London Classic Film Fans

This Oscar-winning drama finds a journeyman boxer from Philadelphia with a surprise shot at the heavyweight world championship.

• Director
  John G. Avildsen
• With
  Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young
• USA 1976. 121min
• Digital 4K
• Certificate
  12A

Rocky Balboa is a small-time Philly boxer-turned-mob henchman whose life is heading nowhere when he is offered a surprise once-on a-lifetime chance to fight Apollo Creed, the world heavyweight champion. A million-to-one shot, the fight inspires Rocky to seize the day, both in the ring and in his life. As much a film about the pursuit of love and happiness as it is the glory of the sport, 50 years on from its original release Rocky remains one of the definitive films of the genre.

The group will meet at 17:50 and go for a snack/drink at the venue after the film.

Note: There are two classic films on today. I will attend the one that has the most attendees (subject to tickets being available) - TBC 5 days in advance.

Dave (07887 683171)

‘A highly successful popular comedy in which Bardot perfected her comic-erotic persona (a critic called it “a daring documentary on the natural beauties of Brigitte Bardot”) but also demonstrated how much she had become the emblem of French modernity – a young woman whose looks, clothes and behaviour became massively imitated.’
Ginette Vincendeau

Brigitte Laurier (Brigitte Bardot), the President of France’s daughter marries Michel Legrand (Henri Vidal), her father’s buttoned-down chief of staff. But after her new husband starts stepping out behind her back, the young bride takes off for the Riviera. A game of cat and mouse ensues…

• Director(s): Michel Boisrond
• Cast: Brigitte Bardot, Charles Boyer, Henri Vidal
• Duration: 86 mins
• Language: In French with EN subtitles
• Cert.: PG

The group will meet near the ticket office at 6pm. Attendees will go for a drink and/or snack after the film at the venue or nearby (if they wish).

Note: There are two classic films on today. I will attend the one that has the most attendees (subject to tickets being available) - TBC 5 days in advance.

David (07887 683171)

Cine Lumiere is showing three Marilyn Monroe films in May (on the 17th, 24th and 31st). Niagara is the second of them. https://www.institut-francais.org.uk/cinema/niagara/#/

Henry Hathaway plays on two iconic images: the iridescent spray of Niagara Falls, the perfect and symbolic setting for this story of adultery, and Marilyn Monroe, the deceptively naive seductress. The marital melodrama transforms into a murderous one, the picture-postcard America is shattered, and Niagara, with its sumptuous Technicolour images establishes Monroe in the pantheon of stars.
Monroe’s dangerously sensual performance—one look, one step, one move in a bright pink dress spoke volumes—would leave an indelible mark on film audiences, and would help change the fortunes of an industry beset by the threat of television and declining theatre attendance.

• Director(s): Henry Hathaway
• Cast: Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotton, Jean Peters
• Country, year: United States | 1953
• Duration: 88 mins
• Language: English
• Cert.: PG

We'll meet near the box office before the film and go for a drink and/or snack after the film at the venue or locally (those members who are able to).

Dave

There are a few 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), 'The Bad and the Beautiful' on the 24th, and this one 'Never Let go' on the 29th.

• 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