BBC Film (United Kingdom): 20

Sean Durkin’s biographical sports drama film, The Iron Claw (2023), follows the story of the Von Erichs, a family of professional wrestlers plagued by a supposed curse. The film chronicles the struggles of Fritz Von Erich’s sons to live up to their father’s expectations and achieve success in the world of wrestling from 1979 to the early 1990s. As owner of World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), retired wrestler Fritz once had dreams of winning the prestigious NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship. But his focus now is on his sons: Kevin and David, who wrestle for WCCW, Kerry, who hopes to make it as ...

Jane Campion’s film, The Power of the Dog (2021), is a reimagined Western drama based on Thomas Savage’s novel of the same name. Set in 1925 Montana, the story follows wealthy rancher brothers Phil and George Burbank as they encounter Rose Gordon, a widow and innkeeper, during a cattle drive. While George is drawn to Rose’s kindness, Phil disapproves of her and views her as someone after his brother’s money. He also belittles Rose’s teenage son Peter, whom he sees as weak and effeminate. After George and Rose marry and she moves in with them ...

Ammonite (2020), a romantic drama film written and directed by Francis Lee, loosely follows the life of British palaeontologist Mary Anning, portrayed by Kate Winslet. In the 1840s, Mary and her ailing mother Molly run a small shop in Lyme Regis, Dorset. Every morning, she heads to the beach at low tide to search for fossils for the shop – with ammonites being her most common discovery. Upon returning, she assists her mother in cleaning and polishing eight animal figurines. One day, geologist Roderick Murchison visits their shop with his wife Charlotte and expresses ...

Breathe (2017) is a biographical drama film, marking Andy Serkis’ first time directing. The screenplay was written by William Nicholson. In 1958, Robin Cavendish falls ill with polio at the age of 28 while in Kenya. Shortly after marrying his wife Diana, he becomes paralyzed from the neck down and relies on a respirator to breathe. The doctors give him just three months to live and he is flown back to Britain. Initially, Robin is despondent and refuses to see his wife or newborn son, Jonathan. He even expresses a desire to be taken off life support. Through ...

The Outcast (2015), a two-part television adaptation of Sadie Jones’ debut novel, premiered on BBC One in July 2015. Ten-year-old Lewis Aldridge witnesses his mother’s drowning during a picnic and is left traumatized. His father, who is emotionally distant, struggles to cope and eventually remarries Alice. Despite her efforts, Lewis’ new stepmother is unable to connect with him. As he enters adolescence, Lewis becomes the target of taunts related to his mother’s death and starts harming himself. After setting the local church ablaze, he serves time behind bars ...

Director John Lee Hancock created the biographical drama film, Saving Mr. Banks (2013). The screenplay was written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith. At this time, Diarmuid Russell, a agent in London, urges Pamela ‘P. L.’ Travers to travel to Los Angeles and meet with Walt Disney. For the last twenty years, Disney has been pursuing the film rights to her Mary Poppins stories after promising his daughters he would make a movie based on them. Despite her financial struggles and dwindling book royalties, Travers has ...

Now Is Good (2012), a teen romantic drama film by Ol Parker, is based on the novel Before I Die by Jenny Downham. The story follows Tessa, a 17-year-old battling terminal acute lymphoblastic leukemia. With help from her best friend Zoey, she works through an undisclosed bucket list before her impending death. Tessa’s father joins her on a radio talk show and together they use humor to cope with her diagnosis. Despite feeling guilty for taking attention away from her brother Cal, Tessa shows him love and care and dedicates special days just for him. Her ...

The  film Edge of Darkness (2010), directed by Martin Campbell and written by William Monahan and Andrew Bovell, stars Mel Gibson and Ray Winstone. Homicide detective Thomas Craven picks up his daughter Emma from South Station, Boston for a visit. On the journey home, Emma falls ill and vomits twice. As they prepare dinner at home, Emma has a nosebleed and vomits again. When they leave to go to the hospital, a masked gunman ...

The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) is a satirical black comedy war film directed by Grant Heslov and adapted by Peter Straughan. It begins with U.S. Army General Dean Hopgood’s failed attempt to use paranormal abilities to pass through a solid wall. Ann Arbor Daily Telegram reporter Bob Wilton is left by his wife for the editor, leading him to fly to Kuwait to cover the Iraq War. There, he crosses paths with retired U.S. Army Special Forces operator Lyn Cassady, who shares that he was part of a unit training psychic spies in skills such as invisibility and remote ...

Revolutionary Road (2008) is a romantic drama film directed by Sam Mendes and written by Justin Haythe. It is based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Richard Yates. The story follows longshoreman Frank Wheeler, who meets a woman named April at a party in 1948. Their aspirations differ – Frank dreams of being a cashier, while April longs to become an actress. After securing a sales position with Knox Machines, Frank and April get married and move to 115 Revolutionary Road in suburban Connecticut, as they await the ...

