Lee Marvin and Toshirô Mifune are the US and Japanese pilots who are forced to forget their differences and work together to survive when an accident leaves them both stranded on a deserted Pacific island during World War II. John Boorman directs this two-hander, which is held together by powerful performances from Marvin and Mifune as the enemies who don't even have a common language to bond them together (cue lots of scenes of them yelling at each other in their own languages), yet somehow find common ground in their predicament. Unsettling stuff, bolstered by a boldly bleak finale.

Buy the DVD >       Read the review >

Laurence Olivier's definitive screen version of Shakespeare's most patriotic work tells the story of the medieval English King's famous victory over the French on the battlefield of Agincourt. Remarkably, Olivier somehow fitted directing and producing duties around his sensational leading turn. So impressive is the extent of Olivier's overall contribution that, rather as with Welles in Citizen Kane, you almost forget how breathtaking his central performance is. The battle scenes are enough to stir the blood of even the calmest Englishman.

Buy the DVD >       Read the review >

John Boorman's nostalgic, autobiographical Second World War film is rich with humour and unashamed nostalgia. Sebastian Rice-Edwards plays the nine-year-old child who makes the most of the devastation, finding adventure in London's bomb sites and comfort in the protective bosom of his all-female household. When the Nazi threat becomes too great he's evacuated to the riverside home of his grandfather (Bannen), in whom he finds a gloriously eccentric new play mate. Capturing the magical excitement of childhood discovery, the film also charms with its rendition of a matriarchy finding new independence in their husbands' absence.

Buy the Video >       Read the review >