"Actor: Luther Adler"

• Cast A Giant Shadow | DVD | (20/05/2002) from £11.42   |  Saving you £1.57 (13.75%)   |  RRP £12.99

  1966’s Cast a Giant Shadow is based on Ted Berkman’s biography of Colonel "Mickey" Marcus, the American soldier who served as an adviser in the fight to establish the state of Israel in 1948. It stars Kirk Douglas as the likeable "stiffneck" and WWII veteran persuaded to take up the cause. Israel back then was depicted as a negligible military force under threat of extinction at the hands of its Arab neighbours, hamstrung by a UN embargo on arms supplies. It takes Douglas at his most square-jawed to see off the Egyptian military and defy a blockade to beat a path through to Jerusalem. This is not cinema verité but Hollywood. Marcus’ dilemma--to settle into peacetime in America or follow his more natural, combative instincts abroad--is symbolised by a love triangle, involving wife Angie Dickinson and Santa Berger as Magda, the soldier whom he falls for in Palestine. Although lavish and spectacular, especially in the war scenes--filmed in the actual Middle Eastern locations in which they occurred--Cast a Giant Shadow is not entirely authentic (for a start, they’re driving 1950s vehicles in the 40s). Moreover, in the light of later troubles in the region, not everyone will be heart warmed by this depiction of plucky little Israel coping against Arab foes who are barely depicted as human throughout the film, merely as tanks and gunfire. Still, it’s an impressive enough relic of epic 1960s cinema, with cameos from Yul Brynner, John Wayne as Marcus’ wartime general, and Frank Sinatra as a pilot scattering the enemy by dropping soda dispensers on them. On the DVD: Cast a Giant Shadow‘s restoration here is visually immaculate. The mono sound, however, is often indistinct, with a good deal of sibilant hiss. Disappointingly, the only extra is the original trailer.--David Stubbs

• Absence Of Malice | DVD | (16/07/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  In 1981, Absence of Malice was a prescient drama set in the world of journalism just before its power exploded out of control. The title refers to a verbal loophole effectively allowing invasion of privacy. After months of fruitlessly investigating the disappearance of a prominent figure, the Justice Division contrive to leak a story that'll flush out information. Unfortunately they pick on the one news gal with a moral backbone lurking behind the all-business façade. Sally Field is superb at controlling the contradictions within Megan, and is perfect next to the resolutely calm Gallagher (an Oscar-nominated Paul Newman). His bogus investigation is sure to backfire, and once the two get together it does so in the most satisfying of ways. Shot in gloriously sunny Miami locations, the film has a constant atmosphere of realism. When it's time to point the finger of blame, the film is given over to the starriest of cameos from Wilfred Brimley as the straight-talking Assistant Attorney General. His differentiation between truth and accuracy ought to be required learning for all journalists. On the DVD: The sound may be mono, but the picture is crisp enough. A minute-long deleted scene expanding Gallagher's business crisis is in poor condition however and doesn't add much. Neither does the theatrical trailer or three mini Filmographies of director Sidney Pollack, Newman and Field. The real extra treat is a 30-minute documentary, which features new interviews with Pollack, writer Kurt Luedtke, Newman and Field. Everyone has fond memories of making the film, even Field despite her bruises after the rough-and-tumble scene with the usually genteel Newman. --Paul Tonks

• Desert Fox, The / The Desert Rats | DVD | (02/06/2003) from £14.35   |  Saving you £0.64 (4.46%)   |  RRP £14.99

  James Mason plays Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in both The Desert Fox (1951) and The Desert Rats (1953), a WWII double-bill on DVD. The Desert Fox, released six years after the end of the War, is a solemnly respectful tribute to Erwin Rommel, Germany's most celebrated military genius. James Mason's portrayal of this gallant warrior became a highlight of his career iconography. The film itself is oddly disjointed, though: a pre-credit commando raid to liquidate Rommel is followed by a flashback to the field-marshal's lightning successes commanding the Afrika Korps--a compressed account via documentary footage and copious narration (spoken by Michael Rennie, who also dubs Desmond Young, the Rommel biographer and one-time British POW appearing briefly as himself). The dramatic core is Rommel's growing disenchantment with Hitler (Luther Adler), his involvement in the plot to assassinate the Fuhrer, and his subsequent martyrdom. The Desert Rats stars Richard Burton in only his second Hollywood role (between Oscar-nominated turns in My Cousin Rachel and The Robe), as a Scottish commando put in charge of a battalion of the 9th Australian Division defending Tobruk. The Aussies don't like him, and with a year of grim North African duty already under his belt, he's not too crazy about his new responsibilities either. The outfit is charged with staving off the battering assaults of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel for two months, to give the British Army time to regroup in Cairo and prepare for a counterattack. In the end, the "desert rats" play hell with the Desert Fox for 242 days, during which time they and their commander develop some mutual respect. This is a solid, workmanlike World War II picture that, having been made in 1953 rather than 1943, can acknowledge a degree of eccentric humanity and soldierly professionalism in the enemy. Featured guest star James Mason reprises his Rommel from The Desert Fox, playing all his scenes in German except for a scene of ironical repartee with Burton. Another distinguished Brit, Robert Newton, gets costar billing as a boozy, self-confessed coward who used to be Burton's schoolmaster. However, a goodly number of Australians--including Chips Rafferty and Charles "Bud" Tingwell rate at least as much screen time. Robert Wise directed, with a trimness that reminds us he started out as an editor, and the pungent black-and-white cinematography is by Lucien Ballard. --Richard T. Jameson

• Wake of the Red Witch (John Wayne) | DVD | (05/06/2006) from £9.35   |  Saving you £0.64 (6.84%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Captain Ralls (John Wayne) is a ship's captain in the South Seas who is in a rivalry with Dutch shipping magnate Mayrant Sidneye over money and the woman he loves Angelique Desaix (Gail Russell). The end reward is the gold carried by the shipping vessel the Red Witch.

