Sumptuous in every way, visually magnificent, with grandiose sets, panoramic Spanish vistas and intricately detailed costumes, possessor of one of cinema's greatest music scores, boasting vast and astonishingly kinetic battles, and breathing heroic virtue in every scene, El Cid is the very epitome of epic. For this reworking of the medieval legend of the Cid (Arabic for "Lord") who united warring factions and saved 11th-century Spain from invasion, producer Samuel Bronston and director Anthony Mann insisted every set had to be created from scratch, every costume specially made for this movie alone; they also shot entirely on location in La Mancha and along the Mediterranean coast of Spain to enhance the film's authenticity. The cinematography is saturated with the burnished hues of the Spanish landscape, as are the palatial sets and rich costumes; Miklos Rozsa's resplendent score is also the result of painstaking research into medieval Spanish sources. The screenplay is imbued with knightly gravitas and more than a little salvation imagery, from the opening scene of the young Rodrigo rescuing a cross from a burning church, to the movie's indelible finale as The Cid rides "out of the gates of history into legend".Charlton Heston is at his most indomitable as Rodrigo, "The Cid", a natural leader of men and the embodiment of every manly virtue (note that he fathers twins--a sure token of his virility); Sophie Loren is ravishing as Chimene, the woman whose love for Rodrigo conflicts with her filial instincts after he kills her father, the king's champion, over a point of honour. Their scenes together create a humane warmth at the heart of this vast movie: the moment when Chimene finally declares her love (beneath a shrine of three crosses--more symbolism) to the exiled Rodrigo forms a pivotal and very intimate centrepiece. Shortly thereafter he must rise from their rural marriage bed to lead his followers into battle, and the tension between his public and private lives adds a piquancy to the film's stunning battle sequences. The international supporting cast sometimes look like makeweights, especially when chewing on the occasionally stilted dialogue, but any such faults are easily forgiven as the scale and spectacle of El Cid carries the viewer away on a tide of chivalry.On the DVD: This disc is a sadly missed opportunity to present a classic epic in its original form. Although formatted for 16:9 widescreen TVs, which initially gives hope that this might be an anamorphic widescreen presentation, only the opening and closing titles appear in the correct cinematic ratio. Otherwise this is essentially the same picture as the pan & scan VHS version with the same poor print quality. Since a restored 35mm print of El Cid has been shown at cinemas and on TV in recent years there seems to be no excuse for this cut-down presentation. Add some decidedly minimal extras and the result is a disappointing disc. --Mark Walker
John Simm stars as Sam Tyler a driven and ambitious young detective determined to keep the streets of 21st Century Manchester safe. But after a near fatal car accident he wakes up dazed and confused in 1973. Has he gone back in time? Is he in a coma? Or has he simply gone insane? What follows is Sam's 21st century account of 1970s life where he feels like a fish out of water. He must come to terms with an unfamiliar environment and an archaic CID unit. There using his modern know-how he becomes integral to the unit. But he must adapt to their old-fashioned technologies and etiquettes. Sam works on some of the hardest cases he's ever been involved with. It's a world where witnesses are regularly intimidated it takes two weeks to process forensics and his colleagues will nail their suspect whether they have the evidence or not... Created and written by Mathew Graham Tony Jordan and Ashley Pharoah (who all worked on Hustle) directed by Bharat Nalluri (Spooks Hustle) John McKay (Canterbury Tales) John Alexander (Cutting It) and SJ Clarkson (Footballers' Wives).
The British Are Coming! Britain's finest athletes have begun their quest for glory in the 1924 Olympic Games. Success brings honour to their nation. For two runners the honour at stake is personal... and their challenge one from within. Winner of four 1981 Academy Awards including Best Picture 'Chariots Of Fire' is the inspiring true story of Harold Abrahams Eric Liddell and the team that brought Britain one of its greatest sports victories. Ben Cross Ian Charleson Nigel Havers Nicholas Farrell and Alice Krige enjoyed their first major movie roles in this debut theatrical feature for director Hugh Hudson. Producer David Puttnam blended those talents to shape a film of unique and lasting impact. From its awesome footage of competition to its Oscar-winning Vangelis score 'Chariots Of Fire' has blazed its way into the hearts of movie lovers everywhere.
