London Classic Film Fans

• Director
  John Guillermin
• With
  Richard Todd, Peter Sellers, Elizabeth Sellars, Adam Faith
• UK 1960. 92min
• 35mm
• Certificate
  PG
• A BFI National Archive print

This first-class thriller follows a salesman, brilliantly played by Todd, whose quest to recover his stolen car leads him into the hands of a brutal London gang, led by a cast-against-type Sellers. Guillermin’s brassy precision, revealing his fascination with characters driven by obsession and psychopathy, is heightened by John Barry’s score and Ralph Sheldon’s fast, riotous editing.

We will meet near the box office and (for those members that can attend) go for a drink/snack afterwards at the venue.

Dave

P.S. There are a few other films at BFI in late May that could be of interest to members. This includes 'The Gold Rush' on the 17th (that some of us went to in Sept 25 at Cine Lumiere), and 'The Bad and the Beautiful' on the 24th. If anyone wishes to host either of these films please contact me.

A novice leaves her cloistered life to help a pilot on the run, becoming unexpectedly close, in what is perhaps the most underestimated film of the Borzage filmography.

• Director
  Frank Borzage
• With
  Ray Milland, Barbara Britton, Walter Slezak, Lucille Watson
• USA 1944. 88min
• Digital 4K (restoration)
• Certificate
  PG

When a US plane is shot down in occupied France, its pilot finds shelter in a convent. He encounters a young novice who agrees to help him escape the country, to save him and his secret cache of documents from the Nazis. The night casts a veil of intimacy over the couple, who develop a bond beyond physical love. Full of suspense and expressionistic chiaroscuro, this transcendental drama remains striking for its mix of thrill, torment and wonder.

Restored in 4K by Universal Pictures and The Film Foundation at NBCUniversal StudioPost laboratory, from the original 35mm negative nitrate, a 35mm composite fine grain and the 35mm optical sound track negative nitrate. Special thanks to Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg.

We will meet near the box office at 18:15, and go for a drink and/or snack after the film at the venue.

I will book my seat about a week in advance and will add a comment to let attendees know.

Dave

Marilyn Monroe’s final film is a poignant and poetic drama, infused with the promise of what could have been had she had more time to explore her skills as a dramatic performer.

• Director
  John Huston
• With
  Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, Montgomery Clift
• USA 1961. 125min
• Digital
• Certificate
  PG
• A BFI Re-release (courtesy of Park Circus/Amazon MGM Studios)

Roslyn, a beautiful ex-showgirl, arrives in Reno to finalise her divorce. In a cocktail lounge she connects with two men, widowed mechanic Guido and aging cowboy Gay, who also find themselves adrift in the world and searching for connection and meaning. The odd group eventually move to an unfinished house in the Nevada desert. John Huston’s neo-western was written by Monroe’s then-husband, Arthur Miller. It was intended as a gift, offering Monroe a more complex, dramatic role. Their marriage imploded during the heated production, but Monroe delivers one of her finest performances. Appearing to harness the pain of her own life, she imbues Roslyn with a raw vulnerability. Gable and Clift are superb, but the film would not have soared without Monroe. https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/default.asp

We will meet near the box office at 17:50 and go for a snack/drink at the venue after the film. I will book my seat about a week in advance and will add a comment to let attendees know.

Dave

P.S. This film is also being shown at Cine Lumiere at the same time on the same day. I am assuming more people will prefer BFI Southbank, but if anyone prefers Cine Lumiere as a venue for seeing this film please let me know. Thanks. This film is also being shown on other dates at both BFI Southbank and Cine Lumiere.