One of the darkest and most romantic of Dickens' novels, A Tale of Two Cities was adapted for the stage by the dream team of Terence Rattigan and John Gielgud in 1935, but a planned West End production was never staged. It finally received its professional world premiere at the King's Head Theatre in September 2013. In a time when governments all over the world are facing down political unrest and fierce protests, this revolutionary story has never been more relevant. The adaptation, edited by King's Head artistic director Adam Spreadbury-Maher, marries three of the finest artists in their own fields that England has ever known: Dickens the master story-teller, Rattigan the great playwright and Gielgud the mercurial actor. Gielgud intended to play both Sydney Carton and a number of other roles, and this adaptation reflects that ambition by having thirty characters played by just eight actors.

Director and star Kenneth Branagh brings another Shakespearean adaptation to the screen. Hamlet (Branagh), Prince of Denmark, vows revenge when informed by the ghost of his murdered father (Brian Blessed) that the present king Claudius (Derek Jacobi) was responsible. Spurning the romantic advances of his sweetheart Ophelia (Kate Winslet), Hamlet attempts to open the eyes of his mother Gertrude (Julie Christie), whom Claudius has now wed. However, Hamlet's procrastination when it comes to killing Claudius costs more lives.

Box set featuring six Shakespeare adaptations starring legendary actor Laurence Olivier. In 'King Lear' (1983), the ageing King Lear (Olivier) decides to split his kingdom between three daughters - Regan, Cordelia and Goneril - with each receiving a share appropriate to the amount of love they feel for him. However, when the faithful Cordelia refuses to protest her devotion, an enraged Lear foolishly cedes complete control to the devious remaining siblings - with terrible results. In 'Henry V' (1944), the young king (Olivier) puts his rakish past behind him and rallies his men to invade France, winning against the enemy's superior numbers. The film was shot in Ireland to avoid the constant bombardment of the Blitz and Olivier was discharged from the Navy to make the film. In 'Hamlet' (1948), Hamlet (Olivier), Prince of Denmark, is still mourning over the death of his father and his mother Gertrude's (Eileen Herlie) subsequent remarriage to Hamlet's despised uncle, Claudius (Basil Sydney), who is now King. When his father's ghost appears to Hamlet and reveals that it was Claudius who murdered him, the young prince vows revenge. However, a fatal flaw in his character - hesitation - mars his efforts, resulting in murder, madness and treachery. In 'The Merchant of Venice' (1974), Jewish moneylender Shylock (Olivier) provides young Antonio (Anthony Nichols) with a loan, stating that if it is not repaid he will claim a pound of flesh. When Antonio's bond defaults, Shylock attempts to claim his grisly compensation in a court of law, but Portia (Joan Plowright) pleads Antonio's case. In 'Richard III' (1955), Olivier stars as the cold and calculating king, a treacherous and untrustworthy fellow who makes plans to kill anyone who threatens his position. Henry Stafford (Ralph Richardson), the Duke of Clarence (John Gielgud) and Lady Anne Neville (Claire Bloom) are just some of those moving in his orbit. 'As You Like It' (1936) was filmed in England in 1936 when Olivier was still considered a promising young actor rather than one of the finest thespians ever, as he would later become, this is his first filmed Shakespeare performance and thus a milestone in film history.

In 1943, with Rome occupied by the Nazis, Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty (Gregory Peck) does all he can to help Allied POWs, providing them with hiding places and assisting them in their flight from the Germans. Gestapo Chief Colonel Herbert Kappler (Christopher Plummer) grows suspicious of O'Flaherty, but is frustrated by the priest's diplomatic immunity. Finally, he issues an order that O'Flaherty either be captured or shot if he is ever seen outside the walls of the Vatican.

Roger Moore and Ray Milland star in this 1970s action drama. Rod Slater (Moore) becomes involved in a web of intrigue following a rock fall at a South African gold mine owned by Harry Hirschfeld (Milland), in which general manager and veteran miner Frank Lemmer (Norman Coombes) is killed. Hirschfield's managing director, Manfred Steyner (Bradford Dillman), is plotting with financier Farrell (John Gielgud) to flood the Big Dyke, thus destroying the mine and raising the value of gold worldwide, and tricks Slater into excavating the seam of gold beyond the river. Meanwhile, Slater becomes passionately involved with Steyner's wife (Susannah York), unaware that the scheme hatched by her husband will result in his death.

The legend of King Arthur is provided with a further instalment in this musical animated adventure. When Arthur's (voiced by Pierce Brosnan) fabled sword, Excalibur, is stolen by Lord Ruber (Gary Oldman), plucky young Kayley sets out to retrieve it. She is aided in her quest by handsome blind servant Garrett (Cary Elwes) and a two-headed, Elvis-singing dragon, Devon (Eric Idle) and Cornwall (Don Rickles). Together they battle to save Camelot from the evil Ruber.

Made-for-TV BBC adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic children's book from film-maker Jonathan Miller. Young girl Alice (Anne-Marie Mallik) falls down the White Rabbit (Wilfrid Brambell)'s hole into a bizarre world full of eccentric characters such as the Caterpillar (Michael Redgrave), the Mock Turtle (John Gielgud) and the Mad Hatter (Peter Cook). Peter Sellers also stars as the King of Hearts. The film features music by Ravi Shankar.

