OUTCAST OF THE ISLANDS (StudioCanal). Carol Reed’s powerful adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s novel, of colonial greed, lust and moral degradation was much underrated when it was released in 1952. A blackguard (Trevor Howard), a liar, a thief and a cheat, infatuated with a native, loses complete control of his life. There is a superb theatrical confrontation between Howard and Ralph Richardson (as his mentor whom he betrays). Robert Morley has rarely been better and there is a neat cameo by Wilfrid Hyde-White as a silky, oily cleric.
THE WELL DIGGER’S DAUGHTER (Pathe). Daniel Auteuil (who made his name with Jean de Florette) returns to Marcel Pagnol for his directorial debut with this French pastoral story of an innocent girl (the lovely Astrid Berges-Frisbey) who is seduced by an airman, who goes off to fight in World War 2 and does not know he has made her pregnant. It is a touching, gentle film, beautifully photographed, full of old-fashioned charm, and well acted, with fine performances by Auteuil and Kad Merad.
THE SPY IN BLACK (Spirit). Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s first film together is set during World War I. Conrad Veidt is cast an honourable German U-Boat commander, who is in the Orkneys planning to sink 15 British destroyers with the help of two agents (Valerie Hobson and Sebastian Shaw). Things don’t go according to plan. The film was released just before World War 2 when it had a greater impact than it does now.
THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII (Odeon). A popular gladiator is corrupted by money. This 1935 film, badly scripted, badly acted, has nothing to do with Bulwer Lytton and manages (despite historical impossibilities) to drag Jesus and Pontius Pilate into the story. Filmgoers had to wait until 1936 for a really good cinema earthquake in the film, San Francisco.
THE AWAKENING (Optimum). Psychological ghost story set in a school in 1921 when the nation was still grieving for all those who had died in World War 1. The characters are still shell-shocked and in extremis. Rebecca Hall is the sceptical heroine debunking spiritualism. It’s never as good as you hope it is going to be and the denouement is disappointing.
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Campaigns & Issues
Caring Britain: One in four take on role of carers as “Sandwich Generation” rejects care home option for elderly parents
Notions of a selfish society are cast aside today as new research reveals that the 45-60 age group is shouldering the responsibility of looking after elderly parents. Despite active levels of family engagement, all but a minority find it hard to have the conversation about long-term care needs, and for most, care homes are not an option.
News
Graham Norton invites the nation to Party for Parkinson’s for The Queen’s Jubilee
Popular BBC TV Presenter and arguably the nation’s favourite party host, Graham Norton, has issued a rallying cry – urging everyone to Party for Parkinson’s this summer.
Familiar with glitzy nightlife and besquinned party gear, Graham is channelling his love of social occasions into backing a new campaign aimed at helping people with Parkinson’s by sprinkling a little party magic across the UK.
Whether it’s a barbecue, street or house party, Parkinson’s UK alongside Graham, hopes to encourage people to turn their gatherings into a real cause for celebration by helping to raise funds for the charity.
Competitions & Fun
Win a pair of tickets to South Pacific
This breathtaking and lavish Lincoln Center Theatre production reinvented Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical.
It swept the 2008 Tony Awards, played for two years to sold-out houses on Broadway and was televised across America.
Reader Offers
You could win one of three superb weekend breaks in Silver Travel Advisor’s “Best of British” Diamond Jubilee celebration this month
Silver Travel Advisor is a friendly website packed with advice, tips, information and honest reviews written by and for silver travellers (aged over 50).
A team of advisors are on hand to answer queries (for free), and you can share your own experiences too.
It’s time to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee this month with an amazing British prize draw:
Win a two night stay for two people at Flackley Ash Hotel , Rye, East Sussex
Health & Wellbeing
Volunteering is good for your health, but undervalued
Older people who volunteer are less depressed, have a better quality of life and are happier with their lives, according to a new study published by leading older people’s charity, WRVS.
At a time when older people’s health is at risk because of cuts to services, increasing volunteering amongst older people offers a new route to improving their wellbeing. However, despite the pressing needs of their older populations, many local authorities have failed to grasp this opportunity.
Property & Finance
Older people need specialist housing
Britain’s housing market is failing to meet the needs of the elderly, despite a rapidly-ageing population and a growing demand for retirement housing, a charity has warned. Housing charity Shelter has found that if demand remains at current levels supply would have to increase by over 70 per cent in the next 20 years in order to keep up.
The report explored the housing options available to those over 55 - a group that will make up one in three people in England by 2030.
Lifestyle
Grandparents better than nurseries
Young children looked after by their grandparents often develop better than those who are placed in nurseries, researchers have found. Spending time being cared for by family members leaves children more emotionally secure with wider vocabularies, the study said.
The research indicated that middle class families are more likely to use relatives to provide care while less affluent families often send their children to nurseries.
Travel & Leisure
Families take grandparents on holiday
Many families will be packing more than suitcases into their cars for this year's summer holidays - they will also be making room for grandma and granddad.
That's the finding of a major holiday parks group, Best of British, which reports a growing trend for couples with kids to join up with grandparents for holidays.
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