A documentary produced in 1979 to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Albert Einstein. Narrated and hosted by Peter Ustinov and written by Nigel Calder.
Bending Light
Structural study of a tree. Light, water and air coax it out of the soil in a manner foregrounding time’s relativity to different forms of life on Earth. Made the day my brother got his fork-lift license.
An educational physics film utilizing a fascinating set consisting of a rotating table and furniture occupying surprisingly unpredictable spots within the viewing area, Leacock’s Frames of Reference (1960), features fine cinematography by Abraham Morochnik, and funny narration by University of Toronto professors Donald Ivey and Patterson Hume, in a wonderful example of the fun a creative team of filmmakers can have with a subject other, less imaginative types might find pedestrian.
Albert Einstein: l'homme et le génie
Prof. Jim Al-Khalili tackles the biggest subject of all, the universe. Through a series of critical observations and experiments that revolutionised our understanding of our world Jim guides us through the greatest cosmic detective story of all. He takes us from the beginning of the universe to the end time and answers the question: where did the universe come from and how will it end?
Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity has revolutionised our understanding of gravity, space and time. Initially acclaimed, then forgotten, and now rediscovered, the adventure of this hundred-year-old theory has marked the scientific history of the 20th century. From its inception, a mathematical difficulty arose that could have nipped the theory in the bud: the Schwarzschild singularity. In the company of great international relativistic physicists, the viewer embarks on a discovery of this theory with a singular destiny. We discover a "curved" universe that proves to be even stranger than Einstein had envisioned, and harbours some objects - such as black holes - that still challenge today's scientists.
Four 1950s cultural icons who conceivably could have met but probably didn't, fictionally do so in this modern fable of post-WWII America. Visually intriguing, the film has a fluid progression of flashbacks and flashforwards centering on the fictional Einstein's current observations, childhood memories, and apprehensions for the future.
A committed vegan, David, follows 73-year-old colonial relic Guy Wallace to South Africa as he fulfills a lifelong ambition to bag a Cape buffalo. It’s Guy’s last chance to relive his glory days and finally lay down his guns. The oddball relationship between David and Guy is the central drive of the film as the director explores the ethics of big game hunting and questions his own animal rights stance when lured in by the thrill of the hunt. THE END OF THE GAME is a compelling character study of a bizarre eccentric undertaking his last big game hunt in Africa.
Auguste Rodin's sculptures and Anna Halprin's creative process come together in this poetic film of dances in nature.
MY WONDERFUL WEST BERLIN recounts the lives and struggles of gay men in West-Berlin. Through present-day scenes and never before seen archival footage, a fascinating picture emerges of a city, that today characterizes itself as a dream destination and place of refuge for gays.
Wendy Padbury first appeared in Doctor Who in the late sixties, playing the diminutive cat-suited computer expert Zoe Herriot. Now she reveals all about playing Zoe and working with Patrick Troughton and Frazer Hines… not to mention Cybermen, Ice Warriors and Quarks! Wendy also talks about the 1974 West End stage play Doctor Who and the Daleks in the Seven Keys to Doomsday in which she played one of the Doctor’s companions. Featuring location footage from the stage production of Superted and a guest appearance by Jon Pertwee as Spotty himself, this Myth Makers even tells us which Cybermen design Wendy prefers!
This Myth Makers combines two interviews with Sarah Sutton; one filmed at Harrison’s Rocks, the main location for Castrovalva; the second recorded in a London studio eight years later and featuring some familiar monsters. Sarah chats to Nicholas Briggs about working with Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Matthew Waterhouse. There are also many behind-the-scenes stories about working on Doctor Who.
Deborah Watling portrayed Victoria Waterfield during Patrick Troughton’s tenure as The Doctor. Famous for the practical jokes that went on behind the cameras, this era produced some classic Doctor Who stories and Victoria became one of the most popular of the Doctor’s companions. This Myth Makers features material shot at Monstercon in Liverpool in 1985, together with an interview recorded on location during the shooting of Downtime, the Doctor Who spin-off drama, in which Deborah re-created the part of Victoria after more than twenty five years! Deborah and her late father, Jack Watling (Professor Travers) chat to Nicholas Briggs about working together again and we feature unique behind-the-scenes material from Downtime. And, of course, there’s the odd Yeti around!
Victor Pemberton’s association with Doctor Who is long and varied. As extra, writer, script editor, producer and novelist, he is in a unique position to comment on the programme’s successes and failures – and he’s prepared to do just that! Victor certainly wouldn’t claim credit for writing the dramatic links in this Myth Makers, where he encounters a strange bewildered Nicholas Briggs and the even stranger source of a ‘plopping’ noise. In fact, this is the culmination of the ultimate kitchen sink drama – just what is outside the window? This Myth Makers combines two interviews with Victor, the first shot on location at his country home in Essex and the latest at studios in London.
Doctor Who fans fondly remember the late Ian Marter as the charming, bumbling Harry Sullivan. The man behind the character was equally as likeable, but many times more sharp witted. As Nicholas Briggs and Ian walk and talk their way through locations for Terror of the Zygons, you’ll learn of Ian’s life as a prolific writer and actor. This is an extended version of the Myth Makers recorded in 1986, with a special introduction by Ian’s close friend Nicholas Courtney.
In 1987, when Nicholas Briggs first interviewed John Levene, it was a hot summer’s day in Richmond Park. John had begun a career in audio-visual presentation and was looking forward to a new chapter in his life. Eight years later John had moved to the USA and was living with his partner Jenny. He was now hosting gala charity events and looking to continue his acting career. During all this time there have been two constants in his life, Doctor Who and his irrepressible sense of humour. Nick managed to catch John on one of his rare visits to the UK and they take up the story so far including Wartime and Return to Devil’s End.
Peter Grimwade started his career at the BBC as a production assistant during the early 1970s and worked on three of Jon Pertwee’s Doctor Who stories. He went on to direct Doctor Who in the early 1980’s with Logopolis and Earthshock winning major fan awards. He then moved on successfully to script-writing with Mawdryn Undead and Planet of Fire which he successfully turned into novels for Virgin Publishing. Peter died in 1990, cutting short his life and a promising career. This Myth Makers release is dedicated to him.
A series of interviews about the film Peeping Tom (1960). It includes a rare interview with Karlheinz Böhm talking about his role and its subsequent effect on him.
Jon Pertwee was quite simply a star. From vaudeville, through theatre, radio in The Navy Lark, films, records and television, including Doctor Who and Worzel Gummidge, he entertained audiences worldwide for over fifty years. Recorded at Jon’s home in 1989, this interview by Nicholas Briggs provides the most comprehensive visual biography of this talented and versatile entertainer ever recorded. This is not a tribute… it’s a personal testament.