Gladiator / Spartacus / Robin Hood
Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is less an adaptation of Stephen King's best-selling horror novel than a complete re-imagining of it from the inside out. In King's book, the Overlook Hotel is a haunted place that takes possession of its off-season caretaker and provokes him to murderous rage against his wife and young son. Kubrick's film is an existential Road Runner cartoon (his steadicam scurrying through the hotel's labyrinthine hallways), in which the cavernously empty spaces inside the Overlook Hotel mirror the emptiness in the soul of the blocked writer settled in for a long winter's hibernation. As many have pointed out, King's protagonist goes mad, but Kubrick's Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) is Looney Tunes from the moment we meet him--all arching eyebrows and mischievous grin. (Both Nicholson and Shelley Duvall reach new levels of hysteria in their performances, driven to extremes by the director's fanatical demand s for take after take after take.) The Shining is terrifying--but not in the way fans of the novel might expect. When it was redone as a TV mini-series (reportedly because of King's dissatisfaction with the Kubrick film), the famous topiary-animal attack (which was deemed impossible to film in 1980) was there--but the deeper horror was lost. Kubrick's The Shining gets under your skin and chills your bones; it stays with you, inhabits you, haunts you. And there's no place to hide... --Jim Emerson, Amazon.com
Gladiator: The great Roman General Maximus (Russell Crowe) has once again led the legions to victory on the battlefield. The war won Maximus dreams of home wanting only to return to his wife and son; however the dying Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) has one more duty for the general - to assume the mantle of his power. Jealous of Maximus' favor with the emperor the heir to the throne Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) orders his execution - and that of his family. Barely escaping death Maximus is forced into slavery and trained as a gladiator in the arena where his fame grows. Now he has come to Rome intent on avenging the murder of his wife and son by killing the new emperor; Commodus.... Spartacus: Stanley Kubrick's film tells the tale of Spartacus the bold gladiator slave and Virinia the woman who believed in his cause. Challenged by the power-hungry General Crassus Spartacus is forced to face his convictions and the power of Imperial Rome at its glorious height. A classic inspirational true account of one man's struggle for freedom Spartacus combines history with spectacle to recreate a moving drama of love and commitment.
A daring experiment in unconventional narrative inspired by Arthur C Clarke's short story "The Sentinel", 2001: A Space Odyssey is a visual tone poem (barely 40 minutes of dialogue in a 139-minute film) that charts a phenomenal history of human evolution. When Stanley Kubrick recruited Clarke to collaborate on "the proverbial intelligent science fiction film", it's a safe bet neither the maverick auteur nor the great science fiction writer knew they would virtually redefine the parameters of the cinema experience with the result. From the dawn-of-man discovery of crude but deadly tools in the film's opening sequence to the journey of the spaceship Discovery and metaphysical birth of the "star child" at film's end, Kubrick's vision is meticulous and precise. In keeping with the director's underlying theme of dehumanisation by technology, the notorious, seemingly omniscient, computer HAL 9000 has more warmth and personality than the human astronauts it is supposedly serving. (The director also leaves the meaning of the black, rectangular alien monoliths open for discussion.) This theme, in part, is what makes 2001 a film like no other, though dated now that its post-millennial space exploration has proven optimistic compared to reality. Still, the film is timelessly provocative in its pioneering exploration of inner and outer-space consciousness. With spectacular, painstakingly authentic special effects that have stood the test of time, Kubrick's film is nothing less than a cinematic milestone--puzzling, provocative and perfect. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
There has never been a decade quite like the 60s! An era of change, conflict and hope, it will be fondly remembered for its revolutionary thinking, the fight for freedom of expression and its definitive slogan to Make Love Not War'. Here we celebrate the 60s by bringing together four of the greatest films of the decade; Alfred Hitchcock's iconic thriller The Birds; the historic epic Spartacus; literary classic To Kill a Mockingbird; and timeless Western The War Wagon starring the legendary John Wayne.
