 2001: A Space Odyssey 1968  G, 139 min.
Genre: Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Cast: Keir Dullea, William Sylvester, Gary Lockwood, Daniel Richter, Douglas Rain, Leonard Rossiter, Margaret Tyzack, Robert Beatty, Sean Sullivan, Frank Miller, Bill Weston, Ed Bishop, Alan Gifford, Ann Gillis
The story begins millions of years ago during a crisis on Earth when starving apes, seeking water rights, could only shake their arms at the Others across the stream. Then, one day, a mysterious monolith appeared to probe and direct their brains. Over time, the apes learned that they could change their world through the use of tools, which provided means to obtain food. Skip ahead to the year 2001: apes have evolved into humans, tools into weapons, and Earth is again in crisis. Overpopulation has caused another food shortage, nuclear megatonnage threatens the entire surface of the planet, and, once again, a mysterious monolith has been discovered–this time on the moon. And now, mysterious radio signals from Jupiter are aimed at Earth. A space shuttle is sent to Jupiter to investigate. The genius of this film is the awe it inspires in us as the music sets the tone. Johann Strauss' "Blue Danube," for example, accompanies the docking of the space ship. The pace of both docking and ballet are deliberately slow–a perfect match. While the film does not provide a clear narrative, Arthur C. Clarke's novel does. In this case, reading the book before viewing the movie increases one's understanding. The film received an Oscar for Best Special Effects; three other nominations were received, including Best Director.
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 Barry Lyndon 1975  PG, 183 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Cast: Ryan O'Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee, Hardy Kruger, Steven Berkoff, Gay Hamilton, Leonard Rossiter, Godfrey Quigley, Andre Morell, Michael Hordern
What develops when young Irishman Barry Lyndon (Ryan O'Neal) is tricked into leaving home and goes off to seek his fortune at the hands of a number of unsavory characters is the theme of this film. John Alcott's photography makes this movie worth watching. The film received four Oscars as well as receiving nominations for Best Picture, Director, and Writing.
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Billy Liar 1963 N/R, 98 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: John Schlesinger
Cast: Tom Courtenay, Julie Christie, Wilfred Pickles, Mona Washbourne, Ethel Griffies, Finlay Currie, Rodney Bewes, Helen Fraser, Ernest Clark, Leonard Rossiter, Gwendolyn Watts, George Innes, Leslie Randall, Patrick Barr, Godrey Winn
Billy Fisher (Tom Courtenay) works at a funeral home but daydreams himself into a fantasy world where he is the hero. When Billy lies to cover a few indiscretions, it doesn't take long before the lies grow to take over a large portion of his life. Billy is engaged to two women and is in love with a third, Liz (Julie Christie). It is Liz who helps Billy get his life in order. He moves out of his parents' (Wilfred Pickles and Mona Washbourne) home, and Billy and Liz leave for London. But, by story's end, Billy's imagination again takes over, and he moves back to his parents' home.
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Britannia Hospital 1982  R, 115 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Lindsay Anderson
Cast: Leonard Rossiter, Graham Crowden, Malcolm McDowell, Joan Plowright, Marsha A. Hunt, Alan Bates, Barbara Hicks, Mary MacLeod, Mark Hamill, Peter Jeffrey
The labor dispute in a local hospital is the subject of this heavy satire in which the Queen's visit threatens to become a nightmare when workers refuse to do their appointed jobs.
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Hotel Paradiso 1966  N/R, 100 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Peter Glenville
Cast: Alec Guinness, Gina Lollobrigida, Robert Morley, Peggy Mount, Akim Tamiroff, Marie Bell, Leonard Rossiter, Peter Glenville, Douglas Byng, Robertson Hare
When Benedict Boniface (Alec Guinness) and Marcelle Cot (Gina Lollobrigida) try to check into the Hotel Paradiso for a night of love, everything that can–goes wrong.
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King Rat 1965 N/R, 134 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Bryan Forbes
Cast: George Segal, Tom Courtenay, James Fox, Patrick O'Neal, Denholm Elliott, James Donald, Todd Armstrong, John Mills, Leonard Rossiter, Gerald Sim, John Standing, Alan Webb
Based on James Clavell's novel, the story takes place in a Japanese POW camp during World War II. Corporal King (George Segal) is quite a schemer and has a number of rackets going on, including selling rats to fellow prisoners for food. When he finds out that prisoner Peter Marlowe (James Fox) can speak Malay, the language of the locals, he sees an opportunity to expand his business. Academy award nominations were received for Black and White Cinematography and Art Direction.
