Subgenre Sampler

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Big Hit, The (Un Triomphe) (2021): Dir. Emmanuel Courcol
Feat. Kad Merad, David Ayala, Lamine Cissokho; Inspired by remarkable true events, this French Film Festival favourite follows a dedicated out–of–work actor (indelibly played by the…
Heart Dances, The (2018): Dir. Rebecca Tansley; The director of CROSSING RACHMANINOFF returns backstage for what is this time a behind–the–scenes account of the unique artistic…
Yuli (2018): Dir. Iciar Bollain
Feat. Carlos Acosta, Santiago Alfonso, Keyvin Martinez; Rousing biopic of the Cuban ballet superstar Carlos Acosta, nicknamed Yuli by his father, who saw recognised his talent for dance and sent him to…
Bolshoi, The (Bolshoy) (2017): Dir. Valery Todorovsky
Feat. Margarita Simonova, Alisa Freindlikh, Valentina Telichkina…; Russian drama about a young and talented ballet dancer from the provinces who is determined to find success on stage at the Bolshoi Theatre in…
Miss Saigon (2016): Spectacular 25th Anniversary Gala Performance of an acclaimed new stage production by Boublil & Schonberg that tells the tragic tale of a young…
Rehearsal, The (2016): Dir. Alison Maclean
Feat. James Rolleston, Kerry Fox, Alice Englert…; Finely judged adaptation of Eleanor Catton's debut novel follows a young Auckland drama student desperate to impress his tutor, who mines a scandal…
National Theatre: 50 Years on Stage (2015): A celebration of the 50th Anniversary of London's National Theatre. The theatrical gala features a veritable who's–who of British stage talent…
Songs from the Inside (2014): Filmed on location inside two prisons in Auckland. This ten part "reality" series offers inmates an opportunity to write, arrange and record original…
Broadway Idiot (2013): Dir. Doug Hamilton; Flashy, upbeat doco charts the journey of Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong from pop–punk rocker to Broadway lead in the stage version of…
Burton and Taylor (2013): Dir. Richard Laxton
Feat. Helena Bonham Carter, Dominic West; A spot–on insight into the relationship of glamour couple Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton – played uncannily by Helena Bonham Carter…
Last Impresario, The (2013): Dir. Gracie Otto; The colourful, endlessly creative life and legacy of British theatre impresario and film producer Michael White is explored in this expansive…
Six by Sondheim (2013): Dir. James Lapine, Todd Haynes
Feat. Jeremy Jordan, America Ferrera; Very highly regarded HBO television documentary which explores the back–stories of six timeless Sondheim songs. Featuring a rare musical…
Venus in Fur (2013): Dir. Roman Polanski
Feat. Emmanuelle Seigner, Mathieu Amalric; Roman Polanski masterfully adapts David Ives' play–within–a–play about an actress who goes to great lengths to convince a director…
Cirque Du Soleil - Worlds Away (2012): Dir. Andrew Adamson; Kiwi dir. Andrew Adamson and the production muscle of James Cameron lavish this latest Cirque Du Soleil spectacle with 3D visuals and a high wire…
Jesus Christ Superstar (2012): Feat. Tim Minchin, Melanie Chisholm, Ben Forster; The latest stage version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's classic rock–opera, featuring Aussie cult comedian Tim Minchin and former Spice…
Raising the Curtain (2012): Australia's thespian greats contribute to the rich history of Australian theatre in this three part retrospective. Includes interviews with Cate…
Smash (TV Series) (2012): Feat. Debra Messing, Jack Davenport, Anjelica Huston…; A superior, adult–minded alternative to GLEE, this focuses on the creative talent both on–stage and behind–the–scenes of a…
A Life for Ballet (2011): Dir. Marlène Ionesco; Elite French dancer Pierre Lacotte's passion for ballet and his fellow ballerina Ghislaine Thesmar is lovingly explored in this documentary tribute…
Disappear in Light (2011): A distilled portrait of Wellington playwright and performer Jo Randerson, whose work towards the staging of her play "Good Night, The End" provides…
Phantom Of The Opera 25th Anniversary Concert (At The Royal Albert Hall) (2011)
Pina (2011): Dir. Wim Wenders; A dazzling celebration of the late German dance pioneer Pina Bausch, whose challenging and subversive choreography is performed by those who danced…
Arbor, The (2010): Dir. Clio Barnard; A grimly compelling portrait of hard–living British playwright Andrea Dunbar, most celebrated for writing seminal kitchen sink comedy RITA,…
Les Miserables - 25th Anniversary Concert (2010): Featuring more than 500 actors this spectacular tribute concert marks the 25th anniversary of “the people’s musical” and reunites the casts…
Lope (The Outlaw) (2010): Dir. Andrucha Waddington
Feat. Alberto Ammann, Leonor Watling, Pilar López de Ayala; Splendid biopic of Lope de Vega, the Spanish playwright who dominated Spain's early Golden Age of theare.
Michael Parkinson Collection, The (2010): The genial Yorkshireman looks back over his career and cherry picks some of his favourite guests. Featuring Muhammad Ali, Billy Connolly, George…
On Tour (Tournee) (2010): Dir. Mathieu Amalric
Feat. Miranda Colclasure, Mathieu Amalric; A consistently funny and inventive comedy from actor–director Mathieu Amalric, here playing a washed up TV producer who leads a troupe of…
Angels in New York (2009): Two perfectly successful Asian boys abandon careers in architecture and aeronautical engineering to pursue their dream of staging an original…
Hamlet (2009): Dir. Gregory Doran
Feat. David Tennant, Patrick Stewart, Oliver Ford Davies; An outstanding, visually sumptuous Royal Shakespeare Company modernization of the Bard's much–filmed play, with David Tennant mercurial in the…
I, Don Giovanni (2009): Dir. Carlos Saura
Feat. Lorenzo Balducci, Lino Guanciale, Emilia Verginelli…; Veteran Spanish director Carlos Saura conducts this lavish, darkly–tinged story behind the making of Mozart's opera masterpiece, 'Don Giovanni'.
In Search of Beethoven (2009): Dir. Phil Grabsky; Dir. Grabsky's scrupulous follow–up to his IN SEARCH OF MOZART examines classical music's other pre–eminent composer, Beethoven, in…
Me and Orson Welles (2009): Dir. Richard Linklater
Feat. Zac Efron, Claire Danes, Christian McKay…; Dir. Richard Linklater impeccably evokes the charms of 30's New York for this traditional backstage drama that has great affection for the era and…
Rudolf Nureyev - A Brilliant Life (2009): The life of trailblazing Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev is chronicled in this short, illuminating doco.
