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The Prince Charles Cinema

This November, we journey into the dark heart of crime with our NEO-NOIRVEMBER strand. All month long, don't miss tales steeped in violence and sexuality, with characters blurring the lines between good and bad, and looking for revenge, suffering from paranoia, or victims of alienation.

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Heat
1995 171mins USA (15) Crime
Directed by Michael Mann Starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer

A group of high-end professional thieves start to feel the heat from the LAPD when they unknowingly leave a verbal clue at their latest heist.

Original Cut from a 35mm print. 

The Godfather
1972 175mins USA (15) Crime
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Richard Castellano

Widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, this mob drama, based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same name, focuses on the powerful Italian-American crime family of Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). When the don's youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), reluctantly joins the Mafia, he becomes involved in the inevitable cycle of violence and betrayal. Although Michael tries to maintain a normal relationship with his wife, Kay (Diane Keaton), he is drawn deeper into the family business.

Mikey and Nicky
1976 106mins USA (15) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Elaine May Starring Peter Falk, John Cassavetes, Ned Beatty

Our performance on 14th October is presented with an introduction by Christina Newland

Elaine May crafted a gangster film like no other in the nocturnal odyssey Mikey and Nicky, capitalising on the chemistry between frequent collaborators John Cassavetes and Peter Falk by casting them together as small-time mobsters whose lifelong relationship has turned sour. Set over the course of one night, this restless drama finds Nicky (Cassavetes) holed up in a hotel after the boss he stole money from puts a hit out on him. Terrified, he calls on Mikey (Falk), the one person he thinks can save him. Scripted to match the live-wire energy of its stars—alongside supporting players Ned Beatty, Joyce Van Patten, and Carol Grace—and inspired by real-life characters from May’s own childhood, this unbridled portrait of male friendship turned tragic is an unsung masterpiece of American cinema.

Our performance on 14th October is featured as part of Gangsters Have Feelings Too, a season exploring the sensitive gangster film. The season is presented with the National Film and Television School’s Film Studies, Programming and Curation MA.

Manhunter : The Final Cut
1986 119mins USA (15) Horror / Crime
Directed by Michael Mann Starring William Petersen, Kim Greist, Brian Cox, Joan Allen

A retired criminal profiler (William Petersen) reluctantly returns to the FBI to help track down a serial killer of families and is forced to consult an expert—the imprisoned Dr. Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox in a subtly chilling performance). The third feature written and directed by Michael Mann is a gripping adaptation of the first of Thomas Harris’s four novels featuring the iconic murderer, and benefits from the filmmaker’s typically striking visuals as well as a top-notch supporting cast, including Tom Noonan as the hunted killer, and three-time Oscar nominee Joan Allen (The Contender, 2000) as his blind love interest. 

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This new 4K Final Cut, overseen by Mann, enhances the film’s depth, visual clarity and sound, offering audiences the ultimate immersive version. Shot in 1985, MANHUNTER was on a frontier in both its subject matter and film form, initiating an impressive list of subsequent films and series.  

“40 years ago – though armed with Thomas Harris’ excellent novel, “Red Dragon” – its subject matter, the profiling of serial killers, as well as being shocking and raw, was unknown. When adapting, I wanted to make its storytelling deliver audiences into a certain state of threat and emotional engagement. Integral to that was the visualization and use of music with lyrics sometimes working like a libretto. We have carefully remastered the film to try to evoke that mood and intensity, heightened with audio sourced from the original 5.1 35mm analog masters. This latest iteration is that version of the film with which I’m most satisfied.” said director Michael Mann.  

Under the guidance of Mann, this 4K scan of the original 35mm negative – with a few shots from an interpositive - was conformed and digitally restored at L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna. Both the theatrical version and the UHD HDR & SDR video color gradings were performed by Stefan Sonnenfeld at Company 3 in Los Angeles with the director. Sound restoration was done at Audio Mechanics from an original 35mm magnetic 6-track printmaster to release a new 5.1 mix by Luke Schwartzweller at Fox. Technical coordination and deliveries were managed by L’Immagine Ritrovata. This project was supervised by Becca Mann and STUDIOCANAL team, Jean-Pierre Boiget and Delphine Roussel.  

For Michael Mann, the process is about renewing the film’s immediacy for contemporary audiences: “If the picture was left the way it was, it would be interesting, but you’d feel some distance …you’d be observing it somewhat.  I’m more interested in its original intent impacting you the same way it may have in 1986…that is, to bring you into it again in the original way.” 

