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!
An archaic document found in a bombsite reveals that the London district of Pimlico has for centuries technically been part of France. The local residents embrace their new found continental status, seeing it as a way to avoid the drabness, austerity and rationing of post-war England. The authorities do not, however, share their enthusiasm...A whimsical and charming British film, 'Passport To Pimlico' is one of the finest examples of the classic Ealing comedies.
This second collection of Ealing Comedy, while not quite as important a reissue as the first box, is nonetheless essential viewing for all aficionados of classic English film. In Passport to Pimlico a group of Londoners demonstrate, paradoxically, their Englishness by eccentrically choosing the Burgundian citizenship granted them by a rediscovered medieval charter. Similarly, in The Titfield Thunderbolt neighbours outraged by the closing of their local branch line steal an antique locomotive from the museum and run their own railway. A similar sense of taking charge of your own life fills Hue and Cry as a group of boys, infuriated that crooks have been using their favourite comic to send messages, summon scores of others by radio to help them track down and capture the gang. There are shared themes here, a shared sense of the importance of eccentricity and imagination to a healthy society as well as excellent ensemble acting from casts that include Stanley Holloway, Margaret Rutherford and Sid James. The box is filled out with a television documentary about the history of Ealing Studios. It covers its early silent days, the golden age that produced the classic comedies and such important films as The Cruel Sea, its time as a BBC studio and its possible renaissance under new management. On the DVD: Ealing Comedy presents the three films and the documentary in 1.33:1 (i.e., 4:3), and has excellent mono sound that does full justice to both dialogue and scores. The extra features include introductions to the four films in the first box set by such luminaries as Terry Gilliam and Martin Scorsese as well as DVD-ROM files of the original brochures for all seven films. --Roz Kaveney
Recently divorced thriller writer Patrick Glover (Patrick Cargill) struggles to cope with daughters Anne (Natasha Pyne) who wants to leave home and Karen (Ann Holloway) who wants to get married. When Patrick decides to give love another chance he mistakenly proposes to charlady Mrs Stoppard (Beryl Reid) instead of literary agent Georgie (Jill Melford) as he had intended.
The Sex Pistols star in Julien Temple's at times surreal at times hilarious factional documentary that charts the rise and fall of punk's most notorious band through the eyes of its calculating and grandiose manager Malcolm McLaren played here with full Machiavellian swagger. Written and directed by Temple whilst he was still a film student it mixes animation and midgets with footage of some of the Sex Pistols' most electrifying live performances. Originally released in UK theatres in 1980 the film presents the band's success as an elaborate scam perpetrated by McLaren to make ""a million pounds"" at the expense of record companies outraged moralists the British Royal Family - and even the fans and band members themselves. As the film's original tagline stated The Great Rock Rock 'n' Roll Swindle is the film that incriminated its audience. As the brief but beautiful period of punk rock is now as far away from 2007 as 1976/77 was from the end of World War 2 it will be hard for anyone under 35 to comprehend just how shocking this film was and the incredible controversy it caused as depressed Britain blighted by inner city riots and waking to the birth of Thatcherism lurched into the Eighties. However watching it again it is still immensely powerful just as riveting still retains the capability to shock and is as valid now as it was then. More than 25 years after their break-up the Sex Pistols' music continues to influence punk and post-punk bands the world over - and The Great Rock Rock 'n' Roll Swindle shows why. It helped add to the band's already riotous reputation with scenes of Sid Vicious attacking a Parisienne prostitute (with a French tart) the subversive Queen's Silver Jubilee Day concert on the Thames in 1977 their infamous appearance on the ""Bill Grundy Show"" and underage female nudity. It even had to contend with the death of Sid Vicious who died between the ending of filming and its theatrical release. But it is the Sex Pistols music that emerges as the films biggest star: performances of ""Anarchy In The UK"" ""God Save The Queen"" and ""Holidays In The Sun"" are mesmeric while Vicious' ""My Way"" maintains an air of tragedy and exquisiteness at once. Tenpole Tudor (ingeniously called ""Tadpole"" by Irene Handl in the film) weighs in with vocals on ""Who Killed Bambi"" and ""Rock Around The Clock"" and even on-the-run Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs turns up to sing on ""No One Is Innocent"" and ""Belsen Vos A Gasser"". Having spawned the phrase ""making cash from chaos"" it's worth remembering that the Sex Pistols were voted the ""1977 Young Businessmen of the Year"" by their antitheses in the City of London..