Snow White (2009): Angelin Preljocaj choreographs this racy, contemporary ballet rendition of the classic Grimm Brothers. With costumes by Jean–Paul Gaultier.
Dance of the Instant (2008): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; Documentary exploring the history of the New Dance Group, who pioneered contemporary dance in post–WWII New Zealand. The film draws on an…
Erotic Star (TV Series) (2008): Dir. Dave Kelly; Risqué reality show that pits ten ambitious Aussie sheilas against each other to become the next Australian Erotic Star. Clearly profiting from the…
Fabulous Flag Sisters, The (Le Sorelle Bandiera) (2008): Candid documentary following the career of The Fabulous Flag Sisters–three drag queens that inspired, offended and entertained the people of…
La Boheme (2008): Vivid German production of Puccini's immortal tragi–romance, performed my leading operatic couple Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon.
Rubbings From A Live Man (2008): Dir. Florian Habicht; Film–maker Florian Habicht finds the perfect portrait subject in Warwick Broadhead, a fiercely independent, 40–year veteran of performing…
An Evening with Whirimako Black - Live at the Holy Trinity Cathedral (2007): The first recording of a live performance from our most acclaimed Maori language singer – Whirimako Black at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in the…
Ballerina (2007): Dir. Bertrand Normand; Documentary following the lives of five female dancers of the Kirov Ballet in Saint–Petersburg, providing us with rare insight into the…
Ballet Shoes (2007): Dir. Sandra Goldbacher
Feat. Emma Watson, Richard Griffiths, Yasmin Paige…; Utterly enchanting contemporary adaptation of the beloved 1936 novel by Noel Streatfeild about three orphan girls (Pauline, Petrova, and Posy) who…
Cat Dancers (2007): Dir. Harris Fishman; Strangely compelling portrait of a pre–Siegfried and Roy act, who tragically added wild cats to their routine. Somewhat in the tradition of…
Darling! The Pieter-Dirk Uys Story (2007): Dir. Julian Shaw; Moving doco focused on the litigious cross–dressing South African satirist Pieter–Dirk Uys, whose life's work included stirring…
Heritage of Maori Song (2007): Comprehensive collection of 15 Maori song and dance performances, including 3 poi dances, stick games, haka and a number of well–known songs…
King Lear (2007): Dir. Trevor Nunn
Feat. Ian McKellen, Frances Barber, Sylvester McCoy…; The Royal Shakespeare Company's 2007 adaptation sees McKellen as his commanding best in the titular role, with an equally terrific performance from…
Music in Me, The (2007): Enriching documentary following an inspirational group of intellectually and physically disabled performers called 'The Merry Makers' as they prepare…
Words from the City (2007): Dir. Natasha Gadd, Rhys Graham; Documentary on contemporary Australian hip–hop, exploring fresh ground through its focus on the poetics of the art–form and its place in…
As You Like It (2006): Dir. Kenneth Branagh
Feat. Bryce Dallas Howard, Romola Garai, Alfred Molina…; Kenneth Branagh transplants the Bard’s comedy to old Japan in this talent–stacked tale of woman's flight from persecution and into the arms…
In Search of Mozart (2006): Dir. Phil Grabsky; Thoughtful and well–orchestrated documentary about 18th century classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, which aims to not only put across…
John Osborne and the Gift of Friendship (2006): Dir. Tony Palmer
Feat. John Osborne, Tony Richardson, Laurence Olivier…; Exemplary presentation traces the life and works of groundbreaking British playwright John Osborne, whose 1956 play 'Look Back in Anger' changed the…
MTV Barrio 19 (2006): Excellent compilation of amazing demonstrations by street performers from around the globe – Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Europe, Britain... –…
Tough Act (TV Series) (2006): Dir. Stuart McKenzie; Compelling 'reality TV' show follows a class of aspiring actors in their first year at Toi Whakaari – New Zealand Drama School in Wellington,…
War of the Worlds - Live on Stage (2006): A suitably spectacular multi–media stage version of Jeff Wayne's musical version of H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds", filmed at Wembley Arena in…
B-Boy Masters (2005): Studious documentary covers a recent Hip Hop Elements All Star Weekend, where 'B–Boys' compete in various hop–hop competitions, including…
Cirque du Soleil - Solstrom (TV Series) (2005): Feat. Milla Jovovich, Christopher Lambert; A 13–part series featuring the amazing 'Cirque de Soleil' theatre troupe, episodes taking a different national tack on the theme of the…
Margot (2005): Dir. Tony Palmer; Dir. Palmer continues his classic treatments of notable figures of modern ballet and classical music with a lengthy look at the extraordinary life of…
Mrs Henderson Presents (2005): Dir. Stephen Frears
Feat. Judi Dench, Bob Hoskins, Christopher Guest…; Set in the grey drabness of 1930s England, this charming wee feel–gooder tells the true story of an eccentric, somewhat difficult dowager…
Broadway: The American Musical (2004): Dir. Michael Kantor; A 6–part PBS documentary series on the history and development of the Broadway musical from Florenz Ziegfield and his fantastical Follies…
Cirque du Soleil - Midnight Sun (2004): Dir. Victor Pilon, Mario Rouleau; Special 20th Anniversary show for the acrobatic theatre troupe Cirque de Soleil, filmed live at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2004.
