Edge of Darkness (1943)

Lewis Milestone

Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan and Walter Huston star in this World War II drama about an idyllic Norwegian village that finally revolts against the brutality of the occupying Nazi army.


The Sea Wolf (1941)

Michael Curtiz

Edward G. Robinson stars as the tyrannical captain of a freighter who would rather "reign in Hell than serve in Heaven" in this classic drama. When the maniacal captain rescues two survivors of a capsized ferry, an idealistic writer and a female fugitive, the two soon realize that the captain will never let them leave his ship alive.


Island In the Sun

Robert Rossen

In 1957, a charismatic new black leader (Harry Belafonte) threatens to unseat British rule on the tropical island of Santa Marta. And soon, four scandalous love affairs intertwine to affect the political career of his wealthy rival (James Mason). Joan Collins, Stephen Boyd, Dorothy Dandridge and Joan Fontaine also star in this engaging film about scandal, politics and interracial marriage.


All the King's Men

Robert Rossen

In a bravura performance, Broderick Crawford won the 1949 Academy Award for Best Actor with his stunning portrayal of bull-headed, backwoods lawyer Willie Stark, in this powerful drama about political and personal corruption. A somber but realistic chronicle of raw, brutal power in force, ALL THE KING'S MEN is based on Robert Penn Warren's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. It was brought to the screen in 1949 by producer Robert Rossen who also wrote the screenplay and directed the film. The story was inspired by the rise and fall of southern bigwig Huey Pierce Long, the infamous "Kingfish" who was Louisiana's governor and one-time senator. Long's cunning tactics of building public works during the depression to serve his own needs more than those of his constituents eventually brought about his own assassination in 1935. A compelling story of a self-made, self-styled politician, it was politics that almost prevented Rossen from making ALL THE KING'S MEN in the first place when he was named by the House Committee on UnAmerican Activities in 1947 for having Communist sympathies. Rossen's denial of this to Columbia chief Harry Cohn enables him to continue work on the film; but his earlier radicalism eventually surfaced and Rossen made only one film (The Brave Bulls) in the next five years. Nonetheless, ALL THE KING'S MEN remains a hallmark political film with superb performances throughout. John Ireland garnered an Academy Award nomination for his role as Stark's tortured right-hand man, while Mercedes McCambridge won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress as Sadie Burke, Stark's callous, conniving political aide. In addition, the film won an Academy Award for Best Picture along with nominations for Directing, Writing and Film Editing.


The Hustler

Robert Rossen

Paul Newman heads a superb cast featuring Jackie Gleason, George C. Scott and Piper Laurie in the riveting film that received an Academy Award® nomination as Best Picture of 1961 and brought all four of its Oscar® nominations. Newman (Best Actor nominee) is electrifying as "Fast" Eddie Felson, an arrogant, amoral hustler who haunts backstreet pool rooms fleecing anyone who'll pick up a cue. Determined to be acclaimed as the best, Eddie seeks out the legendary Minnesota Fats (Gleason, Supporting Actor nominee), who's backed by Bert Gordon (Scott, Supporting Actor nominee), a predatory gambler. Eddie can beat the champ, but virtually defeats himself with his low self-image. The love of a lonely woman (Laurie, Best Actress nominee) could turn Eddie's life around, but he won't rest until he beats Minnesota Fats, no matter what price he must pay. Voted one of the year's ten best by "The New York Times" and "Time," and distinguished by 2 Academy Awards- Cinematography, Art Direction-Set Decoration (B&W), The Hustler


They Came to Cordura

Robert Rossen

A dramatic western set in 1916 Mexico with Gary Cooper as an Army officer accused of cowardice and sent to find five men worthy of a Medal of Honor. Rita Hayworth is the shady lady accused of treason who he meets along the way.


Lilith

Robert Rossen

Warren Beatty and Jean Seberg co-star in this haunting drama about the obsessive love between a therapist and his patient. Vincent (Beatty), a war veteran, returns to his bleak Maryland hometown and takes a job as an occupational therapist at Poplar Lodge, a private mental institution for the wealthy. There, Vincent meets a young schizophrenic, Lilith (Seberg), an enchanting patient whose fragile beauty bewitches all those with whom she comes in contact -- especially Stephen (Peter Fonda), a troubled young man. As Vincent is drawn even deeper into her private world, he too becomes captivated by Lilith and will lie, betray and even destroy to keep her. Soon Vincent himself can no longer determine which of the two world -- his or Lilith's -- is the sane one.


Alexander the Great

Michael Forlong & Robert Rossen

Fierce military commander, magnificent warrior, world conqueror. Legendary Macedonian hero Alexander the Great is celebrated in this definitive film about his tumultuous life. Richard Burton, Fredric March and Claire Bloom lead a "remarkable cast" (Leonard Maltin) of thousands in this epic film that seamlessly blends spectacular action, vivid character portrayals and an age-old tale of wisdom, blood and glory! Alexander (Burton) is a man torn by conflict between the lofty wisdom of his teacher, Aristotle (Barry Jones), loyalty to his warrior father (March) and his own grand design for world domination. In a turbulent world of political unrest, this ambitious young man must rise above all conflict to unite the continents of Europe and Asia and become one of the most celebrated rulers of all time!