NOTICE: Polish Release, cover may contain Polish text/markings. The disk has English audio.
A former army officer bitter at being made to retire early uses his special access to military personnel files to plot a 1 million bank robbery and sets about gathering an unlikely assortment of accomplices
Legendary director Powell and Pressburger at their most imaginative - and controversial - with a film about a pilot who suffers strange hallucinations after surviving being shot down over the English Channel.
Having seen I Know Where I'm Going, Martin Scorsese (a huge fan of filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger) declared that there were no more classics to be made in cinema. The film tells the story of Wendy Hiller's unromantic but determined young bride-to-be Joan Webster, setting forth to the Isle of Mull to marry an elderly millionaire. However, on reaching Kiloran she's prevented by adverse weather from reaching the island and must bunk down in a hotel with naval lieutenant and, it transpires, penniless Laird Torquil McNeil (Roger Livesey). It's not hard to predict the outcome of this saga but getting there is a wonderful journey. Hiller, more famous for playing less pretty elders in later life in the likes of Murder on the Orient Express, is splendid as the softening pragmatist, while Livesey, frequently used by Powell/Pressburger, again embodies a combination of British no-nonsense decency and romanticism. The strongest, most magical presence in the movie, even in black and white, is that of the Scottish scenery, beautiful and volatile and somehow serving to aid and abet the happy ending. --David Stubbs
Featuring a towering central performance from Charles Laughton, this celebrated biopic saw the legendary actor collaborating once again with director Alexander Korda following their global box-office triumph with The Private Life of Henry VIII. An account of the later life of the great Dutch painter, Rembrandt co-stars Elsa Lanchester (Laughton's wife) and stage star Gertrude Lawrence, while Georges Perinal's innovative cinematography recreates the texture of Rembrandt's work to stunning effect. This compelling character study is featured in a brand-new transfer from the original film elements, in its as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratio. In 1642, Rembrandt van Rijn is at the height of his fame. Then, his beloved wife and model, Saskia, dies. Rembrandt is devastated, and when commissioned to paint an important work, creates a dark, brooding piece, considered highly inappropriate by his creditors. Now verging on bankruptcy and cast out by those who previously supported him, he is rescued by a new love; yet even now, happiness cannot be guaranteed SPECIAL FEATURE: Image Gallery
Titles Comprise: Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp: Drama about the life of Clive Candy an English soldier who served in three wars (Boer World War I World War II) and had relationships with three women along the way (each played by Deborah Kerr). Despite Candy's tours-of-duty he harbors no ill will towards the Germans instead he believes they have been the pawns of military leaders. Colonel Blimp an old befuddled British military officer reminisces about his past glories in this witty war satire. A Matter Of Life And Death: It's night over Europe the night of the 2nd of May 1945. A crippled Lancaster Bomber struggles home across the English Channel all crew dead save for the young pilot desperately scanning the radio for signs of life. His prayers are answered. June (Hunter) a young radio operator picks up his signal and in the final moments of the young flyer's life a special bond is formed. The next morning washed up on an English beach Squadron Leader Peter Carter (Niven) is alive he finds June and the two fall in love. Somehow he survived. It's a miracle or is it? Peter Carter should have died that night; a heavenly escort missed him in the fog above the channel and now he must face the celestial court of appeal for his right to live. I Know Where I'm Going: In Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's stunningly photographed comedy romance flourishes in an unlikely place - the bleak and moody Scottish Hebrides. Wendy Hiller stars as a headstrong young woman who travels to Scotland to marry a rich lord. Stranded by stormy weather she meets a handsome naval officer (Roger Livesey) who threatens to thwart her carefully laid-out life plans...
