1/14. I can’t remember the last time that a first-time watch of a classic film confounded my preconceptions as much as DODSWORTH (William Wyler, 1936), an extraordinarily mature and nuanced portrait of a marriage in crisis. See 🧵 for some reasons why you should try it, too.

Dear @BBCBreakfast - do the Lioness’s win against Italy and Ozzy Osborne’s death really merit being your top 2 headlines this morning? Many of us care more about the situation in Gaza and want to know what our government is doing about one of the worst atrocities of our time.

2/2. Aside from the magnificent landscape, it tells the compelling story of a polyandrously married woman’s (she’s married to a man + his two brothers) spiritual and physical journey across the remote Dolpo region near the Nepal/Tibet border. Looks spectacular on the big screen.

1/2. A shout-out for SHAMBHALA (Min Bahadur Bham, Nepal, 2024), showing @TheGardenCinema on 22 July and 10 Aug. This was one of the most rewarding films I watched last year, but I don't think it's had a UK release.

Unfaithfully Yours (1948) is not my favourite Preston Sturges film, but there's much to love. In particular, Rex Harrison as a Sir Thomas Beecham-like conductor giving a performance that feels like a dry run for Henry Higgins. And this shot - so good that Sturges used it 3 times.

5/5. You can watch the film here

4/5. - the lighting falling on faces or singling someone out in a crowd. - its surprisingly feminist narrative and the fantastic relationships between women (including a hint of sapphic subtext).

3/5. A few other reasons to love it: . - the mise-en-scène - I kept having stop the film to take in the compositions and positioning of colour. - the fluid camera movement. Every shot feels planned within an inch of its life.

2/5. Think Sirk and Minnelli (with a touch of Powell and Pressburger) making a melodrama set during a couple of decades of mid-20th century Chinese history.

1/5. Two Stage Sisters (Xie Jin, China, 1964) in 20 images.

Very excited that the Bayeux Tapestry will be back in the UK for the 1st time in 1000+ years - on display at the British Museum in 2027. The tapestry inspired the title sequences of two favourite films from my childhood, Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) and The Vikings (1958).

Today is the centenary of the birth of #GuruDutt. He directed 2 of my favourite films - Pyaasa (1957) and Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959). His passport is currently on display at the British Museum

A very short tribute to Irene Dunne's trousers (yes, they're trousers) and top in The Awful Truth (Leo McCarey, 1937). Designed by (Robert) Kalloch.

On Sat 5 July Right to Roam have organised a peaceful protest at Bridehead

In March I revisited Bridehead (without an 's') in Littlebredy probably for the last time - my family lived in a neighbouring village for 40 years. What is currently happening in the village is a shocking indictment of feudal power and money in the UK

10/10. You can watch the film here

9/10. Director John Berry (seen here with Garfield and Winters during the shooting of the pool scene) was another victim of McCarthyism, with his Hollywood career pretty much destroyed. On the strength of HE RAN ALL THE WAY, I’ll be seeking out more of his films.

8/10. The tension is brilliantly handled. Never has a sewing machine been so unnerving. Or a turkey dinner so full of menace - aided, especially, by a very long shot without edits as the camera follows the action.

7/10. Excellent portrayal of a family in jeopardy. The dynamics between them bring real emotion to the film.

6/10. Fantastic turn from Gladys George as Garfield’s mother. Very much a case of the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…

5/10. It’s a great one for Shelley Winters fans. Classic Winters role - naive, gullible, unexpectedly sensual. And yet another film where water plays a key role in the narrative for her - think A PLACE IN THE SUN, NIGHT OF THE HUNTER and THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE.