Dunford, Andrew

The Legend of 1900

The Borrowers

The popular children's books by Mary Norton have been filmed before, but never with as much imagination and ingenuity as you'll find on display in this delightful fantasy film released to critical praise in 1998. The "Borrowers" of the title are a family of tiny people who live in the walls and under the floorboards in the homes of "normal-sized" humans; they earn their by "borrowing" the household items (string, food crumbs, buttons, etc.) needed to furnish their tiny hiding places and provide their meals. The little Clock family lives happily undisturbed in the home of an aged aunt, but when the aunt dies and her will is stolen by an unscrupulous lawyer (John Goodman), the Clocks face eviction and the frightening hazards of the outside world. Under the ingenious direction of Peter Hewitt, this simple, straightforward movie mixes comedy, adventure, and suspense with some of the cleverest special effects you've ever seen, taking full advantage of effects technologies to immerse you in the world of the tiny people. A climactic chase scene in a milk-bottling plant is a visual tour de force, and the movie's smart and dazzling enough to entertain parents and children alike. After its modest success in theaters, The Borrowers stands a good chance of becoming a home-video favorite. --Jeff Shannon

Princess of Thieves

Robin Hood's legacy seems destined for obscurity due to the birth of his daughter, Gwyn, in The Princess of Thieves. Raised by a devout uncle, Gwyn develops into a headstrong young woman who's resentful of her father's prolonged absences. When Robin Hood at last comes to visit his daughter, Gwyn's impulsive disrespect of his wishes endangers his life and the rightful succession of Prince Philip to the throne of England. Deceit and chance throw Gwyn and Philip together, the pair forms an unlikely alliance, and Gwyn's unique perspective prompts Philip to rethink his beliefs and ambitions, and ultimately changes England's entire future. A talented cast includes Keira Knightley, Malcolm McDowell, Stuart Wilson, Jonathan Hyde, and Stephen Moyer. Adventure, heroism, and folklore reign in this entertaining, 90-minute made-for-TV movie from Disney. (Ages 8-13) --Tami Horiuchi

Sherwood Forest has a courageous new hero -- Gwyn, the daughter of Robin Hood -- in this thrilling new adventure packed with swashbuckling fun for the whole family. Possessing the cunning skills of her legendary father and the beauty and intelligence of her mother Marion, Gwyn (Keira Knightley, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL) is anxious to follow in Robin Hood's footsteps. But he'd rather see her remain safely behind under the watchful eye of Friar Tuck and her best friend Froderick. As King Richard nears death, Robin Hood and his Merry Men are summoned to help bring Richard's son, Prince Philip, to his rightful place on the throne before the evil Prince John can assume power. But when Robin Hood is captured by the Sheriff of Nottingham (Malcolm McDowell, MY LIFE SO FAR) and sentenced to death, his life and the future of England lie in Gwyn's inexperienced hands.

Gunslinger's Revenge

Jack Sikora (David Bowie, Labyrinth), the West's most notorious outlaw, has come to Basin Field to kill a man - a legendary gunslinger named Johnny Lowen (Harvey Keitel, Be Cool). Renowned throughout the territory, Lowen's never lost a gunfight. But after twenty years of adventure and fame, he's returned home to make peace with his long-estranged family and especially himself. Sikora, however, won't let him retire. A cold-blooded killer, he intends to provoke an unwilling Lowen into a duel to the death, a final showdown that will determine once and for all who's truly the fastest gun in the West.

The Borrowers

The popular children's books by Mary Norton have been filmed before, but never with as much imagination and ingenuity as you'll find on display in this delightful fantasy film released to critical praise in 1998. The "Borrowers" of the title are a family of tiny people who live in the walls and under the floorboards in the homes of "normal-sized" humans; they earn their by "borrowing" the household items (string, food crumbs, buttons, etc.) needed to furnish their tiny hiding places and provide their meals. The little Clock family lives happily undisturbed in the home of an aged aunt, but when the aunt dies and her will is stolen by an unscrupulous lawyer (John Goodman), the Clocks face eviction and the frightening hazards of the outside world. Under the ingenious direction of Peter Hewitt, this simple, straightforward movie mixes comedy, adventure, and suspense with some of the cleverest special effects you've ever seen, taking full advantage of effects technologies to immerse you in the world of the tiny people. A climactic chase scene in a milk-bottling plant is a visual tour de force, and the movie's smart and dazzling enough to entertain parents and children alike. After its modest success in theaters, The Borrowers stands a good chance of becoming a home-video favorite. --Jeff Shannon

The Legend of the Pianist on the Ocean [Region 2]

Campion - Look to the Lady

"Do you take the long road?" a gruff restaurant manager asks a hapless drifter, and thus is launched one of the serpentine mysteries featuring a 1930s sleuth by the name of Albert Campion, created by Margery Allingham. Look to the Lady centers around the attempted theft of a 1000-year-old golden chalice from the upper-class family entrusted with its care; along the way are woven in witchcraft, a vast criminal organization, strange rituals, and a murderous horse. Peter Davison, a former Doctor Who, stars as Campion, a bland-faced and genteel fellow with an almost ghoulish relish for crime. His interplay with his crusty manservant/assistant, Lugg (Brian Glover), a former burglar with an almost impenetrable Cockney accent, is the series' strongest element. The stories slip in and out of self-satire and seem to tweak the classic mystery genre, yet always stay firmly within its confines. --Bret Fetzer

Behind his distinctive owlish glasses and gentle, deceptive naivete, Albert Campion conceals a passion for excitement and danger. Peter Davison (All Creatures Great and Small, Doctor Who) plays Margery Allingham's enigmatic sleuth, with Brian Glover as his loyal but slightly shady manservant in these classic mysteries set in the 1930's. When an international ring of thieves and killers conspire to destroy a prominent British family, Albert Campion and his sidekick agree to help protect the family name and fortune, but before long they find themselves involved in a witch's brew of curses, spells and naturally...murder.

Legend of 1900

The Borrowers [Region 2]

The popular children's books by Mary Norton have been filmed before, but never with as much imagination and ingenuity as you'll find on display in this delightful fantasy film released to critical praise in 1998. The "Borrowers" of the title are a family of tiny people who live in the walls and under the floorboards in the homes of "normal-sized" humans; they earn their by "borrowing" the household items (string, food crumbs, buttons, etc.) needed to furnish their tiny hiding places and provide their meals. The little Clock family lives happily undisturbed in the home of an aged aunt, but when the aunt dies and her will is stolen by an unscrupulous lawyer (John Goodman), the Clocks face eviction and the frightening hazards of the outside world. Under the ingenious direction of Peter Hewitt, this simple, straightforward movie mixes comedy, adventure, and suspense with some of the cleverest special effects you've ever seen, taking full advantage of effects technologies to immerse you in the world of the tiny people. A climactic chase scene in a milk-bottling plant is a visual tour de force, and the movie's smart and dazzling enough to entertain parents and children alike. After its modest success in theaters, The Borrowers stands a good chance of becoming a home-video favorite. --Jeff Shannon

Doing Time [Region 2]