 Alexander 2004  R, 175 min.
Genre: Adventure
Director: Oliver Stone
Cast: Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, Anthony Hopkins, Rosario Dawson, Jared Leto, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Christopher Plummer, David Bedella, Jessie Kamm, Brian Blessed, Connor Paolo
Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.), King of Macedonia (Colin Farrell), conquered most of the world before he was 25 years of age. This epic covers his eight years of battles as he led his army against the mighty Persian Empire.
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As You Like It 2006  PG, 127 min.
Genre: Comedy / Romance
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Brian Blessed, Romola Garai, Bryce Dallas Howard, Kevin Kline, Adrian Lester, Janet McTeer, Alfred Molina, David Oyelowo, Richard Briers, Jimmy Yuill, Alex Wyndham, Jade Jefferies, Gerard Horan
William Shakespeare's play is again brought to the screen–this time transplanted from the Forest of Arden to 19th-century Japan. Rosalind (Bryce Dallas Howard) disguises herself as a boy, Ganymede, and, escaping a death threat, leaves the court after her father is banished. Traveling with her are her cousin Celia (Romola Garai) and the court jester Touchstone (Alfred Molina). Along the way, she runs into the man she loves, Orlando (David Oyelowo). Now, Rosalind uses her disguise as Ganymede to test Orlando's love.
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Catherine the Great 1995 TV, 100 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Marvin J. Chomsky, John Goldsmith
Cast: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul McGann, Ian Richardson, Brian Blessed, John Rhys-Davies, Agnes Soral, Mark McGann, Mel Ferrer, Jeanne Moreau, Karl Johnson
If you're a fan of Catherine Zeta-Jones, you may be interested in this film. The young (26 at the time of the film's release) Catherine plays Russian Empress Catherine as she rises to power followed by the early years of her reign. A history course this is not, as the major events of 18th-century Russia are merely "Oh, by the ways."
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 Flash Gordon 1980 PG, 110 min.
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi / Comedy / Thriller
Director: Mike Hodges
Cast: Sam J. Jones, Topol, Max von Sydow, Timothy Dalton, Melody Anderson, Ornella Muti, Brian Blessed, Peter Wyngarde, Mariangela Melato, Richard O'Brien, John Osborne, John Hallam, Philip Stone, Suzanne Danielle, William Hootkins
Emperor Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow) rules the planet Mongo and is plotting to destroy the Earth because he believes it is a threat to his realm. Flash Gordon (Sam J. Jones) teams up with his companion Dale Arden (Melody Anderson) to come to the rescue, and along the way is skyjacked aboard Dr. Zarkov's (Topol) spaceship. Now, Flash Gordon's efforts will require more daring as they are drawn to the planet Mongo where Ming plans to take Dale as his concubine.
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Freddie as F.R.O.7 1992 PG, 90 min.
Genre: Animation / Family / Adventure / Fantasy
Director: Jon Acevski
Cast: Ben Kingsley, Jenny Agutter, Billie Whitelaw, Brian Blessed, John Sessions, Nigel Hawthorne, Michael Hordern, Jonathan Pryce, Prunella Scales, Phyllis Logan, James Earl Jones, Victor Maddern
In this animated film, French secret agent Freddie (a human-sized frog) is called onto a case in England. His mission is to prevent an evil takeover of the world.
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 Hamlet 1996   PG-13, 238 min.
Genre: Drama / Romance / Thriller
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Julie Christie, Kate Winslet, Charlton Heston, Robin Williams, Jack Lemmon, Billy Crystal, Gerard Depardieu, John Gielgud, Richard Briers, Nicholas Farrell, Michael Maloney, Brian Blessed, Judi Dench
"Hamlet," the melancholy Dane, is directed by and stars Kenneth Branagh in this–indeed unique–innovative presentation of Shakespeare's classic. Branagh uses Shakespeare's entire text to uncover the layers behind the Bard of Avon's words in his play about Hamlet (Branagh) seeking revenge for his father the king's murder. Julie Christie plays Gertrude, Hamlet's mother who marries her brother-in-law Claudius (Derek Jacobi) soon after her husband's murder. His father's ghost (Brian Blessed) appears and tells Hamlet to be kind to Gertrude but to kill Claudius who had murdered him. Now, insanity takes over resulting in homicide and suicide.
