Reach for the Sky was a box-office hit in 1956 and rightly remains a fondly regarded classic of British cinema. Kenneth More is ideally cast as Douglas Bader, the gifted pilot who loses both legs in a pre-war air crash, only to play a major role in the Battle of Britain, rise to the rank of Group Captain and become a war hero. Based on Paul Brickhill's biography, this is an "official" history maybe, but Lewis Gilbert's screenplay and direction are historically accurate and informed by that very British humour, of which More was a natural. The film is graced by a decent supporting cast and a typically "widescreen" score from John Addison. On the DVD: Reach for the Sky is vividly reproduced in 16:9 anamorphic format and decent mono. There are subtitles for the hard of hearing and detailed biographies of More, Gilbert and Barder. The original theatrical trailer is included, but it would also have made sense to include an interview or documentary footage of Bader himself. --Richard Whitehouse
In 1942 Malta is of critical importance to the Allied forces for it keeps the vital shipping supply lines open. As Peter Ross (Guinness) lands on the island and is attached to the local regiment he discovers aerial photographs that indicate Italian units are preparing to invade. Ross is selected to trace and destroy the enemy convoy before it is too late...
Created and written by Sid Green (Morecambe and Wise: Two of a Kind, The Strange World of Gurney Slade) Mixed Blessings stars Christopher Blake (That s My Boy) and Muriel Odunton as a mixed-race couple struggling to placate their disapproving and constantly bickering families. This popular and for its time provocative series also stars much-loved sitcom stalwarts Carmen Munroe (The Fosters), Joan Sanderson (Please Sir!), and Ernest Clark (Doctor...). Graduates Thomas Simpson and Susan Lambert are young lovers who are about to embark on married life, but their happiness is tempered by a deep trepidation. Social worker Susan is black, and out-of-work engineer Christopher is white... and breaking the news of the marriage to their respective families is only the beginning of their problems! Exasperated by the anxieties of both sets of in-laws, the newlyweds decide to take up an offer of accommoda-tion from Christopher's sympathetic aunt, Dorothy the only relative who believes the marriage will actually work...
Heidi is a treasured story for all children one of many tales written by the Swiss authoress Johanna Spyri. This is a charming tale of a young orphan called Heidi who is taken to live with her Grandfather up in the mountains. A classic tale of childhood joys and friendships it has delighted and inspired generations of children. Episodes comprise: 1. The Village 2. Ohi Of The Alps 3. Peter The Goat Herder 4. The Grandmother 5. Winter 6. The Departure 7. Arrival In Frankfurt 8. The
Part Two of the 1978 TV adaptation of Johanna Spyri's novel. Heidi is a treasured story for all children one of many tales written by the Swiss authoress Johanna Spyri. This is a charming tale of a young orphan called Heidi who is taken to live with her Grandfather up in the mountains. A classic tale of childhood joys and friendships it has delighted and inspired generations of children. Episodes comprise: 14. Homesick 15. The Ghost 16. The Journey Home 17. At Home Again
Set against a background of crushing poverty and the hazards of gold-mining in Western Australia during the mid-1920s Wherever She Goes is based on the childhood of Eileen Joyce the celebrated Australian pianist who made her sensational professional debut at the Royal Albert Hall in 1930. Made at Ealing Studios in Australia the film depicts the people who inspired and nurtured the gifted little girls dream of becoming a professional pianist her struggle to learn and the support of the local community that helped bring her within reach of musical training. This moving life-affirming film is featured here in a brand-new transfer from the original film elements in its as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratio.
