Movie Time

Question of the week: In celebration of the upcoming London Film Festival, can you recommend a British-based literary adaptation film?

"‘The Company of Wolves'. Adapted from Angela Carter’s collection of short stories, ‘The Bloody Chamber’, this 80s classic managed to push the envelope from within a genre of fantastical horror that, up until its release, had arguably been suffering from stagnation & stereotype. Directed by Neil Jordan (Michael Collins, Interview With The Vampire etc.) it’s rife with symbolism, suggestion and some gloriously non-CG effects and manages to weave a series of counter-plots that reflect Carter’s inimitable use of layered storytelling. Incidentally, the cast reads like a Who’s Who of future and formative stars from both the mainstream (Terence Stamp as the Devil) to the underground (seminal avant-goth experimentalist Danielle Dax as a child She-Wolf). Leave your gritty realism at the door and enjoy some heady escapism from the yester-decade."- Hal

(The DVD is now on order for the LUP Library)

* Photo by Cpt, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Movie Time

Question of the week: In celebration of the upcoming London Film Festival, can you recommend a British-based literary adaptation film?

"Firstly, a thank you to everyone for such a warm welcome. It is great to be part of the London program and I look forward to getting to know you and doing all I can to support you during your time in this amazing city.

'The Railway Children' would seem a fitting recommendation given that it has been re-adapted for the stage and is currently playing at Waterloo Station Theatre, practically on Conway Hall's doorstep.

For those who enjoyed the History of British Football talk on Monday, 'The Damned United'(on order for the LUP Library, and available from Westminster Public Libraries) might appeal. I haven’t seen it yet so let me know what you think if you watch it!"- Heather

* Photo by markhillary, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Movie Time

Question of the week: In celebration of the upcoming London Film Festival, can you recommend a British-based literary adaptation film?

"At the moment, definitely 'Tinker, tailor, soldier, spy'. It's an adaptation of John Le Carre's clasic 1974 spy novel of the same name. Dark, complicated, and beautifully filmed, it features some of the best British actors around. Don't be fooled into thinking James Bond and Johnny English are as far as our spy films have got!"- Clare

* Photo by whatleydude, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Movie Time

Question of the week: In celebration of the upcoming London Film Festival, can you recommend a British-based literary adaptation film?

"Any of the old "Merchant & Ivory" films are well worth watching, but I think particularly their adaptations of E.M. Forster's novels. My favourite is Howard's End, which features fantastic performances from Emma Thompson, Anthony Hopkins, and a very young Helena Bonham Carter."- Jamie

* Photo by Treesiepopsicles, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Movie Time

Question of the week: In celebration of the upcoming London Film Festival, can you recommend a British-based literary adaptation film?

"Children of Men. It’s a haunting, dystopic, intensely human PD James novel, and the adaptation – staring Clive Owen – makes quite a lot of changes to the specifics but remains absolutely true to the spirit of the book. Not your typical period drama – the period is “a few years from now” – but beautifully shot, scripted, and acted, and the Britishness is intrinsic.

(The DVD and the book are both in the LUP Library)"-Miss Alice

* Photo by fliegender, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.