Future Programme

A former prisoner from the Korean war assassinates on his return to the USA. Why? How did he earn the Congressional Medal of Honour? TOFG: "Its greatest virtue lies in its brilliant balancing acts ... a marvellous cast - star-wattage Sinatra, hilariously dumb Gregory, ... Lansbury [the awful mother] stands out." VFG: "A nerve-beating masterpiece, and more timely now than then. The entire cast is first-rate. ... Have a wild ride.", 4.5*. RT: "...one of the toughest and most original films of the 60s.", 5*. EFG: "... contains everything you could want from a movie, including celluloid's first karate fight.", 5*. 1001: "A powerful experience, alternately corrosive with dark parodic humour; suspenseful, moving, and terrifying."

This is pure 1950s Angry-Young-Man, kitchen-sink drama, in its original stage form from the bitter pen of John Osborne (who gave a most convincing performance in Get Carter, which we saw in Oct 2004). VFG: "... should be seen by anyone who is interested in learning about the England of that era.", 3*. RT: "As an emblem of its time, ... not to be missed.", 4*.

TOFG: "A radiant, oddball comedy-drama about the relationship that develops between a fat Bavarian tourist ..., an irritable black truckstop owner ..., and a weirdo artist ..., set in the dusty Arizona desert land of lonesome motels .... Adlon ... raise[s] the film effortlessly into realms of fantasy, shafted with magic and moments of epiphany." VFG: "An adorable oddity. ... visually exhilarating and consciously modern ... It's hard not to fall in love with this comic fable about the magic that develops at the meeting of two cultures.", 3.5*. RT: 4*.

A study of the clash between orthodox religion and true faith in a Danish village. Dull? Never, as it is beautifully made - and very timely for our age. TOFG: "..... The intensity of the viewer's relationship with the film makes the closing scene (a miracle) one of the most extraordinary in all cinema." VFG: "Although any plot summary would border on the ludicrous, the film is nothing of the kind. This is an overwhelming emotional and intellectual experience, thanks to its subject matter and its austere yet potent presentation. ... Not to be missed.", 4*. RT: "It's simply a masterpiece.", 5*. 1001: "... cinematic art of the highest order". H1000: "... an extraordinary work ... a film like no other."

An outstandingly sympathetic film about a teenage boy, troubled in the way that many are – perhaps you too, once. (Three later films cover him when the very same actor had reached approximately the right ages, an unusual idea.) TOFG: “The grace and perfection of THE 400 BLOWS has made it the standard against which all films on the subject of youth are judged.”, 5*. VFG: 5*. RT: “… sent ripples round world cinema with its audacious freeze-frame finale.”, 5*. 1001: “… remains unsurpassed as a distillation of the New Wave’s most exuberant creative instincts.” H1000: rated as 65th best film of all time. Many awards.

Do you really need to know what it's about? Second World War: Humphrey Bogart as the cynical nightclub owner, Ingrid Bergman as the woman he loved, and Claude Rains as the police inspector. Now I remember! And how! And all those lines! And did you know that Ronald Reagan was originally in line for Bogart's part?

TOFG: "... at least 70% of its cult reputation is deserved." VFG: "Since its November 1942 release, CASABLANCA has been the movie, one that perfectly blends a turbulent love story with harrowing intrigue, heroic and evil characters ...", 5*. RT: "... special then, and always will be.", 5*. EFG: "The first time you see it is just the beginning of a beautiful friendship.", 5*. H1000: "... one of the outstanding entertainment experiences of cinema history." 35th best film of all time.

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