"Director: Basil Dearden"

• My Learned Friend | DVD | (27/04/2009) from £9.49   |  Saving you £6.50 (68.49%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Will Hay (Dandy Dick The Goose Steps Out) plays a disbarred solicitor who with the help of Claude (Claude Hulbert) embarks on a frantic chase in pursuit of a psychopathic murderer newly released from prison. The prisoner is working through a vengeance list with Claude's name near the top... Directed by Basil Dearden and Will Hay My Learned Friend offers a fascinating insight into the direction Will Hay might have taken if ill health had not caused this Ealing picture to be his last. The tone is much darker than his previous films and the humour much of it revolving around a sequence of grisly murders foreshadows the blackest of Ealing's post-war comedies such as Kind Hearts and Coronets.

• 1950s Great British Movies | DVD | (22/09/2014) from £14.05   |  Saving you £5.94 (42.28%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Boxset of four classic films from the 1950s. 'Simba' (1955) is an adventure drama about a man who travels to post-colonial Africa to visit his brother only to find he has been killed by a Kenyan rebel group. When Alan Howard (Dirk Bogarde) arrives in Africa, he soon learns his brother has been killed by the Mau Mau, a group of rebels who are fighting against the newly imposed rule of the white man. Enraged by his brother's murder, Alan decides to stay and put all of his energy into fighting the Mau Mau who he now considers his enemy. However, along the way he falls in love with a neighbouring settler called Mary (Virginia McKenna) who disagrees with his abhorrence of the native people and tries to put an end to his prejudices. 'Sapphire' (1959) is a hard-hitting crime drama exploring racism towards immigrants among the London police and public. Sapphire (Yvonne Buckingham), a fair-skinned West Indian immigrant is discovered hiding in London and murdered. To the police, led by Superintendent Hazard (Nigel Patrick) and Inspector Learoyd (Michael Craig), the case seems clear cut - Sapphire must have been killed by a member of the black community. However, when Sapphire's brother (Earl Cameron) turns up at the police station and Sapphire's true ethnic roots become known, Hazard and Learoyd must face up to the racism of two communities and, quite possibly, their own. 'The Happy Family' stars Stanley Holloway and Kathleen Harrison as a couple who refuse to move from their house as the government reveal their plans to build a Festival Hall on the South Bank. The tenants of the local corner shop, Mr and Mrs Lord (Holloway and Harrison), are the only residents who refuse to make way for the construction - even when the police issue an eviction order. As the family barricade themselves into the shop, the bailiffs must try to think of another way to get them out. Violent Playground (1958) is a tough kitchen sink drama starring Stanley Baker and David McCallum and is set amongst the tough council estates of Liverpool.

• The Victim | DVD | (10/04/2006) from £7.99   |  Saving you £5.00 (62.58%)   |  RRP £12.99

  This BAFTA-nominated film starring the great Dirk Bogarde in one of his career-best performances also includes excellent support from Sylvia Syms and Denis Price. The police are after Jack Barrett (Peter McEnery). He has stolen 2 300 from the building construction firm that employs him as a wages clerk. Despite being an ordinary young man of twenty-three years of age he is scared out of his wits by the crisis that is mounting - and they are circumstances beyond his control - Barret

• Great British Actors - Stanley Baker | DVD | (04/03/2013) from £17.98   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Violent Playground: When local Juvenile Liaison Officer Sergeant Truman (Baker) visits the Murphy household, with the view that if you catch kids at an early age, they will end up being reseponsible adults. Truman becomes romantically involved with Johnny s sister and also finds considerable points of similarity between his previous investigations into the activities of an arsonist know as the Firefly and his investigation of Johnny. Sea Fury: Captain Bellew commands a tugboat...

• Khartoum | DVD | (31/03/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Set in the expanse of the Sudan desert in the midst of holy war, Khartoum (1966) plays like an attempt to work the Lawrence of Arabia magic on the (mostly) true story of eccentric British general Charles "Chinese" Gordon in 1884 North Africa. The magnificent opening desert battle suggests David Lean's epic sweep, at least until the film settles into a more modest story of political games, military standoffs, and a battle of wits and wiles between two fierce leaders. Charlton Heston plays the Christian soldier as cocky, unconventional maverick, and Laurence Olivier (behind heavy make-up and a thick black beard) is almost as good as his cagey nemesis the Mahdi, the Islamic holy warrior on a mission of annihilation. More talk than spectacle, the film falls short of Lawrence but is nonetheless a compelling story of colonial politics, cynical manoeuvring and the unconventional heroics of another colourful British maverick abroad. --Sean Axmaker