Set Comprises: Battle of the Bulge (1965): For this epic recreation of one of World War II's most crucial confrontations director Ken Annakin (The Longest Day) captures the explosive action of massive forces squaring off as well as the brave individual ingenuity of weary GIs trying to survive a cruel European winter. The cast is a juggernaut of stars: Henry Fonda Robert Shaw Robert Ryan Charles Bronson Telly Savalas and more. Full Metal Jacket (1987): Full Metal Jacket begins by following the trials and tribulations of a platoon of fresh Marine Corps recruits focusing on the relationship between Gunnery Sergeant Hartman and Privates Pyle and Joker. We see Pyle grow into an instrument of death as Hartman has foreseen of all of his recruits. Through Pyle's torment and Joker's unwillingness to stand up against it the climax of part one is achieved with all three main characters deciding their fates by their action or inaction. The second chapter of Full Metal Jacket delves into Joker's psyche and the repeated referral to the fact that he joined the Corps to become a killer. When his mostly behind the scenes job as a combat correspondent is interfered with by the Tet offensive he is thrust into real combat and ultimately must choose if he really is a killer. Memphis Belle (1990): Matthew Modine and Eric Stoltz head the dynamic cast of Memphis Belle an adventure inspired by true World War II heroics. During spring 1943 they took to the war-torn skies for the most dangerous mission in defence of freedom. If the ten-man crew of the bomber Memphis Belle returned they would receive a hero's welcome and renew flagging public morale. But the odds were stacked heavily against them in the true courageous story of the brave fly-boys who each fought mortal fear while fighting the enemy together. Where Eagles Dare (1968): Commandos posing as German soldiers parachute into a small mountainside town to rescue a supposed allied general from a Nazi hideaway fortress that can only be reached by cable car. Escape to Victory (1981) This is no ordinary soccer match: this is war! The battlefield: a stadium in occupied Paris. The armies: German all-stars vs. ragtag Allied POWs. The objective: demonstrate another proof of Aryan superiority. Guess who wins? Better yet guess who cleverly uses the match as a means of escape? Sylvester Stallone Michael Caine and Max von Sydow star in this rouser directed by the legendary John Huston. The climatic match is a heart-in-the-throat hat-in-the-air exhibition of brute force and balletic grace featuring soccer legends Pele Bobby Moore Osvaldo Ardiles Co Prins Mike Summerbee and more. Score a splendid entertainment goal for 'Victory'! Kelly's Heroes (1970): In this less-than-serious look at World War II Lieutenant Kelly (Clint Eastwood) learns about a German gold shipment destined for France. With his ragtag fellow soldiers he is determined to slip behind enemy lines and retrieve it. The Dirty Dozen (1967): Atten-hut! Twelve jailbirds will earn their freedom... if they survive a suicide mission against the Nazi brass. Tough-as-nails Lee Marvin leads a nothing-to-lose convict squad in this all-time action trendsetter.
Peter Sellers Collection
Gladiator: The great Roman General Maximus (Russell Crowe) has once again led the legions to victory on the battlefield. The war won Maximus dreams of home wanting only to return to his wife and son; however the dying Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) has one more duty for the general - to assume the mantle of his power. Jealous of Maximus' favor with the emperor the heir to the throne Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) orders his execution - and that of his family. Barely escaping death Maximus is forced into slavery and trained as a gladiator in the arena where his fame grows. Now he has come to Rome intent on avenging the murder of his wife and son by killing the new emperor; Commodus.... (Dir. Ridley Scott 2000) Spartacus: Stanley Kubrick's film tells the tale of Spartacus the bold gladiator slave and Virinia the woman who believed in his cause. Challenged by the power-hungry General Crassus Spartacus is forced to face his convictions and the power of Imperial Rome at its glorious height. A classic inspirational true account of one man's struggle for freedom Spartacus combines history with spectacle to recreate a moving drama of love and commitment. (Dir. Stanley Kubrick 1960) The Fall Of The Roman Empire: This classic film re-enacts the spectacular collapse of perhaps the greatest dominion the world has ever known. Pestilence greed and corruption bring a once-proud empire to its knees. Now restored with stunning scenes and a cast of thousands - in battles gladiatorial and otherwise; martyrs burning at the stake; chariot races in the midst of which is the romance between two people.... (Dir. Anthony Mann 1964)
Stanley Kubric's classic black comedy about a group of war-eager military men who plan a nuclear apocalypse is both funny and frightening, and seems as relevant today as ever. Through a series of military and political accidents, two psychotic generals, U.S. Air Force Commander Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) and Joint Chief of Staff Buck Turgidson (George C Scott), trigger an ingenious, irrevocable scheme to attack Russias strategic targets with nuclear bombs. The brains behind the scheme belong to Dr. Strangelove (Peter Sellers), a wheelchair-bound nuclear scientists who has bizarre ideas about mans future. The President (also Sellers) is helpless to stop the bombers, as is Captain Mandrake (Sellers once again). Dr. Strangelove is truly a brilliant film classic.
A superb ensemble cast falls in for action in Stanley Kubrick's brilliant saga about the Vietnam War and the dehumanising process that turns people into trained killers. Joker (Matthew Modine) Animal Mother (Adam Baldwin) Gomer (Vincent D'Onofrio) Eightball (Dorian Harewood) Cowboy (Arliss Howard) and more are all plunged into a boot-camp hell pitbulled by a leatherlung D.I. (R. Lee Ermey) who views the would-be devil dogs as grunts maggots or something less. The action is savage the story unsparing the dialogue spiked with scathing humour. 'Full Metal Jacket' from its rigors of basic training to its nightmare of combat in Hue City scores a cinematic direct hit.
