Alec Guinness Collection (Screen Icons) DVD | Movie Mail UK

Film Description

Five films from one of the most versatile and sensitive of actors. Contains:

Kind Hearts and Coronets (Robert Hamer, 1949)

Deprived of his inheritance by the D'Ascoyne family, Louis Mazzini (played with cool and masterly understatement by Dennis Price) plots to regain his title and avenge his wronged mother. Standing between him and his inheritance are eight of the D'Ascoynes, all of whom are played with relish by Alec Guinness in a variety of guises. Coolly and beautifully cynical in its detached view of Edwardian society and manners, this is one of Ealing's finest. Funny, articulate and really quite amoral.

The Last Holiday (Henry Cass, 1950)

When a seller of farm equipment is diagnosed with a fatal condition, he decides to go on the last holiday of his life. A strong ensemble cast (including Bernard Lee and Sid James, in a rare 'straight' role) supports Guinness in his first leading role in this underrated gem. Subject to a 2006 remake starring, improbably, the magnificent Queen Latifah in the Alec Guinness role.

The Man in the White Suit (Alexander MacKendrick, 1951)

Classic Ealing fare, with Alec Guinness trying to catch the world's attention as the inventor of a self-cleaning, lifelong-lasting suit. All seems well at first, but the freak fabric provokes dire socio-economic consequences. Expertly mounted by Mackendrick, there is much to enjoy in this lively satire of British working practices.

The Captain's Paradise (Anthony Kimmins, 1953)

Guinness is ferry captain Henry St James who leads a double life with a nice, homely English wife in Gibraltar and a dancing, champagne-drinking wife in Tangiers. In Gibraltar he dons pipe and slippers, in Tangiers he's out on the town in his white tux. As long as neither wife uses the ferry he's ok - in paradise in fact. It can't last. Good comedy with surprisingly understated performances.

Also includes Barnacle Bill (Charles Frend, 1957).