The American Film Theatre Collection

The American Film Theatre Collection was conceived in the Seventies to merge the worlds of film and theatre. Rarely seen since they were made and never before released on video or DVD in the UK, the premise was to take dramatic works of art and turn them into cinematic works of art by broadening out the action, thereby appealing to lovers of theatre and film. Utilising the greatest actors of our time, together with some of the most renowned playwrights and producers, the credits read like a who’s who of 20th Century talent. Amongst these are Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Katherine Hepburn, Glenda Jackson, Susannah York, Derek Jacobi, Jeff Bridges, Stacy Keach, Harold Pinter, Peter Hall, Lindsay Anderson, Tony Richardson, John Frankenheimer and Edward Albee.

Combining some of the best known plays of the day, together with lesser known but equally compelling works, new label inD have released the American Film Theatre Collection on DVD over fourteen titles, which include ‘The Iceman Cometh’, ‘The Three Sisters’, and ‘The Maids’. Each DVD contains a wealth of extras including in-depth filmed interviews with the stars, directors and producers, theatrical trailers, as well as articles written by leading critics and reviewers

The American Film Theatre Collection content on DVD Times:

The American Film Theatre Collection News 5th July heralds both the launch of a new DVD label, inD DVD, and the remarkable American Film Theatre Collection which brings together the best talent from stage and screen to build up to what will undoubtedly become one of the most collectible and prestigious DVD libraries. The American Film Thea...

Butley DVD Video Review The sole film directed by Harold Pinter, Butley is an extremely bitter and funny comedy featuring a virtuoso performance from the late Alan Bates as an English teacher on the brink of self-destruction. Noel Megahey reviews the first release from the American Film Theatre Collection.

The Homecoming DVD Video Review Directed by Peter Hall, the second release in the American Theatre Collection is a powerful performance of Harold Pinter's seminal play. Released for the first time in the UK with a fine selection of extra features.

A Delicate Balance DVD Video Review Noel Megahey reviews the latest DVD release from the classic American Film Theatre series of filmed plays. Katherine Hepburn and Paul Scofield star in Tony Richardson's version of Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize winning drama.

The Man In The Glass Booth DVD Video Review Continuing a series of reviews of the American Film Theatre DVD releases, Noel Megahey reviews Arthur Hiller's adaptation of Robert Shaw's study of survivor's guilt as a Jewish millionnaire businessman is accused of actually being a former Nazi death camp commandant.

Rhinoceros DVD Video Review Eugene Ionesco's Theatre of the Absurd masterpiece is adapted to the screen for the American Film Theatre, teaming Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel in a very funny film about a serious subject - how people can turn into rhinoceroses at any time.

The Iceman Cometh DVD Video Review Noel Megahey reviews one of the most ambitious attempts to film Eugene O'Neill's classic of American drama, directed by John Frankenheimer for the American Film Theatre.

Galileo DVD Video Review Joseph Losey directed this film version of Bertolt Brecht's play for the American Film Theatre. The film features a host of British stage actors and Topol as the Venetian mathematician who changed how we see the world.

The Maids DVD Video Review Noel Megahey reviews the film adaptation of Jean Genet's The Maids included in the American Film Theatre Collection. Glenda Jackson and Susannah York are two Parisian maids who plot to murder their mistress.

Philadelphia, Here I Come DVD Video Review Noel Megahey reviews the American Film Theatre adaptation of Brian Friel's drama. A young man wrestles with his conscience on the day before he emigrates to America and reflects on what he is leaving behind.

Luther DVD Video Review This 1973 production of John Osborne’s play for the American Film Theatre features a strong cast of British acting talent and Stacy Keach as Martin Luther. The fine selection of informative extra features make up for the rather average picture quality.

Lost In The Stars DVD Video Review A Broadway musical by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson is brought to the screens in this American Film Theatre presentation. Based on Alan Paton's 'Cry The Beloved Coutry', it sings of the fate of black Africans living in the mining communities of Johannesburg.

Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris DVD Video Review A filmed version of a Broadway revue, the songs of the great Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel are imaginatively brought to the screen in this American Film Theatre production from 1975.

Three Sisters DVD Video Review Anton Chekhov's seminal drama directed by Laurence Olivier in his National Theatre production from 1970, brought to the screen for the American Film Theatre. Noel Megahey reviews the UK Region 0 DVD.

In Celebration DVD Video Review Anthony Nield takes a look at Fremantle/inD's Region 0 release of In Celebration, a fine American Film Theatre offering from playwright David Storey and director Lindsay Anderson.