Golden Globe winner nominated John Travolta (Face/Off, Pulp Fiction) returns to the action genre with a hard as nails performance as a man with nothing left to lose, seeking bloody vengeance! Unemployed engineer Stanley Hill (Travolta) witnesses the brutal murder of his wife Vivian (Rebecca De Mornay, TV's Jessica Jones) who was attacked by thugs in a parking garage. When Detective Gibson (Sam Trammell, True Blood) and other corrupt police officers are unable and unwilling to bring the killers to justice, Stanley turns to his old friend Dennis (Christopher Meloni, Man of Steel, TVs Law & Order) and decides to take matters into his own hands. It is only then that Stanley and Dennis are found to have a mysterious past that, until now, they kept very well hidden. As they wreak their revenge, those involved in the cover up realise that Stanley and Dennis are more dangerous than they could have ever imagined
The Revenge of Billy the Kid is an outrageous farce like no other comedy film you've ever seen. Its bizarre blend of murder and mirth terror and titters simply defies sane description! When horney-handed farmer Gyles MacDonald has his wicked way with the farmyard goat little does he realise the freakish consequences of his strange desires. The Macdonalds are crude and grotesque living by their (dim) wits on a desolate island. Shunned by the mainlanders the family's laughable lifestyle is shattered when the unfortunate goat finally gives birth! Only Gyles' soft-headed daughter takes pity on the hideous creature. Naming it Billy she warns her brutish brothers to keep their hands off her new-found friend! But Billy doesn't beat about the bush. He grows quickly... Too quickly for Gyles who realises his diabolical secret will soon be out and the legacy of his evil lust is about to drop him deep in the manure....
A team of hard-bitten Glasgow detectives solve a huge variety of murders in the city's Northern Division. Features: Genesis The Caring Game lifeline
Capote (Dir. Bennett Miller ): In November 1959 the shocking murder of a smalltown Kansas family captures the imagination of Truman Capote (Philip Seymour Hoffman) famed author of Breakfast at Tiffany's. With his childhood friend Harper Lee (Catherine Keener) writer of the soon-to-be published To Kill a Mockingbird Capote sets out to investigate winning over the locals despite his flamboyant appearance and style. When he forms a bond with the killers and their execution date nears the writing of In Cold Blood a book that will change the course of American Literature takes a drastic toll on Capote changing him in ways he never imagined. In Cold Blood (Dir. Richard Brooks 1967): Richard Brooks' stylish and powerful 1967 drama adapted from Truman Capote's novel about a shocking real-life murder case. This daring cinematic portrait employs flashbacks to fully examine what drives an individual to commit thoughtless and brutal crimes while using a highly innovative jazz score by Quincy Jones to capture the moody atmosphere. A prosperous and respected Kansas farmer his wife and his two teenage children are wantonly and brutally slaughtered. The murderers are two mindless ex-convict drifters. Neither man is sane enough to regret their crime. The story penetrates the inner workings of the criminals' minds as it follows their purposeless meandering through Mexico and the United States in evasion of the law...
In an attempt to rescue their friend, the boys enter into a Faustian pact involving drugs, money, witchcraft and goats. How far would you go for your friends, not least when you can't remember why you liked them in the first place? Mad Dogs madness prevails in what is becoming the worst holiday of anyone's lifetime.
"Family Guy" revolves around the Griffin family and their madcap adventures.
Troy, Noah, Emma, Gia and Jake must convince the mysterious Robo Knight to work as a team to battle PsychoTick's energy-draining powers, ShadowSerpent's paralyzing touch, Distractor's giant army of MegaMonsters, and NoJoke's laughter-stealing traps. And when an ancient weapon falls into the wrong hands, the Rangers will summon the Mighty Dragon Spirit to earn new ULTRA POWERS! Witness the rise of a new Megaforce team in these ultra-exciting episodes! INCLUDES 7 EPISODES: Prince Takes Knight Man and Machine Ultra Power Last Laugh Dream Snatcher Gosei Ultimate The Human Factor
A Comic Tale Of Horror And Seduction. Eddie Murphy's got the bite stuff in this movie mix of bone-chilling horror and chill-out comedy directed by Wes Craven (A Nightmare On Elm Street). As the vampire Maximillian the popular star is the most diabolical dashing and definitely undead dude in the 'hood'. To add to the macabre fun Murphy morphs into two other must-see characters: a paunchy preacher and a fast talking thug. Angela Bassett (The Score) plays the cop whose world is
Investigating a murder in a small English town, a brusque Police Inspector (John Mills Hobson's Choice, Ice Cold in Alex, Young Winston) discovers that virtually everyone he encounters has something to hide. Setting the template for British crime thrillers for decades to come (including recent TV hit, Broadchurch),director John Guillermin's audacious, often salacious, drama is untypical of mainstream British cinema of its time. An intelligent and gripping police-procedural thriller and macabre melodrama, Town on Trialis a rare treat which is ripe for rediscovery. Features: High Definition remaster Original mono audio The John Player Lecture with John Mills (1970): archival audio recording of an interview conducted by Margaret Hinxman at London's National Film Theatre New interview with actor Elizabeth Seal (2018) An appreciation by film historian and journalist Barry Forshaw (2018) Adventure in the Hopfields (1954, 60 mins): John Guillermin's early film made for the Children's Film Foundation starring Mandy Miller (The Snorkel) Original theatrical trailer Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Neil Sinyard, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and historic articles on the film World premiere on Blu-ray Limited Edition of 3,000 copies All extras subject to change
SALUTE chronicles Peter Norman's involvement in the infamous Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics. The true story of an unsung Australian hero.
