Bill Douglas’ beautiful film Comrades tells the epic story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, six Dorset labourers deported to Australia in the 1830s for forming a trade union. Unfolding in the pastoral haze of Dorset and the blinding light of Australia, Douglas has created a film rich with carefully layered visual illusions and nuances. With lovely, profound performances throughout, the story – a compelling account of struggle and injustice – becomes an epic tale about history, storytelling and the way we see our world. This three disc set from a director of singular vision – better known for his autobiographical Trilogy (My Childhood (1972), My Ain Folk (1973), My Way Home (1978) is presented in a new HD restoration on DVD and Blu-ray, with a wealth of special features.
Douglas's magnificent, award-winning Trilogy is the product of an assured, formidable artistic vision. These are some of the most compelling films about childhood ever made. Presented here in a High-Definition restoration, the Trilogy follows Jamie (played with heart-breaking conviction by Stephen Archibald) as he grows up in a poverty-stricken mining village in post-war Scotland. This is cinematic poetry: Douglas contracted his subject matter to the barest essentials - dialogue is kept to a minimum, and fields, slag heaps and cobbled streets are shot in bleak monochrome. Yet with its unexpected humour and warmth, the Trilogy brims with clear-eyed humanity, and affection for an ultimately triumphant young boy.
‘In a hundred years of movies, homosexuality has only rarely been depicted on the screen. When it did appear, there as something to laugh at – or something to pity – or even something to fear. These were fleeting images, but they were unforgettable, and they left a lasting legacy.’ The Celluloid ClosetThis new collection from the BFI, featuring a number of rarely-seen gay classic shorts, is essential viewing for anyone interested in experimental and queer cinema. Extra features: All films previously unreleased on DVD Newly created soundtrack to Encounter Fully illustrated booklet
Bill Douglas' beautiful film Comrades tells the epic story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs six Dorset labourers deported to Australia in the 183's for forming a trade union. Unfolding in the pastoral haze of Dorset and the blinding light of Australia Douglas has created a film rich with carefully layered visual illusions and nuances. With lovely profound performances throughout the story - a compelling account of struggle and injustice - becomes an epic tale about history storytelling and the way we see our world.
A bumper box set of classic films featuring 'The Queen' Barbara Stanwyck! Double Indemnity (Dir. Billy Wilder 1944): Director Billy Wilder and writer Raymond Chandler ('The Big Sleep') adapted James M. Cain's hard-boiled novel into this wildly thrilling story of insurance man Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) who schemes the perfect murder with the beautiful dame Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck): kill Dietrichson's husband and make off with the insurance money. But of cou
Double Indemnity (Dir. Billy Wilder 1944): From the Moment they met it was Murder! Director Billy Wilder and writer Raymond Chandler ('The Big Sleep') adapted James M. Cain's hard-boiled novel into this wildly thrilling story of insurance man Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) who schemes the perfect murder with the beautiful dame Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck): kill Dietrichson's husband and make off with the insurance money. But of course in these plots things never quite go as planned and Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) is the wily insurance investigator who has a feeling that not all is as it seems... All I Desire (Dir. Douglas Sirk 1953): In 1900 Naomi Murdoch deserted her small-town family to go on the stage. Some ten years later daughter Lily invites Naomi back to see her in the Riverdale high school play. Her arrival sets the whole town abuzz wakes up old conflicts and sets off new emotional storms.
""Douglas' magnificent award-winning Trilogy is the product of an assured formidable artistic vision. These are some of the most compelling fimls about childhood ever made.The films narrative is largely autobiographical following Jamie - eight years old when we first meet him - as he grows up in a poverty-stricken mining village in post-war Scotland. These are brutal surroundings and Jamie is subject to hardship and rejection at the mercy of the relatives and neighbours responsible for his welfare. Through these films we see Jamie grow from child to adolescent; angry bewildered and violent yet playful affectionate and full of imagination. Set Comprises: My Childhood (1972 48 mins) My Ain Folk (1973 55 mins) My Way Home (1978 72 mins)
In the melting pot of 1890s London, Sergeant Cork works for Scotland Yard's newly formed Criminal Investigation Department, enthusiastically employing the pioneering techniques of the new science of forensics to tackle crimes born of poverty and deprivation, passion, vengeance and greed. Ably assisted by youthful detective Bob Marriott, the astute Cork is years ahead of his time, and knows that even the most convincing evidence can all too often deceive. John Barrie (Z Cars) and William Gaunt (The Champions) star in this richly atmospheric, meticulously researched police drama. Devised and written by Dixon Of Dock Green creator Ted Willis, this series sees Cork and Marriott pitting their wits against poisoners, forgers, murderers and, of course, their own superiors.
