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Big screen classics
The timeless films we urge you to see.
April
From Page and Stage to Screen: The Art of Adaptation
Our daily screenings of classic movies continue with our selection of some of the finest – and, occasionally, most imaginative – adaptations. First, further films inspired by books; then, in May, we move to adaptations from the stage.
Geoff Andrew, programmer-at-large
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The Gospel According to Matthew
Pasolini’s characteristically political account of the life of Christ, shot neorealist style on location with a non-professional cast.
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The Last Temptation of Christ
Scorsese’s respectful adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis’s book about a Messiah torn between divine destiny and an awareness of his own humanity.
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The Trial
Welles’ brilliant adaptation of Kafka’s darkly satirical novel is visually extraordinary and memorably inventive.
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Little Women
Winona Ryder anchors an ensemble of richly realised characters, in this magical story of a close-knit family during the Civil War.
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The Picture of Dorian Gray
A marvellous cast brings bite to Albert Lewin’s sensitive, elegant and witty account of Wilde’s Faustian fable.
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The Leopard
The sumptuous, tumultuous tale of Italy’s Risorgimento, and an aristocracy crumbling in the face of modernity.
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The Grapes of Wrath
Ford’s acclaimed film of Steinbeck’s novel about Oklahoma farmers travelling to California during the Depression boasts a fine cast and magnificent imagery.
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Pather Panchali
Ray’s debut about an impoverished family in rural Bengal remains one of the greatest films about childhood experience.
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Nosferatu
Murnau’s vampire classic, with a mesmerising Max Schreck as the Count, is one of the finest of all horror movies.
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Nosferatu + intro by Arike Oke, Executive Director of Knowledge, Learning & Collections
Murnau’s vampire classic, with a mesmerising Max Schreck as the Count, is one of the finest of all horror movies.
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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Fredric March and Miriam Hopkins excel in Rouben Mamoulian’s superb adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella, now beautifully restored in 4K.
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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde + intro by Geoff Andrew, Programmer-at-Large
Fredric March and Miriam Hopkins excel in Rouben Mamoulian’s superb adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella, now beautifully restored in 4K.
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The Last of the Mohicans
Daniel Day-Lewis excels as Hawkeye in Michael Mann’s exhilarating adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper’s novel.
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The Heiress
William Wyler’s riveting drama features a spine-chilling turn from Olivia de Havilland, as a young woman struggling to escape the patriarchal trappings of her home.
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The Heiress + intro by Ruby McGuigan, BFI Programme and Acquisitions
William Wyler’s riveting drama features a spine-chilling turn from Olivia de Havilland, as a young woman struggling to escape the patriarchal trappings of her home.
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Women in Love
More is more in Ken Russell’s daring D.H. Lawrence adaptation, featuring extravagant emotions and a captivating cast swept up in love, jealousy and unbridled sexuality.
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Great Expectations
Arguably David Lean’s finest film, a wonderfully vivid adaptation of Dickens’ novel.
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Great Expectations + intro by Jade Evans, AHRC REACH PhD student with QMUL and BFI
Arguably David Lean’s finest film, a wonderfully vivid adaptation of Dickens’ novel.
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Beau Travail
Repressed violence and desire simmers beneath the surface of Claire Denis’ breathtaking visuals of male bodies and barren landscapes, capturing an unsettling failure to belong.
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Beau Travail + intro
Repressed violence and desire simmers beneath the surface of Claire Denis’ breathtaking visuals of male bodies and barren landscapes, capturing an unsettling failure to belong.
May
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Henry V
Olivier’s acclaimed directorial debut brings glorious Technicolor and a fine William Walton score to Shakespeare’s patriotic play.
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The Magic Flute
Bergman’s gleefully theatrical film of Mozart’s opera – sung in Swedish – is vivacious, funny and enthralling.
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Pandora’s Box
Louise Brooks dazzles as the iconic showgirl who leaves a trail of destruction in her wake, in one of the great silent films of the Weimar era.
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Cabaret
Genuinely subversive in its sexual politics and seedy portrayal of Berlin, Bob Fosse’s take on a doomed love triangle remains as captivating as ever.
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Ordet
Dreyer’s meticulous, measured and deeply moving play about a rural family riven by various tensions.
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Camille
Garbo is at her radiant best in Cukor’s refined and elegant adaptation of Dumas’s novel and play about a Parisian courtesan.
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Camille + intro
Garbo is at her radiant best in Cukor’s refined and elegant adaptation of Dumas’s novel and play about a Parisian courtesan.
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A Streetcar Named Desire
Brando is at his electrifying best in Kazan’s hothouse film of Tennessee Williams’ play.
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Bluebeard’s Castle
Powell’s film of Bartók’s magnificent one-act opera is remarkable for its vivid colours and expressionist sets.
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Bluebeard’s Castle + intro by Alex Prideaux, Marketing and Events Manager – Our Screen Heritage
Powell’s film of Bartók’s magnificent one-act opera is remarkable for its vivid colours and expressionist sets.
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Rope
Intellectual arrogance meets cold-blooded violence in Hitchcock’s virtuoso adaptation of Patrick Hamilton’s play.
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Rope + intro by Bryony Dixon, BFI National Archive Curator
Intellectual arrogance meets cold-blooded violence in Hitchcock’s virtuoso adaptation of Patrick Hamilton’s play.
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His Girl Friday
Grant and Russell excel as a divorced couple trading barbs and heated glances across the newsroom, as they race to uncover the story of the year.
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His Girl Friday + intro by Geoff Andrew, Programmer-at-Large
Grant and Russell excel as a divorced couple trading barbs and heated glances across the newsroom, as they race to uncover the story of the year.
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Beautiful Thing
Hettie MacDonald and Jonathan Harvey’s acclaimed film version of the latter’s play, a gay romantic comedy set in and around a Thamesmead council estate.
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Beautiful Thing + intro by Simon McCallum, BFI National Archive Curator
Hettie MacDonald and Jonathan Harvey’s acclaimed film version of the latter’s play, a gay romantic comedy set in and around a Thamesmead council estate.
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Chi-Raq
Spike Lee’s signature flair imbues this tale of the women of Chicago joining in a bipartisan effort to end the violence in their neighborhoods.
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