Classic Films - Reviews and Reflections with Stuart Fernie

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in Denis Villeneuve’s “Sicario”, written by Taylor Sheridan and starring Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in the 2006 French-Canadian musical starring Bruno Pelletier, with reference to Luc Besson's 2025 version of "Dracula". 

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in “The Invention of Lying” written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in “The Professionals”, starring Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan, Woody Strode, Jack Palance and Claudia Cardinale.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in “Emperor of the North”, starring Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine and Keith Carradine.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in “Casablanca”, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Claude Rains.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in Sam Fuller’s “The Big Red One”, starring Lee Marvin, Mark Hamill and Robert Carradine.

Send a textBrief discussion of the purpose of the various genres of the arts, their effect and how to judge their “success”.

Send a textPersonal thoughts on the appeal of the Bond films and discussion of how the portrayal of the main character has developed over the years.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in Hal Ashby’s “Being There”, starring Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine and Melvyn Douglas. 

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in “The Sand Pebbles” (1966), directed by Robert Wise and starring Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, Richard Crenna and Candice Bergen.

Send a textBrief discussion of the relationship between Hermann Goring and psychiatrist Douglas Kelley during the Nuremberg Trials, how authoritarian figures can succeed in a democracy and lessons to be learned concerning the protection of democracy.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in Michael Ritchie’s “Prime Cut” starring Lee Marvin, Gene Hackman and Sissy Spacek.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in David Lean’s “Hobson’s Choice” starring Charles Laughton, John Mills and Brenda de Banzie.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in Clouzot’s “The Wages of Fear”, with comparison of William Friedkin’s “Sorcerer” (1977) to the original, and mention of the 2024 version of “The Wages of Fear”

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in Sidney Lumet’s “The Offence”, starring Sean Connery, Ian Bannen, Vivien Merchant and Trevor Howard.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in Danny Boyle’s film starring Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller and Ewen Bremner.On a personal note, this episode marks 25 years of posting material online.

Send a textBrief discussion and analysis of themes and characters in Pollack’s “Three Days of the Condor”, Starring Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson and Max von Sydow

Send a textBrief discussion and analysis of themes and characters in Tom McCarthy’s “Spotlight” starring Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Liv Schreiber, Stanley Tucci et al.

Send a textBrief discussion and analysis of themes and characters in George Clooney’s “Good Night and Good Luck”, starring David Strathairn, George Clooney, Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson, Frank Langella et al.

Send a textDiscussion of characters and themes in the 2024 French film version of “The Count of Monte Cristo”, focusing on elements to do with the Enlightenment Movement and Existentialism.

Send a textEpisode aimed at young students or beginners with advice and suggestions for writing essays on films.A text version is available at stuartfernie.blogspot.com and a video is available at https://youtu.be/xcb6X7h5l3k .

Send a textDiscussion of characters and especially themes raised in Alan Parker’s “Midnight Express”, written by Oliver Stone.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of the nature of the antagonism between the C.I.A. and Jason Bourne, instigated by the consequences of Bourne’s amnesia.

Send a textA defence and justification of arts and humanities in face of dismissive and condescending attitudes and outlooks.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters, themes, strengths and weaknesses in “Heaven’s Gate”, written and directed by Michael Cimino and starring Kris Kristofferson, Christopher Walken, John Hurt and Isabelle Huppert.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in Alex Garland’s “Civil War”.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in Joseph L Mankiewicz’s adaptation of “The Ghost and Mrs Muir” starring Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison and George Sanders.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in James Gray’s “Ad Astra” starring Brad Pitt and Tommy Lee Jones.

Send a textDiscussion of the nature and implications of duality in examples of 19th century literature, how it was influenced by the Enlightenment Movement, and how it evolved into Existentialism and beyond.

Send a textDiscussion of the use of humour in drama with reference to Molière, Groundhog Day, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and some modern action/adventure franchises.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in “Living”, a remake of Akiro Kurosawa’s “Ikiru”, directed by Oliver Hermanus and starring Bill Nighy, Aimee Lou Wood and Alex Sharp 

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in “Oui, mais…” or “Yes, but…”, a French film directed by Yves Lavandier and starring Émilie Dequenne and Gérard Jugnot.This film could be used as part of a French course with senior pupils to stimulate discussion and perhaps produce a written response to the characters and themes treated in the film.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in “Hell in the Pacific”, starring Lee Marvin and Toshiro Mifune, focusing on the need for collaboration between opposing sides in the face of common challenges.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of the main character and themes in “Point Blank” (1967) starring Lee Marvin, Angie Dickinson and Keenan Wynn.

Send a textThoughts on elements of film noir and existentialism in “Vera Cruz” which predated and influenced later films that explored similar themes.

Send a textDiscussion of qualities and issues in “Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, and issues concerning character development, plot integrity and audience engagement in many modern adventure films.

Send a textDiscussion of the meaning of “Il faut cultiver notre jardin” in the context of the end of “Candide”, where the phrase appears, as opposed to interpretations of the stand-alone phrase.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in Gabriel Axel’s “Babette’s Feast” starring Stéphane Audran, Brigitte Federspiel and Bodil Kjer.

Send a textGeneral discussion and analysis of the main characters and principal themes in “Drive My Car”.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of how the central characters in “The Batman” are influenced and developed by the nature of society in Gotham City.

Send a textDiscussion of the origin and value of Christian thought, the influence of the Church, and the possible existence of fate or destiny.

Send a textDiscussion of the extent to which we “act” in society, or how we adapt our manner, tone and attitude to suit the circumstances and the company in which we find ourselves, and how this may influence our identity.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis, from an existential perspective, of characters and themes in Martin McDonagh’s “The Banshees of Inisherin”, starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket, focusing on “the duality of man”. 

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in Taika Waititi’s “Jojo Rabbit” starring Roman Griffin Davis, Scarlett Johansson and Taika Waititi.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in “We’re no Angels” directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in James Mangold’s “Le Mans ‘66” or “Ford vs Ferrari” starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale.

Send a textDiscussion and analysis of characters and themes in “The Magnificent Seven” directed by John Sturges and starring Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen and Eli Wallach.