Amongst overlooked filmmakers, British director Michael J Murphy ranks as one of the most sorely neglected. Having cut his teeth on a variety of homemade 8mm shorts, he had completed three feature-length productions by the age of eighteen. Over the next five decades, Murphy would go on to make many more films across a variety of genres, dividing his production time between Greece, Portugal, and the UK, with family, friends, and local stage performers becoming his regular cast and crew in exchange for holidays in the sun. Despite this prolific output a total of more than thirty completed films over a half-century, of which twenty-six survive Murphy's work remains rarely seen and little championed. Fitfully available on videotape, and barely represented on DVD, this comprehensive and long-gestating ten-disc Blu-ray collection seeks to rectify that situation once and for all. Boasting all-new 2K restorations from archival 16mm and 8mm elements, as well as a number of new digital captures from Murphy's personal tape masters, this extensive retrospective of the obsessive auteur's work is bolstered by a wealth of bonus features, including surviving fragments from lost works, and a 120-page book, all of which provides the definitive account of the weird and wonderful worlds of Britain's great unheralded DIY filmmaker. Product Features All-new 2K restorations by Powerhouse Films, using film elements from the Murphy archives, of Tristan and Iseult (1970), Happy Ever After (1974), Secrets (1977), Almost a Movie (1979), The Cell (1980), Stay (1980), Death in the Family (1981), Invitation to Hell (1983), The Last Night (1983), Bloodstream (1985), Moonchild (1989), Torment (1990), Atlantis (1991), Road to Nowhere (1993), Tristan (version one, 1999), ZK3 (2012), Nekros: Isle of the Dead (2014), and The Return of Alan Strange (2015) Standard Definition presentations, newly digitised from Murphy's tape masters, of Qualen (1983), Tristan aka Legend of the Hero (1986), Death Run (1987), Avalon (1988), Second Sight (1992), The Rite of Spring (version one, 1995), The Rite of Spring (version two, 1995), Tristan (version two, 1999), Roxi (2004), and Skare (2008) Original mono soundtracks Over 34 hours' worth of film content Audio commentary with Murphy, and actors Sally Duncan and Phil Lyndon on Invitation to Hell (2008) Audio commentary with author and arts professor Johnny Walker on Invitation to Hell (2022) Audio commentary with Murphy, Duncan and Lyndon on The Last Night (2008) Audio commentary with Murphy, actors June Bunday, Judith Holding and Lyndon on Atlantis (2010) Audio commentary with Murphy and Holding on Skare (2009) Murphy's Lore (2022): three-part documentary assessing Murphy's six-decade career, featuring interviews with Murphy, Bunday, Holding, Chris Jupp, Stephen Longhurst, Patrick Olliver, filmmakers Jackson Batchelor, Sam Mason Bell and Tom Lee Rutter, film historians Darrell Buxton and Walker, and film programmer Paul Cotgrove The Horror-on-Sea Interview with Michael J Murphy (2013): the prolific filmmaker in conversation with Bunday and Lyndon, recorded for the British horror festival The Making of Invitation to Hell' and The Last Night' (2008): retrospective documentary featuring interviews with Murphy, Lyndon and Duncan The Making of Atlantis' (2010): two-part retrospective documentary featuring interviews with Murphy, Lyndon, Bunday and Holding The Making of Skare' (2009): retrospective documentary featuring interviews with Murphy and Holding The Making of Roxi' (2004): documentary featuring interviews with actors Mary-Anne Barlow, Bruce Lawrence, Ross Maxwell and Valia Yanarou The Making of ZK3' (2012): retrospective documentary featuring interviews with Murphy, Holding and Lyndon The Rite of Spring': Behind the Scenes (1999) Nekros': Behind the Scenes (2012) Skare' Script Readthrough (2008) Surviving fragments from six lost Murphy films: Atlantis: City of