War

• Ice Cold In Alex | Blu Ray | (13/06/2011) from £59.99   |  Saving you £-40.00 (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  The title Ice Cold in Alex refers to the beer the heroes of this 1958 British World War Two classic plan to drink in Alexandria, once they have escaped from the Germans, negotiated minefields and survived both mechanical failure and the killing heat of the North African sands. The setting is Libya in 1942, at the height of the campaigns featured in The Desert Fox (1951) and The Desert Rats (1953), and a disparate group in a military ambulance--which include a Nazi agent to add tension of one kind and a beautiful nurse to add tension of another--must make an epic journey to safety. Staring John Mills, Sylvia Sims, Anthony Quayle and Harry Andrews the terror and poignancy comes from our certainty that not everyone will survive, such that the suspense sometimes reaches near unbearable levels. Director J Lee-Thomson was clearly inspired by the then recent French masterpiece, The Wages of Fear (1952) and handles both the character drama and set-pieces with great skill. He would go on to make another great war adventure, The Guns of Navarone (1961), also starring Anthony Quayle, who then returned to the desert for the ultimate British war classic, Lawrence of Arabia (1962). --Gary S. Dalkin

• Army of Shadows (Vintage World Cinema) | Blu Ray | (03/06/2024) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  The most personal film by the underworld poet Jean-Pierre Melville, who had participated in the French Resistance himself, this tragic masterpiece, based on a novel by Joseph Kessel, recounts the struggles and sacrifices of those who fought in the Resistance. Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Cassel, and the incomparable Simone Signoret star as intrepid underground fighters who must grapple with their conception of honor in their battle against Hitler's regime. The atmospheric and gripping thriller Army of Shadows is now widely recognized as the summit of Melville's career, channeling the exquisite minimalism of his gangster films to create an unsparing tale of defiance in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.ARMY OF SHADOWS... THE HIDDEN SIDE OF THE STORY

• A Taste Of Honey | DVD | (13/10/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Rita Tushingham made her indelible screen debut as Jo a young girl who falls pregnant after leaving home and her floozie of a mother - a revelatory performance by Dora Bryan. Jo befriends Geoff (Murray Melvin) a gentle kind-hearted gay man and they move in together like two children playing house for a while finding an innocent but fragile happiness.

• The Pianist | Blu Ray | (20/07/2009) from £7.49   |  Saving you £8.50 (113.49%)   |  RRP £15.99

  A talented musician struggles to survive the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto and the concentration camps of World War II.

• Ocean's Eleven | Blu Ray | (05/11/2007) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £25.99

  Ocean's Eleven improves on the 1960's Rat Pack original with supernova casting, a slickly updated plot and Steven Soderbergh's graceful touch behind the camera. Soderbergh reportedly relished the opportunity "to make a movie that has no desire except to give pleasure from beginning to end", and he succeeds on those terms, blessed by the casting of George Clooney as Danny Ocean, the title role originally played by Frank Sinatra. Fresh out of jail, Ocean masterminds a plot to steal $163 million from the seemingly impervious vault of Las Vegas's Bellagio casino, not just for the money but to win his ex-wife (Julia Roberts) back from the casino's ruthless owner (Andy Garcia). Soderbergh doesn't scrimp on the caper's comically intricate strategy, but he finds greater joy in assembling a stellar team (including Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and Carl Reiner) and indulging their strengths as actors and thieves. The result is a film that's as smooth as a silk suit and just as stylish. --Jeff Shannon On the DVD: Ocean's Eleven on disc is hardly swarming with special features, but just like all good heists it's quality not quantity that counts. The cast commentary is lively and it's nice to hear intelligent comments coming from Hollywood's big league for a change. However, it's the director and writer's commentary that is the real gem; it's funny, enlightening and most of all it allows Ted Griffin to put the case forward for all screenwriters across the world as to the importance of their craft. The main feature has an impressive transfer of sound and visuals, making the suits sharper and David Holmes' soundtrack even funkier. --Nikki Disney

• In Darkness | DVD | (09/07/2012) from £10.35   |  Saving you £9.64 (93.14%)   |  RRP £19.99

  A dramatization of one man's rescue of Jewish refugees in the Nazi-occupied Polish city of Lvov.

• Shooting Robert King | DVD | (26/09/2011) from £4.99   |  Saving you £11.00 (220.44%)   |  RRP £15.99

  'When you chase war long enough, war eventually chases you'. Shooting Robert King is the astounding story of war photographer Robert King, a nave rookie correspondent hungry for his first war. Filmed over 15 years and across 3 warzones, Robert King's story begins in Bosnia where he comes under sniper fire and mortar attack while moving towards the front line of battle. As the film moves to the theatres of war in Chechnya and Iraq his incredible and horrifying journey is bought shockingly to life through dramatic front line footage, bewildering photography and mesmerising action.

• The Tunnel | DVD | (25/04/2011) from £39.99   |  Saving you £-24.00 (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  This incredible true story takes place in Berlin 1961. Germany is a country divided. Harry Melchior has narrowly escaped the communist regime of East Berlin and now in the West is determined to free his sister who was not so lucky. Joined by others also desperate to free their loved ones they have an audacious plan; to tunnel beneath the wall ant the 'death strip' patrolled by border guards. But not everyone can be trusted and they are soon digging for their lives in a nerve-racking race against time.

