greatest-ever-made's - Rented List

Show moreShow less

Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper star in this comedic drama about a crime spree that leads to love. In the most elaborate jewel heist in European history, the beautiful and conniving "Countess" Madeline (Dietrich) embezzles a small fortune in pearls.

As she makes her getaway to Spain to deliver the hot goods, her escape is thwarted by car trouble, until a handsome and likeable young tourist (Cooper) helps her out. She shows her gratitude by leaving the unsuspecting good Samaritan in the dust - literally! But when he accidentally ends up with the pearls, she must feign romantic interest to get them back. The charade soon turns into the real thing however; and Madeline realises that her only hope of happiness is to clean up her act - no matter what the cost - or lose the man she loves.

Show moreShow less

Made in 1954, 'Godzilla' was Japan's first foray into big budget sci fi - costing ten times the budget of the average Japanese feature and twice as much as Seven Samurai - released the same year.

The film created a monster that would enter the lexicon of popular culture, spawn fifty years of sequels and inspire a new genre: the kaiju eiga or Japanese monster movie. Directed by Ishiro Honda, a friend and collaborator of Akira Kurosawa, and starring Takashi Shimura as the revered paleontologist who uncovers the horrible secret at the heart of the monster (Godzilla is a long dormant Jurassic beast awoken by the atom bomb), the original Godzilla is a fierce indictment of the atomic age. Sold to an American distributor, the film was cut, dubbed into English, re-titled Godzilla: King of the Monsters! and new scenes were added starring Raymond Burr as an American reporter observing the monsters rampage from the sidelines. All trace of the anti-nuclear message was excised in the American version. Now regarded as one of the great classics of cinema and still rated amongst the top twenty Japanese movies of all time, the original Godzilla is perhaps the definitive monster movie - both a bold metaphor for the atomic age and a thrilling tour de force of pioneering special effects.

Show moreShow less

Delphine's travelling companion cancels two weeks before her holiday, so Delphine (Marie Rivière), a Parisian secretary, is at a loose end. She doesn't want to travel by herself, but has no means boyfriend and seems unable to meet new people.

A friend takes her to Cerbourg; after a few days there, the weepy and self pitying Delphine goes back to Paris. She tries the Alps, but returns the same day. Next, it's the beach; once there, she chats with an outgoing Swede, a party girl, and a friendship seems to bud; then suddenly, Delphine bolts, heading back to Paris. On her way, a young man catches her eye; perhaps a sunset and the sun's green ray await.

Show moreShow less

Perhaps the crowning achievement of Bunuel's career, the film centres on an idealistic young nun named Viridiana (Silvia Pinal).

Before she is allowed to take her final vows, the Mother Superior requests that she visit her uncle Don Jaime (Fernando Rey), who has "selflessly" provided for the girl over the years. Having always considered him an unspeakable beast, she is surprised when he graciously welcomes her into his home. Just as graciously, he sets about to corrupt Viridiana beyond redemption - all because the girl resembles the wife that died on their wedding day.

Show moreShow less

Bodies are mysteriously disappearing all over town, and a new wax museum has just opened. Is there a connection? But of course! In this horror classic, Fay Wray stars as the intended next victim of a mad wax sculptor obsessed with her resemblance to one of his prior creations.

Glenda Farrell plays a quintessential wisecracking newspaper reporter, and noted actor Lionel Atwill is the deranged artist who loses his studio to a fire set by his partner.

Show moreShow less

Incest, old money, and intergenerational guilt come under the scalpel in this brooding story of lies, power, and the power of lies. Anne Charpin-Vasseur (Nathalie Baye), matriarch of an outwardly perfect upper-class family in Bordeaux decides to run for Mayor.

But in the midst of her campaign a leaflet appears, accusing her family of collaboration with the Nazis, profiteering, adultery, and more. One by one skeletons begin to emerge from the closet, sowing discord and distrust as the family begins to unravel.

Show moreShow less

In this engaging comedy of manners, the radiant Loretta Young plays Katrin "Katie" Holstrom, a naive Minnesota farm girl who leaves home to study nursing in the big city. Bilked out of her cash the first day, Katie lands a job as maid to U.S. Sen.