As a film distinguished by its striking visual style, including Colleen Attwood’s costume design, Academy Award- winner Mel Bourne’s art direction, Dante Spinotti’s lighting, Mann worked with his long-time collaborator, Stefan Sonnenfeld (Company 3), to develop a new color grade for ‘The Final Cut’ that engages a contemporary audience while honoring the film’s lasting legacy. 

“A good example is the use of primaries and secondaries in combinations that don’t occur in nature for an unsettling ambiance or the use of blue for night-time imagery. We’ve changed values subtly sometimes, but significantly, to enhance the impact without changing the dramatic intent of the film,” said Stefan Sonnenfeld. 

He adds: “Michael… wants you to understand the story and the mood and the environment… and then asks you to interpret that in colour… He also tells you what emotion he’s trying to evoke from the scene.” 

The new version also introduces an HDR presentation, offering an intensified new experience. “So that nobody’s ever seen the movie like that,” noted Sonnenfeld. 

Pulp Fiction
1994 155mins USA (18) Crime
Directed by Quentin Tarantino Starring John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Ving Rhames

Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) are hitmen with a penchant for philosophical discussions. In this ultra-hip, multi-strand crime movie, their storyline is interwoven with those of their boss, gangster Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames) ; his actress wife, Mia (Uma Thurman) ; struggling boxer Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) ; master fixer Winston Wolfe (Harvey Keitel) and a nervous pair of armed robbers, "Pumpkin" (Tim Roth) and "Honey Bunny" (Amanda Plummer).

Oldboy [Oldeuboi]
2003 120mins South Korea (18) Psychological Horror
Directed by Chan-wook Park Starring Min-sik Choi, Ji-tae Yu, Hye-jeong Kang

Dae-Su is an obnoxious drunk bailed from the police station yet again by a friend. However, he's abducted from the street and wakes up in a cell, where he remains for the next 15 years, drugged unconscious when human contact is unavoidable, otherwise with only the television as company. And then, suddenly released, he is invited to track down his jailor with a denouement that is simply stunning.

The Departed
2006 151mins USA (18) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Martin Scorsese Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen

To take down South Boston's Irish Mafia, the police send in one of their own to infiltrate the underworld, not realizing the syndicate has done likewise. While an undercover cop curries favor with the mob kingpin, a career criminal rises through the police ranks. But both sides soon discover there's a mole among them.

Ms. 45
1981 80mins USA (18) Thriller
Directed by Abel Ferrara Starring Zoë Tamerlis, Steve Singer, Jack Thibeau, Peter Yellen

Eerie and unforgettable, MS. 45 is an essential snapshot of New York City in the early 1980s from Abel Ferrara (DRILLER KILLER, THE ADDICTION)—one of the greatest and most unique living filmmakers on the planet. Thana (Zoë Tamerlis) is a garment worker who’s had the ultimate bad day, as she’s assaulted twice in visceral fashion. Shocked to her core, Thana's nights become consumed by vengeful prowls through the city, which result in men winding up on the wrong end of a bullet. Knocking the DEATH WISH rip-off subgenre into a new stratosphere, MS. 45 showcases a haunting performance from Tamerlis and Ferrara's knack for transforming limited resources into genre revolutions.

Content Warning: Contains scenes of sexual assault that some viewers may find distressing. Further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com, as well as through general internet searches.

Fargo
1996 100mins UK, USA (15) Crime/Comedy
Directed by Ethan Coen|Joel Coen Starring Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, William H. Macy

Minnesota car salesman Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of the quite pregnant Marge Gunderson.

Mildred Pierce
1945 111mins USA (PG) Film Noir
Directed by Michael Curtiz Starring Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott

When Mildred Pierce's wealthy husband leaves her for another woman, Mildred decides to raise her two daughters on her own. Despite Mildred's financial successes in the restaurant business, her oldest daughter, Veda, resents her mother for degrading their social status. In the midst of a police investigation after the death of her second husband, Mildred must evaluate her own freedom and her complicated relationship with her daughter.

In a Lonely Place
94mins (PG) Film Noir
Directed by Nicholas Ray Starring Humphrey Bogart, Gloria Grahame, Frank Lovejoy

A screenwriter with a violent temper is a murder suspect until his lovely neighbor clears him. However, she soon starts to have her doubts.

Taxi Driver
1976 113mins USA (18) Crime
Directed by Martin Scorsese Starring Robert De Niro, Albert Brooks, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd

Suffering from insomnia, disturbed loner Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro) takes a job as a New York City cabbie, haunting the streets nightly, growing increasingly detached from reality as he dreams of cleaning up the filthy city. When Travis meets pretty campaign worker Betsy (Cybill Shepherd), he becomes obsessed with the idea of saving the world, first plotting to assassinate a presidential candidate, then directing his attentions toward rescuing 12-year-old prostitute Iris (Jodie Foster).

