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Gaslight (1944)
Gaslight
I have to admit I'm not a fan of this type of movie. It is slow, overly dramatic and totally predictable. Perhaps a 1942 audience would appreciate the lavish costumes, the perfect diction and acting, and a heroine who is the object of a vile persecution by a tyrannical husband. The movie was technically remastered so the 80 year old b/w film-making is of flawless quality. Charles Boyer is the villain and Joesph Cotten, the knight in shining armour, out to rescue the damsel in distress. Ingrid Bergman was superb and won an Oscar for her performance. I did enjoy the performance of Dame May Whitty, the nosey neighbour who suspected a secretive story behind closed doors. Considered a great movie in its day but not my cup of tea.
Conclave (2024)
Spellbinding Conclave
The death of a pope and the subsequent election of a new one is an event that the Catholic world follows with great interest. As a period of mourning for the deceased pope is observed, the suspense builds and a worldwide audience learns the names and nationalities of the main contenders. This movie shows the protocols that follow the death of a pope and takes the viewer inside the walls of the Vatican as we see the various contenders. Ralph Fiennes is superb as Cardinal Lawrence, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, the church prelate who organizes and manages the conclave. Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini is the liberal favourite while Sergio Castellito is Cardinal Tedesco, the conservative alternative. Other contenders rise and fall. There is tension and infighting that highlights the rivalry because the stakes are so high. The outside world never knows what form the discussions take or the possible conflicts because the process is highly secretive. This movie lends drama to what could happen during the course of the conclave. Some conclaves are over in a short period of time; others take longer to play out. In this movie, the voting reaches a stalemate followed by a surprise and then another. We see how the Vatican and the world are not at odds but are interwoven. As an observer of these conclaves, I was drawn to the character of Cardinal Lawrence and how he had to navigate the challenges and limitations of his role. A fine movie and a great performance by Ralph Fiennes.
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Polanski misses the mark in this early film.
This movie by director Roman Polanski has a very good cast, a certain realism of the 1960's and some fine street photography in New York City. I like the two main characters, with John Cassevetes and Mia Farrow as a young, romantic couple; Ruth Gordon was very entertaining as the snoopy, older tenant in the nearby apartment. However that's about all the praise I can muster for this film. I am even more disappointed because I read and enjoyed the book by Ira Levin. Very little of that enjoyment transmitted to the screen version. The film was shown on AMC and wasn't helped by lengthy and frequent commercial interruptions. The horror didn't register on the fright meter for me. Just ridiculously phoney. I'm totally surprised by the number positive reviews it actually gets.
Detour (1945)
A Piece of Movie History
This movie from the 1940's wouldn't strike modern moviegoers as much of a treat at first glance. I accidentally found myself watching it on TCM and was riveted to the screen. The rear projection during the drive across the USA always struck me a very dated feature in movies but it held my attention during the Tom Neal dialogue. Ann Savage added a dose of drama as the female interest who caught his eye while hitchhiking. It took little time for her to think of ways to get hold of some of the cash. Savage plays a hard-nosed schemer as she shows during the car conversation. The movie was a first rate black/white story in which Neal kept making life worse for himself despite the best of intentions. I would recommend seasoned movie goers see this as an entertaining and watchable piece of movie history.
Sudden Fear (1952)
Sudden Fear...Gripping!
When I tuned in to watch this Joan Crawford movie on TCM, I had no idea what I was in for. The movie drew me in at the start with the unlikely romance between an eligible young man and a middle-aged producer, Joan Crawford. Jack Palance, as the male lead, appears romantically attached to Crawford, who soon is head over heels with this guy. Before long, the tide turns and we find Crawford delving into the motives of the man she fell for. The story delivers a knuckle biter as Crawford and Palance, along with his girlfriend, become involved in a brilliant cat and mouse drama. I've never seen a more stunning portrayal of a woman scorned as Crawford makes her moves. Light and shadows are used to great effect as the two try to cover their tracks. It is a real film noir gem. It has the feel of the 1950's with the Hayes Code keeping a proper lid on the romantic elements. Joan Crawford is an acting talent who can deliver a range of emotions and uses them to full effect. Well worth viewing.