Dame Kiri and Friends - The Gala Concert (2004): A concert performed at the Aotea Centre, Auckland to celebrate the launch of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation. Dame Kiri sings with other luminaries…
Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto Story (2004): Dir. Gianfranco Fozzi; A boldly imaginative version (with costumes by Vivienne Westwood) of Verdi's famous opera, concerning a court jester in 16th century Italy who seeks…
Hayley Westenra - Live in Concert (2004): The golden–voiced New Zealand singer in a spell–binding live setting at the St James Theatre, Wellington (August 2004). Singing a variety…
Merchant of Venice, The (2004): Dir. Michael Radford
Feat. Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes…; Al Pacino seems at home in the Bard’s world compared to his more recent contemporary forays, turning in a thorough and morally ambiguous rendition…
Stage Beauty (2004): Dir. Richard Eyre
Feat. Claire Danes, Billy Crudup, Rupert Everett…; An unusual delve into the gender politics of English theatre in the Restoration period of the 1660s, when King Charles II (Everett) decided to end…
Touch the Sound (2004): Dir. Thomas Riedelsheimer; Classical percussionist Evelyn Glennie is the subject of this inspiring, award–winning documentary. Profoundly deaf since childhood,…
Callas Forever (2003): Dir. Franco Zeffirelli
Feat. Fanny Ardant, Jeremy Irons, Joan Plowright; Dir. Franco Zeffirelli pays glorious homage to his longtime friend and colleague, the late opera legend Maria Callas, and the result is…
Cirque du Soleil - La Nouba (2003): Dir. David Mallet; Another astounding stageshow from Canadian troupe Cirque du Soleil, here performing a celebration of hedonism (the title means "to party") at Disney…
Company, The (Das Ensemble) (2003): Dir. Robert Altman
Feat. Neve Campbell, Malcolm McDowell, James Franco; Arch–auteur Robert Altman pirouettes his way through a multi–stranded drama about a Chicago–based ballet company, set mainly round…
Haunting Douglas (2003): Dir. Leanne Pooley; Mesmerising exploration of renowned New Zealand contemporary dance performer and choreographer Douglas Wright, featuring generous excerpts of his…
She Stoops to Conquer (2003): Dir. Robin Lough, Max Stafford-Clark
Feat. Owen Sharpe, Stephen Beresford, Nigel Cooke; Live production of Oliver Goldsmith's light comedy of manners from the accomplished National Theatre Company. set entirely during one night in a…
Slings and Arrows (TV Series) (2003): Feat. Paul Gross, Don McKellar, Rachel McAdams; One of the great forgotten TV gems, this critically lauded, scandalously under–watched arts comedy centres on a fictional Canadian Shakespeare…
Cirque du Soleil - Fire Within (TV Series) (2002): A 13–part documentary series which showcases the creative processes of the 'Cirque du Soleil' dance–theatre troupe who specialise in a…
Cirque du Soleil - Varekai (2002): Dir. Nick Morris; A splendid fantasy stageshow from Canadian troupe Cirque du Soliel. Combining jugglers, clowns, contortionists, trapeze and aerial artists, this…
Dracula - Pages From A Virgin's Diary (2002): Dir. Guy Maddin; Deeply evocative version of Bram Stoker's oft–filmed 'Dracula' novel based around a recent stage–show by the Winnipeg National Ballet…
Fonteyn and Nureyev (2002): Feat. Rudolph Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn; Considered the great dancing–partnership of our time, Rudolph Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn are here seen at their prime, in such ballets as Swan…
Beckett on Film (Waiting for Godot, et al.) (2001): Dir. Michael Lindsay-Hogg, Neil Jordan, Kieron J Walsh
Feat. Julianne Moore, David Kelly, Jeremy Irons…; An ambitious anthology of Samuel Beckett's nineteen stageplays, filmed here creatively by a roster of prestige actors and directors. Disc…
Blerta - The Return Trip... (Blerta Revisited) (2001): Dir. Geoff Murphy
Feat. Bruno Lawrence, John Clarke, Martyn Sanderson…; Less a nostalgia 'trip' than a brilliant compendium of manic moments from New Zealand's 1970's travelling roadshow of anarchic performance –…
By Jeeves (2001): Dir. Alan Ayckbourne
Feat. John Scherer, Martin Jarvis; Apart from the American accents, this is an well–nigh flawless performance of Alan Ayckbourne and Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical based on…
Fosse (2001): A 1999 stage tribute to the master choreographer and director of such films (and the stage show versions) as CHICAGO, CABARET, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN…
Great Composers - Volume 1 (Bach, Mozart) (2001): Dir. James Runcie, Francesca Kemp; Excellent BBC series gives a substantial insight into its selected classical composers, combining biographical narrative with musical–analysis…
Great Composers - Volume 2 (Beethoven, Wagner) (2001): Dir. Jill Marshall, Kriss Rusmanis; Excellent BBC series gives a substantial insight into its selected classical composers, combining biographical narrative with musical–analysis…
Great Composers - Volume 3 (Tchaikovsky, Puccini, Mahler) (2001): Dir. Simon Broughton, Chris Hunt, Kriss Rusmanis; Excellent BBC series gives a substantial insight into its selected classical composers, combining biographical narrative with musical–analysis…
Othello (2001): Dir. Geoffrey Sax
Feat. Christopher Eccleston, Eamonn Walker, Keeley Hawes…; Andrew Davies' brilliantly distilled screenplay brings Othello's universal themes of love and obsession into the format of a modern crime drama set…
Cirque du Soleil - Dralion (2000): Dir. David Mallet; Splendid blend of music, dance and circus by French troupe Cirque du Soleil, giving one a close–up look at their dizzying opus.
Cirque du Soleil - Journey of Man (2000): A shortish stage concoction from the modernday circus troupe who combine magic, ballet and stylish costume in rich productions. This depicts the…
Jesus Christ Superstar (2000): Feat. Rik Mayall, Glenn Carter; Filmed stage version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's rock–opera which dramatises the life of Jesus Christ. Glitzy, 'Las…
Merchant of Venice, The (2000): Dir. Trevor Nunn
Feat. Henry Goodman; A wonderful TV version (taken from an acclaimed production) of Shakespeare's 'problem play', recreating the classic tale of debt, honour and love in…
Midsummer Night's Dream, A (2000): Dir. Adrian Noble; A version of William Shakespeare's classic comedy by the Royal Shakespeare Company, which utilises special effects to realise the play's fantasy…
Shaolin - Wheel of Life (2000): Dir. Nick Morris; Unique stage–spectacle performed by the highly–trained Buddhist monks of China’s Shaolin Temple, performing…
Why Sing? - Opera Explored (2000): Music–writer Michael Shmith answers the question with a TV series exploring opera. 4 episodes covering the varying themes of 'Opera…
Art of Piano, The (1999): Dir. Donald Sturrock; Survey of 20th century classical pianists that starts with Hofman and ends with Arrau, taking in such diverse talents of the keyboard as Rachmaninov,…
Cirque du Soleil - Quidam (1999): Dir. David Mallet; European act Cirque du Soleil create a fascinating blend of circus, costumery, theatre and dance. Captured live in Amsterdam in 1999.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (1999): Dir. Steven Pimlott, David Mallet
Feat. Donny Osmond, Joan Collins, Richard Attenborough; Early, Bible–story musical from the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice team and taken from the London Palladium production.
