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Last Updated: 07 November 2004

Books on Writing

Screenplay

By Syd Field

The Hollywood Reporter
"the most sought after screenwriting teacher in the world"

Steven Bocho, writer/producer/director LA Law and NYPD Blue
"If I were writing screenplays...I would carry Syd Field around in my back pocket wherever I went"

Story

by Robert McKee

"Story" deciphers the guiding structural principles that animate every classical and award-winning film, ranging from "Citizen Kane" through to modern acclaimed works like "The English Patient".

The Crafty Art of Playmaking

by Alan Ayckbourn

With over 60 plays written and staged, many playing in the West End or the Royal National Theatre, Alan Ayckbourn's expertise on writing and directing plays is unsurpassed. Here, he shares his tricks of the trade. From helpful hints on writing (Where has your play come from? Where is it going? How does it get there? What is comedy and how do you write it? What is tragedy and how does it work?) to tips on directing (working with actors and technicians, when to listen to the experts, how to cope with rehearsals), the book provides a complete primer for the novice and a refresher for the more experienced.

The Dramatist's Toolkit: The Craft of the Working Playwright

By Jeffrey Sweet

This is a practical guide to being a working playwright. The author discusses such matters as: the building blocks of playwriting; how characters relate to one another; the differences and similarities between musicals and plays; and screenwriting vs playwriting.

From the Author
"As I write this, TOOLKIT has just gone into its fifth printing. Why? Well, people seem to find it useful, and it's being adopted by drama departments all over the country. These are the same principles I teach at the Actors Studio's MFA program in New York as well as in online classes through Writers on the Net."

Screenwriting for Dummies

by L. Schellhardt

Includes all the essentials for writing a screenplay, from crafting dialogue to marketing a script
Packed with easy-to-understand guidelines and writing projects, Screenwriting For Dummies makes film writing accessible to novices and helps more experienced writers improve their scripts. This engaging guide walks readers through the essential elements of every good screenplay, from character development, to creating a story, to writing compelling dialogue, to adopting a screenplay from a different source. It also includes all the specific formatting details that go into writing a visual screenplay from scripting character introductions, to writing the camera into the script, to creating a cinematic collage. In addition, Screenwriting For Dummies covers the important task of selling a screenplay, including tips for getting a spec script into the proper marketing format, protecting intellectual property rights, and securing an agent.

On Writing

by Stephen King

Find out what books and films influenced the young writer, his first idea for a story and the true life tale that inspired CARRIE. For the first time, here’s an intimate autobiographical portrait of his home life, his family and his traumatic recent accident. Citing examples of his work and those of his contemporaries, King gives an excellent masterclass on writing - how to use the tools of the trade from building characters to pace and plotting as well as practical advice on presentation. And King tells readers how he got to be a No. 1 bestseller for a quarter of a century with fascinating descriptions of his own process, the origins and development of CARRIE and MISERY

The Writers and Artists Yearbook 2006

Eoin Colfer (author of Artemis Fowl)
'Every possible scrap of information needed by an upcoming or established writer is included.'

Good Book Guide
'The essential reference guide for all budding authors.'

The Writer's Handbook 2006

Completely revised, updated and enlarged, the eighteenth edition of The Writer's Handbook contains over 6,000 entries covering every area of writing, with articles from leading representatives of the trade. In addition to the key areas of UK and US book publishers and agents, magazines, screenwriting, TV and radio, theatre, film and poetry, the guide offers invaluable expert advice on contracts, the law and finances.

The Freelance Writers' Handbook: How to Make Money and Enjoy Your Life

By Andrew Crofts

This guide for writers who want ideas on how to find markets for their work includes advice on: what to write and how to sell it; ghost-writing, travel writing, fiction, television and radio scripts, newspaper and magazine journalism; making contacts, agents, and how to get commissioned

Art and Science of Screenwriting  

by Phillip Parker

Lew Hunter
First class and triple-A. I recommend this book without reservation.

Screenwriter Magazine
An excellent if quite demanding book...plenty of practical advice.

Scripts

The Complete Talking Heads

by Alan Bennett  

Talking Heads is a complete collection of Bennett's 12 masterful monologues. In these compelling pieces, Bennett displays the wry observation, knowing irony and tender understatement that have ensured his rightful place at the forefront of contemporary writing.