Inside Politics (1992)
Top Notch Journalism
John King is a top notch journalist who has excellent insight into U. S. politics. I always enjoyed the charts and graphs that he presented and analysed for the viewers. This reference material has become a regular and welcome feature of CNN. These often tell us what Americans are thinking, whether on the left or right. I never detected any particular bias in his reporting and interpretation of the political landscape. CNN has a great asset in this broadcaster. As a Canadian, who happens to be a political junkie, I feel that programs like Inside Politics and other programs from CNN have given me a wealth of information. I find it unfortunate so many reviews that I read on IMDB are so negative about the US media. Often, the negative reviewers have only one review. They have no interest in anything more than attacking the media. I am very concerned about this trend and the unsubstantiated attacks on the work of conscientious journalists to present and interpret the news everyday.
Traces (2019)
Traces
I was glued to Britbox watching the first season of this highly enjoyable show. This great drama consisted of several episodes and showed how a young woman, who lost her mother as a child, struggled valiantly to find out the truth of her mother's death. The story had me transfixed to my screen and highlighted the science of forensics which is such a fascinating part of solving crimes in the 21st century. There are several fine performances by a number of well-known actors, in a variety of roles. Dogged determination, research and science was well portrayed. A love match between the young woman and her conflicted boyfriend was another key element in the story. I would recommend this show for anyone with several hours available to view this top notch entertainment.
Market Call (2002)
Good program for Canadian market investors
I often tune in to this show to get friendly, intelligent and timely information and analysis on the stock market in Canada and the USA. Not sure what it offers on weekends because I like to follow what is happening on any given weekday, when the markets are open. The guests are generally very well informed and credible. Larry Berrman, Gordon Reid and John Zechner, for example, are very well informed, and appear comfortable talking to average listeners. Other guests appear on the show to take question from listeners.
The US counterpart on CNBC is racier, louder and more controversial. I don't tune in regularly but it isn't exactly my cup of tea and not designed for most Canadian investors. Serious Investors, whether in the US or Canada, want unbiased information and a serious approach. Think Warren Buffett.
I don't think too many Canadians get involved in personal investing. Maybe too conservative for what some might consider too erratic or complex. However, I think we need a more balanced view of "playing the market". It is a learning curve and requires patience but the rewards can be substantial.
7 Up & Me (2019)
Reactions to the Seven Up Series - 7 Up & Me
In this show, we see some well known personalities like Sebastian Coe, William Roache and Richard Grant react to the characters in this ground-breaking telecast. It is truly heart warming to see how they interpret and relate to the observations and lives of the characters in the series of telecasts, filmed every seven years in the lives of the participants. There was laughter and tears and human interest as they listened to them and saw their progression through life. Sebastian Coe said he was able to compete successfully and go on to become an Olympic gold medalist and could understand how the young man who aspired to be a jockey would feel when his efforts fell short. There, but for the grace of God go I. There was happiness for the young man who never knew his father and had five children when he was still in his twenties and went on to become a grandfather to many more. There was sadness for another who was very spontaneous at seven but seemed to lose his moorings as he grew older, to the point of being homeless and living on the street. Yet, when he was well into middle age he was applauded by William Roche of Coronation Street when he became a councillor fighting for the downtrodden and later a minister. Richard Grant wiped tears from his eyes as one visited the grave of his mother, the type of sorrow we all face at some point. I think they reacted as many of us would react with joy, regret and great understanding for the ups and downs we all face in our own lives. There were fewer women than men in the series so they were not given the same amount of air time in the original and later shows. This failing became more apparent over a period of time. There were criticisms of the questions posed to the girls/women by the director Michael Apted, who recently died and may have addressed this criticism if he had lived longer. Nevertheless, he did leave a great legacy, whether the series continues or not. This series gives visual and verbal evidence of what happens to us over the course of our lives and as such, constituted a great series of documentaries on the human condition.
Grace (2021)
Grace Under Pressure
I enjoy the Peter James books so I was glad to tune in for this superb television series set in the coastal town of Brighton. John Simm plays Detective Grace with his laid back and unassuming personality. Despite years of living alone after the disappearance of his beloved Sandy, he channels his professional instincts to hunt down some very nasty criminals in this seemingly sedate seaside town. A down to earth guy, he will persist in getting the job done despite his by the book boss who is more concerned with being mocked by the press than nabbing criminals. John Simm fits the mold as the dogged Detective Grace, who goes against the grain as a modest guy who gets results.
