20th Century Flicks, Bristol

Ridley Scott directed epic that gives the definitive version of the Columbus story. The lush scenery, superb casting and top-notch direction don't quite make up for it being overlong, but on the whole Scott (and Depardieu) have painted a wonderful and absorbing picture. Well worth a watch! find out more...

AGUIRRE - WRATH OF GOD (1972)

Certification15 Our Rating

1560, Peru. In a beautiful poetic opening scene the conquistadors cross an Andes pass, situated between the peaks and the valleys, between conquered land and unexplored forests, between 'heaven' and 'earth', shrouded in mists, they make their way down a narrow path. Aguirre's meglomania grows as around him his comrades mutiny and die in his search for the lost city of El Dorado. Herzog's best film, an unforgetable tour de force. Made before the director himself gave in to meglomania on a later t find out more...

AMISTAD (1998)

Certification15 Our Rating

A group of abducted Africans break free from their shackles aboard a Spanish slave ship, the Amistad, so setting the scene for a lengthy courtroom drama played out against a backdrop of 19th Century slavery. Matthew McConaughy is the noble young lawyer fighting for the slaves' freedom, while Anthony Hopkins is mesmerising as decrepit former President John Quincy Adams. Superb sets and an authentic atmosphere, and it's pretty gruesome at times too. Typically Spielberg-esque epic. find out more...

AMY FOSTER (1997)

Certification15 Our Rating

Romantic period drama, adapted from the novel by Joseph Conrad. Cornish servant girl Amy is an outcast in her small community, shunned even by her own family and suspected of being a witch by the locals. When a Ukranian ship is wrecked in a storm, Amy claims the sole survivor, Yanko, as her own. But the villagers, who believe Amy conjured up the storm herself, conspire to keep the lovers apart. A windswept epic. find out more...

AND THE SHIP SAILS ON (2007)

Certification15 Our Rating

Cinematic maestro Federico Fellini shows that, even in his mid-sixties, he had lost none of his power to shock, entertain and amaze with this `comedy of arias'. The film is set on the eve of the WWI, but this matters little find out more...

BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN (1925)

CertificationPG Our Rating

Mind those steps! Perhaps the most famous movie scene in the history of cinema. The documentary style story of mutiny aboard the Potemkin as the sailors fight oppression and fire on Tzarist troops attempting to quell rebellion in the city of Oddessa. Almost every shot is so beautiful it could work as a still. find out more...

No Image for CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: THE DISCOVERY

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: THE DISCOVERY (1992)

CertificationPG Our Rating

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No Image for ERIK THE VIKING- DIRECTOR'S SON'S CUT

ERIK THE VIKING- DIRECTOR'S SON'S CUT (1989)

Certification15 Our Rating

Erik has a problem, he simply doesn't enjoy all the rape and pillage that goes with being a Viking. So he persuades his villagers to go on a different sort of mission - to visit the Gods and put an end to the Dark Ages. Another epic in the inimitable Python style. Not their best, but worth a watch. find out more...

HMS DEFIANT (1962)

CertificationPG Our Rating

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HOW THE WEST WAS WON (1962)

CertificationPG Our Rating

Shot in five sections "How The West Was Won" is a sprawling multi-star epic following the fortunes of one family from 1839 and New York to 1889 and Arizona. 'The Rivers' (dir Henry Hathaway); the Prescotts head west down the Ohio river. 'The Plains' (dir Henry Hathaway); Lily moves to St Louis and on to Caifornia. 'The Civil War' (dir John Ford); Linus and Zeb enlist on the Union side. 'The Railroad' (dir George Marshall); the settlers multiply and cavalry officer Zeb finds himself in a war with find out more...