Paul Scofield

  • Michael Winner – Scorpio (1973)

    1971-1980ActionMichael WinnerThrillerUSA

    Synopsis:
    Cross is an old hand at the CIA, in charge of assassinating high-ranking foreign personalities who are an obstacle to the policies of the USA. He often teams up with Frenchman Jean Laurier, alias “Scorpio”, a gifted free-lance operative. One day, the CIA orders Scorpio to eliminate Cross — and leaves him no choice but to obey. Scorpio is cold-blooded and very systematic; however, as a veteran agent, Cross knows many tricks. He can also rely upon a network of unusual personal contacts, some dating back to the troubled years preceding WWII. A lethal game of hide-and-seek is programmed, but what are the true motives of every single player?Read More »

  • Tony Richardson – A Delicate Balance (1973)

    1971-1980DramaTony RichardsonUSA

    The setting is the comfortable Connecticut home of a well-to-do family. Agnes is a determined, powerful woman who feels she must hold her husband together and present a brave face to the world. Her husband, Tobias, is both retired and retiring, a man who cannot quite face up to life. Living with the couple is Agnes’ sister, Claire, an alcoholic who sees through and scoffs at the insincerity and pretensions around her. Clare’s outrageous comments are meant as much to reflect her own bitterness as to shake Tobias out of his mute acceptance of Agnes’ dominance. They are soon joined by Harry and Edna, a married couple who are Agnes and Tobias’ best friends and Agnes and Tobias’ spoiled 36-year old daughter, Julia, who returns home from her fourth broken marriage.Read More »

  • Fred Zinnemann – A Man for All Seasons (1966)

    1961-1970ClassicsDramaFred ZinnemannPhilosophy on ScreenUnited Kingdom

    Synopsis:
    The story takes place in sixteenth century England. But men like Sir Thomas More, who love life yet have the moral fiber to lay down their lives for their principles, are found in every century. Concentrating on the last seven years of the English Chancellor’s life, the struggle between More and King Henry VIII hinges on Henry’s determination to break with Rome so he can divorce his current wife and wed again, and good Catholic More’s inability to go along with such heresy. More resigns as Chancellor, hoping to be able to live out his life as a private citizen. But Henry will settle for nothing less than that the much respected More give public approval to his headstrong course.Read More »

  • Patrick Keiller – London (1994)

    1991-2000DocumentaryPatrick KeillerUnited Kingdom

    Quote:
    An inspiring tale through London by pictures narrated by Paul Scofield.

    NY Times wrote:
    The city of London is not a hospitable-looking place in Patrick Keiller’s exceedingly arch cinematic meditation on England’s largest city. Filmed during Prime Minister John Major’s 1992 re-election campaign, “London” examines a metropolis whose stately old architecture is increasingly dwarfed by hideous post-modern skyscrapers and mocked by garish billboards.Read More »

  • John Frankenheimer & Arthur Penn – The Train (1964)

    1961-1970ActionArthur PennFranceJohn FrankenheimerWar

    In 1944, a German colonel loads a train with French art treasures to send to Germany. The Resistance must stop it without damaging the cargo.Read More »

  • Anthony Friedman – Bartleby (1970)

    Drama1961-1970Anthony FriedmanUnited Kingdom

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    Synopsis (possible spoilers):
    ‘Adapted from Herman Melville’s short story, Bartleby features John McEnery in the title role. A secretive, solitary lad, Bartleby works as a clerk in the accounting office of Paul Scofield. Unable to deal with Bartleby’s eccentricities, Scofield fires the clerk. But Bartleby refuses to leave, and shows up each day for work at the proper time. Only when the young man is carted away to hospital does Scofield find any peace of mind-but even then, the spectre of Bartleby looms large over the proceedings. Some find this British adaptation of the Melville original exasperatingly slow and mannered, but given the curious nature of the protagonist, how could the story have been told otherwise?’
    – Hal Erickson (allmovie)Read More »

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