This mammoth box set includes the following BBC Shakespeare Adaptations: 1. Romeo And Juliet - Directed by Alvin Rakoff (1978) 2. Richard II - Directed by Jane Howell (1983) 3. As You Like It - Directed by Basil Coleman (1978) 4. Julius Caesar - Directed by Herbert Wise (1979) 5. Measure For Measure - Directed by Desmond Davis (1979) 6. Henry VIII - Directed Kevin Billington (1979) 7. Henry IV: Parts I & II - Directed by David Giles (1979) 8. Henry V: Parts I & II - Directed by Davi
Classic version of Hugo's tragic tale of unrequited love. Quasimodo is the deformed bellringer of Notre Dame taunted and brutalised by the townspeople because of his repellent appearance. Despite his outward appearance however Quasimodo has a tender heart as he demonstrates when he falls in love with beautiful gypsy girl Esmerelda.
Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn's superb sitcom Yes, Prime Minister entered 10 Downing Street with Jim Hacker now Prime Minister of Britain, following a campaign to "Save the British Sausage". Whether tackling defence ("The Grand Design"), local government ("Power to the People") or the National Education Service, all of Jim Hacker's bold plans for reform generally come to nothing, thanks to the machinations of Nigel Hawthorne's complacent Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey (Jeeves to Hacker's Wooster) who opposes any action of any sort on the part of the PM altogether. This is usually achieved by discreet horse-trading. In "One of Us", for instance, Hacker relents from implementing defence cuts when he is presented with the embarrassingly large bill he ran up in a vote-catching mission to rescue a stray dog on an army firing range. Only in "The Tangled Web", the final episode of Series 2, does the PM at last turn the tables on Sir Humphrey. Paul Eddington is a joy as Hacker, whether in mock-Churchillian mode or visibly cowering whenever he is congratulated on a "courageous" idea. Jay and Lynn's script, meanwhile, is a dazzlingly Byzantine exercise in wordplay, wittily reflecting the verbiage-to-substance ratio of politics. Ironically, Yes, Prime Minister is an accurate depiction of practically all political eras except its own, the 1980s, when Thatcher successfully carried out a radical programme regardless of harrumphing senior civil servants. --David Stubbs
San Angeles, a megalopolis stretching from Santa Barbara to San Diego, is the futuristic utopia of the politically correct. Red meat, salt, sugar, smoking and sex have all been outlawed. This spells h-e-l-l for John Spartan, a 20th century cop revived to chase down a 20th century terrorist on the loose in this sterile paradise.
Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn's superb sitcom Yes, Prime Minister entered 10 Downing Street with Jim Hacker now Prime Minister of Britain, following a campaign to "Save the British Sausage". Whether tackling defence ("The Grand Design"), local government ("Power to the People") or the National Education Service, all of Jim Hacker's bold plans for reform generally come to nothing, thanks to the machinations of Nigel Hawthorne's complacent Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey (Jeeves to Hacker's Wooster) who opposes any action of any sort on the part of the PM altogether. This is usually achieved by discreet horse-trading. In "One of Us", for instance, Hacker relents from implementing defence cuts when he is presented with the embarrassingly large bill he ran up in a vote-catching mission to rescue a stray dog on an army firing range. Only in "The Tangled Web", the final episode of Series 2, does the PM at last turn the tables on Sir Humphrey. Paul Eddington is a joy as Hacker, whether in mock-Churchillian mode or visibly cowering whenever he is congratulated on a "courageous" idea. Jay and Lynn's script, meanwhile, is a dazzlingly Byzantine exercise in wordplay, wittily reflecting the verbiage-to-substance ratio of politics. Ironically, Yes, Prime Minister is an accurate depiction of practically all political eras except its own, the 1980s, when Thatcher successfully carried out a radical programme regardless of harrumphing senior civil servants. --David Stubbs
After watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote to Walt Disney about adapting his novel of an ape-man into a feature animated cartoon. Some 60 years later, the tale is finally told with brilliant design work that looks unlike any previous animated film. The story is a natural for Disney since the themes of misunderstood central figures have been at the heart of its recent hits. Disney's Tarzan doesn't wander far from the familiar story of a shipwrecked baby who is brought up by apes in Africa. What gives the film its zing is its clever use of music (the songs are sung by Phil Collins himself rather than onscreen characters) and the remarkable animation. Deep Canvas, a 3-D technology, was developed for the film, creating a jungle that comes alive as Tarzan swings through the trees, often looking like a modern skateboarder racing down giant tree limbs. The usual foray of sidekicks, including a rambunctious ape voiced by Rosie O'Donnell, should keep the little ones aptly entertained. The two lead voices, Tony Goldwyn as Tarzan and Minnie Driver as Jane, are inspired choices. Their chemistry helps the story through the weakest points (the last third) and makes Tarzan's initial connection with all things human (including Jane) delicious entertainment. Disney still is not taking risks in its animated films, but as cookie-cutter entertainment, Tarzan makes a pretty good treat. --Doug Thomas
