84 Charing Cross Road DVD

84 Charing Cross Road
Helene Hanff's book 84 Charing Cross Road had previously been a TV program and a stage play before it was converted into this 1986 film. The scene is New York, 1949: Anne Bancroft plays a struggling writer and passionate bibliophile, who answers an advertisement from a rare-volumes bookshop at 84 Charing Cross Road in London. Thus begins a two-decade romance by correspondence between Bancroft and Briton Anthony Hopkins, the man in charge of the overseas department of Marks and Company. Though several meetings are arranged, Bancroft and Hopkins never come face to face thanks to mitigating circumstances. But Anne finally makes it to London, and finds that much has changed. 84 Charing Cross Road was produced by Mel Brooks, the husband of star Anne Bancroft. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast Anne Bancroft as Helene Hanff Anthony Hopkins as Frank Doel Judi Dench as Nora Doel Jean de Baer as Maxine Bellamy Maurice Denham as George Martin Mercedes Ruehl as Kay Eleanor David as Cecily Farr Daniel Gerroll as Brian Wendy Morgan as Megan Wells Ian McNeice as Bill Humphries J. Smith-Cameron as Ginny Tom Isbell as Ed

Crew Jo Lustig - Associate Producer Marilyn Johnson - Casting Judy Courtney - Casting Jane Greenwood - Costume Designer Lindy Hemming - Costume Designer Jake Wright - First Assistant Director Mark McGann - First Assistant Director David Jones - Director Chris Wimble - Editor Mel Brooks - Executive Producer George Fenton - Composer (Music Score) Gary Levy - Production Designer Edward Pisoni - Production Designer Eileen Diss - Production Designer Brian West - Cinematographer Geoffrey Helman - Producer Gary Alper - Sound/Sound Designer David John - Sound/Sound Designer Hugh Whitemore - Screenwriter Helene Hanff - Book Author

84 Charing Cross Road
It's hard to build an entire film around charm, but this is essentially what the makers of 84 Charing Cross Road have done. How well they have succeeded will likely depend upon one's appreciation of -- or tolerance for -- the two characters who make up the core of the film. Epistolary in nature, director David Jones has done an admirable job of opening up the static story, finding ways of framing the constant voice-overs by placing the characters in different settings or situations. Hugh Whitemore's screenplay also helps; while there is still little action, he provides pithy, witty dialogue and delineates two strongly defined characters. Ultimately, of course, the film rises or falls on the actors who portray its characters, and there are no complaints here. Anne Bancroft brings her special brand of spunkiness and feistiness to the role, as well as her ability to twist unsuspected emotions from seemingly neutral sentences. Anthony Hopkins' skill and artistry are given free rein here, resulting in a delightfully understated and extremely effective performance. Although the supporting cast -- especially Judi Dench -- is quite good, it's Bancroft and Hopkins who matter here, and they do not disappoint. Even they, however, are unable to overcome the limitations of the film's basic concept. As a result, Charing Cross fails to totally satisfy, despite its charms. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
 

Anne Bancroft: British Academy Awards, Best Actress (winner)

General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: English, French, Spanish, Por, KO, TH Sound Processing: Additional Features: Digitally mastered audio & video Full-screen presentation Audio: English Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Thai Bonus trailers Interactive menus Scene selections DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1: Pre-1954 Standard MPAA Rating: PG DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 100 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- 1. Start [4:23] 2. Answering an Ad [2:10] 3. Frank P. Doel [2:48] 4. Brian the Britisher [3:51] 5. Imaginary Conversations, Vol. 2 [1:19] 6. The Doel Home [2:01] 7. Meat Rationing [1:58] 8. Christmas 1949 [1:21] 9. Food From Denmark [1:19] 10. Willie's Deli [2:26] 11. A Note From Cecily [4:59] 12. Helene's London Fantasy [1:24] 13. Idea of the University [3:37] 14. Conga! [4:11] 15. Easter Parcels [2:55] 16. Elizabethan Love Poems [3:04] 17. Maxine at Marks & Co. [2:06] 18. Ersatz Pepys [3:38] 19. The Babysitter [3:44] 20. A Gift of Linen [3:51] 21. In Hospital [3:36] 22. Nylons for Lent [4:44] 23. Trip Canceled [7:56] 24. Evicted [1:19] 25. Modern Library Thing [8:30] 26. Alive & Kicking [5:04] 27. All Things Must Pass [6:15] 28. Finally Made It [4:38]