Cinema

Focus on Film: The Great American Novel
Our partnership with the English and Film Studies Programme at the University of Dundee
continues with our latest Focus on Film Course: The Great American Novel. Taking place on
Sunday mornings from approximately 11:00 – 13:15, each session will include an introduction,
film screening and discussion. The course fee is is £35 (£25 concessions); tickets for individual
screenings, without access to the discussions, cost £5.50 (£4.50 students).
The Great Gatsby
Sun 12 May, 11:00
It’s hard to imagine that any film will ever capture the spirit of Fitzgerald’s jazz-age masterpiece;
however, this ludicrously underrated version has a great deal to recommend it. It is beautifully shot
and designed, intelligently directed, and, an uncomfortable Mia Farrow aside, features an excellent
cast led by a suitably enigmatic Robert Redford.
Dir: Jack Clayton I USA 1974 / 2h44m / Digital / PG
The Grapes of Wrath
Sun 19 May, 11:00
Although censorship meant that John Ford’s film had to soften some aspects of Steinbeck’s Pulitzer
Prize-winning novel, this adaptation loses none of the original’s poetry, anger or sympathy for the
people. The performances, direction and photography have rarely been bettered. This is one of the
undisputed masterpieces of Hollywood cinema.
Dir: John Ford I USA 1940 / 2h09m / Digital / PG
To Kill a Mockingbird
Sun 26 May, 11:00
Harper Lee was justifiably proud of this adaptation of her only novel, which manages to strike a difficult
balance between liberal political sentiment and dark Southern gothic. Although best remembered for
the towering central performance by Gregory Peck, this is a film about childhood and Mary Badham is
every bit as good as his daughter, Scout.
Dir: Robert Mulligan I USA 1962 / 2h9m / Digital / PG
From Here to Eternity
Sun 2 June, 11:00
This slightly truncated adaption of James Jones’ mammoth novel deservedly won seven Oscars,
including Best Picture, Director, Screenplay and two for a note-perfect cast, which includes Burt
Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Montgomery Clift, Donna Reed and Frank Sinatra. The kind of mature,
intelligent entertainment they so rarely make these days.
Dir: Fred Zinnemann I USA 1953 / 1h58m / Digital / PG
Moby Dick
Sun 9 June, 11:00
John Huston and Ray Bradbury’s adaptation of Moby Dick is a visionary folly which attempts to retain
some of the more metaphysical concerns of Melville’s novel and place them alongside the genuinely
thrilling hunt for the white whale. Hugely ambitious, although not entirely successful, this is the definition
of a flawed masterpiece.
Dir: John Huston I USA 1956 / 1h56m / Digital / PG
Tickets 01382 909 900 25