Included in this collection is:

"Chip in the Sugar", "A Lady of Letters", "Bed Among the Lentils", "Soldiering On", "Her Big Chance", "A Cream Cracker Under the Settee", "Miss Fozzard Finds her Feet", "The Hand of God", "Playing Sandwiches", "The Outside Dog", "Nights in the Gardens of Spain", "Waiting for the Telegram"

Plays

By Victoria Wood

This volume includes the "Evening Standard" Award-winning play "Talent", and Victoria Wood's other stage play "Good Fun", both premiered at the Sheffield Crucible. Alongside these plays are three TV scripts, including the acclaimed "Pat and Margaret"

The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy: The Original Radio Scripts

By Douglas Adams

  25th Anniversary Edition of the scripts that launched a billion quips March 1978 saw the first ever transmission of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy on BBC Radio 4; the beginning of a cult phenomenon. This 25th Anniversary edition of the scriptbook includes a previously unpublished Hitchhiker script, 'Sheila's Ear'; a new introduction by producer Geoffrey Perkins; and a Who's Who of all those involved in the radio series. As well as all the new material, of course there are the twelve original radio scripts - Hitchhiker as it was written and exactly as it was broadcast for the very first time. They include amendments and additions made during recordings and original notes on the writing and producing of the series by Adams and Perkins. For those who have always loved Adams, as well as for his new generation of fans, these scripts are essential reading - with the previously 'lost' script making this edition a must-have piece of Adams memorabilia.

Father Ted: The Complete Scripts

by Arthur Matthews and Graham Linehan

Only three series of "Father Ted" were screened before the untimely death of Dermot Morgan. This book is a compilation from all the series, as well as some early scripts that were never screened.

The Complete Fawlty Towers: The Scripts

By John Cleese and Connie Booth

What did Basil Fawlty fail to avoid mentioning? Why did Sybil keep snagging her cardies? Where was Polly on the night of the Great Wedding Anniversary disaster? This book presents the scripts for the show's classic episodes.

Essential EastEnders Scripts

Edited by Mike Gould and Emma Thomas

Doctor Who: The Scripts 1974-75

Scripts for the years 1974/5 from the long-running BBC TV series. Extra detailed annotation includes: set, costume and make-up design; production codes and dates; edits made to the scripts during the writing stage; and visual electronics and sound effects.

Doctor Who: The Shooting Scripts

This book collects together the entire shooting scripts for the 2005 series. Seven of the scripts are by Russell T Davies, with the remainder by Steven Moffat, Robert Shearman, Paul Cornell and The League of Gentlemen's Mark Gatiss. Each story contains the essential ingredients of time travel, adventure, and the mixing of the ordinary with the fantastical that have always characterized the series, while at the same time being thoroughly in tune with contemporary culture and society. This is a "Doctor Who" for an age defined by irony, technology and celebrity. It is also a more cinematic series, with fast cutting and special effects that will satisfy viewers brought up on contemporary film and television sci-fi. The shooting scripts give a unique insight into how the series was visualized and acted. Pacey, atmospheric and thoroughly absorbing, these scripts practically read like novels.  Introductions by the writers explain the inspirations for the new series and the fascinating process of creating a "Doctor Who" script.

The Singing Detective: The Scripts

by Dennis Potter

The complete scripts to Dennis Potter's critically acclaimed television serial

Goodfellas: The Screenplay

One of a hand-picked selection of some of the most popular and cult-worthy titles on Faber and Faber's extensive list of film scripts.

Pulp Fiction

by Quentin Tarantino

Winner of the Academy Award for Best Screenplay and the Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival, "Pulp Fiction" exploded onto the screen in 1994 and transformed the direction of contemporary cinema. This triplet of interwoven crime stories displays Tarantino's visceral approach to character and plot.

Fargo

by Joel and Ethan Coen

One of a hand-picked selection of some of the most popular and cult-worthy titles on Faber and Faber's extensive list of film scripts.

Get Carter 

by Mike Hodges

Mike Hodges complete screenplay to the 1970's cult film classic. 

Film Making

The Guerilla Film Makers Handbook (3^rd Edition)
By Chris Jones & Genevieve Jolliffe

If you're interested in making a low-budget movie, and you want one book that tells you EVERYTHING you need to know, then this is the one. Just check out these quotes:

'Absolutely indispensable. This book should be within arm's reach throughout the entire film making process.' Dan Myrick, Director, The Blair Witch Project.

'It's the one book on my shelf that I wouldn't roach.' Justin Kerrigan, Director, Human Traffic.

'I wish I had this book when I started out, it would have saved me three years!' David Nicholas Wilkinson, Independent Distributor.

'A revelatory read which will inform and inspire in equal measure.' Empire Magazine.

This massive new edition is packed with advice, tips, interviews, case studies and photos. It has a yellow pages directory at the back, and now comes with a free CD-ROM that will help you with legal documents, contracts and forms.

The Guerilla Film Makers Movie Blueprint  
by Chris Jones

The Guardian, July 18, 2003
Essential...exhaustive...a comprehensive how-to guide...written in an easy, accessible style.

Camcorder User and DVD Movie Maker, October 2003
Fantastic value for money...Essential reading for the wannabe film maker.

