I just read on the Beeb that Pinewood Studios is turning 75 years old. Here’s a look at some of the films that have been made there.
2011
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Along with Harry Potter, one of the mega-blockbusters filmed at the famous studios. It’s also a pretty good movie.
.
2006
American Gangster
I was enjoying this Denzel Washington/Russell Crowe starrer earlier today, but then the VCR cut out and I missed the end. Stupid archaic technology!
.
2001
Bridget Jones’s Diary
My husband asked me earlier if Jane Austen only wrote one plot. She did, but it was a good one, as this Clueless-style update proved.
.
1996
The Fifth Element
As visually distinctive as Blade Runner and as all-round bloody entertaining as Die Hard: what more could you want?
.
1991
Thelma and Louise
There are many reasons to remember that film, but mostly because Brad Pitt looked totally hot in it.
.
1986
Aliens
One of the finest films ever made.
.
1981
Clash of the Titans
The ropey special effects (by the legendary Ray Harryhausen) just add to its charm.
.
1976
The Omen
This very silly, notably un-scary film was apparently downright terrifying at the time.
.
1971
Diamonds Are Forever
Pinewood Studios are intrinsically associated with the Bond movies, and this is one of the many filmed there.
.
1966
Fahrenheit 451
Ray Bradbury’s dystopian fable is brought to life by François Truffaut.
.
1961
Whistle Down The Wind
This rather odd story has some charming performances, most memorably from young Hayley Mills, who mistakes an escaped convict for Jesus Christ. Must have been the beard.
.
1956
The Prince and the Showgirl
Released the following year, this film combined the talents of Marilyn Monroe and Laurence Olivier.
.
1948
The Red Shoes
One of the most visually beautiful films ever made.
.
Also in 1948, Pinewood played host to David Lean’s classic Great Expectations. Most of the films made at Pinewood prior to that are long forgotten, but the first to be made there was a crime film called Talk of the Devil in 1936. Its (male) director, Carol Reed, went on to earn acclaim for The Third Man (1949) and the Academy Award-winning Oliver! (1968).
.
