We had a request for 84 Charing Cross Road from Member No. 362 as our next watch party film so we thought we would hold it on Sunday 11th July, at 7.30pm (UK time).
“A true story about love and the love of books, 84 Charing Cross features Academy Award winners Anne Bancroft (Best Actress – The Miracle Worker, 1963) and Anthony Hopkins (Best Actor – The Silence of the Lambs, 1992) in stellar performances.
Helene Hanff (Bancroft), a feisty New York writer, mails a letter to a small London bookshop requesting some rare English classics. Frank Doel (Hopkins), the reserved English bookseller, answers her request, beginning a touching and humorous correspondence that spans two continents and two decades.
Hanff’s acerbic wit starkly contrasts Doel’s aloof British demeanour, but their mutual love of books forms a bond that deepens with each passing year. Their intimate, richly detailed letters draw us into their lives as Helene and Frank share their dreams, hopes, sorrows and joys – and in doing so, develop a lasting and extraordinary friendship.”
Having shared on Twitter that we would be watching the film it was lovely to get a message back from Anne Bancroft’s son, Max Brooks, saying “My mom would have been delighted. Enjoy.”
Amazingly, and as if by serendipity, the Director of Photography, Brian West, lives only a stone’s throw away here in Swanage. I of course had to write and let him know about our film night too!
Once again, to join the watch party all you need to do is source a copy of the film (DVD, download, YouTube), save the date, and press play at 7.30pm on the evening.
It would be lovely if you wanted to join us.
Dinah
Watch the trailer HERE.