A disgruntled veteran recruits a group of disgraced colleagues to perform a bank robbery with military precision
During the 1940s the Rank Organisation was a phenomenal success in the film world boasting five studios two newsreels a great many production companies a staff of 31 000 650 cinemas and an incredible turnover of 45 million. To celebrate 70 years of Britain's most acclaimed film studio this fantastic collection encompasses some of Ranks most prestigious and successful films. The Red Shoes The tragic and romantic story of Vicky Page the brilliant young dancer who must giv
Alongside Sanders of the River and The Four Feathers, this rip-roaring Technicolor adventure completes what became known as Alexander Korda's 'Empire trilogy', made by London Films in the late 1930s.An unabashed celebration of the British Raj, The Drum made a star of Sabu, the young Indian actor who was to become a firm favourite in both British and American films over the coming decade. Also starring Roger Livesey as an Army captain working undercover to monitor arms smuggling and featuring a brilliantly malevolent performance from Oscar nominee Raymond Massey as a murderous royal usurper intent on fomenting rebellion, The Drum is featured here in a brand-new transfer from original film elements, in its original theatrical aspect ratio.SPECIAL FEATURES: Image Gallery Promotional Materials PDF
Laurence Olivier plays Archie Rice, a mediocre music hall artist upholding a dying tradition in an English seaside town. Tony Richardson originally directed Laurence Olivier as Rice in the Royal Court's theatre production, and did so again in this, his second feature. The seedy world which Archie Rice occupies could be seen to represent the general malaise of post-war Britain, previously explored by writer John Osborne in his play Look Back in Anger, adapted for the screen by Nigel Kneale in 1959. Kneale subsequently went on to co-write The Entertainer with Osborne. Olivier is supported by a superb cast including a young Alan Bates as his son, Roger Livesey as his kindly, now retired, always more talented and popular father, and Joan Plowright as his daughter. The remarkable cast also features Daniel Massey, Shirley Anne Field, Thora Hird and Charles Gray. Olivier's portrayal of a man coming undone at the seams and revealing the emptiness inside, is a revelation. It changed the public's perception of him, introducing him to a new younger audience, and garnered him yet another Oscar® nomination. Special features: George Devine Memorial Play: The Entertainer - Sequences One and Two (1966, 6 mins, 5 mins) David Frost-produced film, directed by Peter Whitehead, capturing a stage performance in memory of the late Royal Court director, starring Laurence Olivier O Dreamland (1953, 13 mins): Lindsay Anderson's (If...., This Sporting Life) Free Cinema film shot at Margate's iconic amusement park Archive shorts from Topical Budget and Mitchell and Kenyon (1900-1929, total 15 mins): rare footage of turn-of-the century Morecambe, featuring scenes along the promenade and piers, as well as a visit to the 1929 Morecambe Carnival Lancashire Coast (1957, 15 mins): the charms of England's north-west, from Morecambe and Southport to the Pilling Marches Stills gallery Illustrated booklet with essays by Steven Hess and Vic Pratt, plus full film credits
From the celebrated team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger comes this artistic masterpiece. Roger Livesey brilliantly portrays a British officer, Clive Candy, through the trials and tribulations of three wars, three loves and a lifelong friendship across enemy lines. Starring Roger Livesey, Deborah Kerr and Anton Walbrook. Special Features: A Profile of the Life and Death of Colonel Blimp - This exclusive 25 minute documentary includes interviews with cinematographer Jack Cardiff, Powell and Pressburger biographer Ian Christie and fan of the film Stephen Fry Martin Scorsese Restoration Piece Stills Gallery Biographies
Scripted and starring Ronnie Barker Futtock's End makes its way to DVD for the first time! This 45-minute silent film eschews dialogue in favour of increasingly bizarre sound effects. The story features rude and rumbustious goings-on at a country mansion presided over by the monocled General Futtock - played by Barker himself.
Starring John Woodvine as the highly experienced Detective Chief Superintendent Kingdom, New Scotland Yard presents an authentic portrayal of detective work in the increasingly violent London of the 1970s. With ex-Chief Superintendent Frank Williams (former head of the Yard's Murder Squad) acting as adviser, this second series also includes appearances by Dennis Waterman, Don Henderson, Philip Madoc, George Baker and Michael Kitchen. Having faced a disciplinary board on charges of misconduct...
