Unavailable on any format for 20 years Becket makes its worldwide DVD premiere following extensive restoration aided by Martin Scorsese's Film Foundation. Becket Becket is one of the great historical epics and features one of cinema's most legendary pairings; Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole. The story tells of the tempestuous friendship between King Henry. The King appoints his trusted companion to the esteemed position of Archbishop of Canterbury believing his loyalty will give him control over the church. However Becket takes his new duties seriously and his devotion to God soon brings him into direct conflict with the State and his lifelong friend.
Banned from the Cannes and Venice Films Festivals for being anti-Communist and excoriated elsewhere as pro-Soviet propaganda, Peter Glenville s The Prisoner stoked controversy at the time of its original release and remains a complex, challenging and multifaceted exploration of faith and power. In an unnamed Eastern European capital, an iron-willed Cardinal (Academy Award®-winner Alec Guinness, The Ladykillers) is arrested by state police on charges of treason. Tasked with securing a confession from him by any means necessary is a former comrade-in-arms from the anti-Nazi resistance (Jack Hawkins, The Bridge on the River Kwai). Knowing the Cardinal will never fold under physical torture, the Interrogator instead sets out to destroy him mentally, breaking his spirit rather than his body. Adapted by acclaimed playwright Bridget Boland (Gaslight) from her own stage-play and showcasing powerhouse performances by two actors at the height of their game, The Prisoner is a tense, thought-provoking and disturbing drama about the endurance of the human spirit. SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS: High Definition Blu-rayTM (1080p) presentation Original lossless mono audio Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing Interrogating Guinness, a new video appreciation of the film by author and academic Neil Sinyard Select scene commentary by author and critic Philip Kemp Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Mark Cunliffe
Two old pros light up the screen... British theatrical director Peter Glenville made his film directorial debut with 1955's The Prisoner (Glenville had previous helmed the London stage production of this Bridget Boland play). The film is based on the real-life travails of Hungarian Cardinal Mindszenty who after suffering under Nazi persecution was imprisoned by the new Communist regime for remaining loyal to his religious convictions. Alec Guinness plays an unnamed Cardinal in an un
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