The Third Man
1949 104mins UK (PG) Thriller/Suspense
Directed by Carol Reed Starring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli

Set in postwar Vienna, Austria, "The Third Man" stars Joseph Cotten as Holly Martins, a writer of pulp Westerns, who arrives penniless as a guest of his childhood chum Harry Lime (Orson Welles), only to find him dead. Martins develops a conspiracy theory after learning of a "third man" present at the time of Harry's death, running into interference from British officer Maj. Calloway (Trevor Howard) and falling head-over-heels for Harry's grief-stricken lover, Anna (Alida Valli).

No Country For Old Men
2007 122mins USA (15) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Ethan Coen|Joel Coen Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem

While out hunting, Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) finds the grisly aftermath of a drug deal. Though he knows better, he cannot resist the cash left behind and takes it with him. The hunter becomes the hunted when a merciless killer named Chigurh (Javier Bardem) picks up his trail. Also looking for Moss is Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), an aging lawman who reflects on a changing world and a dark secret of his own, as he tries to find and protect Moss.

The Big Lebowski
1998 117mins USA (18) Comedy
Directed by Ethan Coen|Joel Coen Starring Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore, John Goodman

Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.

Vertigo
1958 128mins USA (PG) Thriller/Suspense
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock Starring James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes

A former San Francisco police detective juggles wrestling with his personal demons and becoming obsessed with the hauntingly beautiful woman he has been hired to trail, who may be deeply disturbed.

Double Indemnity
1944 107mins USA (PG) Film Noir
Directed by Billy Wilder Starring Barbara St, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, Fred MacMurray

In this classic film noir, insurance salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) gets roped into a murderous scheme when he falls for the sensual Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck), who is intent on killing her husband (Tom Powers) and living off the fraudulent accidental death claim. Prompted by the late Mr. Dietrichson's daughter, Lola (Jean Heather), insurance investigator Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) looks into the case, and gradually begins to uncover the sinister truth.

Tenet
2020 150mins UK, USA (12A) Sci-Fi / Thriller
Directed by Christopher Nolan Starring John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Kenneth Branagh, Michael Caine, Elizabeth Debicki

Armed with only one word—Tenet—and fighting for the survival of the entire world, the Protagonist journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.

Cure
1997 111mins Japan (15) Horror
Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa Starring Kôji Yakusho, Masato Hagiwara, Tsuyoshi Ujiki

A detective starts spiraling out of control when a wave of gruesome murders with seemingly similar bizarre circumstances are sweeping Tokyo.

Blue Velvet
1986 121mins USA (18) Neo Noir
Directed by David Lynch Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Dennis Hopper, Isabella Rossellini

College student Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) returns home after his father has a stroke. When he discovers a severed ear in an abandoned field, Beaumont teams up with detective's daughter Sandy Williams (Laura Dern) to solve the mystery. They believe beautiful lounge singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini) may be connected with the case, and Beaumont finds himself becoming drawn into her dark, twisted world, where he encounters sexually depraved psychopath Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper)

Insomnia
2002 118mins USA (15) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Christopher Nolan Starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank

Under the glare of the permanent Alaska sun, two veteran Los Angeles police officers close in on their suspect in the murder of a teenage girl. But when officer Will Dormer (Al Pacino) accidentally shoots his partner, their murder suspect, reclusive novelist Walter Finch (Robin Williams), witnesses the shooting--and blackmails Dormer. Now, as an idealistic local detective (Hillary Swank) investigates the case, and the stakes rise, Dormer's sanity begins to falter.

Inception
2010 148mins UK, USA (12A) Science Fiction
Directed by Christopher Nolan Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page

A thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O., but his tragic past may doom the project and his team to disaster.

Fallen Angels
1995 99mins Hong Kong (15) Thriller / Romance
Directed by Wong Kar Wai Starring Takeshi Kaneshiro, Leon Lai, Michele Reis, Karen Mok

An assassin goes through obstacles as he attempts to escape his violent lifestyle despite the opposition of his partner, who is secretly attracted to him.

Brute Force
1947 98mins USA (12A) Film Noir
Directed by Jules Dassin Starring Burt Lancaster, Hume Cronyn, Charles Bickford

* ON SALE 23rd OCT *

Timeworn Joe Collins and his fellow inmates live under the heavy thumb of the sadistic, power-tripping guard Captain Munsey. Only Collins' dreams of escape keep him going, but how can he possibly bust out of Munsey's chains?

