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'.
Venus in Fur (2013)
7.2/10
Director: Roman Polanski
Starring: Emmanuelle Seigner, Mathieu Amalric
Welcome to Roman Polanskis hall of mirrors. David Ive's play Venus in Fur is a two-hander, set in a theatre, about a director auditioning an actress... Read more
August: Osage County (2013)
7.2/10
Director: John Wells
Starring: Chris Cooper, Dermot Mulroney, Ewan McGregor, Julia Roberts, Juliette Lewis, Mer...
"August: Osage County" tells the dark, hilarious and deeply touching story of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose lives have diverged... Read more
The Hollow Crown: Series 1 (2012)
8.4/10
Director: Richard Eyre
Starring: Michelle Dockery, Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Julie Walters, Ben Whishaw
From executive producer Sam Mendes comes The Hollow Crown, stunning adaptations of four of Shakespeares most treasured plays featuring all-star casts.... Read more
What's in a Name? ( Le prenom ) (2012)
7.3/10
Director: Matthieu Delaporte, Alexandre de La Patelliere
Starring: Charles Berling, Francoise Fabian, Valerie Benguigui, Patrick Bruel, Judith El Z...
A.k.a. "Le prénom". Vincent (Patrick Bruel), a successful forty-something Parisian businessman, is about to become a father for the first time. He is... Read more
Quartet (2012)
6.8/10
Director: Dustin Hoffman
Starring: Billy Connolly, Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Pauline Collins, Tom Courtenay
Dustin Hoffman directs this comedy drama adapted by writer Ronald Harwood from his own stage play of the same name. Beecham House is a retirement home... Read more
Monsieur Lazhar (2011)
7.5/10
Director: Philippe Falardeau
Starring: Danielle Proulx, Mohamed Fellag, Sophie Nelisse, Emilien Neron, Brigitte Poupart...
Nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, "Monsieur Lazhar" tells the moving and poignant story of a Montreal middle school class who are... Read more
Coriolanus (2011)
6.2/10
Director: Ralph Fiennes
Starring: Brian Cox, James Nesbitt, Ralph Fiennes, Vanessa Redgrave, Gerard Butler, Jessic...
For his directorial debut, Ralph Fiennes adapts Shakespeare's tragedy "Coriolanus", transposing the action from ancient Rome to present-day Eastern Eu... Read more
Killer Joe (2011)
6.7/10
Director: William Friedkin
Starring: Gina Gershon, Matthew McConaughey, Thomas Haden Church, Emile Hirsch, Juno Templ...
Following their earlier collaboration, "Bug", director William Friedkin and playwright Tracy Letts re-team for 'a totally twisted deep-fried Texas red... Read more
The Deep Blue Sea (2011)
6.3/10
Director: Terence Davies
Starring: Rachel Weisz, Simon Russell Beale, Tom Hiddleston
Based on the Terence Rattigan play of the same name, "The Deep Blue Sea" is a study of forbidden love, suppressed desire, and the fear of loneliness i... Read more
Carnage (2011)
7.2/10
Director: Roman Polanski
Starring: Jodie Foster, John C Reilly, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz
After a playground scuffle between two boys results in one losing some teeth, the injured lad's parents (Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly) invite the othe... Read more