Reel Britannia

A very British podcast about very British films with an occasional hint of professionalism.

Episode 160 - Hammer Britannia 016 - Kiss Of The Vampire (1963) 11/14/2024

Episode 159 - Last Orders (2001) 10/31/2024

Episode 159 - Last Orders (2001) Reel Britannia podcast - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism. Scott and Steven are joined this week by their dear friend Mark, host of The Good, The Bad and The Odd podcast, to chat about a touching, bittersweet journey of friendship and regret, as four old friends fulfill a promise to scatter their late friend's ashes. Last Orders (2001) "Last Orders" (2001), directed by Fred Schepisi, is a poignant drama centered around a group of lifelong friends fulfilling their deceased friend's final wish. The story revolves around four aging men—Ray (Bob Hoskins), Lenny (David Hemmings), Vic (Tom Courtenay), and Vince (Ray Winstone)—who embark on a journey to scatter the ashes of their friend Jack Dodds (Michael Caine) in the sea at Margate, following his last orders. Jack, a butcher and a pub regular, left behind his widow, Amy (Helen Mirren), who is still grappling with the loss and her own regrets. As the men travel from Bermondsey to Margate, they make several stops significant to their shared history. Each stop triggers memories and flashbacks, revealing their past experiences, relationships, and the complicated dynamics between them. These flashbacks feature a younger version of Jack (JJ Feild), his friends, and his family, providing a deeper understanding of their connections and the life they led. Ray, Jack's best friend and a bookie, reflects on his unrequited love for Jack's wife, Amy, and his own failed marriage. Lenny, a former boxer, grapples with the loss of his son and his troubled relationship with his daughter. Vic, the quiet undertaker, contemplates the significance of life and death, while Vince, Jack's adopted son, struggles with his feelings of inadequacy and the pressure of living up to his father's expectations. As the journey progresses, the men confront their own insecurities, secrets, and unresolved issues. They share stories, argue, and ultimately bond over their shared grief and memories of Jack. Along the way, they visit landmarks such as the war memorial, the pub where they spent countless hours, and the racetrack where Jack placed his bets. Each location holds a piece of their collective past, evoking nostalgia and reflection. In the end, the men reach Margate and scatter Jack's ashes into the sea, honoring his final request. This act of closure allows them to find peace and move forward, forever changed by the journey and the memories they shared with their dear friend. "Last Orders" is a touching exploration of friendship, loss, and the passage of time, beautifully capturing the essence of life's fleeting moments and the impact of enduring bonds. "If y... if you ever get the chance... Raysy. I... if, if you ever get the option - you go first. It's the carrying on that's hard." You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod email: #britmovie #reelbritannia #movie #podcast #michaelcaine #bobhoskins #helenmirren #raywinstone #tomcourtenay #davidhemmings Thanks for listening! Scott and Steven /episode/index/show/reelbritannia/id/33700732

Episode 158 - A Private Function (1984) 10/23/2024

Episode 157 - McVicar (1980) 09/04/2024

Episode 156 - Hammer Britannia 015 - The Damned (1962) 08/26/2024

Episode 155 - The Small World of Sammy Lee (1963) 08/18/2024

Episode 155 - The Small World of Sammy Lee (1963) Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. Back to the seedy side of sixties Soho this week featuring a powerful performance from Anthony Newley This week, Scott and Steven are joined by Anthony, the host of the Film Gold podcast The Small World of Sammy Lee (1963) The Small World of Sammy Lee is a 1963 British crime drama film directed by Ken Hughes. The story unfolds in the seedy underbelly of London's Soho district, focusing on the life of Sammy Lee, a strip club compere and hustler who finds himself in dire straits. Sammy Lee, played by Anthony Newley, is a charismatic but desperate man. He owes £300 to a local bookie named Connor and has only five hours to pay off his debt. If he fails, the consequences will be severe, as Connor’s enforcers are known for their ruthless methods. The film begins with Sammy receiving a phone call informing him that his time is running out, setting off a frantic race against the clock. As Sammy scrambles to gather the money, the film provides a vivid portrayal of his world. Soho is depicted as a place filled with strip clubs, gambling dens, and shady characters. Sammy’s interactions with the various inhabitants of this world reveal much about his character and the precarious life he leads. Throughout the day, Sammy employs a series of hustles to raise the funds. He borrows from friends, pleads with acquaintances, and even resorts to stealing. One of the significant characters he turns to is his brother Lou, who runs a delicatessen. Lou, portrayed by Warren Mitchell, is initially reluctant to help due to Sammy’s repeated failures and irresponsible behavior. However, the bond of family eventually prevails, and Lou reluctantly provides some money, though it’s not enough to cover the debt. Parallel to Sammy's frantic efforts, the film explores the impact of his lifestyle on others, particularly Patsy, a young woman who is infatuated with him. Patsy, played by Julia Foster, arrives in Soho from the countryside, naively hoping to start a new life with Sammy. Her innocence and genuine affection for Sammy contrast sharply with the gritty reality of his world. Sammy, though fond of her, is too entangled in his own troubles to reciprocate her feelings fully. As the deadline approaches, Sammy’s situation becomes increasingly desperate. His attempts to hustle money from various sources lead to a series of tense and dramatic encounters. The film’s climax occurs in the strip club where Sammy works. In a last-ditch effort, Sammy bets the money he has managed to gather on a high-stakes poker game, hoping to win enough to pay off his debt. However, luck is not on his side, and he loses the game, sealing his fate. The final scenes of the film are poignant and impactful. As the clock ticks down, Connor’s enforcers arrive to collect the debt. Sammy’s frantic energy gives way to a sense of resignation and defeat. The enforcers take Sammy away, leaving his fate ambiguous but undoubtedly grim. The Small World of Sammy Lee is a compelling character study and a vivid depiction of the darker side of 1960s London. The film’s strength lies in its atmosphere, the complexity of its protagonist, and the tense, fast-paced narrative that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish. Through Sammy Lee’s story, the film explores themes of desperation, survival, and the human cost of a life lived on the margins of society. "Soho's not a place, it's a state of mind. It's where you end up when you've got nowhere else to go." This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Glass Onion: On John Lennon Life And Life Only Film Gold Thanks for listening Scott and Steven /episode/index/show/reelbritannia/id/32625522

