in The Court

Although achieving fame in the United States for martial arts spectacles, the Shaw Brothers of Hong Kong produced many other, and indeed superior films, such as this Huangmei (traditional folk) opera bedded upon a tale from the Sung Dynasty during the rule of Emperor Jen Tsung (1023/64), showcasing graceful Ivy Ling Po, eloquent in voice and gesture and in full possession of her panoply of performance skills. Shot in splendrous Eastman Color, the work profits from the customary superior production values of the Shaws that intensify an interesting plot and sterling acting, relating a story that has not lost its appeal over centuries, replete with beautiful music, conspiracy and betrayal, along with the vagaries of fate, expertly directed by Kao Li. An intricate plot depicts the feral talents of concubine Madame Liu that are utilized in enabling her to become Empress at drastic expense to rival court favourite (Madame) Li Zhenfei who is dishonoured and exiled while her infant son, claimed by Liu and reared to become future Emperor, is unknowing of his actual mother's existence. Costuming and production design is each startling in beauty and imaginative quality, at the same time largely correct, the songs revealing internal conflicts of the principals, while the cinematography, editing, sound mixing, and makeup and hair styling are in league, supporting the capable direction and nuanced playing that bring forth a fascinating film.

In this dreamy romance set in China during the fourth-century, a young woman convinces her parents to allow her to dress as a boy and attend university. Once there she soon falls in love with another student, but of course, she cannot tell him the truth lest she jeopardize her chance for an education. Years later the young man learns the truth and goes to her family home to see her. He gets there just before she is to marry another. Distraught, he kills himself. When she hears about that, she trades her wedding clothes for those of mourning and visits his grave. Suddenly a terrible storm whirls around her. The grave opens up and she is sucked into its depths. The storm abates, and in the sparkling sunshine the grave reopens. From it's maw fly two beautiful butterflies–the young lovers transformed.

Two faiths, two empires, two rulers - colliding in 1588. Papist Spain wants to bring down the heretic Elizabeth. Philip is building an armada but needs a rationale to attack. With covert intrigue, Spain sets a trap for the Queen and her principal secretary, Walsingham, using as a pawn Elizabeth's cousin Mary Stuart, who's under house arrest in the North. The trap springs, and the armada sets sail, to rendezvous with French ground forces and to attack. During these months, the Virgin Queen falls in love with Walter Raleigh, keeping him close to court and away from the sea and America. Is treachery or heroism at his heart? Does loneliness await her passionate majesty?

Josef K wakes up in the morning and finds the police in his room. They tell him that he is on trial but nobody tells him what he is accused of. In order to find out about the reason of this accusation and to protest his innocence, he tries to look behind the facade of the judicial system. But since this remains fruitless, there seems to be no chance for him to escape from this Kafkaesque nightmare.

Though born to modest means in Hungary, Alexander Korda would go on to become one of the most important filmmakers in the history of British cinema. A producer, writer, and director who navigated toward subjects of major historical significance and mythical distinction, Korda made a name for his production company, London Films, with the Oscar-winning The Private Life of Henry VIII. He then continued his populist investigation behind the scenes and in the bedrooms of such figures as Catherine the Great, Don Juan, and Rembrandt. Mixing stately period drama with surprising satire, these films are exemplars of grand 1930s moviemaking.

In 1965 Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Greasers are a gang of tough, low-income teens. They include Ponyboy Curtis (Howell) and his two older brothers, Sodapop (Lowe) and Darrel (Swayze), as well as Johnny Cade (Macchio), Dallas Winston (Dillon), Two-Bit Matthews (Estevez), and Steve Randle (Cruise). Their rivalry is with the Socs (pronounced "soashes")…

Christmas 1183–an aging and conniving King Henry II plans a reunion where he hopes to name his successor. He summons the following people for the holiday: his scheming but imprisoned wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine; his mistress, Princess Alais, whom he wishes to marry; his three sons (Richard, Geoffrey, and John), all of whom desire the throne; and the young but crafty King Philip of France (who is also Alais' brother). With the fate of Henry's empire at stake, everybody engages in their own brand of deception and treachery to stake their claim.

In a major new series, Andrew Graham-Dixon explores the history of the Royal Collection, one of the largest and most important art collections in the world, built up over 500 years.

In 2014, following a tip-off, a group of journalists exposed a troubled history for indigenous S?mi women, men and children in Norway.