An affectionately wicked parody of the British Costume Drama genre by writer/director Gary Sinyor, Stiff Upper Lips stars Peter Ustinov (in one of his final roles) alongside a stellar cast that includes Prunella Scales, Georgina Cates, Samuel West, Brian Glover, Frank Finlay and Sean Pertwee. No cliché is left unparodied in what Time Out calls frequently silly, consistently spot on, and beautifully acted - this may be obvious, but it's a delight ... Spiffing! Ivory Hall, England, 1908. Aunt Agnes is desperate to marry off her spoilt, virginal ward, Emily. But Emily's momentary dalliance with a rough villager frustrates Auntie's choice of effete suitors and a Grand Tour of Italy and India is undertaken in a last-ditch attempt to loosen Emily's scruples...
Hercule Poirot is called in to investigate a case for an insurance company regarding firstly a dead woman's body found on a moor and then a important diamond sent to the company to be insured turns out to be a fake. Poirot discovers that the diamond was bought for Arlena Marshall by Sir Horace Blatt and Arlena is on her honeymoon with her husband and step-daughter on a tropical island hotel. He joins them on the island and finds that everybody else starts to hate Arlena for different reasons - refusing to do a stage show stopping a book and for having an open affair with Patrick Redfern another guest in full view of his shy wife. So it's only a matter of time before Arlena turns up dead strangled and Poirot must find out who it is....
A five-year-old boy Lorenzo Odone is diagnosed as having a brain disease known as ALD a condition so rare that no medical body has undertaken to research the ailment and develop a cure. Desperate Lorenzo's parents (Nolte and Sarandon) embark on a desperate search for a cure and must battle the medical establishment when they make astounding progress using humble olive oil...
One of Charles Dickens' most beloved stories this enchanting adaptation of The Old Curiosity Shop is brought brilliantly to life by an all star cast.
The discovery of furry remains believed to be the Devil sparks a barrage of evil un-doings in a small town. Soon after their discovery the Devil's remains disappear hampering the investigation by the local Judge (Patrick Wymark). But the evil forces that take over are frightening proof that the Devil may indeed be among the villagers...
In the Year of the City 2274, humans live in a vast, bubbled metropolis, where computerised servo-mechanisms provide all needs so everyone can pursue endless hedonism. Endless, that is, until Lastday when anyone who's 30 must submit to Carrousel, a soaring, spinning trip to eternity and supposed rebirth. The screen's first use of laser holography highlights this post-apocalyptic winner of a Special Achievement Academy Award® for Visual Effects.* Michael York plays Logan 5, a Sandman authorised to terminate Runners fleeing Carrousel. Logan is almost 30. Catch him if you can. SPECIAL FEATURES Commentary by Michael York, Director Michael Anderson and Costume Designer Bill Thomas Vintage Featurette A Look into the 23rd Century
Really good feature films about animals are as rare as hen's teeth. Based on the classic novel by Henry Williamson, Tarka the Otter is one of the very best. This is one of those highly unusual films told almost entirely from an animal's point of view, yet which refrains from Disney-style sentimentality and anthropomorphism. Set in 1920s England, the film simply follows the life of an otter, and shot over a period of two years captures the glory of the English countryside with some magnificent cinematography. Drama comes not just from the daily struggle to survive, but from the ever present threat of human hunters, and from the vicious otter hound, Deadlock. With narration by Peter Ustinov and a screenplay by the naturalist and author Gerald Durrell Tarka the Otter is a British film classic. While a family film, it is a realistic portrayal of the countryside, and as such contains some scenes that young children and animal lovers may find upsetting. The only other notable feature to star an otter is Ring of Bright Water (1969), while The Bear (1988) is another rare movie to tell its tale from the animal's perspective. --Gary S Dalkin
A classic tale of bravery and courage during WWII, Odette tells the true story of female war hero Odette Hallowes. After volunteering her services to the Special Operations Executive, Odette is dispatched into Nazi occupied France and thrown into an intense world of espionage. Whilst on a deadly mission working for the French Resistance, her cover is blown and Odette is captured and interrogated by ruthless Gestapo officers. But, even after being brutally tortured and sentenced to death in a concentration camp, Odette still refuses to reveal any information concerning her original mission and her fellow spies. Extras: Those British Faces: Anna Neagle, New interview with Sebastian Faulks, Afternoon Plus with Mavis Nicholson - Interview with Odette Sansom (1980), Captain Peter Churchill And Odette Sanson Get Married In London (1947)