• The Definitive Ealing Studios Collection | DVD | (16/10/2006) from £109.99   |  Saving you £-69.99 (N/A%)   |  RRP £40.00

  A box set featuring 16 of the finest efforts from the house of Ealing. 1. Champagne Charlie (Dir. Alberto Cavalcanti 1944) 2. Dead of Night (Dirs. Alberto Cavalcanti & Charles Crichton 1945) 3. Hue & Cry (Dir. Charles Crichton 1947) 4. It Always Rains on Sunday (Dir. Robert Hamer 1947) 5. Kind Hearts and Coronets (Dir. Robert Hamer 1949) 6. The Ladykillers (Dir. Alexander Mackendrick 1955) 7. The Lavender Hill Mob (Dir. Charles Crichton 1951) 8. The Maggie (Dir. Alexander Mackendrick 1954) 9. The Magnet (Dir. Charles Frend 1950) 10. The Man in The White Suit (Dir. Alexander Mackendrick 1951) 11. Nicholas Nickelby (Dir. Alberto Cavalcanti 1947) 12. Passport To Pimlico (Dir. Henry Cornelius 1949) 13. Scott of The Antarctic (Dir. Charles Frend 1948) 14. The Titfield Thunderbolt (Dir. Charles Crichton 1953) 15. Went The Day Well? (Dir. Alberto Cavalcanti 1942) 16. Whisky Galore (Dir. Alexander Mackendrick 1949)

• All Night Long | DVD | (04/07/2016) from £8.65   |  Saving you £1.34 (15.49%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Patrick McGoohan and Richard Attenborough star in this powerful psychological drama which deftly re-interprets Shakespeare's Othello via the beating, syncopated heart of East London's early-sixties jazz scene. Directed by Basil Dearden, All Night Long features outstanding performances from jazz legends Charlie Mingus, Dave Brubeck, Johnny Dankworth and Tubby Hayes. It is presented here in a brand-new transfer from original film elements in its original, as-exhibited aspect ratio. Wealthy music promoter Rod Hamilton throws an anniversary party for a famous jazzman, Aurelius Rex, and his wife and musical partner, Delia. Music and goodwill flow freely until the arrival of an ambitious musical rival, Johnny Cousin, who intent on poaching Delia to join his own band plans to destroy the couple's relationship over the course of a single night... SPECIAL FEATURES: Original theatrical trailer Image gallery Commemorative booklet

• Dead Of Night (Ealing) - Special Edition | DVD | (24/02/2014) from £10.09   |  Saving you £7.90 (78.30%)   |  RRP £17.99

  A portmanteau work from four of Ealing's best directors, Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden & Robert Hamer. Starring Mervyn Johns, Michael Redgrave and Googie Withers, Dead Of Night represented a departure for Ealing from the classic comedy mode and is instead a spooky psychological thriller made up of five chilling ghost stories.

• They Came to a City (DVD + Blu-ray) | Blu Ray | (23/04/2018) from £14.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Nine disparate Britons are transported to a mysterious city where, according to their class and disposition, they find themselves either in an earthly paradise of peace and equality or a hell starved of ambition and riches. From the pen of J B Priestley, this fantastical allegory is a striking expression of post-war utopian impulses and among Ealing's most unusual features. Presented here in a new 2K transfer from the best surviving 35mm element, this rarely seen British classic is available for home viewing for the very first time. Directed by Basil Dearden (The Captive Heart, Victim) and starring John Clements, Googie Withers and Raymond Huntley. Features: Presented in High Definition and Standard Definition Michael Balcon NFT Lecture (audio only, 59 mins): recorded in 1969, the producer discusses the different stages of his career We Live in Two Worlds (Alberto Cavalcanti, 1937, 13 mins): a GPO film about communications technology, narrated by J B Priestley Britain at Bay (Harry Watt, 1940, 7 mins): a wartime propaganda film intended to boost morale, narrated by J B Priestley A City Reborn (1945, 21 mins): a propaganda film written by Dylan Thomas highlighting plans for post-war reconstruction Charley in New Town (Halas & Batchelor, 1948, 8 mins): a short animation on post-war new towns built to address housing shortages Your Very Good Health (Halas & Batchelor, 1948, 9 mins): a short animation on the new National Health Service

• Sapphire | DVD | (05/09/2011) from £3.24   |  Saving you £11.01 (556.06%)   |  RRP £12.99

  First individual DVD release! Basil Dearden's ground-breaking tale starring Nigel Patrick and Michael Craig portraying two Scotland Yard detectives who are investigating the murder of a young black woman who had been passing for white. As timely a topic today as when made in an England rampant with racial prejudice in the 1950s, it stays just this side of an in-depth indictment of racism and bigotry as the detectives investigate the vast array of suspects - everyone from the girl's white boyfriend and his parents who feared that the association would destroy his career to the boys that the girl had spurned when she was accepted by white society. Winner of BAFTA for Best British Film 1960.