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Henry V 1989 PG, 135 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Derek Jacobi, Robert Stephens, Simon Shepherd, James Larkin, Brian Blessed, Ian Holm, James Simmons, Judi Dench, Charles Kay, Alec McGowan, Jay Villiers
This version of "Henry V" is every bit as good as Laurence Olivier's 1944 production. Kenneth Branagh comes across the big screen as a heroic Henry who follows his Bishops' advice and leads his soldiers against France at the Battle of Agincourt. Academy Award nominations were received for Best Actor and Director, and the film won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design.
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 The Hound of the Baskervilles 1983 TV, 100 min.
Genre: Drama / Mystery / Horror
Director: Douglas Hickox
Cast: Ian Richardson, Donald Churchill, Martin Shaw, Denholm Elliott, Brian Blessed, Ronald Lacey, Eleanor Bron, Edward Judd, Nicholas Clay, Glynis Barber, Connie Booth, Eric Richard, Michael Burrell, Peter Rutherford, David Langton
Dr. Mortimer (Denholm Elliott) hires Sherlock Holmes (Ian Richardson) to investigate the murder of Sir Charles Baskerville. Mortimer tells Holmes that 350 years ago Hugo Baskerville traded his soul to the devil, and all of his ancestors have fallen under a curse and have been murdered when they inherited the Baskerville dynasty. Mortimer wants to protect the new heir, Sir Henry (Martin Shaw), from suffering the same fate. Holmes sends Dr. Watson (Donald Churchill) to investigate while Holmes, unbeknownst to Watson, arrives on the scene disguised as a gypsy to find the culprit.
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Lady Chatterley 1992  N/R, 110 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Ken Russell
Cast: Joely Richardson, Sean Bean, James Wilby, Shirley Anne Field, Amanda Murray, Ken Russell, Ben Aris, Judith Paris, David Sterne, Soo Drouet, Brian Blessed
Based on three related D.H. Lawrence novels, this is the story of Lady Chatterley (Joely Richardson) who is married to the sickly, old Sir Clifford Chatterley (James Wilby). Bored with her life, she starts an affair with hired hand Mellors (Sean Bean). Originally a British TV miniseries, the film was cut for theatrical release.
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The Last Valley 1971 PG, 125 min.
Genre: Adventure
Director: James Clavell
Cast: Michael Caine, Omar Sharif, Florinda Bolkan, Nigel Davenport, Per Oscarsson, Arthur O'Connell, Madeleine Hinde, Yorgo Voyagis, Miguel Alejandro, Christian Roberts, Brian Blessed, Ian Hogg
Set during the Thirty Years War, this story takes place in a peaceful, hidden valley whose inhabitants are visited by a former teacher, Vogel (Omar Sharif), and then by an army led by The Captain (Michael Caine). Both men are looking for a reprieve from the outside world. They winter over in the valley and then go on their way–leaving the valley and its inhabitants in peace.
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 Man of La Mancha 1972   PG, 130 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Arthur Hiller
Cast: Peter O'Toole, Sophia Loren, James Coco, Harry Andrews, John Castle, Brian Blessed, Ian Richardson, Gino Conforti, Marne Maitland, Rosalie Crutchley
This musical version of Don Quixote is one Broadway success that fails miserably in its transition to the screen. 1 User Review
| User Review |
| | Anonymous 01/09/2007 | | Simple and lovely point of view about one of the most complex novels of all times. |
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The Master of Ballantrae 1984  TV, 150 min.
Genre: Adventure
Director: Douglas Hickox
Cast: Richard Thomas, Michael York, John Gielgud, Brian Blessed, Timothy Dalton, Nickolas Grace, Ian Richardson, Finola Hughes, John Hallam, Ed Bishop
Based on the Robert Louis Stevenson story, this is a remake of an earlier film starring Errol Flynn. In this made-for-TV version, Michael York takes on the Flynn role of the Scottish brother who fights the British king–and his own brother.