• The Desert Fox | DVD | (01/08/2005) from £5.38   |  Saving you £7.61 (141.45%)   |  RRP £12.99

  James Mason delivers a strong performance in the title role of this sympathetic study of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. In the early 40's Rommel's juggernaut Afrika Korps dominated North Africa. But as the tide turned and he came to the painful realisation that his Fuhrer to whom he had sworn allegiance was destroying Germany his ingrained sense of duty pushed him into a conspiracy against Hitler. Focusing on the latter part of Rommel's career the flm portrays him as a dedicated so

• Twilight Zone - Season Two | DVD | (20/06/2011) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £34.99

  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 shadows, 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 which we call...The Twilight Zone.Those were the first words that echoed when The Twilight Zone first aired in 1959. Its episodes featured stories of the bizarre and unexplained, blended with humour and often with an unexpected twist to the tale. Created by the legendary Rod Serling, its eclectic mix of fantasy and sci-fi has helped to define it as one of television's most original and celebrated series. Season 2 features some of The Twilight Zone's most famous episodes including Nick Of Time starring the young William Shatner and Long Distance Call with Bill Mumy (Lost In Space).Released digitally remastered for the first time in the UK, this 5 disc set contains all 29 episodes from the second season as well as special features.Disc 1:King Nine Will Not ReturnThe Man in the BottleNervous Man in a Four Dollar RoomA Thing About MachinesThe Howling ManEye of the BeholderDisc 2:Nick of TimeThe Lateness of the HourThe Trouble With TempletonA Most Unusual CameraThe Night of the MeekDustDisc 3:Back ThereThe Whole TruthThe InvadersA Penny For Your ThoughtsTwenty TwoThe Odyssey of Flight 33Disc 4:Mr. Dingle, The StrongStaticThe Prime MoverLong Distance CallA Hundred Yards Over the RimThe Rip Van Winkle CaperDisc 5:The SilenceShadow PlayThe Mind and the MatterWill the Real Martian Please Stand Up?The Obsolete Man

• The Desert Fox | DVD | (09/04/2012) from £13.78   |  Saving you £-3.79 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  James Mason delivers a strong performance in the title role of this sympathetic study of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.In the early 40's, Rommel's juggernaut Afrika Korps dominated North Africa. But as the tide turned and he came to the painful realisation that his Fuhrer, to whom he had sworn allegiance, was destroying Germany, his ingrained sense of duty pushed him into a conspiracy against Hitler. Focusing on the latter part of Rommel's career, the flm portrays him as a dedicated soldier, sympathetic to his men and devoted to the art of waging war in a dignified, disciplined manner.Co-starring Jessica Tandy as Rommel's wife and Cedric Hardwicke as another anti-Hitler conspirator, The Desert Fox is an intimate look at one of the most respected tacticians of modern times, openly admitted by those who followed him into combat and those who faced him in the field of battle.

• Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye | DVD | (11/01/2010) from £11.79   |  Saving you £1.20 (10.18%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye

• Hot Blood | DVD | (26/03/2007) from £6.86   |  Saving you £6.13 (89.36%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Dramatic musical directed by Nicholas Ray and starring Russell and Wilde as a gypsy couple whose marriage was prearranged by their relatives. Gypsy girl who lives by decamping with marriage settlements from wealthy men meets her match in the handsome younger brother of a gypsy king.

• D.O.A. | DVD | (02/05/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £4.99

  Edmund O'Brian - DOA

• The Twilight Zone - Season 2 | DVD | (03/10/2005) from £41.90   |  Saving you £18.09 (43.17%)   |  RRP £59.99

  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. King Nine Will Not Return 2. The Man In The Bottle 3. Nervous Man In

• Film Noir Thrillers | DVD | (03/02/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

• The Man In The Glass Booth | DVD | (26/07/2004) from £26.98   |  Saving you £-6.99 (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Arthur Goldman a rich Jewish industrialist who lives in luxury in Manhattan and is irreverent about many things Jewish is arrested by Israeli secret agents for allegedly being a Nazi war criminal... Robert Shaw best known for his acting roles in movies such as 'From Russia With Love' and 'Jaws' turned playwright to create this brilliant drama inspired by the trial of Adolf Eichmann concerned with guilt paranoia conspiracy theories and martyrdom. Directed by Arthur Hiller

• D.O.A. | DVD | (17/11/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £2.99

  A real-estate salesman is given a lethal slow-acting poison by mistake in a misdirected murder attempt. He then begins a desperate search for the person responsible for his impending demise.

• John Wayne In Action | DVD | (15/11/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £49.99

  A collection of action films starring the legendary John Wayne. Films comprise: 1. The Spoilers 2. Tycoon 3. Wake of the Red Witch 4. The Conqueror 5. The Magnificent Showman 6. Hellfighters