This film is part of Rentals
An Accidental Studio
Charting the rise of one of Britain's most distinctive film companies, HandMade Films, producer of classics such as Life of Brian, The Long Good Friday and Withnail and I.
Director: Bill Jones, Ben Timlett and Kim Leggatt
Overview
Famously started by Beatle George Harrison simply because he wanted to see Monty Python's controversial Life of Brian script realised, HandMade Films went on to become one of British cinema most distinctive and adventurous film companies. An Accidental Studio charts the early years of HandMade as seen through the eyes of the filmmakers and key personnel who started the studio. With unreleased archive interviews and footage with Harrison, exclusive interviews with Sir Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Richard E. Grant, Neil Jordan, and unseen interviews with Bob Hoskins, this documentary explores HandMadeβs baptism by fire, the risks it took in producing uniquely crafted intelligent films and the stories that grew up around it.
Related
South: Sir Ernest Shackleton's Glorious Epic of the Antarctic South: Sir Ernest Shackleton's Glorious Epic of the Antarctic
Documentary 1919 81 mins Silent Director: Frank Hurley
An extraordinary story of survival in the wastes of Antarctica.
The Ballymurphy Precedent The Ballymurphy Precedent
Documentary 2018 108 mins Director: Callum Macrae
John Pilger's film on the conflict in Northern Ireland is a skilful mix of investigative journalism, documentary storytelling and reflections on contemporary history.
Utopia Utopia
Documentary 2013 111 mins Director: John Pilger and Alan Lowery
John Pilger's portrayal of the oldest continuous human culture is also an investigation into a suppressed colonial past, and rapacious present.
The Coming War on China The Coming War on China
Documentary 2016 113 mins Director: John Pilger
John Pilgerβs prescient 60th film for ITV is both a warning and an inspiring story of resistance.β―β―
Supersonic Supersonic
Documentary 2016 117 mins Director: Mat Whitecross
Relive the stratospheric rise of the kings of Britpop in this rousing nostalgic trip from the producers of Amy.
Gascoigne Gascoigne
Documentary 2015 87 mins Director: Jane Preston
Documentary portrait of the mercurial football genius who inspired the gameβs modern renaissance while battling personal demons.
He Dreams of Giants He Dreams of Giants
Documentary 2020 83 mins Director: Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe
Terry Gilliam battles with obsession and self-doubt in this poignant, insightful documentary on the making of his long-anticipated screen adaptation of Don Quixote.
South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1999 81 mins Director: Trey Parker
In the outrageous spinoff from the animated series, Cartman and co. inadvertently instigate a war between the US and Canada.
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 5) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 5)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
With the series in full flow, the fifth episode showcases some splendid interplay between the team β plus some sumptuous mugging from David Jason.
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 11) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 11)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
Highlights in this episode include the terrific βArt Galleryβ sketch, with a Gumby-esque Terry Jones exhibited as a living art work.
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 13) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 13)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
The last show of the first series sees everybody larking about somewhat.
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 2) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 2)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
A more adult tone creeps into some of the sketches, in this second episode of the seminal series.
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 1) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 1)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
Here we meet Michael Palinβs prototype unhelpful shop assistant (a distinct precursor of many future Python characters), plus the Bonzos ripping up the stage with The Sound of Music.
Small Things Like These Small Things Like These
Drama 2024 99 mins
Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy delivers a stunning performance as a coal merchant who discovers horrific secrets about his local convent.
Only the River Flows Only the River Flows
Crime 2023 102 mins Director: Shujun Wei
Shujun Wei's slow-burn noir draws us inexorably into its mysterious psychological journey.
The Critic The Critic
Period drama 2023 101 mins Director: Anand Tucker
Ian McKellen is in delicious form as London's most vicious critic, who strikes a Faustian pact with a struggling actor (Gemma Arterton).
Special People Special People
Comedy 2008 74 mins Director: Justin Edgar
Justin Edgar's pioneering feature comedy about a neurotic filmmaker enlisted to make a film with a class of wheelchair-users.
Timestalker Timestalker
Comedy 2024 89 mins Director: Alice Lowe
What if unrequited love spanned the centuries? Alice Lowe's time-jumping fantasy rom-com is a colourful, darkly funny treat.
South: Sir Ernest Shackleton's Glorious Epic of the Antarctic South: Sir Ernest Shackleton's Glorious Epic of the Antarctic
Documentary 1919 81 mins Silent Director: Frank Hurley
An extraordinary story of survival in the wastes of Antarctica.