Classic Film, Prince Charles Cinema

The film industry worships the Next Big Thing, especially during awards season, but true classics never go out of fashion. Over the next few months, intersperse your cinematic schedule with some of the timeless masterpieces showing at the Prince Charles. This 1960s cinema located just off Leicester Square has an impressive rolling programme of Classic Films, and this year the selection is as thoughtful and inspired as ever.

On 4 March, the Prince Charles is showing Frank Darapont’s powerful and affirming The Shawshank Redemption (1994). This story of a man struggling against adversity in a State Prison, starring Morgan Freeman, is frequently voted by critics as one of the best films of all time, a well-deserved accolade. We can promise that you will not leave the cinema with dry eyes.  

Later that month, Darapont’s Hollywood tearjerker is perfectly contrasted with the very British 1969 version of The Italian Job, showing on 11 March. This rabble-rousing caper film is full of imitable catchphrases and a red, white and blue colour-scheme that Her Majesty would be proud of.  A rare opportunity to catch the genius of director Noël Coward on the big screen.

Don’t miss the extraordinary Japanese horror film Lady Snowblood (1973), showing on the 25 of March. Perfectly demonstrating the Prince Charles’s dextrous definition of ‘cinematic classic’, this cartoonish Japanese gore-fest had such an effect on director Quentin Tarantino that he demanded the whole cast of his 2003 blockbuster Kill Bill (2003) watch it during filming breaks. A perfect screening for fans of Tarantino’s zany surrealism (and ultra-violence).

Also Showing: The Maltese Falcon, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Stalker, Citizen Kane, Blow Up, A Streetcar Named Desire. Click here for full listing.