Episode 154 - Sitting Target (1972) 08/11/2024

Episode 153 - Up In The World (1956) 08/07/2024

Episode 152 - Saturday Night and Sunday Morning 08/03/2024

Episode 152 - Saturday Night and Sunday Morning Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. Classic kitchen sink drama this week featuring a powerful performance from Albert Finney This week, Scott and Steven are joined by Anthony, the host of the Film Gold podcast Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960) Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, released in 1960, still remains one of the finest of the Angry Young Men movies that emanated from England in the late 1950s and ’60s. In his first starring role, Albert Finney played a charismatic man who seems destined to follow in his parents’ and grandparents’ footsteps by pursuing a mundane, working-class lifestyle. Employed as a lathe operator in a Midlands factory, Finney’s Arthur Seaton lives for the weekend, when he drinks and womanizes to excess. However, when he has an affair with a coworker’s wife, he finds himself facing decisions he never expected to have to make. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning was based on the first novel by British author Alan Sillitoe, who wrote the screenplay. He based the grim but compelling story line on his own experiences working in a factory and used the plot as a plea for the younger generation of Brits to break the bonds that restricted them to predictable and unfulfilling lives. An accomplished stage actor, Finney earned international acclaim for his powerful performance. "Don't let the bastards grind you down!" Production notes and credits Studio: Continental Distributing Director: Karel Reisz Producer: Tony Richardson Writer: Allan Sillitoe Music: John Dankworth Running time: 89 minutes Cast Albert Finney (Arthur Seaton) Shirley Anne Field (Doreen) Rachel Roberts (Brenda) Hylda Baker (Aunt Ada) Norman Rossington (Bert) This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Glass Onion: On John Lennon Life And Life Only Film Gold Thanks for listening Scott and Steven /episode/index/show/reelbritannia/id/32422267

Episode 151 - Hammer Britannia 014 - The Phantom of the Opera (1962) 07/31/2024

Episode 150 - The Nanny (1965) 07/24/2024

Episode 149 - The Constant Husband (1955) 07/07/2024

Episode 148 - Hammer Britannia 013 - The Curse Of The Werewolf (1961) 06/11/2024

Episode 147 - Brighton Rock (1948) 05/29/2024

Episode 146 - Tiger Bay (1959) 05/19/2024

Episode 145 - Hammer Britannia 012 - The Two Faces Of Dr Jeckyll (1960) 03/23/2024

Episode 144 - Local Hero (1983) 03/16/2024

Episode 143 - Villain (1971) 02/24/2024

Episode 142 - Absolute Beginners (1986) 02/19/2024

Episode 141 - Hammer Britannia 011 - Brides of Dracula (1960) 01/31/2024

Episode 140 - Reach For The Sky (1956) 01/21/2024

Episode 138 - Hammer Britannia 010 - The Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959) 01/09/2024

Episode 139 - Train of Events (1949) 11/02/2023

Episode 137 - The Entertainer (1960) 05/29/2023

Episode 136 - Frenzy (1972) 05/08/2023

Episode 135 - Genevieve (1953) 04/30/2023

Episode 134 - The Mummy (1959) 04/23/2023

Episode 133 - Night of the Demon (1957) 04/16/2023

Episode 133 - Night of the Demon (1957) Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies - with just a hint of professionalism. A very special episode this week with a very special friend. Scott and Steven are joined by their dear friend Adam Roche, host of the Secret History of Hollywood, Attaboy Clarence and The Labours of Hercule podcasts. An invite stretching back about five years ago has resulted in an episode recorded way back last year, just before Christmas, and finally seeing the light of day...anyone would think we really didn't want him on the show! But, of course, we did and we spent a most enjoyable Sunday morning chatting and having a really good laugh as we duscussed a movie very close to Adam's heart. Night of the Demon (1957) American psychologist John Holden (Dana Andrews) arrives in England to discover that his colleague, Henry Harrington (Maurice Denham), has suddenly died following his efforts to discredit notorious occultist Julian Karswell (Niall MacGinnis). The cynical Holden dismisses Karswell's warnings as supernatural nonsense, even when he and Harrington's niece, Joanna (Peggy Cummins), are confronted by a series of bizarre and inexplicable events. Holden discovers that Karswell has slipped him a parchment featuring ancient runic symbols a sign that, like Harrington before him, he has been marked for imminent destruction by a fire-breathing demon. As the night of his threatened demise draws nearer, the fearful Holden begins to suspect that Karswell has been telling the truth all along... "It's in the trees...it's coming!" You can find this and all our previous episodes at: Amazon Music Apple Podcasts Libsyn Player FM Podtail Owltail ListenNotes Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we’d love to chat with you email: [email protected] #britmovie #reelbritannia #nightofthedemon Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Adam /episode/index/show/reelbritannia/id/26554203

Episode 132 - Rita Sue and Bob Too (1987) 04/02/2023

Episode 131 - Hammer Britannia 008 - The Hound Of The Baskervilles (1959) 01/29/2023

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