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 Much Ado About Nothing 1993 PG-13, 110 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Robert Sean Leonard, Keanu Reeves, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Briers, Brian Blessed, Patrick Doyle, Imelda Staunton, Jimmy Yuill, Andy Hockley, Chris Barnes, Phyllida Law
Don Pedro (Denzel Washington), Don John (Keanu Reeves), Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard), and Benedick (Kenneth Branagh) return home from battle and arrive in the village of Messina. Governor Leonato (Richard Briers) greets them, and Claudio falls in love with Leonato's daughter Hero (Kate Beckinsale), but Don John turns her against Claudio. Meanwhile, Beatrice (Emma Thompson) tries to gain the reluctant Benedick's love. Don Pedro steps in bringing both couples together under a false premise, and love blooms. This film will make Shakespeare fans out of even the most dubious. The sound track lingers long after viewing, and the two couples provide insight into two different styles of love.
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Prisoner of Honor 1991 PG, 88 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Ken Russell
Cast: Richard Dreyfuss, Oliver Reed, Peter Firth, Jeremy Kemp, Brian Blessed, Kenneth Colley, Catherine Neilson, Peter Vaughan, Lindsay Anderson, Christopher Ashley, John Bennett, John Cater
This made-for-TV film provides an account of the French "Dreyfus Affair" in the last decade of the 19th century. Captain Alfred Dreyfus (Kenneth Colley) was court-martialed and sent to Devil's Island for espionage. Colonel Picquart (Richard Dreyfuss) was assigned the task of justifying the sentence; but, instead, he uncovered the fact that the Jewish Dreyfus was a scapegoat for a General Staff member. Picquart's efforts ruined his career but resulted in the release of Dreyfus.
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 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves 1991 PG-13, 144 min.
Genre: Adventure / Action / Drama / Romance
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Cast: Kevin Costner, Christian Slater, Alan Rickman, Morgan Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Sean Connery, Brian Blessed, Michael Wincott, Michael McShane, Geraldine McEwan, Nick Brimble, Soo Drouet, Daniel Newman, Jack Wild, Walter Sparrow
"Robin Hood," the story loved by young and old, is retold in this romantic epic about the rogue who robs the rich and gives to the poor. Kevin Costner takes on th role of Robin Hood who joins forces with Little John (Nick Brimble) and his band of thieves to combat the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman)–and Robin still finds time for romance with Maid Marian (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio).
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Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace 1999  PG, 131 min.
Genre: Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi / Fantasy
Director: George Lucas
Cast: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Pernilla August, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid, Ahmed Best, Samuel L. Jackson, Terence Stamp, Anthony Daniels, Kenny(2) Baker, Hugh Quarshie, Oliver Ford Davies, Brian Blessed
Episode 1 of the "Star Wars" adventure begins with the Jedis (Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, and Natalie Portman) fighting to save the planet Nahoo from the evil forces of the Trade Federation. Despite their efforts, Nahoo is invaded, and the Jedi force must leave. They meet slave boy Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) who they determine may be the "chosen one" and enlist him to help their cause of saving their world from the Trade Federation.
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 Tarzan 1999 G, 88 min.
Genre: Animation / Family / Adventure / Comedy / Drama
Director: Kevin Lima, Chris Buck
Cast: Tony Goldwyn, Minnie Driver, Glenn Close, Rosie O'Donnell, Wayne Knight, Nigel Hawthorne, Lance Henriksen, Brian Blessed, Alex D. Linz, Taylor Dempsey, Jason Marsden, Debi Derryberry, Rodger Bumpass, Jim Cummings, Jack Angel
This animated Disney film begins with violent scenes that are inappropriate for very young children. But for those old enough to handle vicious killings, this story of Tarzan's (voice of Alex D. Linz as a youth and voice of Tony Goldwyn as an adult) childhood among the gorillas should entertain; however, parents should be aware that violence continues with a hanging death and an abundance of gunfire. An Oscar was received for the song "You'll Be in My Heart."
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| 1. Alexander (2004)
2. As You Like It (2006)
3. Catherine the Great (1995)
4. Flash Gordon (1980)
5. Freddie as F.R.O.7 (1992)
6. Hamlet (1996)
7. Henry V (1989)
8. High Road to China (1983)
9. The Hound of the Baskervilles (1983)
10. Kidnapped (1995)
11. Lady Chatterley (1992)
12. The Last Valley (1971)
13. Man of La Mancha (1972)
14. The Master of Ballantrae (1984)
15. Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
16. Prisoner of Honor (1991)
17. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
18. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
19. Tarzan (1999)
20. The Trojan Women (1971)
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