A company president gets framed with a food-poisoning scandal and the only person who can help him is the evening cleaning-woman who always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
Created and written by Sid Green (Morecambe and Wise: Two of a Kind, The Strange World of Gurney Slade), Mixed Blessings stars Christopher Blake (That's My Boy) and Muriel Odunton as a mixed-race couple struggling to placate their disapproving and constantly bickering families. This popular and - for its time - provocative series also stars much-loved sitcom stalwarts Carmen Munro (The Fosters), and Joan Sanderson (Please Sir!).With Susan expecting the couple's first child, there's no shortage of advice from everyone around her. Thomas's father Edward thinks a family holiday by the sea is just the ticket at such an exhausting time; Thomas naturally assumes that the role of a father-to-be is to help as much as possible. Susan, however, insists that he shouldn't interfere... unless she asks him to!
Created and written by Sid Green (Morecambe and Wise: Two of a Kind, The Strange World of Gurney Slade), Mixed Blessings stars Christopher Blake (That's My Boy) and Muriel Odunton as a mixed-race couple struggling to placate their disapproving and constantly bickering families. This popular and - for its time - provocative series also stars much-loved sitcom stalwarts Carmen Munro (The Fosters), and Joan Sanderson (Please Sir!).Series Two finds the ever-obliging newlyweds continuing to be torn between two sets of in-laws, as Thomas finally lands an engineering job, and Susan announces her pregnancy. Her news meets with typically mixed responses: fathers-in-law William and Edward seem dismayed, and even Matilda and Annie, who both welcome the event, find a reason to squabble. Thomas and Susan - who'd hoped a baby might just bring the two families together - are once again driven to despair...
Irish comedy and based on the novel ‘Rooney’ written by Catherine Cookson. Set in 1950’s Dublin John Gregson is the irrepressible James Ignatious Rooney….the hurling loving dustman. Landladies fall at his feet and it’s not due to the stench of rubbish from his daily collections………… Rooney is too much of a gentleman to bring his work home with him. No it’s the Irish Blarney his good looks and his dog. And don’t forget the hurling always at the hurling. Rooney teams up with Mr Doolan (Liam Redmond) a wealthy businessman and hurling fan and moves to a smart part of Dublin. Here he meets yet another widowed landlady and the cantankerous Grandpa (played brilliantly by the hilarious Barry Fitzgerald) who is always losing his teeth! Rooney falls for Maire (Muriel Pavlow) the landlady’s cousin and when he is selected for the Hurling Championship Final will he win both the Cup Final and the girl?
The Djinn that evil genie is back and eager to grant you three wishes... Diana Collins (Cook) is a teaching assistant at a prestigious college where she studies comparative religion and mythology under Professor Barash (Connery). She inadvertently solves a mysterious puzzle left for one of Barash’s colleagues unknowingly unleashing the evil Djinn a malicious genie who is eager to grant his waker three wishes in order to free his race and destroy mankind. The Djinn assumes
Affable bright and breezy Kenneth More epitomised the traditional English virtues of fortitude and fun. At the height of his fame in the 1950s he was Britain's most popular film star and had appeared in a string of box office hits including Genevieve (1953) Doctor in the House (1954) Reach for the Sky (1956) and A Night to Remember (1958). Like many British actors he commuted between film and theatre and steadily became of or Britain's most treasured actors. This 8 disc collection celebrates some of his greatest work. Films include: Chance of a Lifetime (1950): The workers in a small plough factory take over the firm but when a large order falls through the old management come back to help out. Genevieve (1953): Two friends race their vintage cars on the annual London to Brighton rally. But once they place a 'friendly' wager on who will win the race the competitive juices start flowing! Genevieve is the name of one of the cars which like her competitor runs into one problem after another. A Night to Remember (1958): Based on the best selling book by Walter Lord this is the true story of the R.M.S. Titanic which struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Europe to New York in 1912. The Galloping Major (1951): An elderly pet shop owner who sets up a scheme to buy ""Montana Mist "" a race horse who promises to finish in the money. When the animals are switched at an auction his lifelong dream comes crashing down - unless the old glue horse he has purchased turns out to be more than meets the eye. North West Frontier (1959): Captain Scott (More) is sent by the British Governor in India to rescue a five year old Hindu prince and his American governess (Bacall) when a rebellion breaks out among the tribesmen. Pursued by the abductors the trio commandeer a derelict steam train to take them 300 miles through the mountains to safety... Reach for the Sky (1956): A story of one man's indomitable courage and endurance. As a young sports-loving Pilot Officer Douglas Bader loses both legs in a flying accident. Not only does he overcome his devastating disability; he goes on to become a Battle of Britain ace. Eventually Bader is shot down and imprisoned in Germany. In 1945 when three hundred aircraft fly in triumph over London led by a solitary Spitfire the honour of leading the fly-past goes to Douglas Bader. This is the story of one of the few to whom so many owed so much.