Sin (1967), Boadicea (1968), Gods and Heroes (1971), two versions of Seventh Day (1976/77), and Insight (1978) Outtakes from Moonchild, Torment, Atlantis, Second Sight, and Skare Mute rushes from the lost 16mm version of Skare, with optional selected scene commentary with actor Oliver Price The Return of Alan Strange' Test Footage (2014) Michael J Murphy on Beast' (2010): interview with the filmmaker about Chris Jupp's remake of his lost version of Skare Video Tour of Michael J Murphy's Home (2014) Michael J Murphy Tribute Video (2015): documentary short made for the Murlyn Films International website Home video footage shot by Murphy Trailers for Invitation to Hell, The Last Night, Bloodstream, Legend of a Hero, Death Run, Avalon, Moonchild, Torment, Atlantis, Road to Nowhere, The Rite of Spring, Tristan, Roxi, Skare, ZK3, Nekros: Isle of Death, and The Return of Alan Strange Original Stay' 7 single needle-drop recording Image galleries Script galleries Limited edition exclusive 120-page book with new essays by Murphy experts Wayne Maginn, Paul Higson, Darrell Buxton and Johnny Walker, a comprehensive filmography, and film credits World premieres on Blu-ray Limited edition box set of 6,000 numbered units for the UK and US All extras subject to change
Leeson (Ewan McGregor) is rightly proud of himself: despite his humble beginnings, the Watford lad is now a trusted employee of Barings Merchant Bank, the City of London's oldest Banking House founded in 1763.
The Corrs have emerged as an international success around the world from Sweden to New Zealand and all the points in between. Enjoy The Corrs phenomenon on DVD for the first time: filmed at a concert on St. Patrick Day 1998 and including the complete 85- minute show that rocked London's Royal Albert Hall. Track Listing: 1. When He's Not Around 2. No Good For Me 3. Love To Love You 4. Forgiven Not Forgotten 5. Joy Of Life 6. Intimacy 7. What Can I Do 8. The Right Time 9.
Stripped to the bare essentials, and the antithesis of Pink Floyd's epic live performances, David Gilmour in Concert is a low-key, classy affair. Using footage from 2001's Meltdown Concert and his Royal Festival Hall show in 2002, Gilmour performs a mix of solo compositions and Floyd classics. Opening with a lengthy acoustic version of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", the show gradually gathers momentum as "Fat Old Sun" and "High Hopes" are tackled. Other legends such as Richard Wright and Bob Geldof make guest appearances, with Geldof providing complementary vocals for the second live version of "Comfortably Numb" featured. "Shine On" is also reprised mid-way, this time with added backing band, choir and electric guitar. Resembling more a classical than a rock concert, the audience attentively soak up Gilmour's performance, politely clapping at the right moments and never doing anything as undignified as standing up (although there are the occasional cat-calls). It's an excellent live recording that should appeal to all Gilmour's fans. On the DVD: David Gilmour in Concert on disc enhances the exclusivity and quality of the performances with crisp 5.1 surround (an ordinary stereo soundtrack is also available) and an anamorphically enhanced picture. --John Galilee
Shockingly explicit, blurring the lines between art and pornography, Catherine Breillat's critically acclaimed Romance is one of the most controversial films of modern cinema. A young schoolteacher frustrated by the lack of intimacy shown by her boyfriend begins to look elsewhere for physical affection and embarks on a series of increasingly extreme sexual encounters. Special Features: Brand new scan and restoration New interview with Catherine Breillat New interview with Caroline Ducey New interview with Jean-Francoise Lepetit
Further investigations with garrulous detective Frost (David Jason)... Includes: Line Of Fire Benefit Of The Doubt and Mistaken Identity.