• Victim | Blu Ray | (28/07/2014) from £9.99   |  Saving you £7.00 (87.61%)   |  RRP £14.99

  Banned on its original theatrical release in the United States and highly controversial in Britain, this BAFTA-nominated story of deception, blackmail and revenge stars Dirk Bogarde in a brave, career-best performance as a prosperous young barrister with a dark secret. With powerful direction from Basil Dearden and strong supporting performances from both Sylvia Syms and Dennis Price, Victim is featured here in a High Definition transfer made from original film elements in its as-exhibited th.

• The Smallest Show on Earth | DVD | (11/03/2019) from £11.59   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  NOTICE: Polish Release, cover may contain Polish text/markings. The disk DOES NOT have English audio and subtitles.

• Who Done It? | DVD | (12/11/2007) from £15.98   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Benny Hill's hilarious movie debut from the screenwriter of the Lavender Hill Mob. Benny Hill stars as Hugo Dill an inept ice rink attendant amateur detective and extremely clumsy master of disguise. But when Hugo stumbles into an international espionage plot he's soon over his head in a crazy case of mistaken identity murderous spies a bumbling romance with a beautiful strongwoman (Belinda Lee) and a top secret machine that can control the world's weather. David Kossoff

• All Night Long | Blu Ray | (04/07/2016) from £11.99   |  Saving you £3.00 (25.02%)   |  RRP £14.99

  Patrick McGoohan and Richard Attenborough star in this powerful psychological drama which deftly re-interprets Shakespeare's Othello via the beating, syncopated heart of East London's early-sixties jazz scene. Directed by Basil Dearden, All Night Long features outstanding performances from jazz legends Charlie Mingus, Dave Brubeck, Johnny Dankworth and Tubby Hayes. It is presented here in a brand-new High Definition transfer from original film elements in its original, as-exhibited aspect ratio. Wealthy music promoter Rod Hamilton throws an anniversary party for a famous jazzman, Aurelius Rex, and his wife and musical partner, Delia. Music and goodwill flow freely until the arrival of an ambitious musical rival, Johnny Cousin, who intent on poaching Delia to join his own band plans to destroy the couple's relationship over the course of a single night... SPECIAL FEATURES: Original theatrical trailer Image gallery Commemorative booklet

• Khartoum (Eureka Classics) Dual Format (Blu-ray & DVD) edition | Blu Ray | (03/12/2018) from £10.89   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Eureka Entertainment to release KHARTOUM, a spectacular and rousing historical epic starring Charlton Heston and Sir Laurence Olivier, as part of the Eureka Classics range in a Dual Format (Blu-ray & DVD) edition on 3 December 2018. The kind of lavish, rousing historical adventure spectacle that doesn't seem to exist anymore, Khartoum is a majestic, star-studded, BAFTA and Oscar-nominated epic that finds director Basil Deardon (Victim) delivering a feast for the eyes, as well as a pointed study of English colonialism, religious fanaticism, and the nature of heroism and sacrifice. In 1880s Sudan, thousands of British-led Egyptian troops are massacred by the forces of Arab fanatic Muhammad Ahmad (Sir Laurence Olivier), who believes he is the Mahdi, and nothing less than Mohammed's chosen warrior in battling against Anglo-Egyptian rule. Legendary Major General Charles George Gordon (Charlton Heston) is sent by Prime Minister William Gladstone (Ralph Richardson) to save the city of Khartoum from the Mahdi, but given only one aide (Richard Johnson), limited support from the British government that sent him there, and a fearless opponent determined to create a new empire, Gordon sees that further bloodshed is imminent. With impressive battle sequences given greater weight by philosophical and moral debates about the righteousness of military action, Khartoum is a widescreen extravaganza and was the final film to be shot using Ultra Panavision 70 (and screened theatrically in Cinerama) until Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight in 2015. Features: 1080p presentation (on Blu-ray) from a gorgeous high-definition transfer Presented in the film's correct aspect ratio of 2.76:1 LPCM 2.0 Audio Optional English SDH subtitles Audio Commentary with Film Historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo, and Nick Redman Exclusive new video interview with film historian Sheldon Hall Original theatrical trailer PLUS: A collector's booklet featuring a new essay by Phil Hoad, alongside a selection of rare archival imagery

