FILM LIST
ramparts before the fortress will stand and the country remain sage. Another hypnotic achievement from one of the cinema’s true originals, this is a visual treat with vast. richly textured tableaux ravishing the eye. Glasgow; GET 0 Lolita (18) (Stanley Kubrick. UK. 1962) James Mason. Sue Lyon. Shelley Winters. 153 mins. Overlong. diluted and inappropriately dispassionate version of a once sensational novel that does offer compensations in the performances. Edinburgh; Filmhouse O A Love Bewitched (PG) (Carlos Saura. Spain. 1986) Antonio Gades. Cristiana Hoyos. Laura Del Sol. 98 mins. Set in a gypsy shanty town on the outskirts ofMadrid. the third of the Saura-Gades terpsichorean treats has a classical simplicity in its story of a tragic love affair whose repercussions extend beyond the grave. The show-stopping dances are as dazzling as ever. the photography striking and the camerawork fluid. It is really only a disappointment by the previous high standards that the series has set. Glasgow; GET. Edinburgh; Cameo o The Magic Box (U) (John Boulting, UK. 1951) Robert Donat, Laurence Olivier. Michael Redgrave etc. 118 mins. Festival Of Britain-inspired biography of forgotten cinema pioneer William Friese-Greene. A star-spotter‘s paradise as a host of British worthies line up for their . cough and spit contributions but the wonderfully mellifluous Donat gives the piece conviction A sentimental pageant-like tribute with the odd truly magical moment. Edinburgh; Filmhouse
o A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy (15) (Woody Allen. US, 1982) Woody Allen. Mia Farrow, Mary Steenburgen. 87 mins. A fanfarronade of partner-swapping infidelities and amorous frolics ensues when inventor Allen holds a weekend party at his country estate in turn of the century upstate New York. A delightful. civilised entertainment. much underrated on its initial release. Glasgow; Grosvenor
o Mishima: A Life In Four Parts ( 15) (Paul Schrader. US-Japan. 1985) Ken Ogota. 120 mins. Restrained. unconventional biopic of controversial novelist Yukio Mishima, interweaving straight biographical narrative. stylised dratnatisations ofexcerpts from his
- novels and documentary
reconstruction ofhis final day. Ambitious but a little cold. Edinburgh; El lFS
0 The Mission (PG) (Rolan Joffé. UK. 1986) Robert DeNiro. Jeremy Irons, Ray McAnally. 125 mins. In 18th century South America a Papal Prelate (McAnally) is called in to resolve a territorial dispute between Spain and Portugal. His decision is dictated by the political climate in Europe and it has harsh ramifications for a native mission run by Jesuit priests.
At once a study of male friendship and an exploration of man‘s capacity for the noblest altruism and the most treacherous selfishness. The Mission is flawlessly acted. skilfully made and finally quite affecting. An operatic film ofdepth and force, it remains essential viewing. Glasgow; ABC Sauchiehall Street. Edinburgh: ABC
FRENCH CINEMA TODAY
w‘ ' ‘ .'")' '..‘ M,”
often a matter of the quality of the
material, it can sometimes be down to
the commercial pull of a recognisable name. Obviously we never get to see the full picture ot another country’s cinema scene in any sort ol diversity. By way of a response, the Institut Francais d’Ecosse and Edinburgh Filmhouse have arranged the visit of French cineaste Jean Roy, a respected commentator on film and co-ordinator oi the Cannes Critics' Week, to give a couple oi lectures on the current state of the cinema in France. On Fri 30 Jan
VALENTINE’S MESSAGES
The next issue of The List for 6—19 February will have a special section for St Valentine’s Day messages
Prove that romance isn't dead in your heart! Reach out to the person you really love through The List’s Personal Columns. Like all the best things in life, this will be a FREE service to List readers — just fill in the form below (max. 20 words free; or if you want to wax lyrical at greater length please enclose £1). Make sure the form reaches us by Mon 2 February.
PLUS FANTASTIC PRIZES GIVEN AWAY IN A PRIZE DRAW
It alter declaring your love, you are too bashtul or skint to actually ask
anyone out — Don’t Panic. . . The List has also arranged tour prizes
each giving a romantic dinner for two as part of a St Valentine’s night out on Sat 14 Feb at some of the best places in Scotland.
BAR-RESTAURANT 0
DZ 3
Glasgow’s bright futuristic and stylish new restaurant set up near the stars on Park Terrace.
'C"'1ND"L2ELL"'A—a
Full dinner for two, then dance
BRASSERlE W
The new cafe theatre in the Briggait with live cabaret/floor show and panoramic views from the old Merchants steeple. French cuisine.
THE VINTNERS ROOM
Wine Bar i Restaurant ' ,1
In eighteenth century surroundings lit entirely by candles — enjoy a romantic dinner with the one you love at Leith’s fine new restaurant
at1pm in Fiimhouse, Lothian Road, Edinburgh he will talk in English on ‘Which French Cinema Is Shown In
late into the night at a Special Valentine’s Night Party.
I
A
Although programmers and distributers alike would hope and like to thinkthat the Art House cinema circuit provides a forum for all that is iresh and exciting in European lilm, even in these esoteric realms the force of commercial necessity can breed a sort of conservatism. It is usually the work otthe established artists that gets shown in Britain, and though this is
Britain?‘, and Mehdi Charet’s lilm ‘Le The Au Harem d’Archimede' will be screened. Later on in that day’s busy schedule M. Roy will speak in French at the French Institute, Randolph Crescent, at 4pm on ‘Ou En Est Le Cinema Francais Auiourd‘hui', tollowed by a showing at Leos Carax's atmospheric ‘Boy Meets Girl'.
Admission to both talks is tree, and the Carax film, a languorous mood piece in expressionistic monochrome on the turmoils of human relationships, is the sort of risk-taking independent French lilm-making we could do with seeing more at in Britain. (Trevor Johnston)
III-IIIIIIIIIIIII TO The List Valentines, 14 High Street. Edinburgh EH] l'l’E Message (max 20 words free; or £1 for 20 to 40 words)
PLUS details for entry in the Prize Draw on Monday 2 Feb (not for public-
ation; first drawn first choice). Name Address
Daytime Tel
The List 23 Jan — 5 Feb 9