A respectable, sincere film of Robert Bolt's literate play, with Scofield as Sir Thomas More, endorsing the divine right of the Pope over and above his King, Henry VIII, who wishes to divorce Katherine Of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn. Watch out for Orson Welles in a marvellous cameo as Cardinal Wolsey. The film won 6 Oscars.
find out more...
DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1965)
Certification15 Our Rating
David Lean's epic romance set against the turbulant backdrop of the Russian revolution. One man's struggle for moral political and personal survival amidst the complex web of intrigue and tangled loyalties that accompanied the fall of the Tsar.
find out more...
FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD (1967)
CertificationU Our Rating
Thomas Hardy's classic tale of a rural landowner chased by three men, a swashbuckling army womaniser, a loyal shepherd and a staid middle-aged bachelor, and her making a choice she lives to regret. Nicolas Roeg's beautiful cinematography of the West Country dominates the film.
find out more...
GOODBYE MR CHIPS (1939)
CertificationU Our Rating
Donat is perfectly cast as the lovable teacher, in this classic British drama, reminiscing about his career and personal life over the decades, his rise from lowly Latin master to headmaster of a public school and the joys and tragedies which moulded his transformation. The film won a staggering seven Academy Awards. Hugely enjoyable.
find out more...
GREAT EXPECTATIONS (1946)
CertificationPG Our Rating
David Lean's much-acclaimed production of the gloomy Dickens classic. Briefly, a young boy befriends an escaped convict who later repays him anonymously, creating a bond which the now upwardly-mobile youngster could well do without...an interesting probe of Victorian class structure. Visually flawless, perfectly paced, it's a masterpiece.
find out more...
HENRY THE FIFTH (OLIVIER) (1944)
CertificationU Our Rating
This is the Shakespearean opus containing many a familiar line, "Once more into the breach dear friends..." amongst them, and spoken by an absolutely outstanding cast. A must to watch, even if it's not on your school syllabus!
find out more...
OLIVER TWIST (1948)
CertificationU Our Rating
One of two classic Lean adaptations of Charles Dickens. From the opening shot of Oliver's mother struggling through the snow to reach the workhouse. The film brilliantly recreates the feeling of poverty-stricken Victorian England. Look out in particular for Alec Guinness' superb performance as Fagin.
find out more...
THE 39 STEPS (1935)
CertificationU Our Rating
The original and the best screen adaptation of John Buchan's jingoistic thriller of German plots and dashing Englishmen. Considered by the director as one of his very best this launched the theme of the innocent man on the run from both the law and the villians. Excellent.
find out more...
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP (1943)
CertificationPG Our Rating
Based on David Low's cartoon character, Major General Clive Wynne-Candy, VC, we back-track over his life, drawing us into sympathy with the prime virtues of honour and chivalry which have transformed him from dashing young spark of the 1890s into crusty old buffer of World War II. Roger Livesey gives us not just a great performance, but a man's whole life, losing his only love (Deborah Kerr) to the German officer (Walbrook) with whom he fought a duel in pre-WWI Berlin, then becoming the latter's
find out more...
TOM JONES (1963)
CertificationPG Our Rating
Tom Jones is the 18th Century rustic Casanova whose lusty adventures almost led him to the gallows, but did bring the movie 4 Oscars. Loosely adapted from the novel by Henry Fielding this popular, atmospheric and bawdy movie combines the licentious feel of the early 60s with the classic tale.
find out more...