Margaret Rutherford plays the inimitable self-chosen sleuth, Miss Marple. The newer versions of Ms. Marple are stones to these gems because they lack the wonderful sense of humor of Agatha Christie. The British mystery writer is an international sensation - in England, in America, even in Soviet Russia her work is turned into film such as "Ten Little Indians.

Laurence Olivier is magnificent as a villain who usurps the English throne by murdering his rivals. He endows Richard with a fierce intelligence and quirky physicality. Don't miss the extras.

Ah...the love of books! A New York screenwriter develops a meaningful closeness with a London bookseller, all through correspondence. The relationship - one of kindred souls - lasts 20 years, even though the two never meet. A true story.

An edge of your seat gothic ghost story. This is the only movie I have ever seen that can honestly be called "haunting."

Maggie Smith is exquisite as a teacher in an exclusive girls school between the world wars - "absurd, dangerous, and magnificent." She inspires her students with her views on art, music, romance, and aesthetics but is totally misguided in her political views. Some say it is her best performance but decide for yourself after seeing Bed Among the Lentils in "Maggie Smith at the BBC.

Ironically, the best adaptation of Shakespeare on film is the least known. An interpretation and incorporation of the history play(s) that covers the period from Richard II to Henry V. Fans of this film are similarly impressed with Orson Welles' film noir version of "Othello" midst shadows and twisted darkness.

The subject is censorship and...sex. A British jury of twelve is asked to condemn D.H. Lawrence's scandalous novel "Lady Chatterley's Lover." Meanwhile, two of the jurors discover their secret lovemaking is ignited by the words of the book. The film demands we explore the role of physical passion in our lives. [I can only recommend one movie version of the actual novel - with Danielle Darrieux]

Faith and innocence are put to the test when some children discover a bruised man in a barn and come to respect him as an incarnation of Jesus Christ...when in fact the man is a runaway felon. One of the best films about the different worldview of children versus adults.

The wit, wisdom, and wordplay of Oscar Wilde's writing is spendidly exhibited in this adaptation. Fans of the author's works should also sample the 1945 film adaptation of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" or the more recent BBC "The Oscar Wilde Collection". For more verbal farce as an art form, don't miss "A Song at Twilight", part of the BBC "Noel Coward Collection.

Columbia University Professor Simon Schama has created 15 provocative movie essays on English history. Favorites discuss the conflict between Becket (Archbishop of Canterbury) and King Henry II or discuss the struggle between Mary, Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth for primacy of Britain.

Albert Finney and Greta Schachi are marvelous in this movie about a disliked and underappreciated teacher of the classics forced out of his job. In explaining his grading system, he informs his students "they get what they deserve, nothing more and nothing less." Compare the English system of teaching (e.g. "The History Boys") with the French (i.e. "The Class").

Outstanding drama about patriotism when England was fighting the Nazis alone. Along with "The Cruel Sea, One of Our Aircraft is Missing, and (of course) Bridge over the River Kwai," I rank this among Britain's finest World War II films.

War-ravaged Vienna, late 1940's. Strains of zither music, cracks in shattered buildings, and stinking odors in sewers create an edgy, ominous texture in this British directed film noir. Then suddenly...out of the shadows...Harry Lime appears.