Before You Shoot - A Guide to Low Budget Film and Video Production
by Helen Garvy

A guide to low-budget film making from a producer's perspective

Filming On A Microbudget 
by Paul Hardy

A very nugget of a film production book, absolutely crammed with information about filming at the sharpest end – the one with no money.

The Unkindest Cut (How A Hatchet-Man Critic Made His Own $7,000 Movie And Put It All On His Credit Card)
By Joe Queenan

Hilarious account of one man's struggle to prove that it is possible to make a feature film and put it all on your credit card.

The Producer's Business Handbook
by John Lee Jr.

This volume offers filmmakers a comprehensive examination of the business and provides the information and tools required for all aspects of global production and exploitation. Both instruction and worksheet support is given to independent producers at all levels of industry experience throughout the book and its companion CD-ROM and Web site. The text provides a discussion of operating development and producing companies, from solicitation of literary properties through to direct rights sales, and the management of global distribution relationships. This includes how these producers direct their relationships with domestic and foreign studios, agencies, attorneys, talent, completion guarantors, banks, and private investors.

On Film-Making: An Introduction to the Craft of the Director  
by Alexander MacKendrick

"Invaluable... I can easily imagine a college without a film program building a curriculum around these writings"
Martin Scorsese

Biography

The Complete Spielberg

by Ian Freer

Film Review
'This is the ultimate Spielberg guide, simply crammed with opinion, trivia and analysis, all of it enthusiastically relayed by the author'

Empire
'No previous tome has come close in terms of both width and depth... a perfect blend of attention to detail and accessibility ... simply indispensable stuff'

Kubrick: The Definitive Edition

by Michel Ciment

The Complete Kubrick

by David Hughes

Empire
'The level of research is astonishing, the cornucopia of trivia original and the passion for the movies unstinting...'

Potter on Potter

Edited by Graham Fuller

Dennis Potter, British playwright, novelist and film-maker, talks about the early influences that shaped him and his career in this book that looks at Potter's pioneering use of non-naturalism, his self-reflexive subversion of film and TV cliches and his approach to sex, politics and religion. Dennis Potter is the author of "Pennies From Heaven" and "The Singing Detective", both of which were serialized on TV

My Name Escapes Me: The Diary of a Retiring Actor

by Alec Guinness

From New Year's Day 1995 to June 1996, Alec Guinness kept diaries in which he recorded not only day-to-day events, but also a range of memories, views and musings. Certain pre-occupations recur: theatre and film, books and paintings; the Church; food and drink and the delights of home and family. Friendship is also central to Sir Alec's life, and his friendship with Alan Bennett, Jill Balcon, Lauren Bacall and Barry Humphries, among others, forms the backbone of these wonderfully amusing diaries.

Dudley Moore: The Authorized Biography

By Barbra Paskin

Written with Dudley Moore's full co-operation, this illustrated biography examines every side of this complex man. Proving that there is more to Moore than the diminutive sex Symbol of "10" and the charming clown of "Arthur", Paskin explores Moore's personality and paradoxes with intelligence and compassion

Arise, Sir Michael Caine

By William Hall

In depth biography of one of the World's, best-known, most successful and charismatic British film stars

John Wayne: A Giant Shadow

By Carolyn McGivern

"My real name is Marion Morrison... I'm happy people call me 'Duke'... If you were my size, wore cowboy boots and a big hat, outrode, outfought and outshot all the bad men in the west... how would you like to climb down off a horse, throw your saddle over the corral rail and then walk off-camera to sit down in a chair labelled Marion?" "I don't work for the producers... I don't work for the studio... I don't work for the critics... I work for the audience... I try always to give the best of myself so that people aren't disappointed in me." "When the doctor taps you on the shoulder and says, 'You've got cancer' the sun sure doesn't shine any brighter. Yeah! I was scared. I was tough to get along with. I'd discovered I was fallible." A flesh and blood study of John Wayne, unashamedly aimed at the audience, the way he liked to do business. McGivern allows Wayne to tell his own story, mostly in his own words. It is the story of a man who chose to leave normality behind to create his own legend. Of all the complexities and composites that made up John Wayne, the image perhaps shines the brightest, but whilst his face is still seen on the TV screens around the world people will remember.

Spike: An Intimate Memoir

by Norma Farnes

A moving and informative biography by Spike's long term agent and friend.

Humphrey Carpenter, Sunday Times
'Written with infectious verve... a cheery book.'