Life and Art - Maria Callas (1999): Dir. Alan Lewens, Alistair Mitchell
Feat. Maria Callas; Sympathetic documentary concerning the life and art of famed opera singer Maria Callas. Features extracts from 'Tosca', "Norma', 'Barber of Seville',…
Midsummer Night's Dream, A (1999): Dir. Michael Hoffman
Feat. Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer, Stanley Tucci…; Played out in 19th century Tuscany, Shakespeare's most enchanted comedy places its collection of fairies, rude mechanicals and humans in…
Cirque du Soleil - Alegria (1998): Filmed live in Sydney in 1999, this Cirque du Soleil production combines their acrobatics, magic tricks and dance elements with a…
David Oistrakh - Artist of the People? (1998): Dir. Bruno Monsaingeon; The life of the renowned 20th century Russian violinist, who at times locked horns with the Soviet state, is told through interviews with family and…
No (1998): Dir. Robert Lepage
Feat. Anne-Marie Cadieux, Alexis Martin; An intriguing, dense drama/essay that takes an episode from dir. Lepage’s mammoth stage–show, ‘Seven Streams of the River Ota’, and…
Richter, The Enigma (1998): Dir. Bruno Monsaingeon; Lengthy biography of the supremely expressive Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter, who only emerged from behind the Iron Curtain in the late 1950s.…
Turandot Project, The (1998): Dir. Allan Miller
Feat. Zhang Yimou, Zubin Mehta; The glorious insanity of Italian opera defeats all obstacles in this amusing behind–the–scenes account of a gigantic international…
Art of Conducting - Volume 2, The (1997): Dir. Peter R Smith; Excellent study of six more conductors of the 20th century – Sergiu Celibidache, Wilhelm Furtwangler, Erich Kleiber, Evgeny Mravinsky, Charles…
Hamlet (1997): Dir. Kenneth Branagh
Feat. Kenneth Branagh, Julie Christie, Jack Lemmon…; A flash and vigorous reading of Shakespeare's tragedy of the melancholy Dane, hatched by Kenneth Branagh and a bevy of incongruous thesps. An…
Slam Nation (1997): Dir. Paul Devlin; Portland, Oregon is the home of The National Poetry Slam, a performance poetry competition which attracts participants from twenty–six states…
William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (Romeo + Juliet) (1997): Dir. Baz Luhrmann
Feat. Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, Pete Postlethwaite…; Visionary director Baz Luhrmann takes his STRICTLY BALLROOM crew to the Americas and conjures a cinematic universe of striking originality and…
Yo-Yo Ma - Inspired by Bach Vol. 1 (1997): Dir. Kevin McMahon, Francois Girard; Cellist Yo–Yo Ma’s celebrated musical exploration of Bach’s enigmatic solo cello suites, prompted six films, attempting to complement the…
Yo-Yo Ma - Inspired by Bach Vol. 2 (Falling Down Stairs / Sarabande) (1997): Dir. Barbara Willis Sweete, Atom Egoyan
Feat. Arsinee Khanjian, Don McKellar; Cellist Yo–Yo Ma’s celebrated musical exploration of Bach’s enigmatic solo cello suites, prompted six films, attempting to complement the…
Yo-Yo Ma - Inspired by Bach Vol. 3 (1997): Dir. Niv Fichman, Patricia Rozema; Cellist Yo–Yo Ma’s celebrated musical exploration of Bach’s enigmatic solo cello suites, prompted six films, attempting to complement the…
Looking for Richard (1996): Dir. Al Pacino
Feat. Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey, Winona Ryder…; Al Pacino's pet project, and his directing debut, explores the American actor's paradoxical obsessions with Shakespeare, debunking some of the…
Lord of the Dance (1996): Dir. David Mallet; Super–athletic dancer Michael Flatley (Riverdance) pursues his own vision of the Irish dancing spectacular – traditional moves updated in…
Twelfth Night (1996): Dir. Trevor Nunn
Feat. Helena Bonham Carter, Richard E. Grant, Nigel Hawthorne…; William Shakespeare is rediscovered yet again, in one of his wittier flights of fancy, served up with such 90s icons as Helena Bonham Carter, Richard…
Les Miserables (Stage version) (1995): Popular stage spectacular, based on the Victor Hugo novel, is seen here in a Gala 10th Anniversary performance at the Royal Albert Hall.
Madame Butterfly (1995): Dir. Frederic Mitterand
Feat. Ying Huang, Richard Troxell, Ning Liang; The pleasures of Puccini's classic opera are well–managed in this version, amid flights of swoony lyricism. Story of love and abandonment is…
Othello (1995): Dir. Oliver Parker
Feat. Kenneth Branagh, Irene Jacob, Laurence Fishburne; Shakespeare's great tragedy of love, jealousy and sheer bloody malice is spiked with a 90s erotic edge. While its stylistic choices only partly…
Pink Video, The (1995): Record of 1995's 'Out–rageously Pink' variety show at London's Playhouse Theatre. Includes such gay luminaries as Scott Capurro, Steve Best,…
Riverdance - The Show (1995): Dir. John McColgan
Feat. Michael Flatley; Ambitious song and dance extravaganza is a must for stageshow fans and purveyors of Gaelic culture. Michael Flatley choreographs and toplines a host…
32 Short Films About Glenn Gould (1994): Dir. Francois Girard; Built out of 32 disparate fragments, this quasi–doco on the Canadian pianist is fittingly tailored to its difficult and elusive subject,…
Cirque du Soleil - Saltimbanco (1994): One of the earliest productions from Canadian circus–theatre troupe 'Cirque du Soleil'. This is a kaleidoscopic, non–linear celebration…
Priscilla: Queen of the Desert (Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, The) (1994): Dir. Stephan Elliot
Feat. Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce; Three drag queens drive to Alice Springs in a bus called Priscilla. A perfect ensemble cast make this classic "out" in the outback roadtrip as…
Remembering Jacqueline Du Pre (1994): Dir. Christopher Nupen; Official doco on the renowned cellist suffers from a sanctimonious voice–over. Still, the best record of this talent with interviews and…
Art of Conducting - Volume 1, The (1993): Dir. Sue Knussen; Sixteen of the 20th century’s greatest conductors are studied in this top–notch, award–winning series, including: Bernstein,…
Latcho Drom (1993): Dir. Tony Gatlif; A moving testament to the plight of inter–continental gypsy culture and to the redemptive and communicative power of music, Tony Gatlif's…
Nutcracker, The (1993): Dir. Emile Ardolino
Feat. Macaulay Culkin; You'll have the best seat in the house for this splendid filmed version of Balanchine's Yuletide ballet. Stars Macauley Culkin in a refreshing change…
Porgy and Bess (1993): Dir. Trevor Nunn
Feat. Willard White, Cynthia Haymon; Acclaimed stage–director Nunn, brings the Gershwin brother’s greatest opera/musical to life. Recorded at Shepperton Studios in 1992.