2024 Democratic National Convention (2024)
Democrats Gather to Select Trump's Opponent
This convention took place amid one of the most fascinating Presidential election years I can remember and I remember them going back to 1968, which was a year marked by riots, political assassination and a growing civil rights movement.
The 2024 election year has been calm by comparison but by no less eventful.
The Democrats met following the nomination of Donald Trump, who served as president from 2017 to 2021 and has been one of the most divisive politicians in American history.
Following a debate with Trump, one term President Biden decided not to run for reelection because the fallout from the debate with Trump had delivered a fatal blow. Biden resisted for several weeks before he had to clear the way for his Vice-President. Trump was thrown from his lead in the polls as VP Kamala Harris was duly assigned as the nominee. Within days, Harris became the new front runner and Trump's campaign to unseat Biden had to refocus on Harris.
The Convention outcome was a foregone conclusion because Harris was the clear choice with no apparent opposition. The Convention turned into a huge party for the Democrats as they met in Chicago to formally endorse Harris as the nominee for President and a popular mid-western governor Tim Wahls as nominee for Vice-President. Wahls easily won the delegates support for his experience as a governor and former member of Congress.
The convention highlighted luminaries of the party including Biden and past presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Former First Ladies Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton were also given speaking roles. Hillary Clinton, herself the 2016 nominee for president, gave a speech that fired up the Convention delegates.
Kamala Harris' speech was one of the most effective speeches I have ever heard. She talked about the influence of her immigrant parents, especially her mother and her fight to help average Americans and the responsibility to care for the less fortunate. The people are her client she said. She contrasted this stand with Trump "whose only client has been himself". She also talked about his support for the insurgents who stormed Capitol Hill and killed six police officers, a frightening event about the danger he poses for democracy.
The convention was a huge success and brought about a tremendous show of unity among the delegates. The campaign that follows will be a hard fought one. Trump has a tremendous well of support among Americans who see the opposition as an elite group who represent news media, Hollywood activists, intellectuals and liberal thinkers bent on favouring minorities over average Americans. It is ironic that a multi-millionaire who was raised in privilege and has nothing to offer but rants and tax cuts for the wealthy is considered to be a friend of ordinary Americans.
So as the campaign gets underway, there are two hostile camps ready to engage in national combat.
The Real Crown: Inside the House of Windsor (2023)
An Exposé on the House of Windsor
I was very taken with this series which I watched on PBS-TV. It is very much an inside look at the major events in the House of Windsor - the extended family of Queen Elizabeth II - and the Royals who have played a role over the decades. The Queen is the focus and all others are in supporting roles. We see Elizabeth's reign as she evolves from a woman in her mid twenties to an experienced head of state. We see Prince Charles, her eldest son and heir, who is mentored by Earl Mountbatten. He grows up to be somewhat of a playboy before his marriage to Diana, Princess of Wales. After she suffers an untimely death, Charles carries on his long love affair with the woman who later becomes his wife and Queen. Prince Andrew and Prince Harry appear to share much of the negative attention. Prince Andrew was a very popular Royal who served with distinction in the Falklands War. Later his lavish, self-serving lifestyle and rude behaviour eroded his early popularity. Prince Harry, a military man who served in Afghanistan, seemed to be at loose ends after his war service and marriage to Meghan Marple. To me, Harry is the victim of his mother's early and tragic death as well as being the "spare" for the throne who is now superseded by Prince William and his children. Unfortunately the series pays no attention to Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, who have assumed a larger and highly positive role in recent years. Generally, however this series is a comprehensive review of the life and times of Queen Elizabeth and her family. There is a lot of fascinating film footage and intimate profiles of her family.
Shadowlands (1993)
Timeless Story with Excellent Acting
This movie deals with the theme of life and death, happiness and sorrow. It reaches into our innermost feelings with the main characters played by Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger. The movie, directed by Sir Richard Attenborough, shows the life of a teacher at an elite school, possibly Oxford or Cambridge, who comes in contact with an American journalist. At the beginning, the two react uncomfortably to one another; however, a certain chord is struck and there is a plan to possibly meet again. The American and her young son return and eventually take up residence in London. The two are opposite personalities but friendly enough to enter a marriage of convenience. Illness forges a strong bond and friendship becomes love and a true marriage partnership. The onetime committed bachelor develops deep feelings and becomes a great source of strength as the two spend precious moments together. Their final moments are very touching and death becomes an unshakable grief. With the surviving child, the sorrow is shared and life takes on new meaning.