• Goose Steps Out | DVD | (02/02/2009) from £10.99   |  Saving you £5.00 (45.50%)   |  RRP £15.99

  The Goose Steps Out

• School For Scoundrels / The Green Man | DVD | (14/04/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £16.99

  In School for Scoundrels wimpy Ian Carmichael wants to impress girls and get one over on all-round show-off and cad Terry Thomas (playing gloriously to type). Discovering Alastair Simms' unorthodox school Carmichael happily enrols and learns the quaint tricks of the day for securing the admiration of a fair lady. Ultimately as a star pupil he teaches the Master a thing or two about true love when everything turns out just fine in the end. Appealing to all male sensibilities is the idea of a magical set of simple rules for winning someone's affections. Set in the tweed-rich environment of an English boarding school makes this an even quainter notion. To watch this classic comedy is to cock one's snoot at womanisers everywhere while unavoidably making a mental list of anything that might actually work! The three central performances are brilliantly realised, particularly the role reversal between Carmichael and Thomas. Try playing a tennis match after a viewing without calling "hard cheese". -Paul Tonks

• Richard Attenborough - Screen Icons Collection | DVD | (14/07/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £17.20

  This Boxset Contains The Following Films: The Ship That Died of ShameShip 1087 and her crew are proud to make a sterling contribution to the coastal defences during the war but post-war austerity brings lean years for all. Illicit cross-channel smuggling seems like an attractive and lucrative prospect. But from the apparently harmless ferrying of duty-free wine the crew gradually descend into altogether deeper waters culminating in the carriage of a mysterious fugitive who turns out to be a convicted child-killer. Brighton Rock The elegant and respectable facade of Brighton hides a sinister underworld ruled by intimidation and terror. Richard Attenborough stars as Pinkie a ruthless and sadistic young criminal whose trail of killings and double crossings lead to his eventual downfall when savage justice is finally meted out in a thrilling and memorable climax. Dunkirk An easygoing British Corporal (John Mills) in France finds himself responsible for the lives of his men when their officer is killed. He has to get them back to Britain somehow. Meanwhile British civilians are being dragged into the war with Operation Dynamo the scheme to get the French and British forces back from the Dunkirk beaches. Some come forward to help others are less willing. The Man UpstairsThe mental breakdown of a guilt-ridden man provides the drama in this fascinating psychological profile that stars Richard Attenborough as a scientist who can't live with himself after he accidentally kills the brother of his fiancee. In order to escape the pain he changes his name and begins living in a ramshackle Victorian boarding house where he slowly begins losing his mind. The Angry Silence Guy Green's film represented the beginning of a lack of solidarity in unions as Tom Curtis (Richard Attenborough) with wife Anna (Pier Angeli) expecting a child refuses to join an unofficial strike in his machine shop and becomes the victim of assaults both mental and physical. Acclaimed as one of the most moving and powerful films ever made in Britain The Angry Silence won unprecedented acclaim. Within a week of its opening it had become the most talked-about film in the country and even today is still deemed controversial for its cynical depiction of organised labour as a thuggish mindless collective.

• The Ship That Died of Shame | DVD | (10/01/2011) from £10.35   |  Saving you £5.64 (54.49%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Based on a short story by Nicholas Monsarrat (author of 'The Cruel Sea') and directed by Basil Dearden (The Blue Lamp The League Of Gentleman) The Ship That Died Of Shame takes place during the bleak aftermath of the Second World War a crew of navy veterans played by screen legend Richard Attenborough George Baker (The Dam Busters) and Bill Owen (Last Of The Summer Wine) are forced into smuggling black market goods across the English Channel to make ends meet. But it isn't long before wine and cigarettes are replaced by the more lucrative cargo of automatic weapons and counterfeit money. A crisis of conscience lies upon the horizon when one of the crew refuses to turn a blind eye after discovering that the mysterious stranger they've been asked to smuggle into England hides a dark and harrowing secret.

• The Captive Heart (Digitally Restored) | DVD | (04/01/2016) from £7.99   |  Saving you £10.00 (125.16%)   |  RRP £17.99

  Ealing studios' output from the 1940s and 1950s helped define what was arguably the golden age for British cinema. THE CAPTIVE HEART, released in 1946, comes from this legendary studio. Starring a host of Ealing favourites, including Michael Redgrave, Basil Radford and Jack Warner, THE CAPTIVE HEART is the story of a group of British prisoners of War, captured after Dunkirk in 1940. Amongst them is a man known as Captain Geoffrey Mitchell who has assumed the identity of a dead man after escaping from the Marlag and Milag North concentration camp. With exposure seeming inevitable, the man seeks desperately to escape the camp and therefore the fate which awaits him.