The Lost World is a 1960 fantasy adventure film based on the novel of the same name by Arthur Conan Doyle and from legendary fantasy/adventure director and producer Irwin Allen (Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea The Towering Inferno The Poseidon Adventure) An eccentric scientist (Claude Rains – Lawrence of Arabia) returns from the Amazon with news of a distant plateau where creatures from the dawn of time still prowl the jungle. To prove his story he gathers a team of explorers including a journalist (David Hedison – Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea) a playboy adventurer (Michael Rennie – The Day the Earth Stood Still) a beautiful socialite (Jill St John – Diamonds Are Forever) and a pilot (Fernando Lamas – The Violent Ones) with a secret plan of revenge. But an unexpected attack on their camp leaves the group stranded in a world of dinosaurs and other exotic creatures where humans are no longer lords of the earth they are helpless prey!
Three-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone brings to life this ferocious, sexy epic. In a glittering California beach town, two best friends' innovative marijuana business has come to the attention of the ruthless Mexican Baja Cartel. As a seemingly unwinnable war unfolds around them, they're forced to take part in a savage battle of wills to save the girl they both love. Starring Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, John Travolta, Benicio del Toro and Salma Hayek.
LIFE IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES... YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GONNA GET. Experience FORREST GUMP in stunning high definition, accompanied by over two hours of dynamic bonus features. Tom Hanks gives an astonishing performance as Forrest, an everyman whose simple innocence comes to embody a generation. Alongside his mamma (Sally Field), his best friend Bubba (Mykelti Williamson), and his favourite girl Jenny (Robin Wright), Forrest has a ringside seat for the most memorable events of the second half of the 20th century. Winner of six Oscars®, including Best Picture, Best Director (Robert Zemeckis), and Best Actor (Tom Hanks), FORREST GUMP remains one of the great movie triumphs of all time. Special Features: Commentary with Robert Zemeckis, Steve Starkey and Rick Carter Commentary with Wendy Finerman Musical Signposts to History Introduction (by Ben Fong-Torres) And much much more!
Sit-com favourites John Alderton and Robin Nedwell share the role of a homeless writer with a highly appropriate pen-name. Along with his many pseudonyms the roguishly charming Mike Upchat has a rare ability to pass himself off as the character which best fits any given situation. And since Mike lives out of a left-luggage locker in Marylebone Station that situation will often require his equally amazing ability to chat his way in and out of any beautiful girl's life usually via the bedroom. But if Mike Upchat isn't the first Mike Upchat then he probably isn't the only Mike Upchat... A playful inventive sitcom penned by Billy Liar creator Keith Waterhouse The Upchat Line appeared in 1977 with its equally successful sequel airing the following year. In a twist ingeniously encompassing Alderton's departure Robin Nedwell plays the man who inherits the Upchat persona when Mike raffles the key to his left-luggage locker. Both series are included on this set.
You're Just a Country BoyAway Down the RiverHow's the World Treating YouSawing on the StringsShadowsWhiskey LullabyJacob's DreamLay Down Beside MeSimple Love
Apache war drums sound an ominous warning for an isolated female rancher and her young son in this exciting and memorable John Wayne classic. Wayne plays Hondo Lane a cavalry rider who becomes the designated protector of the strong-willed Angie Lowe (Geraldine Page) as well as a father figure to her boy Johnny (Lee Aaker). Angie determinedly awaiting the return of her brutish husband (Leo Gordon) refuses to leave their homestead despite the growing danger from nearby warring Native American tribes. And she finds herself growing more and more enthralled with this stranger Hondo - a man hardened by experience but still capable of sympathy kindness and love. Ward Bond Michael Pate James Arness and Rodolfo Acosta co-star; Page received an Academy Award-nomination for Best Supporting Actress in this one of her first film roles.
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