In 1975's Carry On England, a mixed-sex anti-aircraft battery is set up during World War II by way of an experiment. The sex is indeed pretty mixed, although the drafting in of Patrick Mower and Judy Geeson rather demonstrates the need for at least some of the cast to be attractive in order to make this odd premise feasible. For the most part, of course, it's tits-out sex-comedy slapstick all the way, but there's a nicely ambivalent performance from Kenneth Connor, who portrays the wartime British officer class as being pretty much bonkers, a telling interpretation, which Stephen Fry was to perfect years later in Blackadder Goes Forth. The location is of course typically Carry On cheap-and-cheerful, but its inevitable drabness, together with the indistinguishable khaki uniforms, tends to put a bit of a dampener on the adult-panto atmosphere that the best Carry Ons deliver. The cast commendably manage to transcend this, though, so there's still plenty of fun to be had. --Roger Thomas
A Disney "classic" that actually is a classic, Dumbo should be part of your video collection whether or not you have children. The storytelling was never as lean as in Dumbo, the songs rarely as haunting (or just plain weird), the characters rarely so well defined. The film pits the "cold, cruel, heartless" world that can't accept abnormality against a plucky, and mute, hero. Jumbo Jr. (Dumbo is a mean-spirited nickname) is ostracized from the circus pack shortly after his delivery by the stork because of his big ears. His mother sticks up for him and is shackled. He's jeered by children (an insightful scene has one boy poking fun at Dumbo's ears, even though the youngster's ears are also ungainly), used by the circus folk, and demoted to appearing with the clowns. Only the decent Timothy Q. Mouse looks out for the little guy. Concerns about the un-PC "Jim Crow" crows, who mock Dumbo with the wonderful "When I See an Elephant Fly," should be moderated by remembering that the crows are the only social group in the film who act kindly to the little outcast. If you don't mist up during the "Baby Mine" scene, you may be legally pronounced dead. --Keith Simanton
The Truth Will Be Revealed... 4 8 15 16 23 42. Push the button and prepare to be blown away by the groundbreaking drama that has become a television event around the world. The acclaimed series reaches new heights in its spectacular second season as the survivors of the Oceanic Flight 815 discover they are not alone in their battle against The Others and a contested decision to open the hatch reveals a new realm of mystery and intrigue. Now you can experience the non-stop excitement and mystery of Season Two complete with hours of original bonus material you can't see anywhere else - including unaired original flashbacks - and you'll soon discover for yourself why everything happens for a reason. Featuring all the episodes from Season 2! Episodes Comprise: 1. Man of Science Man of Faith 2. Adrift 3. Orientation 4. Everybody Hates Hugo 5. ...And Found 6. Abandoned 7. The Other 48 Days 8. Collision 9. What Kate Did 10. The 23rd Psalm 11. The Hunting Party 12. Fire + Water 13. The Long Con 14. One of Them 15. Maternity Leave 16. The Whole Truth 17. Lockdown 18. Dave 19. S.O.S. 20. Two for the Road 21. ? 22. Three Minutes 23. Live Together Die Alone (feature-length episode)
Noel Coward's timeless movie of a couple who meet in a railway station and must make a decision that will change their lives forever.
A collection of David Lean's finest films. Include: 1. The Sound Barrier (1952) 2. Hobsons Choice (1954) 3. Blithe Spirit (1945) 4. Brief Encounter (1945) 5. Great Expectations (1946) 6. Oliver Twist (1948) 7. Madeleine (1950) 8. The Passionate Friends (1949) 9. This Happy Breed (1944)
Get lost in the hottest series of the year. From J.J. Abrams the creator of Alias comes the action-packed adventure that became a worldwide television event. Stranded on an island that holds many secrets 48 people must band together if they hope to get home alive. Now you can experience the nonstop excitement and mystery of every episode from the show's stunning first minute to its spectacular finale on a seven-disc set. Presented in a widescreen theatrical format with 5.1 Surround Sound and bursting with more than 8 hours of original bonus features - including unaired Lost Flashbacks form the final episode - Lost is a real find.
