This dense adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's novel features Rock Hudson as American soldier Lt. Henry and his ill-fated love affair with British Nurse Catherine, portrayed by Jennifer Jones, during World War I. The two lovers will stop at nothing to be together but Lt. Henry's internal struggles ultimately threaten the relationship. Hemingway's theme of questioning the nature of war and fighting is fully recognised under Charles Vidor's direction.
Joan Crawford (Mildred Pierce) plays Vienna, a saloon owner with a sordid past. Persecuted by the townspeople, Vienna must protect her life and her property when a lynch mob led by her sexually repressed rival, Emma Small (Mercedes McCambridge; All The King's Men), attempts to frame her for a string of robberies she did not commit. Enter Johnny Guitar (Sterling Hayden; Dr. Strangelove: or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb), a guitar-strumming ex-gunfighter who has a history with Vienna. Mis-understood by US audiences upon release, the film was embraced by European cineastes and is now regarded as one of the greatest western pictures of all time. An intensely stylised masterpiece from director Nicholas Ray, Johnny Guitar is re-issued on Blu-ray as part of the Masters of Cinema series. Product Features 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 4K restoration of the original film elements, framed in the film's originally intended aspect ratio of 1.66:1 New audio commentary by film scholar Adrian Martin New introduction by critic Geoff Andrew, author of The Films of Nicholas Ray: The Poet of Nightfall New video piece by Tony Rayns Never is a Long Time A new video essay by David Cairns New interview with Susan Ray Archival introduction to Johnny Guitar by Martin Scorsese Trailer PLUS: A 28-page collector's booklet featuring an essay by author Howard Hughes, and an archival interview with director Nicholas Ray
Giant (1956): George Stevens' sweeping Oscar-winning epic about the cataclysmic effect the discovery of oil in Texas has on the lifestyle of the former cattle barons. Dean is Jett Rink a sullen-farm hand who becomes a millionaire overnight. Tough always angry restless bewildered and reckless Rink's animal charm and tycoon's magnetism means he always gets his way. But when he fails in love with Leslie he loses his way with an equal violence... East Of Eden (1955): J
Collection of three classic James Dean films. In 'East of Eden' (1955) two brothers compete for the love of their stern, overbearing, widowed father. However, when Cal (Dean), the rejected 'rebel' son, discovers that his mother is not dead but running a nearby brothel he tells his brother Aron (Richard Davalos). This leads to the destruction of not only his relationship with Aron but also his father. 'Giant' (1956) is an epic saga which begins when Texas cattle baron Bick Benedict (Rock Hudson) takes a non-Texan wife, Leslie (Elizabeth Taylor). The story then traces two generations of his family, alongside the life of disreputable ranch-hand Jett Rink (Dean), who strikes it rich on an oil well and falls in love with Leslie. Director George Stevens won an Oscar for his work and the film garnered nine more nominations, including one for Dean, who was killed soon after filming. Finally, 'Rebel Without a Cause' (1955) takes place over a 24-hour period and follows Jim Stark (Dean), a restless teenager who is always in trouble with the law. When Jim is picked up for being drunk and disorderly he notices Judy (Natalie Wood) at the police station and determines to ask her on a date at high school the next day, which leads him into conflict with her boyfriend Buzz (Corey Allen).
The Best Picture Oscar in 1949 went to All the King's Men, a hard-hitting political melodrama that will strike any number of eerily familiar chords with audiences weaned on later American politics: from the Kennedys to Nixon, Bill Clinton and beyond, US politicians obviously haven't changed much in the intervening decades. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, this grittily realistic movie charts the rise and fall of Willie Stark (Broderick Crawford in an Oscar-winning role), a hick lawyer whose ideals are inexorably eroded by his relentless pursuit of power. When we first meet him, Stark is the people's champion, a struggling self-taught advocate who isn't afraid to speak out against "graft". Although inspired by the real-life story of Louisiana Governor Huey Pierce Long, All the King's Men also parallels the much later Primary Colors (1998), which is itself a thinly disguised portrait of Bill Clinton's presidential campaign. Like that movie, this one tells the tale from the point of view of a young idealist (John Ireland) who succumbs to the fledgling politician's charm and joins his campaign team. There he meets cynical aide Sadie Burke (Mercedes McCambridge, in another Oscar-winning role) and together they connive at and excuse every increasingly corrupt move made in the name of political expediency, until matters get dangerously out of hand after the governor's son kills his girlfriend in a drunk-driving incident (a spooky premonition of Chappaquidick?). The performances are all top-notch, as is the fast-paced screenplay and direction from Robert Rossen (later director of The Hustler in 1961). Less idealistic than Capra's Mr Smith Goes to Washington, this is a movie ahead of its time which still has plenty to say about the state of modern politics, American or otherwise. --Mark Walker
