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'.
The Field (Blu-ray) (1990)
7.3/10
Director: Jim Sheridan
Starring: Richard Harris, John Hurt, Tom Berenger, Sean Bean
An Irish tenant farmer faces the loss of the land his family has worked for years when it is put upfor auction, and bid on by an American (Tom Berenge... Read more
Driving Miss Daisy (1990)
4.5/10
Director: Bruce Beresford
Starring: Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, Dan Aykroyd
The Oscar-winning adaptation of Alfred Uhry's play about a wealthy Jewish widow and her black chauffeur. It covers the period from the late forties th... Read more
Hamlet (Gibson) (1990)
7.8/10
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Starring: Alan Bates, Glenn Close, Mel Gibson, Paul Scofield, Ian Holm, Helena Bonham Cart...
'God has given you one face, and you make yourselves another' wrote William Shakespeare in his classic tale of vengeance and obsession. Franco Zeffire... Read more
The Field (1990)
7.4/10
Director: Jim Sheridan
Starring: Richard Harris, John Hurt, Tom Berenger, Sean Bean
An Irish tenant farmer faces the loss of the land his family has worked for years when it is put upfor auction, and bid on by an American (Tom Berenge... Read more
A Chorus of Disapproval (1989)
5.8/10
Director: Michael Winner
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Jenny Seagrove, Jeremy Irons, Patsy Kensit, Prunella Scales, Ri...
The film version of the hilarious Alan Ayckbourn stage play. Jeremy Irons is the protagonist who stirs up all sorts of intrigue in a small town when h... Read more
Bernard Shaw Collection: Vol. 1 (1989)
Director: David Jones, Desmond Davis, Herbert Wise, James Cellan Jones
Starring: Coral Browne, Penelope Wilton, James Grout, Derek Godfrey, Robert Powell, Helena...
This collection of BBC adaptations brings to life the memorable characterizations, brilliant command of language, and dazzling wit of Bernard Shaw's c... Read more
Arms and the Man / The Man of Destiny (1989)
Director: Desmond Davis, James Cellan Jones
Starring: Helena Bonham Carter, Patsy Kensit, Dinsdale Landen, Kika Markham, Pip Torrens,...
First produced for the stage in 1894, 'Arms and the Man' established Shaw's reputation as one of London's great wits. Helena Bonham Carter is Raina,... Read more
Look Back in Anger (1989)
7.2/10
Director: David Jones, Judi Dench
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson
John Osborne's classic, searing post-war drama caused a sensation when it was published in 1956. In the figure of Jimmy Porter, Osborne had unleashed... Read more
Henry V (Branagh) (1989)
7.7/10
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Paul Scofield, Derek Jacobi, Ian Holm, Emma Thompson, Alec McCo...
An energetic, extraordinarily well-acted and perfectly cast version of Shakespeare's play adapted and directed by tyro-star Kenneth Branagh. Henry V i... Read more
Miss Firecracker (1989)
6.1/10
Director: Thomas Schlamme
Starring: Holly Hunter, Mary Steenburgen, Tim Robbins
Playwright Beth Henley adapts her acclaimed serio-comedy set in a small southern town gearing up for its annual beauty pageant. With Holly Hunter and... Read more