Bill Douglas' beautiful film Comrades tells the epic story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs six Dorset labourers deported to Australia in the 183's for forming a trade union. Unfolding in the pastoral haze of Dorset and the blinding light of Australia Douglas has created a film rich with carefully layered visual illusions and nuances. With lovely profound performances throughout the story - a compelling account of struggle and injustice - becomes an epic tale about history storytelling and the way we see our world.
Douglas's magnificent award-winning Trilogy is the product of an assured formidable artistic vision. These are some of the most compelling films about childhood ever made. Presented here in a High-Definition restoration the Trilogy follows Jamie (played with heart-breaking conviction by Stephen Archibald) as he grows up in a poverty-stricken mining village in post-war Scotland.
A bumper box set of classic films featuring 'The Queen' Barbara Stanwyck! Double Indemnity (Dir. Billy Wilder 1944): Director Billy Wilder and writer Raymond Chandler ('The Big Sleep') adapted James M. Cain's hard-boiled novel into this wildly thrilling story of insurance man Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) who schemes the perfect murder with the beautiful dame Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck): kill Dietrichson's husband and make off with the insurance money. But of course in these plots things never quite go as planned and Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) is the wily insurance investigator who has a feeling that not all is as it seems... The Lady Eve (Dir. Preston Sturges 1941): In 1941 Barbara Stanwyck was offered two screwball roles equally suited to her tart intelligence deft comic timing and undeniable sex appeal and it's a photo finish as to which was funnier; showgirl-on-the-lam Sugarpuss O'Shea the title character in Howard Hawks's 'Ball of Fire' or con artist Jean Harrington a.k.a. Lady Eve Sidwich the delirious fulcrum for this classic Preston Sturges comedy. Under Sturges's typically antic microscope the collision between the gold-digging Harrington and the very rich very hapless brewery-heir-turned-herpetologist Charles Pike (a wonderfully callow guileless Henry Fonda) yields ample opportunity for the writer-director to skewer issues of class and sex; as always Sturges is bold in pushing the censors' envelope capturing a palpable erotic heat between the canny Jean and the literally feverish Charlie who after a year up the Amazon is instantly smitten by the mere sight of her shapely ankles (in hindsight a precursor to her subsequent effect in 'Double Indemnity'). The Bitter Tea Of General Yen (Dir. Frank Capra 1933): Caught in a Chinese rebellion newly-arrived American Megan Davis (Stanwyck) is rescued by a cultured bandit General Yen. When she realises she is being held captive she sets about undermining her captor. In time however she finds that it is not her confinement she must fight against - rather it is her growing attraction to the man... The Golden Boy (Dir. Rouben Mamoulian 1939): The tale of Joe Bonaparte; a boy encouraged by his father to pursue his dream of playing the violin who turns to boxing when poverty sets in. What he witnesses is the tough and uncompromising world of major league boxing; the widespread corruption; and the alluring qualities of one hot dame! The Miracle Woman (Dir. Frank Capra 1931): Barbara Stanwyck stars as Sister Faith Fallon the charismatic leader of a Pentecostal sect. David Manners plays John Carson the blind man whose life is changed by her powerful sermon. Little does he know that Faith works alongside a con-man performing hoax miracles to boost the coiffeurs. Will John's love for Faith finally steer her back onto the right path? All I Desire (Dir. Douglas Sirk 1953): Barbara Stanwyck stars as Naomi Murdock a wayward mother and struggling actress who yearns for her old life before she walked out on her family. Returning to town she finds herself the subject of hearsay and loose speculation from the locals. More importantly her husband is striking up a relationship with a local school teacher and her oldest daughter remains hostile to the mother who abandoned her. Will Naomi be able to repair the damage done and rest her demons?
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