Titles Comprise: Full Metal Jacket: begins by following the trials and tribulations of a platoon of fresh Marine Corps recruits focusing on the relationship between Gunnery Sergeant Hartman and Privates Pyle and Joker. We see Pyle grow into an instrument of death as Hartman has foreseen of all of his recruits. Through Pyle's torment and Joker's unwillingness to stand up against it the climax of part one is achieved with all three main characters deciding their fates by their action or inaction. The second chapter of Full Metal Jacket delves into Joker's psyche and the repeated referral to the fact that he joined the Corps to become a killer. When his mostly behind the scenes job as a combat correspondent is interfered with by the Tet offensive he is thrust into real combat and ultimately must choose if he really is a killer. A Clockwork Orange: Stomping whomping stealing singing tap-dancing violating Derby-topped teddy-boy hooligan Alex (Malcolm McDowell) has his own way of having a good time. He has it at the tragic expense of others. Alex's journey from amoral punk to brainwashed proper citizen forms the dynamic arc of Stanley Kubrick's future-shook vision of Anthony Burgess's novel. Unforgettable images startling musical counterpoints the fascinating language used by Alex and his pals - Kubrick shapes them into a shattering whole. 2001: A Space Odyssey: When a large black monolith is found beneath the surface of the moon the reaction immediately is that it was intentionally buried. When the point of origin is confirmed as Jupiter an expedition is sent in hopes of finding the source. When Dr. David Bowman discovers faults in the expeditionary space craft's communications system he discovers more than he ever wanted to know.
Full Metal Jacket - Stanley Kubrick's Vietnam War masterpiece
Barabbas (Dir. Richard Fleischer): Barabbas (Anthony Quinn) is a man literally marked with the blood of Jesus. Before being crucified Jesus is brutally flogged while tied to a post outside Barabbas' cell. When released by decree of the people Barabbas staggers into this post covering his hands in Christ's blood. His life is never the same again... The Conqueror: John Wayne stars as the Mongolian chieftain Temujin better known as Genghis Khan. The Mongol warlord must do battle against the rival tribe that killed his father however the battle pales in comparison with Temujin's home life. He must attempt to woo the heart of the red-haired Tartar prisoner Borlai (Susan Hayward) whom he captured in a raid... Spartacus (Dir. Stanley Kubrick): Stanley Kubrick's film tells the tale of Spartacus the bold gladiator slave and Virinia the woman who believed in his cause. Challenged by the power-hungry General Crassus Spartacus is forced to face his convictions and the power of Imperial Rome at its glorious height. A classic inspirational true account of one man's struggle for freedom Spartacus combines history with spectacle to recreate a moving drama of love and commitment. Gladiator (Dir. Ridley Scott): The great Roman General Maximus (Russell Crowe) has once again led the legions to victory on the battlefield. The war won Maximus dreams of home wanting only to return to his wife and son; however the dying Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) has one more duty for the general - to assume the mantle of his power. Jealous of Maximus' favor with the emperor the heir to the throne Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) orders his execution - and that of his family. Barely escaping death Maximus is forced into slavery and trained as a gladiator in the arena where his fame grows. Now he has come to Rome intent on avenging the murder of his wife and son by killing the new emperor; Commodus....
A superb ensemble cast falls in for action in Stanley Kubrick's brilliant saga about the Vietnam War and the dehumanising process that turns people into trained killers. Joker (Matthew Modine) Animal Mother (Adam Baldwin) Gomer (Vincent D'Onofrio) Eightball (Dorian Harewood) Cowboy (Arliss Howard) and more are all plunged into a boot-camp hell pitbulled by a leatherlung D.I. (R. Lee Ermey) who views the would-be devil dogs as grunts maggots or something less. The action is savage the story unsparing the dialogue spiked with scathing humour. 'Full Metal Jacket' from its rigors of basic training to its nightmare of combat in Hue City scores a cinematic direct hit.
There has never been a decade quite like the 60s! An era of change, conflict and hope, it will be fondly remembered for its revolutionary thinking, the fight for freedom of expression and its definitive slogan to Make Love Not War'. Here we celebrate the 60s by bringing together four of the greatest films of the decade; Alfred Hitchcock's iconic thriller The Birds; the historic epic Spartacus; literary classic To Kill a Mockingbird; and timeless Western The War Wagon starring the legendary John Wayne.