The first two episodes of this BBC miniseries only hint at the delights to come. A lawsuit aimed at church reform in the town of Barchester forces a decent middle-aged clergyman (Donald Pleasence) into a moral crisis and a conflict with his son-in-law, a pompous archdeacon (Nigel Hawthorne, The Madness of King George). The gracefully written and acted narrative shows glimpses of dry wit--but in episode 3, the arrival of a new bishop (Clive Swift, Keeping Up Appearances), his imperious wife (Geraldine McEwan, The Magdalene Sisters), and his devious chaplain (Alan Rickman, Truly Madly Deeply, the Harry Potter movies) launches The Barchester Chronicles into a satirical power struggle all the more mesmerizing because of the smallness of the territory. The scheming of the citizens and clergy of this British town is both Byzantine and wonderfully comic as the tempestuous personalities claw and dig at each other. Rickman, in one of his first film or television roles, turns in a tour de force of oily ambition. McEwan's ferocious machinations are downright terrifying, while the sputtering Hawthorne seems constantly in danger of bursting a vein. At the center of it all is Pleasence. Making goodness compelling has always been difficult, since wickedness is always more dramatic; but Pleasence brings a deep and stirring passion to his role that proves as engaging as all the back-biting that surrounds him. And these are just the more familiar faces; a host of lesser-known actors give equally superb performances. The final episode (of seven) will have you on pins and needles. The Barchester Chronicles, adapted from two novels by Anthony Trollope, is one of those marvels of British television, a skillful production that proves intelligent fare can be hugely entertaining. --Bret Fetzer
The complete third series of Jim Hacker's ascent up Westminster's greasy pole and the civil service scheming of his Whitehall aide Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne). Also includes the 1984 Christmas Special 'Party Games'. Episodes comprise: Equal Opportunities / The Challenge / The Skeleton in the Closet / The Moral Dimension / The Bed Of Nails / The Whiskey Priest / The Middle Class Rip Off
For the first time in stunning High Definition, experience the wild adventure and laugh-outloud characters of Disney's Tarzan, as the magnificent adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' classic story of the ape man comes to Blu-ray.Deep within the African jungle, a mother gorilla names an orphaned baby boy Tarzan and adopts him as her own, even though the silverback leader Kerchak shuns the hairless wonder. Growing up alongside his wisecracking ape buddy Terk and neurotic elephant pal Tantor, Tarzan develops all the instincts and prowess of a jungle animal, surfing and swinging through the trees at lightning speed. But with the sudden appearance of Tarzan's own kind - humans - including the beautiful Jane, the only world Tarzan has ever known and the onein which he belongs collide with extraordinary force!Driven by five powerful songs written and performed by pop superstar Phil Collins, and starring the voice talents of Minnie Driver, Glenn Close and the hilarious Rosie O'Donnell, Disney's Tarzan delivers incredible adventure as well as important reminders about acceptance and family!
The Chain is linked by a series of moves. As one couple moves out of their current residence to live in posher quarters another moves in and so it goes all the way up to the lavish mansioned owned by self-made millionaire Leo McKern. The cycle starts all over again when McKern wishing to be closer to his roots returns to the working-class neighborhood whence he came. Each move is wryly commented upon by the team of professional movers headed by Warren Mitchell.
All the episodes from the second series of the TV comedy classic.
His Majesty was all powerfull and all knowing. But he wasn't quite all there. 1788 - King Goerge III (Nigel Hawthorne) is almost 30 years into his reign and is once again preparing for the Opening of Parliament. Queen Charlotte (Helen Mirren) skilfully divides her role as both devoted wife and mother to their 15 children. Yet, depite the apparent veneer of respectability, somthing is going sadle awry within the walls of Windsor Castle. The King's behaviour is becoming increaslingly irrational, hi is babbling ceaselessly, spewing obscenities and attacking the Queen's Mistress of Robes, Lady Pembroke (Amanda Donohoe). Has the King gone... mad? As the King's condition deteriorates, his son, the Prince of Wales (Rupert Everett) sets out to have his father declared unfit in order that he should be proclaimed Regent. The Queen is denied access to her husband and the King consequently becomes an isolated figure at the mercy of his own inept physicians. Not until he is persuaded to engage a new doctor, Dr Willis (Ian Holm) does the King show any signs of improvement. Yet the King's only true salvation relies on the support of the most potent of medicines - the Queen herself.