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Luther 1973 PG, 112 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Guy Green
Cast: Stacy Keach, Patrick Magee, Hugh Griffith, Robert Stephens, Alan Badel, Judi Dench, Julian Glover, Leonard Rossiter, Maurice Denham, Peter Cellier, Thomas Heathcote, Malcolm Stoddard
John Osborne's play is adapted to the screen in this biography of 16th-century religious leader Martin Luther (Stacy Keach). The story covers Luther's growing issues with the Catholic Church and his decision to lead the Reformation movement.
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 Oliver! 1968  G, 146 min.
Genre: Family / Musical / Drama / Romance
Director: Carol Reed
Cast: Ron Moody, Oliver Reed, Harry Secombe, Shani Wallis, Mark Lester, Jack Wild, Hugh Griffith, Joseph O'Conor, Leonard Rossiter, Megs Jenkins, Peggy Mount, Hylda Baker, Kenneth Cranham, Sheila White, Wensley Pithey
This film won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Director and is an excellent production of Charles Dickens' story set to music. The plot involves the orphan Oliver Twist (Mark Lester) who is befriended by the Artful Dodger (Jack Wild) and joins a gang of thieves led by Fagan (Ron Moody). Despite his circumstances, Oliver does find friends and a "family" within the gang. Popular songs include "As Long as He Needs Me" and "Consider Yourself." A total of six Oscars were received, and there were six other nominations, including Best Actor (Ron Moody) and Supporting Actor (Jack Wild).
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The Pink Panther Strikes Again 1976 PG, 103 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Director: Blake Edwards
Cast: Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Colin Blakely, Leonard Rossiter, Lesley-Anne Down, Burt Kwouk, Andre Maranne, Richard Vernon, Dick Crockett, Paul Maxwell, Byron Kane, Briony McRoberts, Dudley Sutton, Hal Galili, Robert Beatty
French Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers) is again in charge of the case. This time, Clouseau is the intended victim of an assassination by his ex-boss who is now out of the asylum. Former Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus (Herbert Lom) intends to take over the world. Will Clouseau avoid the killer (Leslie-Anne Down) and stop Dreyfus?
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This Sporting Life 1963 N/R, 134 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Lindsay Anderson
Cast: Richard Harris, Rachel Roberts, Alan Badel, William Hartnell, Colin Blakely, Vanda Godsell, Arthur Lowe, Anne Cunningham, Jack Watson, Harry Markham, George Sewell, Leonard Rossiter, Wallas Eaton
Frank Machin (Richard Harris) is a former Yorkshire coal miner who gains fame and fortune as a rugby player. Frank has it all–except love, and now he pursues a romance with his landlady, the widowed Mrs. Hammond (Rachel Roberts). All goes well for a short time, but when Mrs. Hammond grows tired of Frank, their doomed romance leads to tragedy.
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Water 1985   PG-13, 97 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Dick Clement
Cast: Michael Caine, Valerie Perrine, Brenda Vaccaro, Leonard Rossiter, Billy Connolly, Maureen Lipman, Dennis Dugan, Fulton Mackay, Jimmie Walker, Dick Shawn
When mineral water is discovered and becomes the object of investment possibilities on a tiny Caribbean island, Governor Baxter Thwaites (Michael Caine) must deal with outside forces struggling for control of his once-peaceful island.
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The Witches 1966 N/R, 91 min.
Genre: Horror / Thriller
aka: The Devil's Own
Director: Cyril Frankel
Cast: Joan Fontaine, Kay Walsh, Alec McCowen, Ann Bell, Ingrid Brett, John Collin, Michele Dotrice, Gwen Ffrangcon Davies, Duncan Lamont, Leonard Rossiter, Martin Stephens, Carmel McSharry
Gwen Mayfield (Joan Fontaine) can't seem to get away from voodoo. While teaching in Africa, she had a nervous breakdown after an encounter with a witch doctor. She takes a teaching job in a small town in England while recovering. But–the town seems to be the home of a coven of witches, and they intend to sacrifice a girl. Perhaps Gwen's "training" can help.
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| 1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
2. Barry Lyndon (1975)
3. Billy Liar (1963)
4. Britannia Hospital (1982)
5. Deadfall (1968)
6. Hotel Paradiso (1966)
7. King Rat (1965)
8. Luther (1973)
9. Oliver! (1968)
10. The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976)
11. This Sporting Life (1963)
12. Water (1985)
13. The Witches (1966)
aka: The Devil's Own
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