The Edge of the World: The Making of the Film

By Michael Powell

Michael Powell's own account of shooting the film on Foula

Film History

Imagining Reality: The Faber Book of Documentary

by Kevin MacDonald and Mark Cousins

Exploring the documentary film, this book traces its development from the first film shot by Louis Lumiere in 1895 to the last shaggy-dog story (Nick Broomfield's TV film, "Tracking Down Maggie"), and the commercial success of Steve James's three-hour saga, "Hoop Dreams". Mark Cousins directed the 1997 Edinburgh Film Festival. Kevin Macdonald, with whom he wrote this book, is the author of a biography of his own grandfather, "Emeric Pressburger: the Life and Death of a Screenwriter

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-drugs-and Rock 'n' Roll Generation Changed Hollywood  

by Peter Biskind

One of the most exhilarating periods in film history began with "Easy Rider" in 1969 and ended with "Raging Bull" in 1980, with Beverly Hills shrouded under a blanket of cocaine: at least, that's how it seemed. Based on interviews with all the Hollywood players of the time, this text tells the story of creativity and excess in Hollywood, when Coppola, Bogdanovich, Scorsese, Lucas, Hopper, Altman and Spielberg were at the height of their powers. Recounted with refreshing candour, many celebrities talk frankly to the author about one another and the sex, drugs, and money that made so many of them crash and burn.

The Egos Have Landed: The Rise and Fall of Palace Pictures

By Angus Finney

This work provides an insight into the rise and fall of Palace Pictures, one of the movie phenomena of the last decade. It is the story of two mavericks, Steve Woolley and Nick Powell, who through a combination of brash marketing tactics and inspired risk-taking, fought to produce and distribute films during a period when the world had written off the British film industry as dead and buried. Containing stories about Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Bob Hoskins, David Bowie, Miranda Richardson, John Hurt, Neil Jordan, Richard Branson and many other celebrities, it gives the inside story on the company whose films include "Absolute Beginners", "The Company of Wolves", "Mona Lisa", "Scandal" and "The Crying Game".

Books on Shetland

A Naturalist's Shetland

By J. Leighton Johnson

One of Britain's natural treasures, the Shetland Islands are spectacular with their varied geology, wonderful landscape, and special flora and fauna. They are peopled by a culture distinct within the British Isles. Despite their isolation, the islands have evolved many particular species. This book is only the second to describe all the wildlife of the Shetland Islands and the first to comprehensively cover their history since the last Ice Age, as well as the human impacts of the Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Age cultures and the Norse influences from Scandinavia. It critically observes the costs and benefits of a modern economy, both to the people and the natural scene. 12 chapters describe the ecology, flora and fauna, marine fisheries, Fair Isle, local and visiting naturalists and the oil industry. The closing chapter examines today's environmental changes in the context of those of the last 12000 years and draws lessons for the future. Written for the general reader and keen naturalist, this book is lavishly illustrated with photographs and graced with evocative sketches by John Busby. 65 figures, tables, maps and diagrams illustrate and clarify points in the text.

Ancient Shetland

by Val Turner

Covering a timespan of 8000 years - from Mesolithic times up to the Viking/Norse period - this exploration of ancient Shetland investigates: death and ritual in Neolithic times; domestic life in the Bronze Age; unsettled times in the Iron Age; and the Picts and Christians.

The Shetland Bus

by David Howarth

In 1943, a group of brave Danish and Norwegian hunters carried out one of the most dramatic operations of World War II. Using dogsleds to patrol a stark 500-mile stretch of the Greenland coast, their wartime mission was to guard against Nazi interlopers - an unlikely scenario given the cruel climate. But one day, a footprint was spotted on desolate Sabine Island, along with other obvious signs of the enemy. Not expecting to find the trouble they did, the three Sledge Patrol members escaped to the nearest hunting hut only to have the Germans pursue on foot. In the dead of the Arctic night, the men escaped capture at the last instant and, without their coats or sled dogs, walked fifty-six miles to get back to base. While the Sledge Patrol had only hunting rifles, resilience and their knowledge of outdoor survival, the Germans were armed with machine guns and grenades and greatly outnumbered them

The Shetland Bus: Faces and Places 60 Years On

by Trygve Sorvaag

The Last Lighthouse

by Sharma Krauskopf

This book depicts the nine year quest of an American couple (an agricultural advisor and a writer/webmaster) living on a farm in Michigan, USA, to own and live in a remote Scottish lighthouse keepers home. In the form of e-mails, the book gives an intimate view of the gleefully-reported successes, and the less happily reported tragedies along the way, and describes the joys and difficulties of running and living in such a home in a remote, but beautiful, part of the Shetland Islands.