The artistic masterpiece about love, war and comradeship from the celebrated creators of "The Red Shoes" and "A Matter of Life and Death."
Drama about the life of Clive Candy, an English soldier who served in three wars (Boer, World War I, World War II), and had relationships with three women along the way (each played by Deborah Kerr). Despite Candy's tours-of-duty, he harbors no ill will towards the Germans, instead he believes they have been the pawns of military leaders. Colonel Blimp, an old, befuddled British military officer, reminisces about his past glories in this witty war satire.
Mr Bultitude is returning his reluctant son Dick to boarding school when he announces he wishes he were a boy again. Being in the possession of the Garuda Stone a magical Indian treasure his wish is granted. Moments later his son takes the stone and wishes to be an adult. So the two swap roles and lives but as they both live out their desires they get slightly more than they bargained for. Based on the acknowledged masterpiece of Victorian comic literature by F. Anstey this i
The Entertainer of the title is Archie Rice, a mediocre music hall artist upholding a dying tradition in an English seaside against a background of the 1956 Suez Crisis. Laurence Olivier stars and is supported by a superb cast including a young Alan Bates as his son, Roger Livesey as his kindly, now retired, always more talented and popular father, and Joan Plowright as his daughter (who, ironically given the story, married Olivier the following year). Albert Finney makes his screen debut in a tiny role and the remarkable cast also features Daniel Massey, Shirley Anne Field, Thora Hird and Charles Gray. Archie himself is a hollow man who brings pain to all around him, and while Olivier's brilliant performance reveals the layers of cynicism which disguise the emptiness inside, the emotional resonance lies with those forced to endure Rice's manipulations, adulteries and deceits. On stage John Osborne's play proved to be a signature part for Olivier, and director Tony Richardson--who filmed Osborne's equally sour Look Back In Anger (1958)--handles the material with unvarnished realism. Unfolding like a dark variation on Chaplin's Limelight (1952), the film equally casts a shadow over the less stellar Tony Hancock vehicle The Punch and Judy Man (1963), ultimately working as both family tragedy and allegory for a declining post-war England. Surprisingly an American 1976 TV movie remake starring Jack Lemmon held its own against this minor British classic. On the DVD: The Entertainer is presented letterboxed at 1.66:1, and sourced from an excellent print preserves the look of the original black and white cinematography very well. Even so a little material is clipped from either side of the image, though this is most notable on the left of the picture. The mono sound is very good. There are no features other than optional subtitles, including English for those hard of hearing. --Gary S Dalkin
The League of Gentlemen is a sardonic crime drama in which Jack Hawkins plays an embittered retired army officer who recruits seven fellow ex-soldiers to carry out a bank raid with military precision. The film presents an England between post-war austerity and the more liberated 1960s where traditional moral certainties were rapidly being discarded; a London where ex-officers left on the scrapheap at war's end could justify turning their military experience to armed robbery. Unfortunately the tale is neither particularly amusing or thrilling, with an overlong central detour via an army camp prefacing the exciting heist and a largely anti-climactic ending. Nevertheless Hawkins effectively subverts his heroic officer type from The Cruel Sea (1953) and The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), and there's excellent support from a great cast including Nigel Patrick, Richard Attenborough and Roger Livesey. Bryan Forbes not only wrote the cynical screenplay but costarred with wife Nanette Newman in her first significant screen role. More influential than truly classic, The League of Gentlemen has lent its name to a modern BBC comedy, an "Extraordinary" comic strip-turned-movie, and proved the template for heist films ever since, including both versions of The Italian Job (1969 and 2003). On the DVD:The League of Gentlemen is presented in an anamorphically enhanced 16:9 transfer from an excellent condition print and mostly looks and sounds fine. There's minimal print damage, though sadly Philip Green's ironically patriotic main title music suffers from significant distortion. The only extra is the original trailer, which is now something of a period piece itself. --Gary S Dalkin
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