Director - Michael Haneke
The film that put Haneke on the map. Two young men take a family hostage in their summer home. Really uncomfortable to watch despite the fact that almost none of the violence happens on screen. By far and away the best film to deal with one of Haneke’s major obsessions - the depiction of violence in films and how the audience reacts to it. Haneke doesn’t make bad films. Essential viewing.
Director - David Wickes
Big screen debut of the superb British ‘70s police TV series. All the swagger that made the TV show so essential is present and correct with the added bonus of swearing and nudity. Barry Foster plays a corrupt American power broker out to influence an OPEC conference. Collin Welland is an angry journo who has caught whiff of what's going on, while Jack and George (John Thaw and Dennis Waterman) are left to try and figure out a string of murders that will eventually lead them to Foster's door. The whole cast look like they spent the time they're not on screen down the local, Thaw in particular. Wickes is a veteran from the show and directs the whole thing as an extended episode. If you love your gritty London '70s films then this is a must see.
Director - Michael Haneke
Haneke’s post apocalyptic (or should that just be apocalyptic?) film about how rapidly society breaks down when things go tits up. It starts off in much the same way as Haneke's earlier masterpiece Funny Games (1997), with a family arriving at their summer house only to find it already occupied. Isabelle Huppert carries the majority of the first half of the film, before falling into the background for the final half. Rape, murder and animal cruelty. You’ll need a shower afterwards. As always with Haneke this is essential viewing.
