Celebration in Film
One of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett's many gifts is his ability to communicate at the highest creative level through so many genres. An important strand of his long career is his work as a film composer. Millions of people have been subliminally moved by his work. Subliminally because, of course, the mark of a great film composer is to be able to propel narrative and enhance emotion in a film without overwhelming it. This festival cinema season is a tribute to a great film composer who has left a legacy in celluloid which can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Murder on The Orient Express (PG)
Monday 25th - The Railway Tavern
Director Sidney Lumet – 128 minutes
Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, played by Albert Finney, has never had such an array of stars as his fellow passengers in this definitive version. Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, John Gielgud, Sean Connery etc etc. Sir Richard Rodney Bennett composed a waltz for the train departure, which has become a regular concert piece and is quoted as a stylish solution to a familiar action sequence to film students the world over.
Billion Dollar Brain (PG)
Tuesday 26th - The Railway Tavern
Director Ken Russell – 111 minutes
This was the third of Len Deighton's Harry Palmer films, Michael Caine playing the retired British agent who uncovers a lethal plot to overthrow communism which plays out spectacularly on the ice in Finland. Despite the plot's complexity the direction by enfant terrible Russell is masterly and Bennett's score for brass, pianos and percussion, overlaid with the haunting sound of the Ondes Martenot matches Russell's vision.
Enchanted April (U)
Wednesday 27th - The Railway Tavern
Director Mike Newell – 95 minutes
The only made for television film in this season, BBC Screen 2 Enchanted April tapped in to the Americans' interest in period British drama, resulting in a theatrical release. Set post world war one, it's a gentle comedy about Brits discovering their emotions in sunny Italy, with a stand out performance by Joan Plowright. The music echoes this lightness of touch and the composer subsequently turned it into a concert suite.
The Nanny (18)
Thursday 28th July - The Railway Tavern
Director Seth Holt – 91 minutes
Sir Richard Rodney Bennet in conversation with
Tony Brittain
Bette Davis gives one of the greatest performances of her career. A cut above the usual Hammer Horror fare of the time and a fine supporting cast of British character actors, including a young Wendy Craig playing decidedly against type, make this film a great deal more than a period curio.
The Full Monteverdi (No Certificate)
Thursday 28th - The Railway Tavern
Director John La Bouchardière – 60 minutes
Robert Hollingworth in conversation with Tony Britten
This award-winning and critically-acclaimed British independent film based on Monteverdi's madrigals has enjoyed global success. Featuring I Fagiolini with music directed by Robert Hollingworth, it follows the simultaneous break-up of six couples, from shocking revelation, through vengeful anger and erotic longing for reconciliation, to ultimate abandonment.
Far From the Madding Crowd (U)
Friday 29th - The Railway Tavern
Director John Schlesinger – 168 minutes
Hardy's epic, brought to exciting cinematic life by John Schlesinger is rightly remembered for the luminous performance of Julie Christie. The script by Frederic Raphael, and the exquisite photography of future director Nicholas Roeg, are equally memorable. Bennett's score is lush, pastoral and evocative – lauded by Elmer Bernstein for bringing back major symphonic scores to the movies.