The classic version of Frankenstein, often imitated but its stunning style has rarely been bettered. For the unfamiliar, Frankenstein tells the story of a maverick doctor's attempts to create life from the body parts of the deceased. His creation (Frankenstein's Monster...) is the tragic embodiment of goodness. More human than those around him, the monster finds himself needing friendship more and more, before embarking on a doomed relationship with a small girl who takes pity on him. Needless t
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HORROR OF DRACULA (1957)
Certification15 Our Rating
Now regarded as a classic, this is the first Dracula film that Hammer Horror made. Bits such as the famous opening shot with the menacing shadow of Lee gliding down the stairs to emerge as a crisply charming aristocrat, still look excellent. Required viewing for horror buffs.
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HOTEL NEW HAMPSHIRE (1984)
Certification18 Our Rating
Based on John Irvings tragi-comedy about an eccentric family who run a particularly off beat hotel. A performing bear, a flatulent dog and a group of Viennese terrorists all go into the manic mix of this great cinema adaptation.
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MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH (1964)
Certification15 Our Rating
An intelligent and genuinely creepy adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe's novel. Set in 12th Century Italy; Prince Prospero watches from the giddy heights of his castle as the plague decimates those below him, all the while contempating the delicious torture of his guests. Superbly atmospheric camera work by Nicolas Roeg and the camp wickedness of Vincent Price make for haunting viewing.
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NOSFERATU: A SYMPHONY OF TERROR (1922)
Certification12 Our Rating
Seminal vampire film, the first to be based upon the Bram Stoker tale. An estate agent's clerk from Bremen embarks on a journey to Orlock's castle, where a client of his resides. On arrival, the full horror of the inhabitants confront him. Wonderful imagery and direction. Imitated but never equalled.
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ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD (1990)
CertificationPG Our Rating
Tom Stoppard made his debut as a director with his most famous stage play. The story is a clever re-working of Hamlet based around two minor characters from the play stumbling through a land where reality and illusion overlap, unaware of their scripted lives and unable to deviate from them. This is an award winning and inspired transition from stage to screen.
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RUMBLE FISH (1983)
Certification18 Our Rating
A visually brilliant film about teenage gangs in America's urban wasteland. The leader of a small dying gang, Rusty James, lives in the shadow of the memory of his absent, older brother - The Motorcycle Boy. His mother has left, his father drinks, school has no meaning for him and his relationships are shallow. One of Coppola's two adaptations of S E Hinton novels, 'The Outsiders' being the other. A great performance from Dillon and an awesome soundtrack.
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THE BIG SLEEP (1946)
CertificationPG Our Rating
The original and best version of the detective thriller classic. Philip Marlowe is hired to investigate the gambling debts of a rich man's daughter, but is plunged into a twilight world of intrigue, blackmail and violence. Stylish and gripping.
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THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD (1973)
CertificationU Our Rating
Another spectacular recreation of ancient myth from the visual genius of Ray Harryhausen finds Sinbad battling griffins, centaurs, multi limbed statues and even the prow of his own ship! A hugely entertaining and timeless adventure.
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THE LONG GOODBYE (1973)
Certification18 Our Rating
This is, along with Hawks' The Big Sleep, easily the most intelligent of all screen adaptations of Chandler's work. Altman in fact stays pretty close to the novel's basic narrative (though there are a couple of crucial changes), but where he comes up with something totally original is in his ironic updating of the story and characters: Gould's Marlowe is a laid-back, shambling slob who, despite his incessant claim that everything is 'OK with me,' actually harbours the same honourable ideals as C
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