The Edge of the World: The Making of the Film

By Michael Powell

See Biography section

Software

Final Draft 7.1 Professional

Features:

• Word processor designed for writing scripts for film, TV, and stage
  
• Carbonized for Mac OS X and designed for Windows XP
  
• Save scripts as an Adobe Acrobat PDF-format file
  
• Ask the Expert script-writing assistance
  
• Script templates for television's top shows
  

Platform(s): Windows 98 onwards, Mac OS 8.6 onwards

Final Draft AV2 Professional

Features: 

• A dedicated word-processing program for multicolumn audio/video scriptwriters
  
• Automatic formatting of paragraphs
  
• Import previously created scripts
  
• Customizable header/footer
  
• Cross-platform compatibility
  

Platform(s): Windows 95 onwards, Mac OS 8.1 onwards

Final Cut Pro 5

-Powerful tools for A/V synchronization and corrective finishing make this perfect for SD and HD editing
-New trimming and timeline tools for quicker asymmetric trimming
-Edit your own video at uncompressed 10-bit 601 or HD, at virtually any resolution or frame rate
-Create your own broadcast-quality titles with LiveType, and design your own musical scores
-An impressive set of audio mixing tools for perfect sound:
-Multi-track audio mixing, multi-channel output and real-time audio effects
-Full support for an increased range of video streams and effects with RT Extreme
-New XML interchange format fits your work into any production pipeline

Platform: Macintosh

Final Cut Express HD

Capture DV via Firewire
Edit DV with heavy duty Non-Linear Editing Tools
Use Transitions, Effects, Titling and Compositing
Color Correct your project
Mix Audio with transitions and filters like crossfades, reverb, EQ, echo, noise gate, and more
Output to Tape, iDVD, DVD Studio Pro, or QuickTime
Comes with all the high-quality compositing, titling, and effects capabilities that you need for professional-level video

Platform: Macintosh

Adobe After Effects Standard

Platform(s): Windows 98, NT, 2000, XP

The essential tool for motion graphics and visual effects
Produce visually innovative motion graphics and effects for film, video, DVD, and the Web
Impressive performance gains
Flexible text animation tools
Fully integrated vector paint engine
Leading-edge visual effects
Comprehensive masking

Adobe After Effects 7 Professional

Platform(s): Windows 98, NT, 2000, XP

The essential tool for motion graphics and visual effects
Produce visually innovative motion graphics and effects for film, video, DVD, and the Web
Impressive performance gains
Flexible text animation tools
Fully integrated vector paint engine
New Motion Tracker
Render Automation
Keylight effect
Leading-edge visual effects
Comprehensive masking
Enhanced interface

DVD

Cinema 16 - A DVD Collection of British Short Films

An excellent, eclectic selection of British short films.

Contents: Stephen Daldry’s Eight; Simon Ellis Telling Lies; Jim Gillespie Joyride; Peter Greenaway Dear Phone;  Tom & Charles Guard Inside Out; Asif Kapadia The Sheep Thief;  Mike Leigh The Short & Curlies; Toby Macdonald Je T’Aime John Wayne; Adrian McDowall Who’s My Favourite Girl?; Morag McKinnon Home; Christopher Nolan Doodlebug; Martin Parr UK Images; Brian Percival About A Girl ; Lynne Ramsay Gasman; Ridley Scott Boy & Bicycle; John Smith The Girl Chewing Gum.  

"5 stars. The quality of this collection is exceptionally high. It's
  like having a complete film festival in the comfort of your own home."
  Empire
 
  "An excellent collection. Buy this!" The Guardian
 
  "A unique collection of exceptional short films." Dazed and Confused
 
  "A film school on one disc." The BBC
 
  "This set of short films demonstrates that small can be funny, quirky and
  intriguing, as well as beautiful. A primer for the budding filmmaker."
  The Observer

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Cinema 16: A DVD Collection of European Short Films

An excellent, eclectic collection of European short films.

Includes: Talk  Lukas Moodysson, Charlotte et Veronique Jean-Luc Godard, Copy Shop director Virgil Wildrich, El Secdleto de la Tlompeta Javier Fesser, Epilog Tom Tykwer, Fridge Peter Mullan, The Opening Day of Close-Up Nanni Moretti, Gisele Kerozene Jan Kounen, World of Glory Roy Andersson, Concert of Wishes Krzystof Kieslowski, Le Batteur du Bolero Patrice Leconte, Jabberwocky Jan Svankmajer, The Man Without a Head Juan Solanas, My Wrongs # 8245-8249 & 117 Chris Morris, Nocturne Lars von Trier, and Election Night Anders Thomas Jensen.

"Film studies in a box." The Sunday Times
 
  "The range of work is rich and remarkable. Essential." i-D
 
  "Worth the price of admission alone is Chris Morris and his BAFTA-winning
  short My Wrongs. A real blast." The Guardian
 
  "A grab-bag of delights from contemporary European masters. A must-have
  for any film fan." The Telegraph

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Michael Powell's The Edge of the World

Michael Powell's acclaimed 1937 classic, filmed on the Shetland Island of Foula

A drama on a remote Shetland Island which tells the story of how the islanders decided whether or not to give up their livelihood and move to the mainland.