Holst - The Planets (1992): Dir. Ken Russell; Ken Russell plunders newsreel archives for his kaliedoscope of vivid imagery set to the classical work of Gustav Holst. While it works in its own…
On the Town (Stage version) (1992): Leonard Bernstein's classic Broadway musical, following the misadventures of three sailors is captured here in a recent stage version, accompanied by…
Pavarotti & the Italian Tenors (1992): Dir. Joshua Waletzky; Luciano Pavarotti traces his musical influences back, through early appearances and interviews with his tutors, to reveal the rich heritage of…
Ute Lemper - Illusions (1992): Dir. Michael Houldey
Feat. Ute Lemper; Live performances of songs from Ute Lemper's 1992 album.
In the Shadow of the Stars (1991): This winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary film 1991 depicts the lives of various members of the chorus in the San Francisco Opera.
Jose Carreras - A Life Story (1991): Feat. Jose Carreras; Overshadowed by some of his larger than life peers, Spanish tenor Jose Carreras is here celebrated in his own right, surveying a life of perseverance…
Monster in a Box (1991): Dir. Nick Broomfield; Spalding Gray recalls the adventures that befell him while trying to write his autobiography. Colourfully delivered monologue with Laurie Anderson…
Best of Victor Borge: Act One & Two, The (1990): Feat. Victor Borge; A collection of live performances and routines from the inimitable Victor Borge – raconteur, pianist, comedian and more.
Discovering Hamlet (1990): Dir. Mark Olshaker
Feat. Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Patrick Stewart; Invaluable documenting of Derek Jacobi's 1988 production of Hamlet with a young Kenneth Branagh in the lead. Focussing solely on the rehearsal…
Hamlet (1990): Dir. Franco Zeffirelli
Feat. Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, Alan Bates…; Mel Gibson pulls off a creditable lead performance as the melancholy Dane, certainly aided by the director's eye for detail, and top supporting…
Hamlet (1990): Dir. Kevin Kline
Feat. Kevin Kline, Diane Venora; A traditional stage version of Shakespeare's classic, essentially filming Joseph Papp's 1990 New York Shakespeare Festival production. Kline is…
Three Tenors, The (1990): Feat. Luciano Pavarotti, Michael Carreras, Placido Domingo; Three of the greatest living voices assemble for one formidable concert appearance at the Terme di Caracalla in Rome. Arias include Nessum Dorma, O…
Henry IV (1989): Dir. Michael Bogdanov
Feat. Michael Cronin, Barry Stanton, Michael Pennington…; Michael Pennington and The English Shakespeare Company’s internationally acclaimed production of Henry IV tells of the aftermath of Henry…
Henry V (1989): Dir. Kenneth Branagh
Feat. Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Brian Blessed…; A remarkable achievement from Kenneth Branagh both as actor and first–time director, he brings a new vitality to Shakespeare's most energetic…
Henry V (1989): Dir. Michael Bogdanov
Feat. Barry Stanton, Michael Pennington, Andrew Jarvis…; Michael Pennington and The English Shakespeare Company’s internationally acclaimed production of Henry V – England's greatest warrior king…
Henry VI (1989): Dir. Michael Bogdanov
Feat. Barry Stanton, Michael Pennington, June Watson…; Michael Pennington and The English Shakespeare Company’s internationally acclaimed production of Henry VI – the tragic history of a king who…
King Richard II (1989): Dir. Michael Bogdanov
Feat. Colin Farrell, Michael Pennington, Michael Cronin…; Michael Pennington and The English Shakespeare Company’s internationally acclaimed production of King Richard II – who became England's…
King Richard III (1989): Dir. Michael Bogdanov
Feat. Michael Pennington, Roger Booth, June Watson…; Michael Pennington and The English Shakespeare Company’s internationally acclaimed production of King Richard III. The final installment of the…
Mack the Knife (1989): Dir. Menahem Golan
Feat. Raul Julia, Richard Harris, Julie Walters…; Muddled adaptation of The Threepenny Opera is notable for some pretty inept dance sequences and some rather overt mugging by some well–known…
La Boheme (Puccini) (1988): Dir. Brian Large
Feat. Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti; Superlative production of one of the greatest operas, conducted by Tiziano Severini.
Three Seats for the 26th (1988): Dir. Jacques Demy
Feat. Yves Montand, Mathilda May, Francoise Fabian; Musical maestro Jacques Demy's last picture was this pseudo–documentary conceived around singer and actor Yves Montand, who returns to his home…
Turandot (Puccini) (1988): Dir. Franco Zeffirelli
Feat. Placido Domingo; One of the finest versions of Puccini's opera is this filmed version of 1988 Metropolitan Opera production featuring Placido Domingo, Eva Marton and…
Twelfth Night (1988): Dir. Kenneth Branagh
Feat. Richard Briers, Caroline Langrishe; Kenneth Branagh restages his Renaissance Theatre production of the popular comedy for Thames Television with a top cast of English thespians.
Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd, The / The Rainbow (1988-1992): Dir. Katie Mitchell, Stuart Burge
Feat. Zoe Wanamaker, Stephen Dillane, Colin Firth…; A 1992 BBC "Performance" theatre production of The Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd, D.H. Lawrence's portrayal of a woman married to a loutish miner whom she…
Aria (1987): Dir. various; This original concept film marries an impressive array of big–league (art) director's; Robert Altman, Bruce Beresford, Bill Bryden, Jean…
Carmen (Bizet) (1987): Dir. Brian Large
Feat. Agnes Baltsa, Jose Carreras; Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Conductor: James Levine.
Complete Talking Heads, The (TV Miniseries) (1987-1998): Dir. Alan Bennett
Feat. Alan Bennett, Stephanie Cole, Thora Hird…; Much–feted 1980s TV series comprising a series of six stage monologues by renowned playwright Alan Bennett, devised to depict various suffering…
Opera Australia - The Gilbert & Sullivan Collection (The Mikado, The Gondoliers, HMS Pinafore, Patience, Trial by Jury) (1987): A series of five light operas from Victorian England's most celebrated collaborators William S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, performed by the cream…
Otello (Othello) (1986): Dir. Franco Zeffirelli
Feat. Placido Domingo, Katia Ricciarelli, Justino Diaz; Exemplary operatic film with Placido Domingo perfectly attuned to the tenor of the title character.