• April 9th | DVD | (12/10/2015) from £9.64   |  Saving you £8.35 (86.62%)   |  RRP £17.99

  In the early morning of April 9th, 1940, the Danish army is alerted. The Germans have crossed the border; Denmark is at war against Europe's strongest army. At the Southern border, the Danish homeguard are ordered out to hold back the forces until the Danish reinforcements can be mobilized. In the fatal hours, we follow second lieutenant Sand (Pilou Asbæk- Lucy, A Hijacking) and his small and inexperienced band as the first Danish soldiers meet the enemy in combat on that fateful day… April 9th, 1940.

• Zodiac - Director's Cut | Blu Ray | (29/09/2008) from £7.99   |  Saving you £12.00 (150.19%)   |  RRP £19.99

  From David Fincher, director of "Seven" and "Fight Club" comes this new thriller about four investigators obsessed with finding a serial killer who is terrifying the San Francisco Bay Area.

• Step Up 2 The Streets | Blu Ray | (27/10/2008) from £20.00   |  Saving you £-0.01 (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Set at the Maryland School of the Arts Step Up 2 The Streets revolves around dance student Patrick (Robert Hoffman) and rebellious new student Andie (Briana Evigan). When rebellious street dancer Andie lands at the elite Maryland School of the Arts she finds herself fighting to fit in while also trying to hold onto her old life. When she joins forces with the school's hottest dancer Chase to form a crew of classmate outcasts to compete in Baltimore's underground dance battle The Streets she ultimately finds a way to live her dream while building a bridge between her two separate worlds.

• The Boys From Brazil | Blu Ray | (23/06/2008) from £5.99   |  Saving you £14.00 (233.72%)   |  RRP £19.99

  This terrifying thriller is based on Ira Levin's best seller in which Dr. Josef Mengele (Gregory Peck) alive and living in South America gathers a group of former Nazis to work on a mysterious project. Ezra Lieberman (Laurence Olivier) begins to unravel the conspiracy and discovers that Mengele has cloned 94 young Hitlers. Suddenly the terrifying extent of Mengele's plan is revealed: twisting genetic science to become a new weapon of global horror.

• The Dam Busters | DVD | (14/06/2010) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Dr Barnes Wallis was possessed with a seemingly crazy idea - the creation of a bouncing bomb designed to destroy the Ruhr dams and paralyse the enemy's industrial nerve centre. He fought persistent scepticism and disbelief that such a feat was possible though even with the matchless skill of RAF Wing Commander Guy Gibson and his squadron could such a mission succeed?

• The Colditz Story | DVD | (18/04/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  During the Second World War the Germans put many of the Allied prisoners-of-war (POWs) who had proved consistent escapees together in a maximum security fortress, the very name of which became a legend. Based on the book by Colditz escapee Major Pat Reid, The Colditz Story (1957) documents the further, sometimes successful, escape attempts of these extraordinarily brave, resourceful and indomitable men. Starring John Mills, Eric Portman, Bryan Forbes and Anton Diffring, and co-written and directed by Guy Hamilton, who later made The Battle of Britain (1969), this is a sober, even-handed account, that is gripping and informative, yet not without humour. Sterling performances from the cast of stalwart actors adds up to a British cinema classic. Such is the fascination of Colditz that in 1972-3 the BBC made a very successful drama series staring Jack Hedley, Bernard Hempton, Robert Wagner and David McCallum, while in 2000 Channel 4 offered a superb three-part documentary, Escape from Colditz. In contrast to the semi-documentary feel of The Colditz Story David Lean's classic The Bridge on the River Kwai, from the same year, is an epic and powerful account of POW life in barbaric Japanese prison camps. --Gary S. Dalkin

• Summer of 44 - 1944 The Final Battle for Germany - (Multi Award Winning Film Based On a True Story) - 2020 | DVD | (05/10/2020) from £10.14   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  On the surface it is beautiful hot summer and things appear as usual for five teenager friends hanging out at the public pool. The sun burns down from the sky and the boys show off and stare longingly at the pretty girls. However as all of them are looking to cool off in the water the events of WWII are closing in rapidly which will impact on all of their lives. In the summer of 1944, the tide has turned for Nazi Germany: their army is retreating and squeezing every last drop of blood in the defence of the Fatherland, even from teenage boys, is a price that needs to be paid. Ignoring the brutal regime as best as they can, the five lads try to bring some normality to their lives before it's off to the harsh training camps and the battle fields. The group is led by the cocky, self-assured Knuffke; his friend Onkel, the sensitive introvert, longs for true love. For now, they are nothing but cannon fodder, two of them being forced into the SS, the other 3 friends are made to fight alongside 60-year-old men in the defence of Germany. Soon enough, two of the boys are dead. Understanding the futility of their efforts, Onkel deserts the army. He must survive at all cost as deserters are instantly executed. Some of the friends manage to return home after the war is over. Can their friendship survive the brutality of war and the decisions they had to make? As spring turns into summer again, peace has come, but at what cost? Their innocence has gone, and the public pool has fallen dry.

