Cat on a Hot Tin Roof offers a smouldering, angry Elizabeth Taylor as Maggie, the feline in question. Paul Newman is her ex-athlete husband, Brick Pollitt, an alcoholic who frustrates and disappoints his wife and his overbearing father, Burl Ives, the vulgar patriarch of this positively Gothic Southern family whose children return to the nest like vultures when they learn he is dying of cancer. Infidelities, addictions, latent homosexuality, depression, unrequited love and mendacity are woven into this powerful adaptation of Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Though it was somewhat whitewashed by Hollywood, the sentiment remains powerful due to the provocative performances. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor and Actress for Newman and Taylor. --Rochelle O'Gorman, Amazon.com
When multiple residents of a small Californian town begin to suffer from identical frenzied delusions, Dr Miles Bennell (Kevin McCarthy) suspects the community is in the grip of a new kind of epidemic. But his investigations soon reveal the terrifying truth uncovering not a medical emergency, but a hidden extraterrestrial invasion that threatens mankind's very existence. Directed by Don Siegel (Dirty Harry), this milestone of science fiction taps into the paranoia and uncertainty of its times to present a chilling critique of post-war American society. Invasion of the Body Snatchers remains an enduring and suspenseful classic, prepare to experience the thrills and horrors of this highly influential movie like never before. Extras Newly recorded audio commentary by filmmaker and critic Jim Hemphill (2021) 50th anniversary commentary with stars Dana Wynter and Kevin McCarthy, and Gremlins director Joe Dante (2006) John Player Lecture: Don Siegel (1973, 75 mins, audio only): Don Siegel looks over his career with Barry Norman Sleep No More: Invasion of the Body Snatchers Revisited (2006, 27 mins): a look at Body Snatchers' production history. Includes clips from interviews with Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, John Landis, Mick Garris (Sleepwalkers), and science fiction historian Bob Burns The Fear and the Fiction: The Body Snatchers Phenomenon (2006, 8 mins): considering the film's themes and critical interpretations. What's In a Name? (2006, 2 mins): a short video piece about the title of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and some of the changes that were made to get it right Return to Santa Mira (2006, 13 mins): a look at the locations where key segments from Invasion of the Body Snatchers were shot A selection of complementary archive films, with British propaganda short Doorstep to Communism (1948, 11 mins) and groundbreaking botanical cinematography in Magic Myxies (Mary Field, F Percy Smith, 1931, 11 mins) and Battle of the Plants (F Percy Smith, 1926, 11 mins) Original theatrical trailer Trailers From Hell: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (2013, 3 mins): Body Snatchers fan Joe Dante celebrates the film Gallery
Richard Conte (The Big Combo), Dianne Foster (Gideon's Day), Larry Gates (Underworld U.S.A.), and Kathryn Grant (The 7th Voyage of Sinbad) lead the cast of The Brothers Rico, a tough film noir directed by Phil Karlson (5 Against the House, Tight Spot). Eddie Rico (Conte) is a former mobster who has turned straight to run a successful laundry business. When his two brothers disappear following a hit, mafia boss 'Uncle' Sid (Gates) assures him that the Ricos are like his own family... But as Eddie attempts to track down his wayward siblings, he realises that Sid is not the father figure he believed him to be. Based on a novel by Maigret creator Georges Simenon, The Brothers Rico prefigures The Godfather in its exploration of the tensions between familial and criminal bonds within the Mafia. Product Features High Definition remaster Original mono audio Audio commentary with professor and film scholar Jason A Ney (2021) Introduction by Martin Scorsese (2010, 4 mins) A Bracing Brutality (2021, 30 mins): author and critic Nick Pinkerton considers the tough, no-nonsense cinema of director Phil Karlson A Merry Mix-Up (1957, 16 mins): the Three Stooges play three sets of brothers, creating all manner of chaos, confusion, and violent misunderstandings Original theatrical trailer Image gallery: publicity and promotional material New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
First performed in 1777, Sheridan's sophisticated comedy of manners satirizes the extravagance and corruption of London society. 'The School for Scandal's' combination of elegant language and earthy comedy weaves a deliciously nasty tale of intrigue, slander and clandestine love affairs. Blair Brown starts in this timeless, witty look at the wages of scandal mongering and social climbing, scheming and hypocrisy.
