Actor Christian Bale (1974)

Little Women (1994), an American historical drama film, directed by Gillian Armstrong and written by Robin Swicord, follows the March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy as they grow up in Concord, MA during and after the American Civil War. Their father is away at war and their mother, Marmee, must navigate the challenges of raising four headstrong daughters in 19th-century New England. The girls find solace in performing Jo’s plays in their attic theater. When their wealthy neighbor Mr. Laurence’s grandson Laurie moves in next door, he becomes a close friend to ...

Directed by Thomas Carter in his debut feature, Swing Kids (1993) is a historical drama film set in 1938 Hamburg. The story follows the adventures of four young friends, Peter Müller, Thomas Berger, Arvid and Otto, as they visit the popular swing club Bismarck. The group enjoys themselves immensely, dancing and listening to the music. However, when Peter returns home, he finds his mother arguing with a member of the Nazi party known as the Blockleiter. The tense situation escalates when Herr Knopp from the local Gestapo arrives and abruptly dismisses the Blockleiter. He then begins questioning Frau Müller about her late ...

Walt Disney Pictures released the American historical musical drama film, Newsies (1992). It was directed by choreographer Kenny Ortega and is set in New York City in 1899. The story follows a group of struggling newspaper sellers, known as ‘newsies’, who are trying to make ends meet by selling copies of the New York World on the streets (‘Carrying the Banner’). When two brothers named David and Les join the group, their intelligence and charm catch the attention of their leader, Jack ‘Cowboy’ Kelly. Jack takes them under his wing and begins to admire their work ethic as they sell ...

A Murder of Quality (1991) was directed by Gavin Millar and written by John le Carré. Based on his 1962 novel of the same name, the film first aired on ITV in the UK on April 10th and later in the US on A&E network on October 13th. In this crime drama, George Smiley is summoned by his former colleague Ailsa Brimley to look into the murder of Stella Rode. Brimley had received a letter from Rode outlining a supposed plot by her husband Stanley, a teacher at Carne School, to kill her. As Smiley delves deeper into the case, he uncovers buried secrets, including one involving Terence Fielding, a house master at Carne who was being ...

Treasure Island (1990) is a film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s well-known novel, directed by Fraser C. Heston. The story centers around Jim Hawkins and his mother, who run the Admiral Benbow inn. Their peaceful days are disrupted when an aging pirate known as Captain Bones shows up, constantly on guard for a one-legged foe and causing trouble for the locals. When another pirate, Black Dog, engages in a fierce sword fight with Bones before fleeing, it becomes clear that danger lurks at every turn. Tragedy strikes when Bones suffers a heart attack and hands ...

Kenneth Branagh’s directorial debut, Henry V (1989), is a British historical drama film adapted from William Shakespeare’s famous play. The opening scene features Chorus, portrayed as a modern person, walking through an empty film studio and setting the stage for the main action to unfold. Throughout the film, Chorus makes multiple appearances to guide and enhance the storytelling. The act divisions in the film follow the structure of Shakespeare’s original play.

Mio in the Land of Faraway (1987) is a fantasy film directed by Vladimir Grammatikov that tells the story of Bosse, an orphan in modern Stockholm. Neglected by his guardians Aunt Edna and Uncle Sixten, as well as bullied by his peers, Bosse’s only solace is his friendship with Benke. One night, he runs away in search of his father and meets Mrs Lundin, a kind shopkeeper who gives him an apple and asks him to mail a postcard to the Land of Faraway. As he mails the postcard, the apple turns golden and reveals a trapped genie. In shock, Bosse accidentally drops the apple and frees the genie.

Empire of the Sun (1987) is an American epic coming-of-age war film, directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Tom Stoppard. It is based on J.G. Ballard’s semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. Set amid Japan’s invasion of China during World War II, the story follows Jamie ‘Jim’ Graham, a British schoolboy from a privileged background living in Shanghai’s International Settlement. When Japan begins occupying the city after attacking Pearl Harbor, Jamie’s family evacuates but he ...