Oscar Homolka (Mr. Sardonicus), Derek Farr (Town on Trial), Muriel Pavlow (Doctor in the House), and Kenneth Griffith (Love on the Dole) star in the British crime classic The Shop at Sly Corner. Descius Heiss (Homolka), a London antiques dealer, lives a comfortable life fencing smuggled diamonds in order to pay for his beloved daughter Margaret's (Pavlow) tuition. However, when his young assistant (Griffith) learns of the arrangement, he begins to blackmail Heiss, unwittingly sparking a chain of events that leads to murder... Also known as Code of Scotland Yard, The Shop at Sly Corner is deftly directed by George King (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street), the man who helped launch Tod Slaughter's film career, and also marked the film debut of Diana Dors. INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES New restoration from a 4K scan by Powerhouse FilmsOriginal mono audio Audio commentary with film historian Josephine Botting and critic Phuong Le (2024) Jonathan Rigby on Oscar Homolka (2024): the film historian delves into the life and career of the prolific Austrian actorMuriel Pavlow in Conversation (2009): filmed interview in which the British actor discusses her career with Josephine Botting at London's National Film TheatreImage gallery: promotional and publicity materials New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearingLimited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Steve Chibnall, archival interviews and articles, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits World premiere on Blu-ray Limited edition of 4,000 copies for the UK and the US All extras subject to change
After repeatedly flaunting her peerless body to her servants, snobbish aristocrat Cecila (Muriel Montrossé) becomes the victim of abuse. But the experience triggers a carnal awakening, full of socialite sex parties and woodland orgies. And before long, Cecilia finds her amorous adventures spinning out of control, particularly when her husband decides to join in on the free-love lifestyle.
Hoke Colburn sits in the front seat with his hands on the steering wheel but the driver's seat is behind him. That's where Miss Daisy sits. She doesn't want a chauffeur and she won't give in. And neither will Hoke. 'Driving Miss Daisy' the Best Picture Academy Award winner of 1989 is also the best most joyful heartfelt comedy in a long time. Based on Alfred Uhruy's Pulitzer Prize-winning play it tells the story of genteel but strong-willed Southern matron Daisy Werthan (Jessica
A blond arrives in Asia, and is first, jumped, then beaten up, by thugs. She asks a fighter girl to train her - but really, she wants to take part in a tournament. Plenty of girls, of all races, fighting action.
Love marriage and show business provide the basis of this lively comedy that centers on a husband and wife who are chosen by television producers to embody the perfect married couple on an upcoming television series. The show is to be filmed and broadcast live from the home of Simon and Laura who on camera are indeed the perfect couple. Unfortunately the minute the camera is off the two are going at it hammer and tong. Still their show is very popular and many couples look up to them until the ill-fated shooting of a Christmas special in which the couple begin tippling alcoholic beverages during the filming and end up letting their true relationship come out.
The very first film in the ever popular Doctor series. Here we are first introduced to Simon Sparrow (Dirk Bogarde) and follow his hilarious adventures as a student doctor in St. Swithins Hospital - from naive bumbling trainee to his first day as a fully qualified doctor. In these early formative years he learns how to cope with the occupational hazards of being a medical student such as fiery ward sisters frightening surgeons over-knowledgeable patients the eccentricities o
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