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The Magdalene Sisters

Directed by Peter Mullan

Set in Ireland in 1964, in the Magdalene Convent for supposedly 'fallen' women run by the Catholic Church. The story centres around four girls, Crispina and Rose who are unwed mothers, Bernadette who was accused of flirting with boys and Margaret who was raped by her cousin at a family wedding. The girls are incarcerated at the institution and are forced to work long hours and endure humiliation and abuse on a regular basis.

Winner of the Golden Lion at the 2002 Venice Film Festival.

Buy The Magdalene Sisters [2002] from Amazon.co.uk | Buy The Magdalene Sisters [2002] from Amazon.com | Buy The Magdalene Sisters [2002] from Sendit.com

Whale Rider

In the villages of New Zealand legend decrees that the first-born male will become chief of the tribe. When Pai is born she is loved by all but rejected by her grandfather who is broken-hearted that there is no son to carry on the line. Pai, however, is blessed with leadership qualities and struggles to prove herself in a male-dominated world. When a pod of whales is stranded on a nearby beach Pai's spiritual affinity with the whales proves she is the true leader of the people...

DVD Special features:

Audio commentary by director Niki Caro. 
Behind the scenes featurette (approx 27 mins). 
Tribal featurette (approx 11 mins). 
Eight deleted scenes with commentary. 
Cast screen tests. 
Trailers. 
Photo gallery.

Winner of the People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival
Winner of the World Cinema Award at the Sundance Film Festival
Winner of Best Foreign Film at the British Independent Film Awards

Keisha Castle-Hughes is the youngest actress to date, nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role - Oscars 2004.
She was also nominated for Outstanding Performance in a Female Role at the 2004 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Buy Whale Rider [2003] from Amazon.co.uk | Buy Whale Rider [2003] from Amazon.com | Buy Whale Rider [2003] from Sendit.com

Stanley Kubrick DVD Boxset

Contents: 

Lolita, Dr Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Barry Lyndon, A Clockwork Orange, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, Eyes Wide Shut, Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures

Stanley Kubrick's Paths of Glory

Based on a true incident during the Great War, this film is a powerful anti war statement, revolving round the wrongful court martial of three trench soldiers.

Buy Paths Of Glory [1957] from Amazon.co.uk | Buy Paths Of Glory [1957] from Sendit.com

Krzysztof Kieslowski's Three Colours Trilogy

Featuring Kieslowski's trilogy of 'Three Colours Blue', 'Three Colours White' and 'Three Colours Red'. Also includes 'I'm So-So...' a documentary on Kieslowski.

Buy the Three Colours Trilogy [1993] from Amazon.co.uk | Buy the Three Colours Trilogy from Sendit.com

Das Boot: The Director's Cut

Dramatic West German-made film highlighting all the tensions and dangers that befall a U-Boat's crew during World War II.

Includes directors commentary.

Buy Das Boot [1981] from Amazon.co.uk | Buy Das Boot [1981] from Sendit.com

Das Boot: The Director's Cut - Superbit Version

Dramatic West German-made film highlighting all the tensions and dangers that befall a U-Boat's crew during World War II.

The Superbit Collection sets a new benchmark in high resolution DVD picture and sound, creating the ultimate in home entertainment. Superbit DVDs utilise a special high bit rate digital transfer process that optimises video quality and offers a choice of both DTS and 5.1 Dolby Digital audio.

Das Boot: The Mini-Series

Digitally remastered and on DVD for the first time, the original Das Boot 6-part mini series presented as one complete feature length uncut version. Wolfgang Peterson's Das Boot is regarded as one of the most outstanding and accurate representations of Germany's elite U-Boat crewmen during World War II. Told from the German perspective the crew aboard U-96 are portrayed in a hopeless life-and-death struggle coping with endless hours of loneliness and desperation, giving way to terror when confronted by the enemy.

"This DVD presentation of the fully restored, mini series will be even more shocking and affecting for audiences ... enjoy this work as it was originally intended to be seen" - Wolfgang Peterson.

Buy the Das Boot - The Mini Series from Amazon.co.uk | Buy the Das Boot - The Mini Series from Sendit.com

Lost in Translation

Sofia Coppola's second feature-length film focuses on two guests at a Tokyo hotel. Bob (played by Bill Murray), a middle-aged actor in town to film whiskey commercials, and Charlotte (played by Scarlett Johansson), the young wife of a trendy photographer (played by Giovanni Ribisi) who is always out on a shoot. When Bob isn't on the job taking fragmented direction from the Japanese crew, he's receiving faxes on home decorating from his emotionally distant wife. And while her husband is away, Charlotte spends most of her time trying to motivate herself to do more than look out the window at Tokyo's urban sprawl. So when the two meet in the hotel bar, they strike up an unusual friendship, one that provides a welcome escape from their boredom and loneliness. Coppola's minimalist script allows Murray and Johansson to give moving yet subtle performances as people who are lost in the limbo of a foreign country, but find each other for comfort and companionship.