• Young Winston (Limited Edition) | Blu Ray | (28/10/2019) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Richard Attenborough's renowned, star-studded historical biopic follows the early years of one of Britain's most beloved and controversial figures Winston Churchill. Writer-producer Carl Foreman (High Noon, The Bridge on the River Kwai) was approached by Churchill himself, who suggested his own book, My Early Life: A Roving Commission, would make a good film. The result is a lavish and beautifully detailed drama, with Simon Ward in the lead role, detailing Churchill's service as a cavalry officer in India and the Sudan, as a war correspondent in the Second Boer War, and his election to Parliament at the age of 26. Forman and Attenborough assembled a sterling cast in support: Robert Shaw, Anne Bancroft, Jack Hawkins, Ian Holm, Anthony Hopkins, Patrick Magee, Edward Woodward, and John Mills add weight to Attenborough's vision of the man and the myth. Extras: High Definition remaster Two presentations of the film: the original theatrical run and the roadshow version containing unique footage Original mono audio Reflections of a Director (2007): an archival interview with director Richard Attenborough A National Hero Brought to Life (2007): an archival interview with actor Simon Ward Interview with stunt double Vic Armstrong (2019) Interview with special effects artist John Richardson (2019) Interview with make-up artist Robin Grantham (2019) Interview with assistant director William Cartlidge (2019) Interview with second assistant director Brian W Cook (2019) Original theatrical trailer Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Sergio Angelini, an overview of contemporary critical responses, archival articles, and film credits Limited Edition of 3,000 copies All extras subject to change

• The Deer Hunter 4K | Blu Ray | (04/03/2019) from £19.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Michael Cimino's epic masterpiece The Deer Hunter has been stunningly restored with a brand new 4k restoration. Winner of no less than five Academy Awards® in 1978 including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor for Christopher Walken, The Deer Hunter is widely acknowledged as one of cinema's great masterpieces and contains some of the most memorable scenes in film history. With the film painting a sobering portrait of a small Pennsylvania steel town rocked by loss when three of its sons go off to fight in Vietnam, Cimino's ambitious and daring vision is showcased in this bold and brilliant war classic that, 40 years on, is even more striking than ever before. When Michael (Robert De Niro), Steven (John Savage) and Nick (Christopher Walken) are captured by the Vietcong, they are forced to play Russian Roulette by their brutal captors, who make bets on their survival. The experience of capture leaves them with terrible physical and spiritual wounds, and when Michael returns to Saigon to fulfil an old promise to one of his friends, he makes an unexpected, horrific discovery. Also featuring astonishing performances from Meryl Streep as the woman both Michael and Nick fall in love with, and John Cazale (The Godfather, Dog Day Afternoon) as their unhinged and insecure friend Stan. For the restoration of The Deer Hunter, STUDIOCANAL went back to the original 35mm negative, which was scanned at 4K resolution in 16bit. The restoration was completed at Silver Salt in London, who created a restored 4K DCP and UHD version for the home entertainment release. Bonus material includes: New Interview with David Thomson - film critic A brand new and exclusive interview with author and film critic David Thomson 1979 ITV South Ban Show interview with Michael Cimino A rarely seen ITV South Bank Show Interview from 1979 with director Michael Cimino provides an in-depth analysis of his inspirations and motivations for the making of the film Realising The Deer Hunter - Interview with director Michael Cimino Shooting The Deer Hunter - Interview with director of photography Vilmos Zsigmond Playing The Deer Hunter - Interview with star John Savage Audio Commentary with Michael Cimino Audio Commentary with Vilmos Zsigmond and journalist Bob Fisher Deleted and Extended scenes Deleted and extended scenes from the original production including extra footage of the infamous Russian Roulette sequence.

• The Butcher Boy | DVD | (15/10/2007) from £6.19   |  Saving you £6.80 (109.86%)   |  RRP £12.99

  A classic Irish movie, The Butcher Boy is set in a small town in Ireland in the mid part of the twentieth century. It tells the story of Francis 'Francie' Brady, a schoolboy who lives with his mother and alcoholic father. In the early part of the book it becomes apparent that Francie's mother is abused both verbally and physically by her belligerent husband, on a frequent basis. Francie's father, Benny, was raised in a tough religious school in Belfast, and it is suggested that this experience left him mentally traumatised. This mental trauma has left Benny bitter and angry, and he takes this anger out on his wife, his fury fuelled by alcohol. Francie's mother considers suicide and is committed for a time to a mental health facility.

• Rocknrolla | Blu Ray | (02/02/2009) from £10.98   |  Saving you £18.00 (200.22%)   |  RRP £26.99

  When a Russian mobster orchestrates a crooked land deal, millions of dollars are up for grabs, and all of London's criminal underworld wants in on the action.

• Pan's Labyrinth | DVD | (12/03/2007) from £5.70   |  Saving you £12.29 (215.61%)   |  RRP £17.99

  Director Guillermo del Toro returns with this tale about a young girl and the mythical monsters she confronts.