When multiple residents of a Californian backwater begin to suffer from identical frenzied delusions, Dr Miles Bennell (Kevin McCarthy) suspects the town is in the grip of a new kind of epidemic. But his investigations soon reveal the terrifying truth, uncovering not a medical emergency but an extra-terrestrial invasion that threatens mankind's very existence. Directed by Don Siegel (Dirty Harry), this 1950s classic brings the fear of the unknown to the streets of America. A milestone of the science-fiction genre and a critique of post-war American society, The Invasion of the Body Snatchers remains an enduring and suspenseful classic. Presented on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK, experience the thrills and horrors of this highly influential movie like never before. Special Features Audio commentary with Dana Wynter, Kevin McCarthy and Joe Dante (2006) Sleep No More: Invasion of the Body Snatchers Revisited (27 mins): archive featurette focusing on the production history and historical significance of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Includes clips from interviews with Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, John Landis, Mick Garris (Sleepwalkers), and science fiction historian Bob Burns Return to Santa Mira (16 mins): a look at the locations where key segments from Invasion of the Body Snatchers were shot What's In a Name? (3 mins): a short video piece about the title of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and some of the changes that were made to get it right The Fear and the Fiction: The Body Snatchers Phenomenon (8 mins): archive extra featuring interviews with Kevin McCarthy, co-screenwriter Stuart Gordon, John Landis, cultural historian Leo Brandy, Don Siegel's assistant Stuart Kaminsky, and Dana Wynters Trailer Other extras TBC
This 1967 film took home lots of Oscars for its fascinating drama about a Philadelphia detective (Sidney Poitier) who assists a redneck Southern sheriff (Rod Steiger) in solving a murder. A study in racism that ebbs a bit through the collective and shared need between a black man and a white man who don't want to be working together, In the Heat of the Night continues to strike a chord today. Steiger is a mass of snarling danger, Poitier a bundle of nerves covered in class. Norman Jewison (Moonstruck) directs with a keen feeling for the cultural and social atmosphere of the setting. --Tom Keogh
The complete third season of the classic American television sci-fi series by Rod Serling. In each of these 37 stand alone episodes an ordinary person finds himself in an extraordinary situation where the laws of reality are suspended. In this series a group of neighbours fight each other over the use of a single bomb shelter in the face of an alien invasion a young boy has the power to read minds and control thoughts in a small town and when a man falls into a lake on a hunting trip he finds that no one can hear or see him anymore.
Like giant monuments to good old-fashioned star quality, Funny Girl (1968) and Funny Lady (1975) hark back to the golden days of American vaudeville, while essentially celebrating one of the great, egotistical show-business talents of all time. Viewed end to end, these two films, which tell the story of Ziegfeld comedienne Fanny Brice, run for almost five hours. That's a lot of biopic. But with the greatest of respect to Brice, undoubtedly a formidable star of her time, the talent really in the spotlight here belongs to Barbra Streisand. Streisand created the role of Fanny Brice in the 1964 Broadway stage musical and her performance for the big screen is a tour de force, fully deserving the Best Actress Oscar which she received. As a biopic, Funny Girl is superior fare, full of sumptuous production numbers. Brice's glory days are explored against the background of her turbulent private life with her flawed playboy husband Nicky Arnstein (a sympathetic performance from Omar Sharif) with considerable attention to the details of her inner turmoil. More rambling and less cohesive, Funny Lady finds Fanny divorced but still in love with Arnstein (Sharif also revisiting his role), drifting into marriage number two with uncouth songwriter and impresario Billy Rose (the excellent James Caan), her successful career again juxtaposed with a less than happy personal life. Combined, both films measure Streisand's rise to greatness. In Funny Girl, the bravura of the performance as a whole masks occasional gaucheness, while if Funny Lady is the less impressive picture overall, it still marks how far she has developed as a screen actress. The rough edges are gone, replaced by a sophisticated poise and the sense of a talent that has come to terms with itself. And of course throughout she is superb in the musical numbers, which include her theme song "People" and the classic belter "Don't Rain on my Parade", as well as Brice's classic torch song, "My Man". On the