The American domestic epic endured long into the post-war era, with Giant (1956) one of its last real manifestations. Director George Stevens gets real panoramic sweep in his adaptation of Edna Ferber's novel of social and economic change in rural Texas from the 1920s to the 1950s. Rock Hudson is imposing if uninvolving as rancher Vernon Reata II, constantly torn between his image and his humanity. As his wife Lesley, Elizabeth Taylor gives one of her most rounded performances as the Maryland girl whose liberal outlook causes friction within the social (and racial) mindset of the insular community as it lurches from rigid conservatism to mindless materialism over three decades. The film is best remembered for James Dean in what was his third and last screen appearance. He cuts a distinctive figure as Jet Rink, social outcast turned oil tycoon. The bravura of his inebriated speech before an empty banqueting hall would be no less memorable had his career not been curtailed days after shooting ended. The secondary roles are decently taken: look out for a teenage Denis Hopper, sallow but likeable as the gauche Vernon Reata III. On the DVD: Giant is evenly divided over two discs. Widescreen picture quality is excellent and the remastered soundtrack gives Dimitri Tiomkin's score a new lease of life. A laudable 56 chapter points are provided, with dubbing in English, French and Italian and subtitles in eight languages. A running commentary, though informative, is really for aficionados only, but the 45 minutes (on the second disc) of George Stevens recollections from heavyweights such as Herman J. Mankiewicz, Alan J Pakula and Fred Zinnemann ideally complements this sprawling but often compulsive old-school American movie. --Richard Whitehouse
Joan Crawford (Mildred Pierce) plays Vienna, a saloon owner with a sordid past. Persecuted by the townspeople, Vienna must protect her life and her property when a lynch mob led by her sexually repressed rival, Emma Small (Mercedes McCambridge; All The King's Men), attempts to frame her for a string of robberies she did not commit. Enter Johnny Guitar (Sterling Hayden; Dr. Strangelove: or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb), a guitar-strumming ex-gunfighter who has a history with Vienna. Mis-understood by US audiences upon release, the film was embraced by European cineastes and is now regarded as one of the greatest western pictures of all time. An intensely stylised masterpiece from director Nicholas Ray, Johnny Guitar makes its UK debut on Blu-ray as part of the Masters of Cinema series. Special Features Hardbound Slipcase 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 4K restoration of the original film elements, framed in the film's originally intended aspect ratio of 1.66:1 Brand new commentary by critic Geoff Andrew, author of The Films of Nicholas Ray: The Poet of Nightfall, newly recorded for this release Brand new video piece by Tony Rayns Brand new video essay by David Cairns Brand new interview with Susan Ray Archival introduction to Johnny Guitar by Martin Scorsese Trailer PLUS: 60-page collector's book featuring new essays on the making of Johnny Guitar and on female gunslingers in the western genre, both by western expert Howard Hughes; an essay by Jonathan Rosenbaum; and archival writing and ephemera *All extras subject to change
One of the stranger westerns to come out of Hollywood the title character is played by the imposing Sterling Hayden. Johnny Guitar is the former lover of Arizona saloon owner Vienna (Joan Crawford). Although her bar isn't bringing in any money Vienna knows that when the railroad is complete customers won't be a problem anymore. Righteous local Emma Small is most unhappy about Vienna's bar and the prospect of more settlers. Emma will do almost anything to purge the town of Vien
Elizabeth Taylor and Katharine Hepburn each received Oscar nominations for best actress in this gripping adaptation of the Tennessee Williams play filmed at Shepperton Studios by director Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Beautiful Catherine Holly (Taylor) is committed to a mental institution after witnessing the strange and horrible death of her cousin. Catherine's aunt Violet Venable (Hepburn) tries to influence Dr Cukrowicz (Montgomery Clift) a young neurosurgeon to surgically end Cather
Woman Of The Year: A female politician and a sports journalist marry for the wrong reasons in this battle of the sexes comedy classic. Oscar winner for Best Original Screenplay. Giant - Special Edition: The James Dean legend lives on in 'Giant' George Stevens sweeping Oscar-winning epic about the cataclysmic effect the discovery of oil in Texas has on the lifestyle of the former cattle barons. Dean is Jett Rink a sullen-farm hand who becomes a millionaire overnight. To
A bumper box set of classic films featuring 'The First Lady of Cinema' Katharine Hepburn! State Of The Union (Dir. Frank Capra 1948): The Flamboyant businessman Grant Matthews (Spencer Tracy) is persuaded by his mistress the powerful publishing heiress Kay Thorndyke (Angela Lansbury) to seek the Republican nomination in the forthcoming elections. Mary Matthews (Katharine Hepburn) joins her estranged husband to present a public portrait of a happy family for the voters
The Longest Day (Dir. Ken Annakin and Andrew Marton 1962): On June 6 1944 the Allied Invasion of France marked the beginning of the end of Nazi domination over Europe. The attack involved 3 000 000 men 11 000 planes and 4 000 ships comprising the largest armada the world has ever seen. Presented in the original black & white version The Longest Day is a vivid hour-by-hour re-creation of this historic event. Featuring a stellar international cast and told from the perspectives of both sides it is a fascinating look at the massive preparations mistakes and random events that determined the outcome of one of the biggest battles in history. Sink The Bismarck! (Dir. Lewis Gilbert 1960): In the Spring of 1941 Nazi Germany's greatest battleship - the Bismarck scourge of Atlantic shipping - is pinned down at her anchorage in Norway. Making a break for freedom and the safety of air cover from the Luftwaffe the great ship is chased by the Royal