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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Richard Jordan and Anthony Perkins star in this made-for-TV adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel. Jean Valjean (Jordan) is imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread for his sister's starving family. Soon afterwards he escapes and is presumed dead by all except police inspector Javert (Perkins), who pursues him relentlessly throughout his lifetime. In later years, when Valjean becomes involved in the French Revolution through his adopted daughter Cosette (Caroline Langrise)'s love for insurrectionist leader Marius (Christopher Guard), his quest for redemption comes to a heady climax.

Three films from legendary American director David Lynch. In 'The Elephant Man' (1980), John Merrick (John Hurt) is a brutalised man, treated as a freak since childhood because of his appalling physical deformities, until he is discovered by London doctor Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins), who treats him with the kindness and intelligence he deserves. Unfortunately, by awakening his true character the problems continue, for he can never lead a 'normal' life. In 'Mulholland Drive' (2001), having narrowly survived a murder attempt and a car crash, a shocked and wounded woman (Laura Elena Harring) takes refuge in a nearby apartment. When she is discovered the next morning by the apartment's official resident, aspiring actress Betty Elms (Naomi Watts), she confesses that she neither knows who she is nor what happened to her. The two women then begin to investigate, and it gradually becomes clear that they have known each other in the past. Meanwhile, a young film director (Justin Theroux) finds that the mob are taking an unusual interest in the casting of his latest film. Finally, in 'Inland Empire' (2006), Laura Dern plays Nikki Grace, an ingenue actress whose latest role in a Tennessee Williams-esque fright of a film tests her to her limits. A parallel storyline shows an earlier attempt to make this film in Poland which ended in tragedy when the two lead players were offed.

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.

New airforce recruit Peter Firth takes an instant dislike to his embittered squadron leader, Malcolm McDowell. But as the young pilot experiences the tensions and stresses of warfare, his dislike turns to admiration. The film features excellently photographed aerial dogfight sequences. Also starring Christopher Plummer and John Gielgud. An airborn remake of the 1930 trench-bound 'Journey's End'.

New airforce recruit Peter Firth takes an instant dislike to his embittered squadron leader, Malcolm McDowell. But as the young pilot experiences the tensions and stresses of warfare, his dislike turns to admiration. The film features excellently photographed aerial dogfight sequences. Also starring Christopher Plummer and John Gielgud. An airborn remake of the 1930 trench-bound 'Journey's End'.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.