My Favourite Films
How to Steal a Million (1966)
A tongue in cheek rom-com heist starring Audrey Hepburn and Peter O’Toole, as they team up to steal back a forged sculpture before the museum experts discover it is a fake. Set in Paris, the picture is chic, debonair and full of glamour!
Film score composer: John Williams
Mandy (1952)
Based on the novel ‘The Day Is Ours’ by Hilda Lewis, this black and white film tells the story of a family trying to find a way to give their deaf daughter, Mandy, a better life. Whilst being an incredibly charming film, sharing the perspective of the world from a deaf child’s eyes, it is also quite educational, showing the methods used to teach deaf children to speak and communicate well.
Film score composer: William Alwyn
Withnail & I (1987)
Set in the 1960’s, this cult classic stars Paul McGann and Richard E. Grant as two out-of-work actors, who secure themselves a long weekend away in the English countryside, only to find themselves in a string of unfortunate-yet-humorous incidents; some perpetuated by Withnail’s uncle, played by Richard Griffiths.
Film score composer: David Dundas & Rick Wentworth
Mustang (2015) (Turkish)
After one fateful day when the ‘purity’ of five young orphaned sisters (growing up in a remote and conservative Turkish village) is called into question, they find themselves forbidden to attend school and forced to stay home and prepare for ‘suitable’ marriages. Deeply emotional, but not without humour (even if it is a little dark), you find yourself really rooting for the girls, especially the youngest, Lale… can she make her escape?
Film score composer: Warren Ellis
The Red Shoes (1948)
A true ballet classic based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale in which the curse of the red shoes leads wearer to dance themselves to death. Moira Shearer stars as Vicky Page, a young dancer who finds herself in a love triangle. Who will she choose? Julian, the composer, Lermontov, the impresario, her desire to dance… perhaps the red shoes will have something else in mind?
Film score composer: Brian Easdale
Cinema Paradiso (1988) (Italian)
Set in Sicily, this sweet film tells the story of how a successful film director, Salvatore’s childhood friendship with Alfredo, the aging projectionist at the local cinema in his hometown, shaped and transformed his life, encouraging him to pursue his dreams. Tremendously heartfelt, with moments that are bittersweet, the film shows how one person, one friendship, can make all the difference.
Film score composer: Ennio Morricone & Andrea Morricone
Resistance (2020)
Resistance is a biographical film inspired by the life of Marcel Marceau, played by Jesse Eisenberg. The drama focuses on his experiences during World War Two, before he was famous, when he joined the French Resistance, helping to rescue hundreds of Jewish children from the hands of the Nazis, by getting them into Switzerland.
Film score composer: Angelo Milli
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Full of 1960’s flair and trendiness, Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard take on New York. Both Holly and Paul live lives that on the outside seem glamourous, yet are paid for by a slightly less than glamourous pursuit. Can Holly realise that Paul understands her more than all the other ‘rats and super rats’ she finds herself involved with… rich or not?
Film score composer: Henry Mancini
Coco Avant Chanel (2009) (French)
Another biographical drama, but this time exploring Coco Chanel’s (Audrey Tautou) rise from orphan to world renowned fashion designer. The film is elegantly refined, understated and with exquisite aesthetic design.
Film score composer: Alexandre Desplat
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
The most touching and heartwarming Christmas film to ever exist, sharing one lesson we could all benefit from, and that is the value of humanity. How we treat others and what we give out will always come back to us. There is never any need to feel alone as we’ll always have each other.
Film score composer: Dimitri Tiomkin
Bonus:
Fantasia (1940)
What composer couldn’t love this film? An anthology of classical music brought to life by the colourful and charming artwork from the Walt Disney studio. No other Disney film has ever come close!
Film score composer: Various
Life is Beautiful (1997) (Italian)
Set in World War Two in Fascist Italy, the film tells the story of a young Italian Jewish family and their journey from getting married and having a son to being interned in a Nazi concentration camp. In an attempt to protect his son from the reality of their situation, the father, Guido, goes to extreme lengths to convince the little boy that it is just a game. Described as a ‘comedy-drama’, and yet to me it is more heartbreaking than it is humorous.
Film score composer: Nicola Piovani