The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming (1966)
Hilarity As A Russian Sub Runs Aground
Director Norman Jewison took the theme of Cold War hysteria to ridiculous lengths with this movie. Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint, Alan Arkin and Brian Keith are among a stellar cast with a series of hilarious scenes that mocked American and Russian attitudes back in 1963. The residents think a Russian invasion is taking place when a group of Russian sailors run aground. Allan Arkin was outstanding as the leader on the Russian side. Police chief Brian Keith tries to calm the locals on the island town off the coast of Massachusetts. Supporting cast members like Jonathan Winters, Tessie O'Shea, Paul Ford, Dora Merande, Parker Fennelly and others delivered great comedy performances. Watch for a climatic act of heroism towards the end. Of course it is dated but it is still great viewing.
The Jury (2002)
Jurors pitted against each other in a contentious case
This jury drama seems to derive some of its inspiration from an American movie from the 1950's - Twelve Angry Men. This one however deals with the domestic lives of the jurors as well as the conflict over the guilt or innocence of the accused. I found some moving and powerful performances by Michael Maloney, Nicholas Farrell, Gerard Butler, Sylvia Syms etc. The background of racism against the young man from a Sikh family is played out on the streets outside the court. There are connections made among the jurors and heated differences of opinion in trying to establish the facts, a huge challenge in this particular case. Derek Jacobi was very impressive as the defence attorney. Gerard Butler was outstanding as a young man fighting addiction while falling for another juror. Michael Maloney rose to the occasion as the foreman. The outcome is not in the least predictable as they deal with conflicting evidence and struggle to find the truth. Worth watching all six episodes.
The Out of Towners (1970)
Tough Way To A Job Interview
The Out of Towners from 1970 is a comedy that I saw when it first came out. I saw it again recently and it does seem dated; however, the comedy team of Jack Lemmon and Sandy Dennis is still well worth watching. Lemmon plays a sales executive from a small town in Ohio who is on his way to an interview. I can relate to being in an unfamiliar city and losing my way around but this one takes the story to ridiculous heights as the mid-west couple cross paths with a range of criminals in the city. Just the same, Jack Lemmon's frantic behaviour and Sandy Dennis's dry sense of humour sparkle as they trip through a series of misfortunes. All the reputed pitfalls of the Big Apple are played out as Lemmon agonizes over getting to his interview on time. Of course, times have changed and New York's reputation as a bastion of crime has greatly improved.
An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
Becoming A Gentleman
This movie from 1982 tells the story of a young recruit for the Naval Academy, played by Richard Gere, who learns valuable lessons about relationships between men and women and how to treat people with respect. His own family life was marred by his mother's early death and an absentee, alcoholic father. The movie is very much a product of its time with young women looking to marry a Naval Academy graduate to travel and live abroad, a life they could never achieve as factory workers in a small town.
Gere's best friend played by David Keith is someone who is willing to sacrifice his own career for love takes a hard fall when his idealism is misplaced. Gere's character is a young man determined to succeed, although he pays a price for his arrogance under the thumb of Lou Gossett Jr. As Sgt. Foley who puts him through a tough and highly regimented training program. Debra Winger plays Gere's love interest who teaches him a few things about himself and what it takes to build a loving relationship. The two deliver one very sizzling sex scene. A very good story with strong performances, there is great on location shooting and a memorable theme song "Up where We Belong".
The Chalk Garden (1964)
Strong Cast and Beautiful Setting
The Chalk Garden describes a garden where Deborah Kerr as Miss Madrigal becomes the governess for Hayley Mills as a young girl named Laurel. It is also a metaphor for a family relationship. Hayley's grandmother, Mrs. St. Maugham, played by Dame Edith Evans, is the owner of an estate where Laurel resides. She has strongly influenced the relationship between Laurel and her mother. The mother, played by Elizabeth Sellars, abandoned Laurel, and wants her child back. Miss Madrigal sees her own past mirrored in Laurel and wants to make things right for the daughter and this leads to conflict. Madrigal's past is a big unknown but comes out when Felix Aylmer, as a judge who was acquainted with Madrigal, visits Mrs. St. Maugham, a longtime friend. The conflict over Laurel's future took time to come into focus as we watch the story. The movie, directed by the Ronald Neame, highlights the acting talents of Edith Evans and Deborah Kerr. John Mills, Hayley's real life father, plays the butler and the full-time resident of the estate, who becomes very fond of Madrigal. The photography provides a beautiful backdrop for the story with the garden, residence and the magnificent seascape.