The Goose Steps Out
Winter Solstice is the entrancing story of shattered lives and broken hearts and a Christmas retreat which brings healing and happy endings.When recently bereaved Elfrida Phipps moves into a tiny cottage she soon makes friends with her new neighbours the Blundells.Elfrida's favourite niece Carrie returns from Austria heartbroken and briefly meets businessman Sam on her flight home.A tragic accident befalls the Blundells and with everyone's lives in ruins
Really good feature films about animals are as rare as hen's teeth. Based on the classic novel by Henry Williamson, Tarka the Otter is one of the very best. This is one of those highly unusual films told almost entirely from an animal's point of view, yet which refrains from Disney-style sentimentality and anthropomorphism. Set in 1920s England, the film simply follows the life of an otter, and shot over a period of two years captures the glory of the English countryside with some magnificent cinematography. Drama comes not just from the daily struggle to survive, but from the ever present threat of human hunters, and from the vicious otter hound, Deadlock. With narration by Peter Ustinov and a screenplay by the naturalist and author Gerald Durrell Tarka the Otter is a British film classic. While a family film, it is a realistic portrayal of the countryside, and as such contains some scenes that young children and animal lovers may find upsetting. The only other notable feature to star an otter is Ring of Bright Water (1969), while The Bear (1988) is another rare movie to tell its tale from the animal's perspective. --Gary S Dalkin
The Old Curiosity Shop
Lola Montes tells the highly controversial yet disturbing true story of the infamous dancer-courtesan. Set at a 19th century circus in Vienna Lola is forced by the merciless ring master to tell the story of her life. Through the flashbacks the crowd learns everything of her exotic past including her stints as mistress to both the Bavarian King and Franz Liszt.
Robin Hood: The Special Edition (Dir. Wolfgang Reitherman 1973): The legend of Robin Hood one of the most popular stories of all time is brought magically to life in this full length animated Disney classic. The spirit of fun and romance abounds as Robin Hood the swashbuckling hero of Sherwood Forest and his valiant sidekick Little John plot one daring adventure over another. Dumbo: The Special Edition (Dir. Ben Sharpsteen 1941): Dumbo remains one of Disney's greatest animated treasures - a heart-warming and inspiring tale overflowing with charm and memorable songs. When a slow stork finally delivers Mrs. Jumbo's pint-sized baby elephant he's the talk of the circus. But with a pair of oversized ears baby Dumbo is laughed at and ridiculed. With remarkable courage and the help of his loyal friend Timothy Mouse Dumbo overcomes all odds in a triumphant celebration of love and determination!
The True Glory is widely regarded as one of the greatest war documentaries ever made. Co-directed by the legendary Carol Reed this feature length film was produced by the Allied military during 1944 and 1945 as a permanent visual record of the campaign in Europe and covers all the major engagements. Compiled from the pick of over six and a half million feet of film it includes some of the most devastating and memorable images of war ever captured on camera - and it won a well-deserved Oscar for Best Documentary. In addition to The True Glory the DVD also includes four further full-length wartime documentaries covering the campaign in Europe - From Italy To D-Day From D-Day To Paris From Paris To The Rhine and From The Rhine To Victory - all of which were produced by British Paramount News for the Ministry of Information - and the never before seen alternative ending to The True Glory taking the story up to VJ Day.
A star-studded cast heads this Agatha Christie story about the efforts of Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) to fathom the mysterious death of a capricious star in a Mediterranean resort hotel...
Three convicts - Joseph (Bogart) Albert (Aldo Ray) and Jules (Peter Ustinov) - are plotting their escape from Devil's Island. Fate intervenes when they hide out with kindly but inept Felix (Leo G. Carrol) and his family. Felix manages a store for his arrogant cousin Andre (Basil Rathbone) who makes the fatal mistake of stealing Albert's pet a poisonous snake. After resolving Felix's problems the convicts return to prison convinced that the world is much too wicked!