This presentation of the powerful film classic features an additional five minutes of footage cut from the film's original release, plus the original overture and extended soundtrack. Director Stanley Kubrick tells the tale of Spartacus (Kirk Douglas), the bold gladiator slave, and Varinia (Jean Simmons), the woman who believed in his cause. Challenged by the power-hungry General Crassus (Laurence Olivier), Spartacus is forced to face his convictions and the power of the Roman Empire at its glorious height. The inspirational true account of man's eternal struggle for freedom, Spartacus combines history with spectacle to create a moving drama of love and commitment. Special Features: Presented uncut with footage from fully restored film Collectible 36 Page Book Pack
Titles Comprise: Lolita: Humbert is smitten. He plans to marry Charlotte Haze. That way he'll always be close to his dear one - Charlotte's precocious daughter! Filmmaker Stanley Kubrick explores the theme of sexual obsession (a subject he would revisit 37 years later in Eyes Wide Shut) with this darkly comic and deeply moving version of Vladimir Nabokov's novel. James Mason plays devious deluded Humbert: wedded to needy Charlotte (Shelley Winters); rivaled by the ubiquitous Clare Quilty (chameleonlike Peter Sellers); and enraptured to his gelatinous core by the blithe teen (Sue Lyon) with that lovely lyrical lilting name - Lolita! The Postman Always Rings Twice: When Nick Smith (Cecil Kellaway) hires drifter Frank (John Garfield) to work as a handyman at his roadside diner he unwittingly sets in motion a chain of events that will lead to his own murder. Nick's beautiful wife Cora (Lana Turner) persuades her lover Frank to join her in a plot to kill her husband but events spin out of control as the suspense builds in this tale of lust and immorality... Dangerous Liaisons: The game of conquest is underway. Anything goes when a predatory wealthy widow (Glenn Close) challenges a notorious rake (John Malkovich) to seduce a beautiful young newlywed (Michelle Pfeiffer). But this time a cardinal rule will be broken: two players will fall in love - with tragic results. This acclaimed winner of three Academy Awards boasts grand 18th century without missing a beat.
Titles Comprise:Robin Hood: Russell Crowe stars as the legendary figure known by generations as Robin Hood, whose exploits have endured in popular mythology and ignited the imagination of those who share his spirit of adventure and righteousness. In 13th century England, Robin and his band of marauders confront corruption in a local village and lead an uprising against the crown that will forever alter the balance of world power. And whether thief or hero, one man from humble beginnings will become an eternal symbol of freedom for his people.The film chronicles the life of an expert archer, previously interested only in self-preservation, from his service in King Richard's army against the French. Upon Richard's death, Robin travels to Nottingham, a town suffering from the corruption of a despotic sheriff and crippling taxation, where he falls for the spirited widow Lady Marion (Cate Blanchett), a woman sceptical of the identity and motivations of this crusaderfrom the forest. Hoping to earn the hand of Maid Marian and salvage the village, Robin assenbles a gang whose lethal mercanary skills are matched only by its appetite for life. Together, they begin preying on the indulgent upper class to correct injustices under the sheriff.With their country weakened from decades of war, embattled from the ineffective rule of the new king and vulnerable to insurgencies from within and threats from afar, Robin and his men heed a call to ever greater adventure. This unlikeliest of heroes and his allies set off to protect their country from slipping into bloody civil war and return to glory to England once more. Gladiator: The great Roman General Maximus (Russell Crowe - LA Confidential) has once again led the legions to victory on the battlefield. The war won, Maximus dreams of home, wanting only to return to his wife and son; however, the dying Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) has one more duty for the general - to assume the mantle of his power.Jealous of Maximus' favour with the Emperor, the heir to the throne, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix Walk The Line), orders his execution - and that of his family. Barely escaping death, Maximus is forced into slavery and trained as a gladiator in the arena where his fame grows.Now he has come to Rome, intent on avenging the murder of his wife and son by killing the new emperor; Commodus...Spartacus: Stanley Kubrick's film tells the tale of Spartacus, the bold gladiator slave and Virinia, the woman who believed in his cause. Challenged by the power-hungry General Crassus, Spartacus is forced to face his convictions and the power of Imperial Rome at its glorious height. A classic, inspirational true account of one man's struggle for freedom, Spartacus combines history with spectacle to recreate a moving drama of love and commitment.
Gladiator-rebel escapes from slavery and with an army of slaves challenges the awesome might of Imperial Rome becoming a shining symbol of freedom for all mankind. Special Features: Limited Edition packaging featuring rarely seen film posters and design artwork Image Gallery Deleted Scenes Theatrical Trailer Archival Interviews Interview with Peter Ustinov Archival Interviews: Interview with Jean Simmons Behind-the-Scenes Footage Vintage Newsreels
This presentation of the powerful film classic features an additional five minutes of footage cut from the film's original release plus the original overture and extended soundtrack. Director Stanley Kubrick tells the tale of Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) the bold gladiator slave and Varinia (Jean Simmons) the woman who believed in his cause. Challenged by the power-hungry General Crassus (Laurence Olivier) Spartacus is forced to face his convictions and the power of the Imperial Rome at its glorious height. The inspirational true account of man's eternal struggle for freedom Spartacus combines history with spectacle to create a moving drama of love and commitment.
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