Billy Elliot (2000)
Billy Elliot's Incredible Story
"Billy Elliot" had an emotional impact for me that comes from watching a young boy persevere against the odds to achieve something important in his life. I felt as if I was seeing real people deal with difficult personal circumstances. The challenge allowed them make a major change of attitude and direction in their lives. As the story progressed, you could feel the distance that was developing between Billy and his family over his desire to pursue a life of his own. His brother and father, both mine workers, are involved in the coal strike of 1984; this leaves his family almost penniless. The strike is a great strain on Billy's father, as the breadwinner who has also lost his wife. They are not about to fund Billy's hope of taking advanced ballet lessons, which his instructor recommends. Billy takes care of his elderly grandmother with the passing of his much loved mother. He also finds kindred spirits among his own friends and his dancing instructor, performed by Julie Walters, who saw his potential and gave him the push to excel. This movie shows the strains and the bonds among family as they drift apart and come together. The background of the coal strike of 1984 and the recent death of the mother made this movie more poignant. Great movie!
The Entertainer (1960)
The Entertainer Tries To Fend Off Time and the Tax Collector
The Entertainer is an extremely well acted movie from 1960 that describes the downfall of a music hall entertainer, played by Laurence Olivier, who cannot face up to the fact that his career is over and that his unpaid taxes will soon catch up with him. He keeps going on despite dwindling audiences who are given stale humour and mediocre song and dance routines. The fine cast includes Brenda DeBanzie, Alan Bates, Joan Ploughwright, etc. Director Tony Richardson gained fame in the 1960's for his "kitchen sink" movies, where the unheralded working class people were featured rather than the polished lords and ladies with the upper crust accents. These were excellent movies with compelling narratives. This one, however, has a very sombre feeling. The movie takes place with the background of the Suez Canal disaster which also directly affects the family in this movie. I didn't sense a link in the story with Britain's decline as a world power except that the time period coincided with the 1950's when many Britons were feeling disenchanted with their reduced role in the world. What it does portray very effectively is the demise of a music hall entertainer who held on for too long. He refused employment in Canada and allowed his talent to wither away. Very sad but well portrayed by one of the world's greatest actors.
Mrs Brown (1997)
Victoria's Mrs. Brown Period
Mrs Brown tells the story of a loving relationship that Queen Victoria developed with a loud, boozy Scot named John Brown. Brown had a tremendous loyalty to Queen Victoria which the Queen came to treasure in the years following the death of Prince Albert whose death had driven the Queen into the depths of depression.
Billy Connolly performed the role superbly, although one might wonder how the Queen, who was a stickler for Royal protocol, could tolerate some of his erratic behaviour.
Geoffrey Palmer, who was paired with Judi Dench in the long running television series As Time Goes By, is Henry Ponsonby, who was thoroughly alarmed by Brown's hold on the Queen's affections.
Judy Dench showed an interesting range as the widowed Queen who was haughty towards family and aides and warm and loving towards Brown. On one outing she appeared as a gracious guest in the house of one of Brown's friends in the highlands near Balmoral.
I was very taken with Antony Sher's performance as Disraeli. He seemed to capture the essence of the Prime Minister who persuaded the Queen to withdraw from her extended period of mourning and once again show her public face.
All in all, a fine movie that dramatizes a period in the middle of Victoria's reign before she became known as the Grandmother of Europe.
Street Scene (1931)
New York Tenement Neighbourhood 1931
Street Scene from 1931 was recently televised on TCM and I was glad to record it as an early example of talking movies. I also found the movie very telling of life in that era.
The first part of the movie was a very watchable slice of life as neighbours gathered on the steps and sidewalks of their tenement building. They talked about the heat wave and then the talk moved to their neighbours' comings and goings, jobs, rents, love life, etc.
The second part of the movie was much darker and involved the double murder of a wife and her lover. It seemed very sudden and before long the street was filled with police, ambulance and a huge throng of bystanders. It was a terrific shock to the neighbours.
