"Actor: Hugh Hurd"

• Criterion Collection: John Cassavetes - Five Films | Blu Ray | (22/10/2013) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• Shadows (The John Cassavetes Collection) (DVD & Blu-ray) | Blu Ray | (23/04/2012) from £15.99   |  Saving you £4.00 (25.02%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Dual Format Edition containing the DVD and world premiere Blu-ray release of John Cassavetes’ groundbreaking debut feature, Shadows (1959), a film which gave birth to a radical new film language that has influenced the work of filmmakers for decades since its release. Shadows revolves around the inter-racial romance between a black woman and white man, and their relationship with her jazz singer brother. Its depiction of themes of inter-racial relationships and non-conformist lifestyles were way ahead of its time.Shot on location in 1950s New York, with a cast and crew made up primarily of amateurs, this radical, ground-breaking film is as devastatingly powerful now as ever. The film’s score features jazz legend Charlie Mingus. Extra features: Presented in both High Definition and Standard Definition Audio commentary Seymour Cassell and Tom Charity Silent rehearsal footage (DVD only) Peter Falk on Cassavetes (Paul Joyce, DVD only) Original trailer

• The John Cassavetes Collection | DVD | (12/09/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £49.99

  A collection of films from famed actor and independent director John Cassavetes comprising: Shadows (1959): A depiction of the struggle of three black siblings to survive the mean streets of Manhattan 'Shadows' was Cassavetes' jazz-scored improvisational film exploring interracial friendships and relationships in Beat-Era (1950s) New York City made from a script entirely improvised by the talented cast heralding a vital new era in independent filmmaking. Faces (1968):

• For Love Of Ivy | DVD | (08/04/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  A 1950s romantic comedy transported into the end of the swinging 60s, For Love Of Ivy, is an intriguing snapshot of a Hollywood coming to terms with a changing world. Made in 1968, the movie fizzes with the colours of a Day-Glo world and the stark contrast between urban and suburban life at the turn of the decade. The Ivy of the title is a house maid (Abbey Lincoln) who longs to head for those bright lights and give her life more of a purpose, much to the chagrin of the dysfunctional white family that she works for, who set about matchmaking her with suave businessman Jack Parks (Poitier) in an effort to dissuade her. Although initially appearing to play to type, Poitier's character develops both darker and lighter sides as the movie (based on his own story) develops and the film becomes far more interesting when it leaves the semi-comedic scheming behind and focuses on the burgeoning relationship between the two protagonists. To be honest, much on offer here has dated-especially the dialogue-and there are a few sexual and racial howlers, but the film has a sweet heart. On the DVD : Very, very little-scene selection and biographies of Poitier, Beau Bridges and musical director Quincy Jones. Lincoln--arguably the films true star--is totally ignored. The colours and beauty of the film however are given added impact by the crispness of DVD.-Phil Udell