Walt Disney's 25th full-length animated classic The Black Cauldron is a spectacular fantasy adventure to leave your whole family spellbound. In the mystical land of Prydrain a young boy named Taran undertakes a heroic task. With a magic sword at his side Taran must prevent the evil Horned King from unleashing the supernatural powers of a mysterious black cauldron! Helped by the beautiful Princess Eilonwy a funny and furry creature named Gurgi and an adorable clairvoyant pig Taran
More wit than wisdom? More style than substance? Both these charges have been levelled at The Madness of King George, but neither are entirely fair. It could be that the notional subject matter--the psychological collapse of George III, later attributed to the neurological disease porphyria--implies a profound, analytical approach of the kind associated with Oliver Sachs. However, as the screenplay was written by Alan Bennett, based upon his stage play The Madness of George III, what we have here is a typically shrewd, elegant and poignant depiction of how the world seems when viewed by someone who sees things in their own unique way. And as it is by Bennett, who allows himself a brief, bumbling cameo appearance, the dialogue is of course scalpel-sharp throughout and often extremely moving.The historical accuracy is strong on detail, but there's an element of artistic license, such as the depiction of HRH's apparent partial recovery at the close of the film (although the scene itself, in which Hawthorne's befuddled monarch rallies himself to address his subjects, is a joy). In the end, though, we really don't mind.On the DVD: the widescreen DVD extras include the theatrical trailer, a featurette and a lucid commentary by director Nicholas Hytner. --Roger Thomas
The Russians have developed the ultimate sophisticated warplane. Called the MIG-31 it can fly at six times the speed of sound cannot be detected by radar and has a weapon system operated by the pilot's thought-waves. It is an unprecedented achievement and American intelligence would like to lay their hands on it. Clint Eastwood brings his legendary star quality to the role of ace pilot Mitchell Gant. Still haunted by Vietnam Gant is smuggled into Russia to commandeer Firefox and
There are over 13 000 taxi drivers in London. And in order to become taxi drivers every single one of them (like every one of their predecessors for over 140 years) has to pass an exam called 'The Knowledge Of London'. Writer Jack Rosenthal's The Knowledge is the story of four men and their attempts to become cab drivers. In the process they acquire a different kind of knowledge: knowledge of themselves and of those closest to them of their strengths and weaknesses of what they wa
A romantic comedy-drama that pushes the very tender line between love sex and friendship! Nina a social worker shares a cozy flat with her dear friend George who happens to be gay. When Nina becomes pregnant by her overbearing boyfriend she begs George to step into the breach - but is he ready to be a surrogate dad?
The Object Of My Affection: Nina a social worker shares a cozy flat with her dear friend George who happens to be gay. When Nina becomes pregnant by her overbearing boyfriend she begs George to step into the breach - but is he ready to be a surrogate dad? Picture Perfect: As adorable as she is ambitious Kate is determined to turn her mid-level advertising job into an executive position - and equally determined to snare Sam the agency's ultra-suave Romeo who pref
Boudicca, the widowed Queen of the Iceni tribe of East Anglia, to wrest power from the Romans in first-century Britain. Produced by Ruth Boswell (Timeslip, Tightrope, Shadows), Warrior Queen stars Sian Phillips as the fearless Celtic queen, Nigel Hawthorne as Catus Decianus, the rapacious Roman Procurator, and Michael Gothard as Druid priest Volthan. It is AD61. The Romans rule Britain. Prasutagus, King of the Iceni, is dying. In his will, he bequeaths one half of his kingdom to his two daughters; the other half is to be ceded to the Roman Emperor, Nero. Prasutagus's widow, Queen Boudicca, invites the Roman Procurator, Catus Decianus, to attend his burial. Catus Decianus, however, has no intention of attending 'this flea-bitten king's funeral'; instead, he arrives when it is over. It is an ominous sign...
A psychologist is recruited to interview a young wife found at the scene of a double murder. Through hypnosis he unravels a sinister and disturbed mind...
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