Glenn Morley (Joseph Cotten) and soon finds herself thrust into politics when she takes a public stand for immigrants.

Show moreShow less

There is only one common factor in these killings: ruthless efficiency. A comprehensive service is offered by the assassination bureau...(limited). No social or political bias, just murder as a fine art.

When a determined young reporter cheekily names the bureaus chairman, Ivan Dragomiloff (Oliver Reed), as her victim, he accepts her commission as a means to revitalise his flagging organisation.

Show moreShow less

Inspired by a novel by best-selling Western author Louis L'Amour, "Heller In Pink Tights" brings the curtain up on the travelling Healy Dramatic Company, a barnstorming 1880's theatrical troupe that spends part of its time emoting on stage - and most of its time fending off confrontational

townfolk, irate creditors and suspicious sheriffs. Desperate to find a more flamboyant act to keep their audiences entertained, the ensemble's leaders, Angela Rossini (Sophia Loren) and Tom Healy (Anthony Quinn), put the "Wild" in Wild West with their comic misadventures.

Show moreShow less

A stellar cast including Jane Seymour, Leo McKern, John McEnery and Leslie Dunlop star in this classic BBC adaptation of one of Charles Dickens' most celebrated novels. A story about two women, both vainly seeking happiness and fulfilment: Lizzie Hexam and Bella Wilfer.

Lizzie is the subject of intense romantic interest from two ardent suitors, a class conscious triangle which culminates in tragedy - in addition her father is suspected of murder. Meanwhile Bella enters into an arranged marriage with the owner of a refuse recycling firm - a circumstance linked to Lizzie's plight.

Show moreShow less

"Fantomas", the mysterious arch-criminal who holds Paris in the grip of terror, was first brought to the screen in this legendary serial by celebrated French cinema pioneer Louis Feuillade.

The creation of authors Marcel Allain and Pierre Souvestre, 'Fantomas' perpetrated the most appalling crimes in 32 hugely popular pulp novels and became a cult favourite of the avante garde, including the painters Rene Magritte and Salvador Dali. Feuillade's serial was one of cinema's earliest and most strikingly original crime dramas, starring Rene Navarre as Fantomas, the master of disguise and leader of a vast army of street thugs, and Edmond Breon as his nemesis, Inspector Juve.

Show moreShow less

It was one of the strangest days of his life... On a train to New York, Psychiatrist 'Hunt' Bailey (George Brent) becomes acquainted with an old lady called 'Cissie' Bederaux (Olive Blakeney).

She tells him about her strange family, about her volatile brother Nick (Paul Lukas) and his beautiful but damaged young wife Allida (Hedy Lamarr). When he later learns that 'Cissie' has died mysteriously, Hunt becomes curious about her family and sets out to meet them. Hunt is fascinated by Allida but Nick warns him that she is losing her mind and that he fears for her safety. But is Nick all that he seems? As Hunt gets closer to Allida, he realises she is in grave peril - and so is he...

Show moreShow less

When the out of control Betty (Marie Trintignant) meets the recently widowed Laure (Stephane Audran) in a bar, they seem to have an instant bond.

But when Laure decides to take her in and Betty begins to reveal a sad and sometimes horrific life story of betrayal and self destruction, something snaps. What follows is one of the most intriguing cat and mouse battles ever witnessed.

Lights flicker and dim. Footsteps sound from a sealed-off attic. Mysterious events only vulnerable young Paula (Ingrid Bergman) sees and hears make her fear she's losing her mind - exactly what treacherous spouse Gregory (Charles Boyer) hopes.

Show moreShow less

Madame Cuno (Stéphane Audran) and her son, Louis (Lucas Belvaux), are being harassed to sell their house by greedy property developers. When one developer dies in mysterious circumstances and the other is suspected of having murdered his wife.

Inspector Lavardin (Jean Poiret) becomes determined to get to the truth, using whatever means he feels are appropriate. And the truth is very grisly indeed...