Navy. Eventually after heavy casualties including the loss of HMS Hood the Bismarck is finally trapped and sunk. Kenneth More stars as Captain Shepherd - the Admiralty's Director of Naval Operations - who embittered by the death of his wife in an air raid is assigned to this post just as the Bismarck makes its escape. The Desert Rats (Dir. Robert Wise 1953): Richard Burton stars in this exciting film about the courageous men who held off notorious German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel despite being hopelessly outnumbered. The year is 1941 and all that stands between Rommel and the Suez Canal is the fortress of Tobruk which is manned only by a small Australian battalion whom Captain MacRoberts (Burton) must whip into shape - fast! James Mason co-stars in a stunning portrayal as Rommel in this stirring action-packed story of the World War II heroes known as the Desert Rats. Twelve O'Clock High (Dir. Henry King 1949): Convinced an Air Force Commander is at breaking point Brigadier General Savage (Gregory Peck) takes over his struggling bomber group. At first resentful and rebellious the flyers gradually change as Savage guides them to amazing feats. But the stress of command soon takes its toll and the weary general reaches his own breaking point. Authentic aerial battle footage and numerous acclaimed performances make Twelve O'Clock High a credible stirring tale of courage and sacrifice. A Farewell To Arms (Dir. Charles Vidor 1957): This dense adaption of Ernest Hemingway's novel features Rock Hudson as American soldier Lt. Henry and his ill-fated love affair with British Nurse Catherine portrayed by Jennifer Jones during World War I. The two lovers will stop at nothing to be together but Lt. Henry's internal struggles ultimately threaten the relationship. Hemingway's theme of questioning the nature of war and fighting is fully recognised under Charles Vidor's direction.
A bumper box set of classic films featuring 'The First Lady of Cinema' Katharine Hepburn! State Of The Union (Dir. Frank Capra 1948): The Flamboyant businessman Grant Matthews (Spencer Tracy) is persuaded by his mistress the powerful publishing heiress Kay Thorndyke (Angela Lansbury) to seek the Republican nomination in the forthcoming elections. Mary Matthews (Katharine Hepburn) joins her estranged husband to present a public portrait of a happy family for the voters.
This dense adaption of Ernest Hemingway's novel features Rock Hudson as American soldier Lt. Henry and his ill-fated love affair with British Nurse Catherine portrayed by Jennifer Jones during World War I. The two lovers will stop at nothing to be together but Lt. Henry's internal struggles ultimately threaten the relationship. Hemingway's theme of questioning the nature of war and fighting is fully recognised under Charles Vidor's direction.
It all began with what seemed a simple nightmare but it kept recurring and soon it became too terrifying to ignore as much as Michael tries to push it to one side it will not leave him.... The more he dreams the more the fear grows and the more his personality changes. The dream takes over his world completely making him become blind to what is a dream and what is reality.
For his epic shocker of caged women gone wild legendary director Jess Franco brought together a once-in-a-lifetime cast of International beauties including Maria Schell Luciana Paluzzi Rosalba Neri and Maria Rohm. Oscar winner Mercedes McCambridge and Herbert Lom co-star as the sadistic wardens of an island prison where abused yet luscious young lovelies surrender to their own depraved desires. Behind bars... without men... experience the unchained passion of 99 WOMEN!
This is classic Jess Franco in a genre that he almost created single-handedly - Women in Prison or WiP! Here three women amongst them the beautiful Maria Schell (The Odessa File) and Luciana Paluzzi (James Bond - Thunderball) are sent to a kind of Devil's Island prison. Here aside from the sinister Herbert Lom (Mark of the Devil The Pink Panther series) the inhabitants are either sex-crazed female prisoners or sex-crazed female guards who also happen to be sadists! 99 Women features copious amounts of lesbian rape torture and sex along with numerous displays of semi-naked women making this a true sleaze epic!
The Irtleys are an impoverished family that are uprooted from their isolated rural existence by the intrusion of a highway through their property. They receive a large sum of money for the road but hide it under their mattress for safe keeping whilst continuing their pastoral existence. The children Naomi and Bruvver are dazzled by their newfound experiences of the outside world and persuade their parents to take them to a nearby country carnival. The family become separated in the confusion of the bright lights and excitement of the carnival and the children become prey to hustlers. Naomi is enthralled by a daredevil motorcycle rider who initiates her into womanhood in a degrading circus act in front of a paying audience. Bruvver becomes involved with a flashy stripper who looks forward to spending the hidden money. Sixteen is a simple parable-like film; the stripper the daredevil motorcycle rider and a self-proclaimed Parson who feels 'called' to share in the Irtely's rewards must take advantage of the meek in order to survive.
Justine is one of the most lavish and bizarre erotic shockers ever made by the notorious Jess Franco bursting with wanton nudity sexual perversion and an all star cast... Romina Power (18 year old daughter of Tyrone power) stars as Justine a nubile young Virgin cast out of a French orphanage and thrust into a depraved world of Prostitution predatory lesbians a fugitive murderess (Mercedes McCambridge) bondage branding and one supremely sadistic monk (an outrageous performance
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