Alice's Playhouse
In Alice's Playhouse you will discover an exceptional collection of feature films adapted from some of the most celebrated plays ever written. Often featuring towering performances, outstanding direction and exceptional writing, this collection is a superb archive of contemporary drama masterfully transferred to the silver screen.
Filmizations of The Bard's work may be scrolled via the 'Shakespeare' sub-feature in green on the left, along with other notable playwrights who have been adapted for celluloid.
For adaptations of novels and short stories, check the 'Special Interest' link and click on 'Based on...'
Right: Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh relax during the filming of Tennessee Williams' masterpiece, 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.
An Ideal Husband (1999)
6.9/10
Director: Oliver Parker
Starring: Rupert Everett, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore
Devoted womaniser and partygoer Arthur Goring (Rupert Everett) is famed for his elegance, repartee and refusal to take anything seriously. When called... Read more
Jakob the Liar (1999)
6.5/10
Director: Peter Kassovitz
Starring: Robin Williams, Alan Arkin, Bob Balaban, Michael Jeter, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Lie...
In Nazi-occupied Poland during World War Ii, poor Jewish cafe owner Jakob Heym (Robin Williams) accidentally overhears a forbidden radio news bulletin... Read more
The Winslow Boy (1999)
7.4/10
Director: David Mamet
Starring: Gemma Jones, Nigel Hawthorne, Jeremy Northam, Rebecca Pidgeon
From the celebrated play by Terence Rattigan comes this moving representation of "The Winslow Boy", an exquisite new film by acclaimed director and pl... Read more
Neville's Island (1998)
6.9/10
Director: Terry Johnson
Starring: David Bamber, Martin Clunes, Timothy Spall, Jeff Rawles
When four businessmen (Timothy Spall, Martin Clunes, Jeff Rawle and David Bamber) embark on a 'team building' trip, they end up stranded on an island... Read more
Dancing at Lughnasa (1998)
6.3/10
Director: Pat O'Connor
Starring: Michael Gambon, Meryl Streep, Sophie Thompson, Catherine McCormack, Kathy Burke,...
Meryl Streep heads a superb cast in this fine screen adaptation of Brian Friel's award-winning play. Set in 1936 it tells the story of five unmarried... Read more
Hurlyburly (1998)
5.8/10
Director: Anthony Drazan
Starring: Sean Penn, Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Chazz Palminteri, Garry Shandling, Anna P...
David Rabe's blistering play about addiction, sexual confrontation and moral bankruptcy is bought to the screen with a stellar cast, including Sean Pe... Read more
King Lear (Holm) (1997)
8.3/10
Director: Richard Eyre
Starring: Ian Holm, Barbara Flynn, Victoria Hamilton, Timothy West, Amanda Redman
Director Richard Eyre stages a bold, expressionistic interpretation of perhaps Shakespeare's most vivid and striking tragedy eliciting stunning perfor... Read more
In the Company of Men (1997)
7.2/10
Director: Neil LaBute
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Stacy Edwards, Matt Malloy
Shot in just two weeks for $25, 000, first-time director Neil LaBute adapted his own play for this pitch black comedy. It's a sharp take on modern mi... Read more
The House of Yes (1997)
6.7/10
Director: Mark Waters
Starring: Parker Posey, Josh Hamilton, Tori Spelling
Focuses on a supremely dysfunctional family. When Marty (Josh Hamilton) brings home his waitress girlfriend for thanksgiving weekend it becomes clear... Read more
Romeo and Juliet (DiCaprio) ( Blu-ray ) (1996)
7.6/10
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Brian Dennehy, Claire Danes, Diane Venora, John Leguizamo, Leonardo DiCaprio, Pa...
Baz Luhrmann's dazzling and unconventional adaptation of William Shakespeare's classic love story is spellbinding. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes... Read more