Tag Archives: UK

Angels and Insects (1995) Philip Haas, Mark Rylance, Kristin Scott Thomas, Patsy Kensit, Drama, Romance

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The movie is a study of a family of country gentry in Victorian England. William Adamson, a young scientist, is introduced into the Alabaster family by Reverend Mr Alabaster who is also fascinated by insects. William marries the older daughter of the family and studies the amounts of insects in the garden of the villa. His – for the gentry – strange behaviors reveal at the same time their own failures and passions.
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The Loves of Joanna Godden (1947) Charles Frend, Robert Hamer, Googie Withers, Jean Kent, John McCallum, Drama

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The story of a woman who loved three men for their different ways and discovered after many a heartache, that her first love was also her true love. Edward the Peacemaker was on the throne of England when Joanna Godden’s father died and bequeathed a large farm on the Romney Marsh of Kent. Beautiful, impetuous, self-willed, Joanna determined to defy convention and – a mere woman – run the farm herself. Her decision outraged the whole shire – not least her farmer neighbour Arthur Alce.
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11’09”01 – September 11 (2002) Youssef Chahine, Amos Gitai, Maryam Karimi, Mohamad Dolati, Agelem Habibi, Drama

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Eleven directors from 11 countries each contribute an 11-minute short reflecting on the events of 11 September 2001. A village teacher in Iran tries to explain to her young students what’s happened. City kids in Burkina Faso think they’ve spotted Osama bin Laden. A deaf Frenchwoman in Manhattan writes a Dear John letter to a man who has left that morning for work at the World Trade Center. A Chilean remembers Allende. Events recall other deaths. A mother endures more than her son’s death. And so on. The tone varies, as do the locales. Most stories are about others coming to terms with the events of the day, but at least one confronts the viewer with tragedy and death.
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The Golden Bowl (2000) James Ivory, Uma Thurman, Jeremy Northam, Kate Beckinsale, Drama, Romance

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Adam Verver, a US billionaire in London, dotes on daughter Maggie, an innocent abroad. An impecunious Italian, Prince Amerigo, marries her even though her best friend, Charlotte Stant, an alabaster beauty with brains, no money, and a practical and romantic nature, is his lover. She and Amerigo keep it secret from Maggie that they know each other, so Maggie interests her widowed father in Charlotte, who is happy with the match because she wants to be close to Amerigo. Charlotte desires him, the lovers risk discovery, Amerigo longs for Italy, Maggie wants to spare her father pain, and Adam wants to return to America to build a museum. Amidst lies and artifice, what fate awaits adulterers?
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Erik the Viking (1989) Terry Jones, Tim Robbins, John Cleese, Mickey Rooney, Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy

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A Viking with a conscience, Erik (Tim Robbins) tires of pillaging and decides to set out on a quest. When the wise Freya (Eartha Kitt) informs Erik that a great mythic wolf has eaten the sun, the warrior resolves to venture to Asgard, home of the Norse gods, to set things right. Before Erik can reach Asgard, he and his allies must first find a magical horn that resides in the land of King Arnulf (Terry Jones), who, luckily for the hero, has a lovely daughter, Princess Aud (Imogen Stubbs).
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The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother (1975) Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman, Comedy, Crime, Musical, Mystery, Romance

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Comic actor Gene Wilder made his debut as a writer and director in this period comedy in which he plays Sigerson Holmes, the older bother of famous detective Sherlock Holmes. For years, Sigerson has been living in his little brother’s shadow, and he is convinced that he must constantly prove his superiority to his brother in all things at all times. Of course, he often fails, but one can’t argue with his determination.
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The Night Has Eyes (1942) Leslie Arliss, James Mason, Wilfrid Lawson, Mary Clare, Horror, Mystery, Thriller

The Night Has Eyes (Leslie Arliss, 1942)
Two teachers, man-hungry Doris and restrained Marian, visit the Yorkshire moors a year after friend Evelyn disappeared there. On a stormy night, they take refuge in the isolated cottage of Stephen, one-time pianist shellshocked in the Spanish Civil War. Doris flees as soon as the flood subsides; but Marian’s suspicions about Evelyn’s fate, in conflict with her growing love for Stephen, prompt her to stay on among the misty bogs.
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They Were Not Divided (1950) Terence Young, Edward Underdown, Ralph Clanton, Helen Cherry, War

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This wartime drama recounts the training process of the British Tank Corps. The story concentrates on two recruits: Englishman Philip (Edward Underdown) and American David (Ralph Clanton). After a grueling training period and a long, frustratingly uneventful encampment on British soil, Philip and David are shipped to the Front. Both men have a rendezvous with destiny during the German offensive at Ardennes. R.S.M. Brittain etches a chilling portrayal of a merciless drill sergeant, while the splendidly mustached Michael Trubshawe is equally effective as a by-the-book major. Since there must be a romantic subplot, it is fortunate indeed that the heroes’ ladies are played by two charming and talented actresses, Helen Cherry and Stella Andrews.
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The Hunting Party (1971) Don Medford, Oliver Reed, Candice Bergen, Gene Hackman, Action, Drama, Western

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The rich and ruthless rancher Brandt Ruger keeps his beautiful young wife Melissa like a part of his property, subdued to his will. But one day she’s kidnapped by the famous outlaw Frank Calder – just to teach him reading, so he tells her. Calder doesn’t know or care who’s wife she is. He takes care of her well, and eventually Melissa falls in love with him. But Ruger feels humiliated. Full of hate, he sets out to kill him – and Melissa too, if necessary. Together with his friends and the newest technology in guns, which carry 800 yards, he initiates a battue on Calder and his gang.
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Davy (1958) Michael Relph, Harry Secombe, Ron Randell, George Relph, Comedy, Drama

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The Mad Morgans are more than an increasingly popular variety act; they are a family team. But one of them aspires to greater things, and is in a dilemmaas to whether he should go it alone or stick with the group. Despite setbacks and obstacles, Davy finally gets his offer from the top. The entertainment world is his oyster but can the ties of flesh and blood stop him from achieveing his dreams?
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