Powerful performances utterly believable characters and gripping plotlines have made cult viewing of this gritty, brutal, crime drama set on the mean streets of Paris. No-nonsense and doggedly determined Police Captain Laure Berthaud leads her lieutenants, Gilou and Tintin, in their investigations into serious crime. But they must also battle the investigating magistrates in their department; the cool and clinical Judge Francois Roban, the handsome young Deputy Prosecutor, Pierre Clement and the ambitious police-hating lawyer, Josephine Karlsson. The French justice in all its cynical, corrupt, backstabbing glory, where the good guys - cops, lawyers and judges - are deeply flawed and the criminals are vicious and irredeemable. As they take on corruption, sex trafficking, arms deeling, serial killers and terrorists, each episode draws you into a dark and sordid world of corruption, crime and an internecine legal system.
The dark and haunting series 'Hannibal' returns for a second season with more shocking revelations and games of psychological cat and mouse. Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) is locked in a mental asylum accused of Hannibal Lecter's crimes (Mads Mikkelsen). Now that Will sees Hannibal for what he truly is he faces a fight to prove his own sanity and convince those closest to him he is innocent of murder. Jack Crawford (Laurence Fishburne) is dealing with his own feelings about Will and whether his protégé is in fact a cold-blooded killer. Looking for answers Jack turns to a man he has come to trust: Hannibal Lecter. With Will locked up Hannibal becomes Jack's new consultant on cases. Hannibal is torn between self-preservation and his desire to keep Will close to him despite advice from his psychiatrist Bedelia Du Maurier (Gillian Anderson) to stay away.
The second series of The Fast Show races on from where the first series left off, taking the now-familiar characters and projecting them into new and unusual situations. The "Suits You" men are let loose as waiters in a restaurant, Indecisive Dave finally makes his mind up, Unlucky Alf tries his hand at courting, Bob Fleming splutters his way through a midnight Badger Watch and Channel 9 branches out into light-entertainment with predictably incomprehensible results. The seven episodes also add further depth to many of the catchphrase-reliant characters. Rowley Birkin QC finds a touching reason to wish he hadn't been "very, very drunk", Ted and Ralph's romance stutters on, Brilliant! gets depressed and things turn sour for Which Was Nice. All our favourites are present and correct, but the freshest laughs come from the new characters and less-established sketches, such as an inept croupier blundering through his first day on the job, Brilliant!'s dad ("Rubbish!"), haughty, mistake-prone history presenter Gideon Soames, and the world-weary Carl Hooper's unspectacular show "That's Amazing!". On the DVD: The Fast Show, Series 2 comes to DVD with no extras, aside from some nicely animated menus, episode and scene selection. --Paul Philpott
Made in 1968 and broadcast to tremendous critical acclaim The Caesars was one of the last great drama productions made in black and white for ITV by Granada. The Caesars is an unrivalled period drama detailing the murder sex and madness that will forever have a place in the annals of ancient history. This six-part series is available for the first time anywhere on DVD. After a century of being wrecked by dissension and ruinous civil wars the Romans were willing to p
This is a remarkable true love story that starts with a first meeting on a train aged just 18, an ordinary suburban girl falling in love and then ultimately going on the run after her husband escapes from jail to new undercover life in Australia. Written and Produced by BAFTA award winner Jeff Pope (Appropriate Adult), in conjunction with Charmain Biggs. Starring double Olivier award winner Sheridan Smith (Gavin & Stacy) in the title role Mrs Biggs tells the story of Charmian, wife of great train robber Ronnie Biggs. Co-starring Danny Mays (Ashes to Ashes, Made In Dagenham).