My attention was often on Beulah Bondi who led the conversation and was the most outspoken. She was a great acting talent and seemed to be a perfect fit for the neighbourhood.
Sylvia Sydney was the daughter of one family and was seeing a Jewish boy. They loved each other and wanted to escape the inner city. The relationship was a bone of contention among the neighbours. Even in a melting pot like New York, people were conscious of who married who, especially someone who was Jewish.
The movie was an interesting social commentary. It harkens back to the time when people were used to going out and actually talking to their neighbours. No televisions or computers and no noisy traffic to compete with everyday communication.
Days of Wine and Roses (1962)
"You and me and booze...a threesome!"
This was an excellent story from director Blake Edwards with powerful acting by Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick. Lemmon plays a successful public relations executive who falls in love and marries Remick. The two are very much in love and before long, they have a child. The pressures of family and work become a trigger for Lemmon's battle with alcohol, which gets the upper hand, and leads to a downward spiral. Sadly, his wife succumbs to bouts of drinking as well, which was often how they spent their evenings. Charles Bickford gave a strong performance as Remick's father who at one stage took them into his home. The two make failed attempts to become sober. Lemmon's career slides and they move from their upscale apartment to more rundown accommodations. Lemmon realizes the toll things are taking and joins AA, beginning his road to recovery under the guidance of Jack Klugman, who works to keep him sober. Lemmon makes progress and tries to convince his wife to do the same, especially for their young daughter's sake. How will it turn out? We cannot say but we can see the heavy price alcohol takes on those in its grip. In this case, a couple who lose control over their future. Much of the movie was shot in the dark, which is when the drinking went on. This matches the mood. As a sidebar, it was by accident that I happened to view this movie after a trip to San Francisco so the names of streets, the views up and down the hills and some of the buildings had a ring of familiarity, even in the dark. I always appreciate on location shooting and it was a bonus. This is a great movie about the ordeal of alcoholism and the strength often required to overcome it.
Rome Adventure (1962)
Suzanne Pleshette Finds Romance in Italy
Fired from a college library for giving a student a banned book, Suzanne Pleshette takes a voyage to Italy where she finds a job, goes sightseeing, meets new friends and who would guess - finds romance. Troy Donahue, recently abandoned by his girlfriend Angie Dickensen, meets Pleshette and the two have a great time exploring Italy and falling in love. The movie does take you back to those years when the post war baby boomers were edging towards adulthood and getting their first taste of adult entertainment. Nothing too risqué but enough to titillate as the new couple travel as a Mr.& Mrs. Porter to conceal their identity, even while one sleeps on the balcony. The movie has a number of well known minor actors, and includes a botched scene with trumpeter Al Hirt, which was a low point in the movie. It was pleasantly amusing until Angie Dickensen comes back and tries to steal Donahue away from his new love interest. The movie is dated but does have enough spark to keep viewers watching. Towards the end, we enjoy a few more gags and surprises. A solid 6 out of 10.
A Man for All Seasons (1966)
Outstanding Movie With A Stellar Cast
This movie offers one of the finest acting performances I've ever seen with Paul Scofield as Thomas More in the leading role. The script resembles a theatrical presentation with Scofield giving a powerful defence of his personal conscience over his allegiance to the monarch, King Henry VIII. The movie incorporates the fine location background of More's estate on the River Thames. The opening scene is a beautiful visual clip that shows a messenger running to board a boat and travelling along the river to summon More to a meeting at the King's request. The King wants More, as the nation's Chancellor, to sanction his divorce from his first wife Catherine of Aragon to allow him to marry Anne Boleyn. More makes clear that he is a loyal subject of the King but he will not be forced to agree to a marriage he does not believe is valid. Robert Shaw, as the King, rants and raves at More but the Chancellor does not yield and shows calm and dignity against the King's tyrannical outbursts. Scofield and Shaw lead a stellar cast that incudes Orson Welles, Leo McKern, Susannah York, Wendy Hiller, Nigel Davenport, John Hurt, Coran Redgrave, etc. Vanessa Redgrave has a short appearance as Anne Boleyn. Scofield portrays More not only as a man of conscience but also as a lawyer with a keen grasp of the finer points of the law. Scofield won an Academy Award for his performance. To my mind, the film is a classic that shows an event in a particular time and place and will never be dated. The sets, photography, and acting are all outstanding.