Drama
The denotative aspects of drama from Aristotle's "Poetics" include a story development with a beginning, middle and an end. In the more conventional sense, dramatic presentations include the portrayal of characters, settings, life situations and stories in the course of a theatrical performance. In theatre, drama usually takes on the scope of dealing with matters of a serious nature.
Drama is Alice's largest section and a treasure trove of great drama catering for every taste. The bulk of the "Drama" section (generally made since 1965 and include psychological dramas) is listed below, however you may also choose from the "Classic Drama" sub-section (generally made before 1965), in blue on left. Also helpful may be "Alices Playhouse", "True Stories" and "Shakespeare" features.
Right: Scene from Kubrick's beautifully mounted "Barry Lyndon"
The Ballad of Little Jo (1993)
6.8/10
Director: Maggie Greenwald
Starring: Bo Hopkins, Carrie Snodgress, David Chung, Ian McKellen, Rene Auberjonois, Suzy...
The gender-bending, true-life sagebrusher about Josephine Monaghan (Suzy Amis), an outcast from a wealthy Eastern family, who searches for a new life... Read more
The Ballad of the Sad Cafe (1990)
6.5/10
Director: Simon Callow
Starring: Vanessa Redgrave, Keith Carradine, Rod Steiger
A provocative adaptation of Carson McCullers' story about a plain, lonely woman (Vanessa Redgrave) in a small Southern town and the battle of wills sh... Read more
The Ballad of Wallis Island (2025)
7.4/10
Director: James Griffiths
Starring: Tim Key, Tom Basden, Carey Mulligan
The Ballad of Wallis Island follows Charles (Tim Key), an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of getting his favour... Read more
The Band's Visit (2007)
7.6/10
Director: Eran Kolirin
Starring: Sasson Gabai, Ronit Elkabetz, Saleh Bakri, Khalifa Natour, Shlomi Avraham, Rubi...
A wryly elegant, slice-of-life comedy in which an Egyptian Ceremonial Police Band, due to play at the opening of an Arab Cultural Centre in Israel, fi... Read more
The Bang Bang Club (2010)
7/10
Director: Steven Silver
Starring: Ryan Phillippe, Taylor Kitsch, Malin Akerman
Greg Marinovich (Ryan Phillippe) is a war photographer trying to make a name for himself in South Africa near the end of apartheid. As he risks his li... Read more
The Banishment (2007)
7.7/10
Director: Andrey Zvyagintsev
Starring: Maria Bonnevie, Konstantin Lavronenko, Aleksandr Baluev
Set in an unnamed location and time, Andrei Zvyagintsevs truly compelling, mesmerisingly photographed drama follows Alex (Konstantin Lavronenko), Ver... Read more
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
7.7/10
Director: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, Pat Shortt, Barry Keoghan
Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them. Read more
The Barbarian and the Geisha (1958)
5.6/10
Director: John Huston
Starring: John Wayne, Eiko Ando, Sam Jaffe, Soh Yamamura, Norman Thomson
In 1856 Townsend Harris (Wayne) was the first American consul to Japan. He works hard to earn the respect of the local big-wigs amongst anti-American... Read more
The Barber (2002)
5.7/10
Starring: Malcolm McDowell, Brenda James
Town barber Dexter Miles is surprised to overhear, while cutting the hair of police chief Vance Corgan, that the body of a woman he murdered a few day... Read more
The Barefoot Contessa (1954)
7.1/10
Director: Joseph L Mankiewicz
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ava Gardner, Edmond O'Brien
The life and times of a glamour girl, her beginnings, her rise to stardom, her loveliness, her tragedy. A splendid production and cast including Humph... Read more