A fantastic box set featuring a quartet of beauties from Ealing Studios. Includes: 1. Whisky Galore (Dir. Alexander Mackendrick 1949) 2. Champagne Charlie (Dir. Alberto Cavalcanti 1944) 3. The Maggie (Dir. Alexander Mackendrick 1954) 4. It Always Rains on Sunday (Dir. Robert Hamer 1947)
The jungle has never looked so lush and sounded so good! Now on Blu-ray for the first time Disney's song-filled celebration comes vibrantly to life with a new digital restoration and glorious high definition picture. Meet the most unforgettable characters and embark on a thrilling adventure with Mowgli as he journeys deep into the jungle and learns 'The Bare Necessities' of life from happy-go-lucky Baloo the bear. Meet Bagheera the wise old panther and crazy King Louie the orang-utan. But watch out for cunning Shere Khan the tiger and Kaa the ssssneakiest snake in the jungle! Bursting with wild fun toe-tapping music and beloved characters this timeless masterpiece celebrates the true meaning of friendship. Experience all the excitement of Disney's jumpin' jungle classic and share the wonder with someone you love. Special Features: I Wan'na Be Like You: Hangin' Out At Disney's Animal Kingdom Alternate Ending Growing Up With Nine Old Men Audio Commentary With Composer Richard M. Sherman Animator Andreas Deja And The Voice Of Mowgli Bruce Reitherman Plus Guest Archival Appearances Backstage Disney The Bare Necessities: The Making Of The Jungle Book Walt's Lasting Impressions Kings Of The Jungle Drawn To The Voices The Jungle Beat The Last Act Disney's Kipling: Walt's Magic Touch On A Literary Classic The Lure Of 'The Jungle Book' Mowgli's Return To The Wild Frank and Ollie: Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston Discuss Character Animation Music and More Deleted Songs Composed By Terry Gilkyson Brothers All The Song Of The Seeonee The Bare Necessities (Demo Version) Monkey See Monkey Do I Knew I Belonged To Her In A Day's Work The Mighty Hunters 'I Wan'na Be Like You' Music Video Performed By Jonas Brothers Sing Along With The Movie Introduction By Richard Sherman (for Int'l Only)
An all-star cast feature in this stylish adaptation of Agatha Christie's quintessential murder mystery, produced and co-written by legendary B-movie mogul Harry Alan Towers. Directed by George Pollock (who had previously won great acclaim with the Miss Marple films starring Margaret Rutherford) and sporting the ultimate gimmick of a 60-second Whodunnit Break prior to the final reveal, Ten Little Indians is featured here as a High Definition remaster from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio. Ten strangers arrive at a snowbound mansion invited by their host, the shadowy Mr U.N. Owen. During dinner, an audio tape of Owen's voice is played, revealing that each guest has a scandalous secret a secret that each would be willing to kill to protect. It's not long before the first guest is murdered. It won't be the last. Special Features Theatrical trailer Image gallery
When the ten-year-old son David (Blake Woodruff) of a wealthy New England socialite is abducted his kidnapper Max Harper (Josh Holloway) and his seedy associates assume it will be a routine kidnapping in exchange for a large ransom. Unknown to the kidnappers the shy and reserved David actually has a hidden agenda of his own and a mysterious way of tapping into the minds of others. Soon Max will wish that he had never kidnapped David much less even heard of him.
Otto Preminger's sprawling Second World War drama, In Harm's Way, packs a lot in its 165 minutes, beginning with the attack on Pearl Harbor (which Preminger re-creates in amazing detail) and ending a couple of years later with America's return to the South Pacific in force. John Wayne and Kirk Douglas star as a career naval captain and his self-pitying commander in the peacetime navy who are thrust into battle when Pearl Harbour is bombed while they are on manoeuvres. Minutes into World War II, they are already scapegoated and demoted by the embarrassed military brass. Wayne romances a WAVE nurse (Patricia Neal) and attempts a reconciliation with his estranged, spoiled son (Brandon de Wilde) while Douglas sinks into the bottle after the death of his cheating wife until the American fleet rebuilds and calls upon Wayne to lead one of the initial invasion forces. Henry Fonda makes a brief but commanding appearance as the fleet admiral. Burgess Meredith is a former writer turned witty commander, Dana Andrews a showy but indecisive admiral, and Stanley Holloway a genial Australian scout working with the American invasion forces. Tom Tryon and Paula Prentiss play newlyweds torn apart by the war, and also appearing are Franchot Tone, Carroll O'Conner, Slim Pickens, George Kennedy, Bruce Cabot, and Larry Hagman, among many, many more. Loyal Griggs's handsome black-and-white photography is topped only by Saul Bass's impressive closing credits sequence, a rising cascade of crashing waves and rough surf reportedly paced to mirror the dramatic rhythm of the film. --Sean Axmaker
The life and highly entertaining times of 19th century English music hall performer George Leybourne (aka Champagne Charlie) and his rivalry with the Great Vance (Stanley Holloway)... A thoroughly enjoyable but sadly neglected musical comedy from the Ealing Studio.
By George they've got it! Newly transferred from elements painstakingly restored in 1994 the film version of Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady is lavish lovely and the acclaimed recipient of eight 1964 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director (George Cukor). Best Actor Oscar winner Rex Harrison reprises his signature stage role of Henry Higgins the supremely assured phoeneticist who wagers that under his tutelage cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle can pass for a duchess at the embassy ball. In one of her best-loved roles. Audrey Hepburn plays Eliza. If ever there was a face the professor could grow accustomed to it's hers. In Hertford Hereford and Hampshire (and elsewhere) no one's fairer than My Fair lady one of the most irresistible musicals ever.
When an antiquated railway line is threatened with closure the villagers decide to run it themselves and enter into frenzied competition with the local bus route with hilarious consequences! Director Charles Crichton and writer Tibby Clarke team up again for the first Ealing comedy to be produced in Technicolor. The defiance of authority by local inhabitants was a favourite topic in the 40's and 50's and embellishes the characteristic Ealing theme - 'small is beautiful and big is bad'.
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