Buy Lost In Translation [2004] from Amazon.co.uk | Buy Lost in Translation from Sendit.com

Edge of Darkness

Detective Inspector Craven (Bob Peck) watches helplessly as his daughter is gunned down on her way home from college. His quest for revenge takes him to the heart of the nuclear state... Edge of Darkness is considered one of the best British television dramas ever made.

Extras include:

Bob Peck interview on 'BBC Breakfast Time'. 
The BAFTAs 1986 - including interviews with Bob Peck and Joe Don Baker. 
BBC Arts programme 'Did You See ...?' reviews Edge of Darkness. 
'Magnox - The Secrets of Edge of Darkness', featuring contributions from writer Troy Kennedy Martin, producer Michael Wearing, composer Michael Kamen, the cast, technical advisor Walt Patterson and visual effects designer Mat Irvine. 
The Broadcasting Press Guild Awards 1986, featuring interviews with producer Michael Wearing and actor Bob Peck.

The Forsyte Saga
The original 1967 BBC production

The Forsyte Saga, in telling the remarkable story of a nouveau riche English family, introduced the world to a new kind of TV. Millions of people devoted the next half year of their lives to following the frank treatment of all the sins, foibles and peccadillos of the Forsytes and their circle. The passing decades can never the erase the memory of their extraordinary evenings with the Forsytes: Kenneth More as Jo, the philosophical outsider; Eric Porter as Soames, the grasping man of property; Nyree Dawn Porter as Irene, "born to be loved and to love" and in later episodes, Susan Hampshire in an Emmy-winning performance as Fleur, Soame's 'restless' daughter. With 150 characters, 2000 separate costumes and over 100 sets, this sprawling yet intimate saga continues to move, provoke and entrance viewers today

Extras include:

From The Rehearsal Room (from 'Late Night Line Up' 1967). 
Interviews behind the scenes (from 'Late Night Line Up' 1967). 
Soames vs Irene (from 'Late Night Line Up' 1969). 
The Forsyte Phenomenon (from 'Talkback' 1969). 
Deleted and alternate scenes. 
Out-takes.

I Claudius (Five Disc Set)

The history of the Imperial Family of Rome as seen through the eyes of would-be historian Claudius.

Extras Include:'The Epic That Never Was' documentary (70 mins). 
'I Claudius A Television Epic' featuring interviews with cast and director. 
Alternative scenes. 
Family tree

Our Friends in the North (Four Disc Set)

A chronicle of the lives of four Geordie friends; Nicky, Mary, Tosker and Geordie. Winner of the 1996 BAFTA for Best Drama Serial and Gina McKee won the 1996 BAFTA for Best Television Actress.

Buy Our Friends In The North (4 Disc Set) from Amazon.co.uk | Buy Our Friends In The North (4 Disc Set) from Sendit.com

Boys from the Black Stuff (3 Discs)

Alan Bleasdale's original Play for Today, 'The Blackstuff' is includes as an introduction to the acclaimed BBC series

The Singing Detective

A writer is plagued by a skin disease which forces him to be hospitalised. Fantasies allow him to assume the role of a 1940's detective as he looks back on his life from his hospital bed. Written by Dennis Potter.

Abigail's Party

The story of a bored, bitchy hostess in this study of pretentious middle-class social manners. Starring Alison Steadman and directed by Mike Leigh.

Star Wars Trilogy (Episodes IV -VI)

The Star Wars trilogy is now available as a four disc box set with the fourth disc containing a host of special features. 'Star Wars - A New Hope' finds Princess Leia abducted by the Imperial Forces and rescued by Luke Skywalker and Captain Han Solo. 'The Empire Strikes Back' tells the story of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Captain Han Solo facing an attack by the evil Imperial Forces. Luke escapes to search for Yoda. 'Return Of The Jedi' finds Luke Skywalker on a rescue mission to save Princess Leia and Captain Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt while Luke completes his training with Yoda. Bonus features include a documentary detailing the Star Wars films called 'Empire Of Dreams' which traces the evolution of the trilogy from low budget films into a movie phenomenon which elevated Science Fiction from lowly B-rated material into the big league. Also includes never-before-seen film footage from the making of the three films.

The Stone Tape

A group of scientists set themselves up in a Victorian mansion to test out a new recording machine, when workers renovating the building claim to have heard strange noises... This 1972 BBc supernatural thriller was written by Nigel Kneale (Quatermass) and stars Jane Asher.

Ghostwatch

Years before The Blair Witch Project, a programme that looked like a documentary turned into a night of horror for millions of TV viewers. Starring Michael Parkinson, Mike Smith, Sarah Greene and Craig Charles

Audio

Knowing Me, Knowing You: Collectors Edition CD Boxset

This box set features the complete radio series of six episodes, plus a spoof behind-the-scenes documentary (Knowing Knowing Me Knowing You) and an edition of the BBC Radio 4 programme In Conversation featuring Steve Coogan. The four CDs are presented in individual wallet, and a showbiz-style booklet details the genesis of Alan Partridge and the series.