The four films in this Agatha Christie Murder Mystery Collection demonstrate exactly why Christie's reassuringly formulaic whodunits have been extraordinarily resilient source material. In each we find a corpse (or several), an assorted group of suspects gathered in a self-contained location, all with a motive to commit murder, and the coincidental presence of the totem detective (Poirot or Miss Marple). Between 1974 and 1981, producers John Brabourne and Richard Goodwin mined the Christie seam for some of its ripest riches. Murder on the Orient Express (1974), directed by Sidney Lumet, features a cavalcade of stars including Ingrid Bergman, Lauren Bacall, John Gielgud and Sean Connery; while Christie herself gave Albert Finney's Poirot her blessing. The Art Deco setting exudes glamour; the plot is preposterously diverting; the lighting, silvery and washed-out, giving the suspects an appropriately grim and ghoulish air. With a superior Anthony Shaffer screenplay Death on the Nile (1978) saw Peter Ustinov taking over as Poirot. The backdrop of ancient Egyptian monuments helps bring this adaptation a touch of class, complemented by composer Nino Rota's epic theme tune. The Mirror Crack'd (1980) features Elizabeth Taylor and Kim Novak as rival Hollywood legends descending on a quaint English village to make a film, with Rock Hudson as Taylor's husband and Angela Lansbury as a rather unconvincingly robust Miss Marple. Shaffer returned to the fray, adapting Evil Under the Sun (1981) and moving Poirot from the Cornish Riviera to an island off the coast of Albania. Ustinov reprises his role and Maggie Smith returns, camper than ever, as the hotel owner inconvenienced by murder. On the DVD: It's a pity that the sound quality hasn't been sharpened up, though: Murder on the Orient Express sometimes evokes memories of the muffled incoherence of an old fleapit. Apart from trailers, extras are few and far between. There are no cast lists or filmographies. But Death on the Nile and Evil Under the Sun both feature interesting short promotional "'making of"' documentaries in 4:3 format. --Piers Ford
Murder On The Orient Express: The first of several lavish Christie adaptations from producers John Brabourne and Richard Goodwin introducing Albert Finney as the first screen Hercule Poirot. This 1974 production of Agatha Christie's 1934 classic is a judicious mixture of mystery murder and nostalgia. Which member of the all-star cast onboard the luxurious train perforated the no-good American tycoon with a dagger twelve times? Was it Ingrid Bergman's shy Swedish missionary; or Vanessa Redgrave's English rose; Sean Connery as an Indian Army Colonel: Michael York or Jacqueline Bisset; perhaps Lauren Bacall; Anthony Perkins or John Gielgud as the victim's impassive butler. Finney spreads unease among them with subdued wit and finesse. Arguably the most successful screen adaptation of a Christie novel in addition to Bergman's Oscar for Best Supporting Actress 'Murder On The Orient Express' achieved nominations for Best Actor Screenplay Photography Costume Design and Music Score. (Dir. Sidney Lumet 1974) Death On The Nile: Peter Ustinov makes his debut as Agatha Christie's brilliant Belgian detective Hercule Poirot in this lavish and star-studded follow-up to Murder On The Orient Express:. As Poirot enjoys a luxurious cruise down the Nile a newlywed heiress is found murdered on board and every elegant passenger becomes a prime suspect. Can Poirot identify the killer and motive before the ship of clues reaches the end of its murderous journey? Bette Davis David Niven Angela Lansbury Maggie Smith Mia Farrow George Kennedy Olivia Hussey Simon MacCorkindale Jane Birkin Jack Warden and Lois Chiles co-star in this sumptuous Oscar-winning classic adapted by Anthony Shaffer (Sleuth) and filmed on location throughout exotic Egypt. (Dir. John Guillermin 1978) The Mirror Crack'd: Mirror mirror on the wall who is the murderer among them all? The year is 1953. The small English village of St. Mary Mead home to Miss Jane Marple is delighted when a big American movie company arrives to make a movie telling of the relationship between Jane Grey and Elisabeth I starring the famous actresses Marina Rudd and Lola Brewster. Marina arrives with her husband Jason and when she discovers that Lola is going to be in the movie with her she hits the roof as Lola and Marina loathe each other on sight. Marina has been getting death threats and at a party at the manor house Heather Babcock after boring Marina with a long story drinks a cocktail made for Marina and dies from poisoning. Everybody believes that Marina is the target but the police officer investigating the case Inspector Craddock isn't sure so he asks Miss Marple his aunt to investigate... (Dir. Guy Hamilton 1980) Evil Under The Sun: Evil is everywhere. Even in paradise... Hercule Poirot is called in to investigate a case for an insurance company regarding firstly a dead woman's body found on a moor and then a important diamond sent to the company to be insured turns out to be a fake. Poirot discovers that the diamond was bought for Arlena Marshall by Sir Horace Blatt and Arlena is on her honeymoon with her husband and step-daughter on a tropical island hotel. He joins them on the island and finds that everybody else starts to hate Arlena for different reasons - refusing to do a stage show stopping a book and for having an open affair with Patrick Redfern another guest in full view of his shy wife. So it's only a matter of time before Arlena turns up dead strangled and Poirot must find out who it is.... (Dir. Guy Hamilton 1982)
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