DVD: this package of tremendous, old-fashioned entertainment takes the viewer back to pre-multiplex days when going to the cinema was an event you might dress up for. Funny Lady's soundtrack includes a pre-picture "Overture" to give you time to unwrap the chocolates. You really need some plush velvet curtains to swing back across the television screen. Then, guaranteeing a twinge of nostalgia, there's an intermission break. Both films are presented in their original widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Dolby Digital 5.0 (Funny Girl) and LCR (Funny Lady) soundtracks do justice to Streisand's lung power. The first disc offers the most interesting extras, including a couple of featurettes about Streisand. Both discs provide standard filmographies and song highlights so Streisand addicts can skip between numbers to their hearts' content.--Piers Ford
The original nightmare that threatened the world. Something evil has taken possession of the small town of Santa Mira California. Hysterical people accuse their loved ones of being emotionless imposters of not being themselves. At first Dr. Miles Bennell (Kevin McCarthy) tries to convince them they're wrong...but they're not. Plant-like extraterrestrials have invaded Earth replicating the villagers in giant seed ""pods"" and taking possession of their souls while they sleep. Soon the entire town is overwhelmed by the inhuman horror but it won't stop there. In a terrifying race for his life Dr. Bennell escapes to warn the world of the deadly invasion of the pod people!
'The Sand Pebbles' tell many stories. It's the story of China a slumbering giant that rouses itself to the cries of its people - and of the Americans who are caught in its bloody awakening. It's the story of Frenchy (Richard Attenborough) a crewman on the USS San Pablo who kidnaps his Chinese bride from the auction block. Most of all it's the story of Jake Holman (Steve McQueen) a sailor who had given up trying to make peace with anything: including himself. Nominated for nine A
Director Robert Wise chose to film Robert McKenna's award-winning novel The Sand Pebbles as his follow-up to the success of The Sound of Music. Shot in Taiwan and Hong Kong, the film combines historical sweep and intimate human drama in several parallel stories, all revolving around US Navy machinist's mate Jake Holman (Steve McQueen), a skilful but fiercely independent sailor who joins the "sand pebble" crew of the USS San Pablo, a Navy gunboat patrolling the Yangtze River on the eve of the Chinese revolution in 1926. The San Pablo's inexperienced captain (Richard Crenna) obsessively defends the Navy's mission-however unnecessary or unwanted--to protect American missionaries and businessmen, blind to the more dangerous implications of American involvement with China's opposing political factions. Holman is a defiant voice of humanity in this clash between outmoded values and inevitable change; his final line of dialogue ("What the hell happened?") is a tragic summation of misguided policy, expressing the film's criticism of the Vietnam War. Rather than preach, however, Wise lets McKenna's potent drama emerge from finely drawn relationships: between Holman and a young American teacher (19-year-old Candice Bergen, in her second film); between Holman and the Chinese "coolie" (Mako), whose heart-breaking fate transcends all issues of racial or political difference; and between crewmate "Frenchy" Burgoyne (Richard Attenborough) and the Chinese woman he's sworn to love and protect at all costs. Combined with the film's colourful supporting cast, adventurous scope, and climactic battle scenes, these personal dynamics bring substance and spirit to a complex story of good intentions gone awry. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow between science and superstition and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area we call...The Twilight Zone! Episodes comprise: 1. Two 2. The Arrival 3. The Shelter 4. The Passerby 5. A Game of Pool 6.
There is trouble in Cimarron when Jing McQueen the drunken son of wealthy cattleman Mike McQueen shoots a local preacher and burns down a livery stable. When the preacher recovers he refuses to press charges and the young McQueen is released from jail. As anger levels rise and the people of Cimarron demand justice Marshal Crown is faced with the task of having to control the lynch-fevered mob. At the same time an old friend of Crown's rides into town armed with a big reputation... and he's gunning for Jim's job.
In 1946 the famous gangster Charles 'Lucky' Luciano is deported to his native Italy. Luciano has just finished serving nine years in jail, and returns to Naples to instigate deals with other mobsters. Unknown to Lucky, his long-time nemesis, a former federal narcotics agent, continues to gather evidence in order to testify against him and put him away forever...
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