The Complete Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy: Collectors Edition CD Boxset

Following Arthur Dent's many space adventures, this CD box set contains all five radio series.

The Hobbit (BBC Radio Collection)

A tale of high adventure undertaken by a company of dwarves in search of dragon-guarded gold. A reluctant partner in this perilous quest is Bilbo Baggins, a comfort-loving, unambitious hobbit.

The Lord of the Rings: BBC Radio Collection CD Boxset

The BBC radio full-cast dramatisations of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King, starring Ian Holm, Michael Hordern and John Le Mesurier. 

Home Electronics

Yamada DVD 5520 Multi-Region DVD Player

Features:

This DVD player has been modified to provide multi-region playback
Multiple Format Disc Supporting - CD,MP3,VCD,SVCD,DVD, CD-R,CD-RW, Kodak Picture CD(JEPG)
Dolby digital
Dolby & DTS SPDIF Digital out
5.1channel Output
10-bit video decoding
Video Decompression: MPEG-1, MPEG-2
PAL / NTSC playback
192K/24bit (5.1ch)
3D Surround (Virtual Surround)
SCART cable not included

Yamada DVD5520B2 Multi-region capable DVD Home Cinema System

Features:

DVD player:
This DVD player has been modified to provide multi-region playback
Multiple Format Disc Supporting - CD,MP3,VCD,SVCD,DVD, CD-R,CD-RW, Kodak Picture CD(JEPG)
Dolby digital
Dolby & DTS SPDIF Digital out
5.1channel Output
10-bit video decoding
Video Decompression: MPEG-1, MPEG-2
PAL / NTSC playback
192K/24bit (5.1ch)
3D Surround (Virtual Surround)
Speakers:
Integrated amplifier
Satellite RMS Front/Rear/Center 3.6W x 5
Woofer RMS 14W
Frequency response: 40Hz ~ 20KHz
Power transformer, wood body
Controls: Volume, Bass, Power, Channel Select
All cables and leads included

Buy the Yamada DVD5520B2 Multi-region Capable... from Amazon.co.uk

Toshiba SD33E0E Multi-region DVD Player

 Features:

This DVD player has been modified to provide multi-region playback
To playback Region 1 discs will require an NTSC capable Television
AC3 Decoder
Dolby Digital/DTS compatible
DVD/CD/VCD/SVCD Playback
MP3/WMA Audio Playback
DVD-R/CD-R/CD-RW Compatible
Digital Photo Viewer (JPEG)
Digital Coaxial and Optical Audio Out
Enhanced Audio Mode with Dialogue Expansion
Component Video, SCART and S-Video Outputs
SCART cable not included

Buy the Toshiba SD330E Multi-region DVD Player from Amazon.co.uk

Sony DAV-S400 Home Cinema System

Features:

Complete DVD Home Theatre System

Dolby Digital/Dolby ProLogic/DTS 5.1 ch Receiver
Super Audio CD Multi Channel Playback
Total 300W: 40W x 5 + 100W (RMS 10%)
S-Master Full Digital Amplifier
Slim & Stylish Design
Slim design glow in the dark remote controller
Colour-coded speaker terminals

Philips DVDR70 DVD Recorder

Features:

Buy the Philips DVDR70 DVD Recorder from Amazon.co.uk

Apple iPod 15GB

• 15 GB model holds up to 3,700 songs
  
• Supports MP3, AAC, WAV, MP3 VBR, Audible(6),and AIFF formats
  
• Mac and Windows compatible
  
• FireWire and USB 2.0 interface for fastest digital transfer available
  
• More than 8 hour battery life on a 3 hour charge (1-hour fast charge to 80% capacity)
  
• Backlit navigation
  

Apple iPod 20Gb

• 20 GB model holds up to 5,000 songs
  
• Supports MP3, AAC, WAV, MP3 VBR, Audible, and AIFF formats
  
• Mac and Windows compatible; FireWire and USB 2.0 interface for fastest digital transfer available
  
• Included docking station makes charging and synching easy
  
• More than 8 hour battery life on a 3 hour charge (1-hour fast charge to 80% capacity)
  
• Features redesigned and backlit navigation for speed and ease of use
  
• Up to 25 minutes of skip protection
  
• Includes dock, wired remote control, earbud headphones, carrying case, and AC adapter
  

Buy the All New Apple iPod 20GB from Amazon.co.uk

New Apple iPod Dock Connector to USB 2.0 and Firewire (For PC Users)

 - Allows PC users to connect the iPod to their computers

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