequel to A Man Called Horse English nobleman Lord John Morgan (Richard Harris) returns to America to get reacquainted with his adopted Sioux tribe who are at war with the US government over their sacred land. As the situation reaches breaking point can he persuade them to take direct action against their oppressors?
To mark the 50th anniversary, La Grande Vadrouille has been stunningly restored. The film is considered one of the greatest comic achievements of French cinema and one of the most popular films ever shown in France. During World War II, when their combat aircraft is shot down by the Germans, three English airmen (including Terry-Thomas as Sir Reginald) parachute to the comparative safety of Nazi occupied France. One lands on the scaffold of an amiable painter and decorator, Augustin (Bourvil). Another lands on top of a concert hall and is rescued by the irascible but patriotic conductor Stanislas Lefort (Louis de Funès). The third ends up in the otter enclosure of a Parisian zoo. When they try to help the airmen keep a rendez-vous at the Turkish baths in Paris, Augustin and Stanislas quickly find that they themselves have become targets for the German soldiers. Assisted by the daughter of a puppeteer and an anti-German nun, the two reluctant heroes accompany the three airmen on a reckless trek across France towards the safety of the neutral zone.
A global byword for cinematic quality of a quintessentially British nature, Ealing Studios made more than 150 films over a three decade period. A cherished and significant part of British film history, only selected films from both the Ealing and Associated Talking Pictures strands have previously been made available on home video format - with some remaining unseen since their original theatrical release. The Ealing Rarities Collection redresses this imbalance - featuring new transfe...
A global byword for cinematic quality of a quintessentially British nature Ealing Studios made more than 150 films over a three decade period. A cherished and significant part of British film history only selected films from both the Ealing and Associated Talking Pictures strands have previously been made available on home video format - with some remaining unseen since their original theatrical release. The Ealing Rarities Collection redresses this imbalance - featuring new transfers from the best available elements in their correct aspect ratio this multi-volume collection showcases a range of scarce films from both Basil Dean's and Michael Balcon's tenure as studio head making them available once more to the general public. IT HAPPENED IN PARIS (1935) Whilst looking for artistic inspiration in Paris a millionaire's son falls for a beautiful girl. Romantic complications arise when he feigns poverty in order to win her love. Black and White / 66 mins / 1.33:1 / Mono / English AUTUMN CROCUS (1934) In his final film role Ivor Novello plays the married owner of a Tyrolean inn; Fay Compton is the holidaying schoolteacher who falls hopelessly in love with him. Black and White / 80 mins / 1.33:1 / Mono / English THE DICTATOR (1935) A drama depicting the stormy marriage of King Christian VII and his English consort Caroline Matilda and the Queen's tragic affair with the royal physician Struensee. Black and White / 82 mins / 1.33:1 / Mono / English SECRET LIVES (1937) A powerful World War I drama tracing the life of a German-born woman who is trained by the French as a spy but pays a heavy price for her apparent freedom. Black and White / 78 mins / 1.33:1 / Mono / English
Based on a story by Doctor Who legend Robert Holmes Public Eye creator Roger Marshall scripts this cult sci-fi thriller from Merton Park studios. Starring Edward Judd – memorably powerful in The Day the Earth Caught Fire - actor/writer Lyndon Brook and oriental beauty Yoko Tani this brilliantly entertaining gem from 1965 is featured here in a brand-new transfer from the original film elements in its as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratio. Lawrence Blackburn driving home in thick fog brakes violently and swerves as a man of strange appearance suddenly looms into view. The stranger is knocked down and bundling the body into his car Blackburn takes him to his local hospital. Medical tests discover something extraordinary: the victim's blood is unidentifiable and he has a radio-opaque disc in his brain. Upon regaining consciousness he explains that he was escorting two prisoners from the planet Lystria when he crash-landed on Earth and his prisoners escaped. But the terrifying truth is that he is a murderer and his two female guards are now on his trail... Special Features: Image Gallery Original Promotional Materials PDFs
When an allied bomber plane is hot down over Paris it's crew are forced to enlist the help of some French civilians to aid them in crossing the border into the unoccupied south of France.
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