Peeping Tom
1960 101mins UK (15) Crime / Thriller
Directed by Michael Powell Starring Karlheinz Böhm, Anna Massey, Moira Shearer

Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he's making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making.

Goodfellas
1990 145mins USA (18) Crime
Directed by Martin Scorsese Starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco

Young Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), with his friends Jimmy (Robert De Niro) and Tommy (Joe Pesci), grows up in the mob and works very hard to advance himself through the ranks. He enjoys his life of money and luxury, but is oblivious to the horror that he causes. A drug addiction and a few mistakes ultimately unravel his climb to the top. Based on the book "Wiseguy" by Nicholas Pileggi.

Thief
1981 122mins USA (18) Crime
Directed by Michael Mann Starring James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Willie Nelson

A highly skilled jewel thief, Frank (James Caan) longs to leave his dangerous trade and settle down with his girlfriend, Jessie (Tuesday Weld). Eager to make one last big score in order to begin living a legitimate life, Frank reluctantly associates with Leo (Robert Prosky), a powerful gangster. Unfortunately for Frank, Leo wants to keep him in his employ, resulting in a tense showdown when he finally tries to give up his criminal activities once and for all.

Miami Vice
2006 123mins USA (15) Action / Crime
Directed by Michael Mann Starring Colin Farrell, Gong Li, Jamie Foxx, Justin Theroux, Naomie Harris, Ciarán Hinds

A case involving drug lords and murder in South Florida takes a personal turn for undercover detectives Sonny Crockett (Colin Farrell) and Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx). Unorthodox Crockett gets involved romantically with the Chinese-Cuban wife of a trafficker of arms and drugs, while Tubbs deals with an assault on those he loves.

Night Moves [1975]
1975 100mins USA (18) Thriller / Mystery
Directed by Arthur Penn Starring Gene Hackman, Jennifer Warren, Edward Binns

Hard-nosed private investigator Harry Moseby (Gene Hackman), to distract himself from a rapidly deteriorating marriage, takes a case from an aging B-movie queen (Janet Ward) to locate her runaway daughter, Delly (Melanie Griffith). His search takes him to the Florida Keys, where the girl has been hiding out with her stepfather, Tom (John Crawford), and Tom's lover, Paula (Jennifer Warren). Harry initiates an affair with Paula and soon learns the case is more complex than he first assessed it.

Blade Runner : The Final Cut
1982 118mins USA (15) Science Fiction
Directed by Ridley Scott Starring Harrison Ford, Sean Young, Rutger Hauer

Deckard (Harrison Ford) is forced by the police Boss (M. Emmet Walsh) to continue his old job as Replicant Hunter. His assignment: eliminate four escaped Replicants from the colonies who have returned to Earth. Before starting the job, Deckard goes to the Tyrell Corporation and he meets Rachel (Sean Young), a Replicant girl he falls in love with.

Lethal Weapon
1987 109mins USA (18) Action
Directed by Richard Donner Starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey

Following the death of his wife, Los Angeles police detective Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) becomes reckless and suicidal. When he is reassigned and partnered with Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), Riggs immediately clashes with the older officer. Together they uncover a massive drug-trafficking ring. As they encounter increasingly dangerous situations, Riggs and Murtaugh begin to form a bond. Riggs' volatile behavior might just help them apprehend the criminals -- if it doesn't kill them both first.

The French Connection
1971 104mins USA (18) Neo Noir
Directed by William Friedkin Starring Roy Scheider, Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey

New York Detective "Popeye" Doyle (Gene Hackman) and his partner (Roy Scheider) chase a French heroin smuggler.

The Silent Partner
1978 103mins USA (18) Neo Noir
Directed by Daryl Duke Starring Christopher Plummer, Elliott Gould, Susannah York

A masterpiece of cunning and suspense… Miles Cullen (Elliott Gould, The Long Goodbye) discovers how interesting life can be when he is transformed from mild-mannered bank teller into daring, ingenious bank robber in a matter of seconds. Held up at the bank by the criminal Reikle (Christopher Plummer, Ordeal by Innocence), Miles manages to stash most of the money in a deposit box first. When Reikle realizes he’s been shortchanged, he plans to take revenge—and a great battle of wits ensues.

To keep the money, Miles reaches new heights of courage, seducing the robber’s girlfriend (Céline Lomez, Plague) and his boss’s mistress (Susannah York, The Killing of Sister George). Filled with equal parts intrigue, romance and unexpected twists, this chilling psychological thriller also features comedy legend John Candy (Delirious) in an early film role. The screenplay by future filmmaker extraordinaire Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential) was based on the book Think of a Number by Anders Bodelsen. Wonderfully directed by Daryl Duke (Payday).