Michael Crichton's bestselling novel was both a high-tech thriller and source of controversy with its hot-button plot about a man's charge of sexual harassment against a female colleague and former lover. The movie, directed by Barry Levinson, turned these issues into a prurient thriller dressed up in glossy production values, virtual reality computer graphics and steamy sex between Michael Douglas and Demi Moore. Having cornered the market on roles for men whose brains are located south of their waistline, Douglas is well cast as the computer-industry guy who loses a plush promotion to the opportunistic Moore, and he's perfected the expression of paranoid panic. If you don't think about it too much, this is one of those films that can draw you into its manipulative web and really grab your attention. Disclosure is more entertaining than thought provoking (because the filmmakers basically danced around the story's potential controversy), but there's enough star power and visual glitz to make this an enjoyable ride. --Jeff Shannon
Richard Benjamin's off-beat 1990 comedy Mermaids found Cher at the peak of her big-screen form. She plays Mrs Flax to the manner born. The eccentric mother feeds her two daughters on hors d'oeuvres and sticks a pin in the map to decide the family's next destination when her love affairs have run their course. When they reach New England, however, events--and an unlikely but amiable suitor (Bob Hoskins)--interrupt her self-centred progress and bring the facts of life home to roost with a vengeance. It's a well-made comedy with good performances from Cher and Hoskins, although neither of them is particularly stretched. There is also enough tension in the relationship between Mrs Flax and her eldest child to make it poignant as well as funny. As the Flax daughters, Winona Ryder (neurotic, unworldly Charlotte) and Christina Ricci (swimming-mad "fishhead") show plenty of the promise which has since made them two of America's most appealing film actresses. Stuffed with authentic 1960s detail, Mermaids is actually a modern "woman's picture" which affirms the often precarious bonds of family relationships. On the DVD: Presented in widescreen format, optimised for high-resolution television sets, Mermaids is a vibrant visual treat for anybody with an affection for 1960s kitsch and fashion. The picture quality is superb and the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack sharp; some cracking dialogue has to share the sound waves with thumping hits of the day and, over the final credits, Cher's global smash hit rendering of "It's in His Kiss". But apart from a multilingual choice of soundtracks and subtitles and the original theatrical trailer, there are no extras. --Piers Ford
Dr Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes) is forced to give up his career as an eminent surgeon and retrain as a GP after developing a phobia to blood. A vacancy arises in the sleepy Cornish hamlet of Portwenn following the death of the local GP. A regular visitor to Portwenn as a child with his Aunt Joan (Stephanie Cole) Martin applies for the position. However his complete lack of social skills and human understanding are going to get him into plenty of scrapes that's for sure! Win
Teen queen Hilary Duff tries to find Mr. Right for her single mum in this comedy.
Explores the early relationship between the renowned psychiatrist and his patient, a young FBI criminal profiler, who is haunted by his ability to empathize with serial killers.
Hook is Steven Spielberg's most spectacular film of the 90s. It is also seriously underrated, arguably the equal of ET, (1982) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, (1977). An unofficial sequel to J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, Hook adopts the startling premise of what happened after "the boy who never grew up", grew up. Robin Williams, in his career best performance, is the corporate suit forced to remember he once was "The Pan", returning to Neverland to battle nefarious Captain Hook (a splendid Dustin Hoffman), for his children's love. This is a ravishingly beautiful, stunningly designed film, at once highly imaginative and with a genuinely magical atmosphere which ranges from exquisite, delicate fantasy to slapstick tomfoolery. There is fine support from Maggie Smith, Julia Roberts and Bob Hoskins, and John Williams' rapturously romantic score is yet another career high. Slated upon release, and dubbed a flop though it grossed $200 million, Hook reacted against the "greed is good" 80s by upholding family values and responsibility while evoking a genuine sense of wonder. Only the somewhat pantomime final showdown disappoints, but alongside Legend, (1985)and Labyrinth, (1986), Hook is ripe for reassessment as a fantasy classic. The DVD transfer is superb and the disc, though not packed with additional features, has some interesting extras. --Gary S. Dalkin
This special concert filmed at Lansdowne Road in Dublin was performed in front of a home crowd of 50 000 fans. Tracks include: 1. Only When I Sleep 2. The Right Time 3. Joy Of Life 4. Forgiven Not Forgotten 5. What Can I Do? 6. No Frontiers 7. Runaway 8. Haste To The Wedding 9. Secret Life 10. Love To Love You 11. Queen Of Hollywood 12. Dreams 13. I Never Loved You Anyway 14. Lough Ewrin Shore 15. Closer 16. So Young 17. Toss The Feathers
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