Hugh Hudson directs this nostalgic tribute to Cambridge University athletes Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, recounting the events of the 1924 Olympics. Abrahams (Ben Cross) is a Jew who experiences racial prejudice at Cambridge, while Liddell (Ian Charleson) is a Scot who runs for the glory of God. The two become rivals on the track, and both are chosen to represent Britain at the Paris Olympics. However, a problem arises when Lidell learns that he is expected to compete on the Sabbath; something that goes directly against his religious beliefs. The film won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score and Best Costume Design, and received a further three nominations.

Richard Attenborough's Academy Award-winning epic follows the extraordinary life of Mahatma Gandhi (played by Ben Kingsley), from his beginnings as a young Indian lawyer to his triumph as a revolutionary - whose philosophy of non-violent protest helped gain India its independence. The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Epic adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's classic novel. During World War Two, Charles Rider (Jeremy Irons) is stationed at the now deserted stately home, Brideshead Manor, formerly the residence of the Flyte family. He recalls how, as a Cambridge undergraduate, he first visited Brideshead after befriending Lord Sebastian Flyte (Anthony Andrews). Charles then became caught up with the Flytes and their problems, most notably Sebastian's burgeoning alcoholism.

Laurence Olivier directs and stars in this adaptation of Shakespeare's famous tragedy. Hamlet (Olivier), Prince of Denmark, is still mourning over the death of his father and his mother Gertrude's (Eileen Herlie) subsequent remarriage to Hamlet's despised uncle, Claudius (Basil Sydney), who is now King. When his father's ghost appears to Hamlet and reveals that it was Claudius who murdered him, the young prince vows revenge. However, a fatal flaw in his character - hesitation - mars his efforts, resulting in murder, madness and treachery. The film won five Oscars, including Best Actor for Olivier (who was also nominated for Best Director) and Best Film.

From the London Sunday Telegraph: Acting Shakespeare is extraordinary. The tone of the voice is unmistakably Sir John's, the atmosphere congenial. We're in the company of our greatest actor, who holds in his hands the last links of a chain of tradition leading to Shakespeare himself ... this book is crucial for anyone who believes that Shakespeare on the stage should be Shakespeare at his greatest ... Gielgud is by turns, wise, witty and wicked, but unfailingly modest.

Hugh Hudson directs this nostalgic tribute to Cambridge University athletes Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, recounting the events of the 1924 Olympics.

Abrahams is a Jew who experiences racial prejudice at Cambridge, while Liddell is a Scot who runs for the glory of God. The two become rivals on the track, and both are chosen to represent Britain at the Paris Olympics. However, a problem arises when Lidell learns that he is expected to compete on the Sabbath; something that goes directly against his religious beliefs.

Academy Award Winner
- Best Picture Of 1981
- Best Original Screenplay
- Best Costume Design
- Best Original Musical Score

Laurence Olivier directs and stars in this adaptation of Shakespeare's famous tragedy. Hamlet (Olivier), Prince of Denmark, is still mourning over the death of his father and his mother Gertrude's (Eileen Herlie) subsequent remarriage to Hamlet's despised uncle, Claudius (Basil Sydney), who is now King. When his father's ghost appears to Hamlet and reveals that it was Claudius who murdered him, the young prince vows revenge. However, a fatal flaw in his character - hesitation - mars his efforts, resulting in murder, madness and treachery. The film won five Oscars, including Best Actor for Olivier (who was also nominated for Best Director) and Best Film.

The complete mini-series of the TV drama that acts as a sequel to 'Gone With The Wind'. In the first episode Scarlett (Joanne Whalley) fights to regain the love of her estranged husband, but just as their passion is rekindled she falls for a handsome aristocrat. In the second episode, having given birth to Rhett (Timothy Dalton)'s baby without his knowledge, Scarlett is dismayed to find that he has a new wife and seeks comfort in the arms of the Earl of Fenton (Sean Bean).

Arthur Bach (Dudley Moore) is a millionaire playboy who spends most of his life drunk, mollycoddled by cynical manservant Hobson (John Gielgud). Threatened with poverty by his grandmother unless he finally marries his socialite fiancée Susan (Jill Eikenberry), Arthur's response is to embark on an affair with penniless, working class waitress Linda (Liza Minnelli). John Gielgud won an Oscar for Best Supporting Oscar, and a sequel, 'Arthur 2', followed in 1988.

It was the War to end all wars - well not quite. For with the ricochet of one bullet, the entire course of human history was changed forever... Now, for the first time, Academy Award - winner Richard Attenborough's directorial debut is available on DVD.

Based on the stage musical of the same name, Oh! What A Lovely War features a stellar cast that includes Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, John Mills, John Gielgud, Maggie Smith, Vanessa Redgrave, Ian Holm, Dirk Bogarde and Susannah York. By fusing the surreal with the factual, and juxtaposing savagely funny satire with quiet sorrow, Attenborough has created the oddest and most outstanding film ever made about the "game" that became World War One.