Scoop (2006)  is a romantic crime comedy film written and directed by Woody Allen. It follows the story of investigative reporter Joe Strombel’s spirit, who finds himself on the barge of death with other individuals, including Jane Cook. Cook claims she was poisoned by her employer, Peter Lyman, an ambitious British aristocrat who she believes may also be the notorious Tarot Card Killer. This killer has been targeting prostitutes and leaves a card on each victim’s body. Sondra Pransky, an American journalism student vacationing in London, attends a performance by magician Sid Waterman, also known as ...

Notes on a Scandal (2006) is a British psychological drama/thriller directed by Richard Eyre and produced by Robert Fox and Scott Rudin. Based on Zoë Heller’s novel of the same name from 2003, the screenplay was written by Patrick Marber. The story follows Barbara Covett, a London history teacher who has reached retirement age without ever getting married. She holds disdain for her students and colleagues at the ...

Match Point (2005), a psychological thriller by Woody Allen, follows the story of recently retired Irish tennis pro Chris Wilton. He lands a job as an instructor at a prestigious London club and befriends wealthy student Tom Hewett. Meanwhile, Tom’s sister Chloe becomes infatuated with Chris and they start dating. At a family gathering, Chris meets Tom’s fiancée Nola Rice from America and they are immediately drawn to each other. With Chloe’s help, Chris secures a job in one of her father Alec’s companies and is welcomed into the family circle. However, during an argument over Nola’s career ...

The biographical film, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004), is based on Roger Lewis’s book and follows the journey of English comedian, Peter Sellers. It begins with him walking up to a director’s chair, before the unseen live audience breaks into applause. In 1950s London, he is already a well-known performer on The Goon Show but struggles to make a mark in film. After a disappointing audition, he seeks comfort at home with his family but receives pushy advice from his overbearing mother Peg to ‘bite the hand that feeds you’. Inspired by her words, Peter taps into his talent for ...

Millions (2004) is a British comedy-drama film directed by Danny Boyle, following the story of Damian, a 9-year-old Catholic boy whose family relocates to Widnes after his mother’s passing. While playing near the train tracks, Damian discovers a bag of money thrown from a passing train. He confides in his brother Anthony, 12, and they discuss their options. While Anthony wants to keep the money for themselves, Damien, known for his kind and religious nature, is inspired by a lecture at school and decides to use his share of the money to help the less fortunate. Throughout the film, Damien carries out various acts ...

The action adventure film, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), is based on the popular video game series of the same name. The film follows adventurer Lara Croft, played by Angelina Jolie, as she faces challenges and defeats a robot in an Egyptian tomb. This turns out to be a training exercise in her family manor, where she lives with her technical assistant Bryce and butler Hillary. As the Illuminati search for a key to join halves of a mysterious artifact known as ‘the Triangle’, Lara finds herself in Venice during the first phase of a planetary alignment. The cabal’s leader, Manfred Powell, claims to ...

All the Little Animals (1998) is a drama film directed and produced by Jeremy Thomas, starring Christian Bale and John Hurt. Inspired by Walker Hamilton’s 1968 novella of the same name, the screenplay was written by Eski Thomas. The tale follows Bobby, a troubled man who flees his home to escape his abusive stepfather, known as ‘The Fat’. Bobby’s mother had passed away after enduring verbal and physical abuse from their stepfather, including killing her pet mouse. Lost in woodlands near Cornwall, ...

A British crime drama Face (1997) follows a group of five men – Ray, Dave, Stevie, Julian (nicknamed Julie), and Jason – as they plan to steal over £2 million. Utilizing a truck that has been modified into a battering ram, they successfully break into a security depot in London and make off with a substantial amount of money before the arrival of the police. However, upon counting their loot, they realize that it falls far short of their expectations and each only receives £68,000. Despite this disappointment, Julian still demands extra payment for his ‘expenses’, but is assaulted and confined in the trunk of Ray’s car until he agrees to ...

Directed by Antonia Bird, the British drama film Priest (1994) tells the story of Father Greg Pilkington. Upon his arrival at St Mary’s parish in inner-city Liverpool, Father Pilkington is faced with two issues that challenge his faith. Firstly, he discovers that another priest, Father Matthew Thomas, is engaged in a sexual relationship with their housekeeper Maria Kerrigan. Furthermore, Father Thomas is known for his liberal views and support of Liberation Theology, causing frequent clashes with the Bishop who still values his abilities. While Father Pilkington is offended by ...

The romantic comedy film, Much Ado About Nothing (1993), is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play of the same name. After quashing an uprising led by his half-brother Don John, Don Pedro of Aragon and his comrades pay a visit to their friend Leonato in Messina. Accompanying Don Pedro is Benedick, a quick-witted man who has a history with Leonato’s clever niece, Beatrice. Claudio, a young count and friend of Benedick’s, also joins them. Despite his previous rebellion, Don John seems to have reconciled with his brother. Claudio has been enamored with Hero, Leonato’s daughter, since before he ...