Balanchine (1984): Dir. Merrill Brockway; Renowned TV documentary about one of the most celebrated dance choreographers of the 20th century – George Balanchine – whose career…
Carmen (1984): Dir. Francesco Rosi
Feat. Placido Domingo, Julia Migenes Johnson; The definitive Carmen on film has Placido Domingo and Julia Migenes Johnson perform against a scorching Spanish backdrop. Lorin Maazel conducts…
King Lear (1984): Dir. Michael Elliot
Feat. Laurence Olivier; Made for Granada television, this magnificent version stars Laurence Olivier who, in the twilight of his career, gives a riveting performance as the…
Three of Us, The (Noi Tre) (1984): Dir. Pupi Avati
Feat. Christopher Davidson, Ida De Benedetto, Gianni Cavina…; Charming, though slender, portrayal of Mozart’s teenage life as the 14–year old musical prodigy spends a summer in Italy and starts to…
Alice in Wonderland (1983): Dir. Kirk Browning
Feat. Kate Burton, Richard Burton, Eve Arden…; From the Broadway Theatre Archive series, this is a filmed version of the 1970s revival of a 1932 Broadway version. Distinguished by extraordinary…
Magic Flute, The (Mozart) (1983): Dir. August Everding
Feat. Lucia Popp, Edita Gruberova; Bayerischen Staatsoper. Conductor: Wolfgang Sawallisch.
Mikado, The (1983): Dir. Rodney Greenberg; Top–flight version (with William Conrad, Kate Flowers, Clive Revill and the LSO) of perhaps the best Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. The…
Verdi - Rigoletto (1983): Dir. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Feat. Luciano Pavarotti; A splendid version of Verdi's darkly tragic opera, shot on location, with Pavarotti playing the Duke of Mantua.
BBC Shakespeare Collection: Series 5 (Richard III, King Lear, Henry VI Part 1, Henry VI Part 2, Henry VI Part 3, The Merry Wives of Windsor) (1982-1983): Feat. Alan Bennett, Ben Kingsley, Judy Davis…; The fifth in a series of boxed–sets compiling the BBC's comprehensive Shakespeare adaptations for television. This set includes: Richard III,…
BBC Shakespeare Collection: Series 6 (Cymbeline, The Comedy of Errors, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Coriolanus, Macbeth) (1982-1984): Feat. Helen Mirren, Jane Lapotaire, John Hudson…; The sixth in a series of boxed–sets compiling the BBC's comprehensive Shakespeare adaptations for television. This set includes: Cymbeline…
Catherine Wheel, The (1982): Dir. Twyla Tharp; Complete stage performance of the modern dance extravaganza, The Catherine Wheel, as well as a behind–the–scenes peek at the production…
Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, The (1982): Dir. James Goddard, Trevor Nunn
Feat. Roger Rees, David Threlfall; The legendary, nine–hour stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' "Nicholas Nickleby", performed by members of The Royal Shakespeare…
Merry Wives of Windsor, The (1982): Feat. Alan Bennett, Richard Griffiths, Judy Davis…; Part of the BBC's excellent series of Shakespeare productions, filmed in a 'theatrical' TV environment utilising the best of English acting talent.
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) (1982): Dir. Franco Zeffirelli
Feat. Teresa Stratas, Placido Domingo; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra/Chorus. Conductor: Georges Pretre.
Pirates of Penzance (1982): Dir. Wilford Leach
Feat. Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Linda Rondstadt…; Kevin Kline and Angela Lansbury star in this hammy screen version of Gilbert and Sullivan's famous operetta.
Cats (1981): The blockbuster Broadway musical authored by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, based on T S Eliot's 'cat' poems.
Midsummer Night's Dream, A (1981): Dir. Elijah Moshinsky
Feat. Helen Mirren, Nigel Davenport, Brian Glover; Part of the BBC's excellent series of Shakespeare productions, filmed in a 'theatrical' TV environment utilising the best of English acting talent.
Othello (1981): Dir. Jonathan Miller
Feat. Anthony Hopkins, Bob Hoskins; Part of the BBC's excellent series of Shakespeare productions, filmed in a 'theatrical' TV environment utilising the best of English acting talent.
Winter's Tale, The (1981): Dir. Jane Howell
Feat. Jeremy Kemp, Anna Calder-Marshall; Part of the BBC's excellent series of Shakespeare productions, filmed in a 'theatrical' TV environment utilising the best of English acting talent.
From Mao to Mozart (1980): Dir. Murray Lerner; Deserving winner of the Best Documentary Oscar follows violinist Isaac Stern on his concert and tutorial tour of China in 1979. A film as moving as…
Pirates of Penzance, The (1980): Dir. Wilford Leach, Joshua White
Feat. Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Linda Ronstadt…; A lively version of the Gilbert and Sullivan show, performed live at Delacorte Theatre in Central Park.
Taming of the Shrew (1980): Dir. Jonathan Miller
Feat. John Cleese, Sarah Badel; Part of the BBC's excellent series of Shakespeare productions, filmed in a 'theatrical' TV environment utilising the best of English acting talent.
Tempest, The (1980): Dir. John Gorrie
Feat. Sir Michael Hordern, Nigel Hawthorne; Part of the BBC's excellent series of Shakespeare productions, filmed in a 'theatrical' TV environment utilising the best of English acting talent.
Don Giovanni (1979): Dir. Joseph Losey; Possibly the most celebrated filmed version of Mozart's greatest opera, about a notorious womaniser who teeters on the edge of a hellish fate.…
Henry IV - Part 1 and 2 (1979): Dir. David Giles
Feat. Jon Finch, Anthony Quayle, Tim Pigott-Smith…; Part of the BBC's excellent series of Shakespeare productions, filmed in a 'theatrical' TV environment utilising the best of English acting talent.
Julius Caesar (1979): Dir. Herbert Wise
Feat. Keith Michell, Richard Pasco, Charles Gray…; Part of the BBC's excellent series of Shakespeare productions, filmed in a 'theatrical' TV environment utilising the best of English acting talent.
Macbeth (1979): Dir. Philip Casson
Feat. Ian McKellen, Judi Dench; Excellent version of the 'Scottish play' that translates Trevor Nunn's RSC stage version to television complete with minimalistic staging and some…
Measure for Measure (1979): Dir. Desmond Davis
Feat. Kate Nelligan, Tim Pigott-Smith; Part of the BBC's excellent series of Shakespeare productions, filmed in a 'theatrical' TV environment utilising the best of English acting talent.
