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'.
Dimboola (1979)
6/10
Director: John Duigan
Starring: Bruce Spence, Natalie Bate, Max Gillies
This little Aussie ripper is set in the outback town of Dimboola where the impending nuptials of Morrie and Maureen are eagerly anticipated - not to m... Read more
The Tempest (1979)
6.6/10
Director: Derek Jarman
Starring: Heathcote Williams, Karl Johnson, Toyah Wilcox
British helmer Derek Jarman's film version of Shakespeare's most fanciful play is definitely one of a kind. The plot remains intact, however, liberty... Read more
The Tempest (BBC) (1979)
5.4/10
Director: John Gorrie
Starring: Michael Hordern, Derek Godfrey, David Waller
In this BBC adaptation of one of Shakespeare's final plays, a tempest of wind and rain raised by the magician Prospero shipwrecks Alonso, King of Napl... Read more
The Shakespeare Collection: Series 1 (BBC) (1978)
8.5/10
Starring: Helen Mirren, John Gielgud, Claire Bloom, Alan Rickman
In 1978, the BBC set itself the task of filming all of William Shakespeare's plays for television. The resulting productions, renowned for their loyal... Read more
Middle Age Spread (1978)
6/10
Director: John Reid
Starring: Donna Akersten, Dorothy McKegg, Grant Tilly, Peter Sumner, Bridget Armstrong
A unique "comedy of manners", based on Roger Hall's stage play which was a smash hit in NZ and the UK. Colin (Grant Tilly) is the deputy principal of... Read more
Same Time, Next Year (1978)
7.2/10
Director: Robert Mulligan
Starring: Alan Alda, Ellen Burstyn
Based on Bernard Slade's Broadway play, this film is about George (Alan Alda), a married New Jersey accountant, and Doris (Ellen Burstyn), a housewife... Read more
As You Like It (BBC) (1978)
6.3/10
Director: Basil Coleman
Starring: Helen Mirren, Brian Stirner, Richard Pasco
One of Shakespeare's favourites throughout the ages. A fairy tale of tangled love and political intrigue lavishly staged by Canada's renowned Stratfor... Read more
Romeo And Juliet (BBC) (1978)
7.6/10
Director: Alvin Rakoff
Starring: John Gielgud, Patrick Ryecart, Rebecca Saire, Alan Rickman, Celia Johnson, Micha...
Shakespeare's tragic love story was among the first of the BBC's Shakespeare series to be filmed, and possibly one of the most faithful to the play.... Read more
The Galton and Simpson Playhouse (1977)
Director: Duncan Wood
Starring: Anton Diffring, Arthur Lowe, Charles Gray, Freddie Jones, Leonard Rossiter, Mona...
British comedy writing maestros Ray Galton and Alan Simpson ('Hancock's Half Hour', 'Steptoe and Son') created the 'Playhouse' series in the late Seve... Read more
The Norman Conquests (1977)
8.5/10
Director: Herbert Wise
Starring: Richard Briers, Tom Conti, Penelope Keith, Penelope Wilton, David Troughton, Fio...
Alan Acykbourn's wildly funny and often poignant trilogy is made up of three interconnected plays recounting the events and conversations between the... Read more