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Description

A pompous phonetics professor bets he can transform a Cockney flower seller into a polished lady of high society.

Description

Based on Charles Dickens’s classic novel, Nicholas Nickleby tells the story of the eponymous young hero (Derek Bond, When Eight Bells Toll) and his attempts to save his family and friends from the clutches of his greedy Uncle Ralph (Cedric Hardwicke, The Ten Commandments). Staying true to the dark mood of the book, director Alberto Cavalcanti (Dead of Night) conjures up a triumphantly atmospheric adaptation featuring indelible performances from Hardwicke and Bond. Special Features: • Interview with BFI Dickens Season Curators Adrian Wootton & Michael Eaton • Nicholas Nickleby (1903 short, courtesy of the Library of Congress) • Original Trailer

Description

Noel Coward's celebration of the strength and humour of the British working class in times of crisis struck a resounding impact with viewing audiences when first released, and still does to this day. Chronicling the trials and tribulations of the Gibbons family from the end of World War One, Coward's anthem to British resilience became the most successful film of 1944. This Happy Breed was David Lean's first credit as a solo director and was the first in a succession of worldwide hits for him and his distinctive visual style. Both Robert Newton and Celia Johnson preside over the ups and downs of their family with great humour and patience, ably supported by John Mills and Stanley Holloway. This is a High Definition digital restoration from the original film elements. Special Features [] Commemorative booklet by noted British film historian Neil Sinyard DISC ONE (Blu-ray) [] Two trailers [] Restoration featurette [] Extensive stills galleries DISC Two (DVD) [] Two South Bank Shows featuring David Lean [] Original material in PDF format