As You Like It (1978): Dir. Basil Coleman
Feat. Helen Mirren, Brian Stirner, Richard Pasco; Part of the BBC's excellent series of Shakespeare productions, filmed in a 'theatrical' TV environment utilising the best of English acting talent.
Romeo and Juliet (1978): Dir. Alvin Rakoff
Feat. Patrick Ryecart, Rebecca Saire, Sir Michael Hordern…; Part of the BBC's excellent series of Shakespeare productions, filmed in a 'theatrical' TV environment utilising the best of English acting talent.
Twelfth Night (1978): Dir. John Gorrie
Feat. Alec McCowen, Robert Hardy, Felicity Kendal…; Part of the BBC's excellent series of Shakespeare productions, filmed in a 'theatrical' TV environment utilising the best of English acting talent.
Baryshnikov's The Nutcracker (1977): Dir. Tony Charmoli
Feat. Mikhail Baryshnikov; Landmark version of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet 'The Nutcracker', about a young girl on Christmas Eve who enters the magical kingdom of a wizard,…
Bolshoi Ballet - Ivan the Terrible (1976): The Bolshoi Ballet present their version of Sergei Prokofiev's 'Ivan the Terrible', choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich. Stars Yuri Vladimirov, Natalya…
Romeo and Juliet (1976): Dir. Joan Kemp-Welch
Feat. Christopher Neame, Ann Hasson, Peter Jeffrey…; Creditable British TV version of the most famous romantic tragedy of all time, with Neame and Hassan playing the fate–crossed lovers.
Taming of the Shrew, The (1976): Dir. Kirk Browning
Feat. Marc Singer; An acclaimed production of Shakespeare's comedy by the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco.
Tosca (Puccini) (1976): Dir. Gianfranco De Bosio
Feat. Raina Kabaivanska, Placido Domingo; New Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Bruno Bartoletti.
American Film Theatre - Galileo (1975): Dir. Joseph Losey
Feat. Topol, John Gielgud, Patrick Magee…; A generally satisfactory version of Bertolt Brecht's stageplay concerning the ethical dilemmas of the scientist Galileo, who among other things…
American Film Theatre - In Celebration (1975): Dir. Lindsay Anderson
Feat. Alan Bates, Brian Cox, Gabrielle Daye…; A tightly framed screen adaptation of David Storey's autobiographical play set around the reunion of a Nottinghamshire mining family, in which cast…
American Film Theatre - Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (1975): Dir. Denis Héroux
Feat. Elly Stone, Mort Shuman, Jacques Brel; With no plot or dialogue, this is surely the least theatrical of the American Film Theatre productions of the 1970s, instead comprising a revue of…
American Film Theatre - Philadelphia, Here I Come (1975): Dir. John Quested
Feat. Donal McCann, Des Cave, Siobhan McKenna; A young Irishman agonises over whether to leave his stifling Irish existence and join relatives in America, in one of the more subdued American Film…
Magic Flute, The (1975): Dir. Ingmar Bergman; An immaculately delivered version of Mozart's operatic fairytale, filmed on a special replica of the original 18th century stage. At its simplest,…
American Film Theatre - Rhinoceros (1974): Dir. Tom O'Horgan
Feat. Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder, Karen Black…; Possibly the least appreciated of the American Film Theatre adaptations, this version of Eugene Ionesco's fable of totalitarianism is in fact perhaps…
King Lear (1974): Dir. Edwin Sherin
Feat. James Earl Jones, Raul Julia, Rosalind Cash…; Filmed version of a outdoors live performance of Lear, featuring a bravura performance by Jones. Part of the Broadway Theatre Archive series.
King Lear (1974): Feat. Patrick Magee; Solid TV version of the Bard's great tragedy with Patrick Magee giving a unique interpretation of the troubled monarch, double–crossed by his…
Madama Butterfly (Puccini) (1974): Dir. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Feat. Mirella Freni, Placido Domingo; Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Herbert Von Karajan.
Parade (1974): Dir. Jacques Tati; An eclectic comedy cabaret show that involves the filming of live performers on and offstage with small minuets dotted throughout. This final film…
American Film Theatre - Luther (1973): Dir. Guy Green
Feat. Stacy Keach, Patrick Magee, Hugh Griffith…; Although receiving a somewhat muted reaction when originally released, this American Film Theatre production is a worthy adaptation of John Osborne's…
Don Quixote (1973): Feat. Rudolph Nureyev; A renowned ballet version of Cervantes masterpiece, with Rudolph Nureyev both performing and choreographing. Inspired by earlier Russian dance…
Glass Menagerie, The (1973): Dir. Anthony Harvey
Feat. Katharine Hepburn, Sam Waterston, Joanna Miles…; Katharine Hepburn grows old and dominates her children in this fine stage version of the Tennessee Williams play. From the Broadway Theatre Archive…
Much Ado About Nothing (1973): Dir. Nick Havinga, A. J. Antoon
Feat. Sam Waterston, Kathleen Widdoes, Barnard Hughes…; Idiosyncratic stage version of the Shakespeare comedy, set in turn of the century American South. Part of the Boradway Theatre Archive series
Marlene Dietrich - An Evening with (1972): Feat. Marlene Dietrich; The late great Marlene Dietrich live at the New London Theatre, England in 1972. Tracklist: I Get A Kick Out Of You, You're The Cream In My…
Trojan Women, The (1972): Dir. Michael Cacoyannis
Feat. Katharine Hepburn, Vanessa Redgrave, Patrick Magee…; Filmed on location in Greece, this star–powered version of Euripedes play is a patchy but earnest attempt to convey the power of the classical…
Home (1971): Dir. Lindsay Anderson
Feat. John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, Dandy Nichols…; Worthy TV adaptation of the stageplay by David Storey (THIS SPORTING LIFE), set amid the twilight psychodramas of residents at an old peoples' rest…
Macbeth (1971): Dir. Roman Polanski
Feat. Jon Finch, Francesca Annis; This version of violent tragedy benefits from Polanski's fine sense of storytelling. Bloodythirsty and geniunely eerie, it comes…
Tales of Beatrix Potter, The (1971): Splendid version of Beatrix Potter's timeless tales, brought to life by members of The Royal Ballet (in costume).
