Dead of Night (1945)

An architect senses impending doom as his half-remembered recurring dream turns into reality, when the guests at the country house encourage him to stay as they take turns telling supernatural tales.

Magnificently conceived anthology movie, four directors pull it all together, with memorable and some frightening moments and a great cast.

Halliwell****: "Chillingly successful and influential compendium of the macabre, especially effective in its low-key handling of the linking sequence with its circular ending."

Maltin****: "Classic thriller...final sequence with Redgrave as a schizophrenic ventriloquist is a knockout."

Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)

A surly convicted murderer held in permanent isolation redeems himself when he becomes a renowned bird expert.

Affecting prison drama takes its time to tell its  story, but gives room for many touching moments; Burt Lancaster delivers a great performance.

Halliwell*: "Overlong and rather weary biopic of Robert Shroud, who spent nearly sixry years in prison and became a cause célèbre. One cannot deny many effective moments, notably of direction, but it's a long haul."

Maltin***: "Pensive study...Film becomes static despite imaginative sidelights to enlarge scope of action."