King Lear (1970): Dir. Peter Brook
Feat. Paul Scofield, Irene Worth, Jack MacGowran…; This could hardly miss with Shakespeare perennials Paul Schofield in the title role and director Peter Brook at the helm. A strong and rewarding…
Bolshoi Ballet - Carmen (Poem of Dance) (1969): Another classic from the famous Russian ballet troupe, here choreographed by Alberto Alonso. Featuring Maya Plisetskaya. Narrated in English.
Hamlet (1969): Dir. Tony Richardson
Feat. Nicol Williamson, Gordon Jackson, Anthony Hopkins…; The predominant use of close–ups enhances Nicol Williamson's bold performance as an impulsive, roguish young Hamlet.
Dennis Potter at London Weekend Television (1968-1979): Feat. Ian Holm, John Neville; Containing three of Dennis Potter's single plays for television, including "Shaggy Dog" which was thought to be lost until recently, these diverse…
Romeo and Juliet (1968): Dir. Franco Zeffirelli
Feat. Olivia Hussey, Leonard Whiting, Milo O'Shea…; Definitive screen version has the lovelorn couple played by teenagers, the costume designer working overtime and a youthful, fashionable feel to it.…
Twelfth Night (1968): Dir. John Sichel
Feat. Alec Guinness, Joan Plowright, Ralph Richardson…; Shakespeare's farcical tale of mixed up lives and lovers at cross–purposes is brought to life by renowned actors Alec Guinness and Joan…
Barber of Seville, The (Rossini) (1967): Dir. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra/Chorus. Luigi Alva, Enzo Dara, Teresa Berganza. Conductor: Claudio Abbado
Essential Opera (1967): Feat. Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Joan Sutherland…; Twelve excerpts from the most popular operas – Turandot, Carmen, Rigoletto, Aida, Marriage of Figaro and more, performed by opera luminaries.
Death of a Salesman (1966): Dir. Alex Segal
Feat. James Farentino, Mildred Dunnock, George Segal…; A 1966 teleplay adaptation of Arthur Miller's classic Pulitzer Prize–winning play, often thought one of the definitive versions. Lee J Cobb…
Romeo and Juliet (1966): Dir. Paul Czinner
Feat. Margot Fonteyn, Rudolph Nureyev; The famed Royal Ballet production of Romeo and Juliet. This historical performance stars Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev as the quintessential…
Taming of the Shrew (1966): Dir. Franco Zeffirelli
Feat. Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor; Famous couple Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor star as Petruchio and Katharina in this spirited parody of gender role plays. Zeffirelli succeeds…
Brand (1959): Dir. Michael Elliot
Feat. Patrick McGoohan; Spellbinding BBC version of Henrik Ibsen's great play, with Patrick McGoohan playing a young priest who idealistically adopts a doctrine that one…
Bolshoi Ballet - Romeo and Juliet (1955): The Bolshoi Ballet presents Sergei Prokofiev's interpretation of Shakespeare's play. Features the daning talents of Galina Ulanova. Narrated in…
French Can Can (French Cancan, Only the French Can) (1955): Dir. Jean Renoir
Feat. Jean Gabin, Michel Piccoli, Dora Doll…; Jean Renoir returned to France after 15 years absence to make this vibrant tribute to the Parisian world of his father, the Impressionist painter…
Richard III (1955): Dir. Laurence Olivier
Feat. Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson; Laurence Olivier's third cinematic translation of Shakespeare both as actor and director. His performance borders on high camp as the twisted 15th…
Romeo and Juliet (1954): Dir. Renato Castellani
Feat. Laurence Harvey, Susan Shentall, Mervyn Jones…; An Italian co–production, this version benefits from magical locations in Verona and Venice and the sumptuous Renaissance–influenced eye…
Bolshoi Ballet - Stars of the Russian Ballet (1953): Three ballets are presented by the Bolshoi Ballet – Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake' and 'The Fountains of Bakechisarai' and 'The Flames of Paris'.…
Julius Caesar (1953): Dir. Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Feat. Marlon Brando, James Mason, John Gielgud…; Marlon Brando, James Mason and John Gielgud star in this beautifully staged Hollywood adaptation. Passionate drama of power, conspiracy and murder in…
Golden Coach (Le Carrosse d'or) (1952): Dir. Jean Renoir
Feat. Anna Magnani, Odoardo Spadaro, Nada Fiorelli; Dir. Renoir's classic comedy focuses on a group of commedia dell'arte actors in the eighteenth Century and the much–desired central figure of…
Hamlet (1948): Dir. Laurence Olivier
Feat. Laurence Olivier, Eileen Herlie, Basil Sydney…; The Oscar winner of Best Picture, Actor, Art direction and Costume, Laurence Olivier's version soars with vitality and atmosphere. A classic.
Henry V (1944): Dir. Laurence Olivier
Feat. Laurence Olivier, Robert Newton, Leslie Banks; Brimming with zest, this Shakespeare adaption became an instant classic when released, featuring Laurence Olivier in full sail as the youthful…
Cox and Box: Feat. Russell Smythe; First comic opera from Gilbert and Sullivan, here with Russell Smythe and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Distant Harmony: Feat. Luciano Pavarotti; Celebrated tenor Luciano Pavarotti is captured on his sensational tour of China. His magnificent voice combines with the cultural mystique of…
Essential Sutherland, The: Feat. Joan Sutherland; Highlights from Australian opera diva Dame Joan Sutherland's greatest roles, performing with Luciano Pavarotti, conducted by Richard Bonynge.
Herbert Von Karajan: Highlights from the German master's conducting career with the Berlin Philharmonic. Movements from Beethoven's 5th and 6th Symphonies, Rachmaninov's…
HMS Pinafore: The classic Gilbert and Sullivan musical. Played by the London Symphony Orchestra.
Leonard Bernstein: The career of the celebrated conductor/composer is examined in this documentary narrated by Lauren Bacall.
Maori - Culture, Traditions and History: Historical doco presented by NZ historian Don Stafford tracing the history of Maori from their arrival on the fair shores of Aotearoa to traditional…
Pavarotti and Friends: Feat. Luciano Pavarotti, Brian Eno, Bono …; In a charity performance for the children of Bosnia, the world's favourite tenor shares his stage with a line–up of rock luminaries.
Peter and the Wolf: Sting narrates Prokofiev's fantasy – animated by members of the Theatre de Complicite, the puppets of Spitting Image and Claudio Abbado…
Sorceror, The: Comic opera from Gilbert and Sullivan, performed by Clive Revill and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Trial by Jury: Comic opera from Gilbert and Sullivan, performed by Frankie Howard, Kate Flowers and the London Symphony Orchestra.

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