John Mills - The Centenary Collection Icon Box Set [DVD]

Box set of films starring John Mills. 'Great Expectations' (1946) is the classic film version of Dickens' novel, directed by David Lean, in which orphan Pip (Anthony Wager) befriends an escaped convict before being elevated to higher circles as the companion of mad Miss Havisham and her niece Estella (Jean Simmons), with whom the boy quickly falls in love. When the adult Pip (Mills) discovers a mysterious benefactor has paved the way for him to become a gentleman, he assumes Miss Havisham is responsible. In 'The October Man' (1947), a young man (Mills) is accused of murdering a model. He has to prove his innocence to the police, society and himself, as he has a history of mental disorders that may have made him commit the crime without him realising. In 'Morning Departure' (1950), based on the play by Kenneth Woollard, the crew of a submarine, led by Lt. Commander Armstrong (Mills), is trapped on the sea floor when it sinks. Will they be rescued before they run out of air? 'Waterloo Road' (1945) is a story of ordinary people in wartime that stars Mills as a soldier gone AWOL, and Stewart Granger as the cad out to seduce his wife. Noel Coward co-directed, wrote and starred in 'In Which We Serve' (1942), a patriotic piece of World War II propaganda about a destroyer, told through flashbacks and the reminiscences of the surviving crew after their beloved ship is torpedoed. Mills plays Ordinary Seaman 'Shorty' Blake. 'We Dive at Dawn' (1943) is a World War 2 drama that highlights the characters (all aged only between 19 and 23 years) as much as the actual events. The British submarine Sea Tiger's crew is looking forward to a long shore-leave after months at sea. This is cut short when they are ordered to pursue and sink the German battleship Brandenburg. The crew's sub-Commander (Mills) struggles to fulfil the mission despite discovering that the battleship is heavily defended. Along the way Sea Tiger encounters many obstacles and once the crew has attempted to sink the battleship they have to escape knowing that they are about to run out of fuel. In 'Flame in the Streets' (1961) a Union man has to confront the prejudices of his members when a black foreman is appointed, and the members threaten to strike. When he discovers that his daughter (Sylvia Sims) wants to marry a Jamaican he must confront his own prejudices. In 'The History of Mr Polly' (1949) Mills stars as Alfred Polly, recently sacked from his job he inherits money from his father, thus enabling him to take a bike tour of the country. He falls in love but it all goes wrong so Alfred ends up marrying his cousin, Miriam (Betty Ann Davies). They set up a draper's shop in a small town. Miriam sours, they face bankruptcy and boredom and Mr Polly comes to hate his life. In utter despair he decides to commit suicide, but even this goes wrong and he is forced to take to the road again.

United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), English ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Box Set, Interactive Menu, Multi-DVD Set, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: This exclusive collection celebrates the amazing career of one of the most popular and beloved English actors. In Which We Serve (1942): This is the story of a destroyer of the Royal Navy, and of those that serve in her, which is dive-bombed in the Battle of Crete. We Dive at Dawn (1943): When all leave is cancelled for the crew of the British submarine Sea Tiger, the men know they are in for an important mission. Waterloo Road (1945): It is World War II and Jim Colter has joined the army, leaving his wife, Tillie, behind. Great Expectations (1946): David Lean directed this stylish film presentation of Charles Dickens' heart warming story of a young man befriending an escaped convict who becomes his unknown benefactor, and of the consequences for the young man as he establishes himself in the world. The October Man (1947): John Mills plays Jim, a young engineer who takes his friend's daughter to a nearby town to buy her a present. The History of Mr. Polly (1949): Mr Polly is a sensitive soul. His job as a draper's assistant does not suit him at all and when, one day he is sacked for day-dreaming, he despairs of ever finding another job. Morning Departure (Operation Disaster) (1950): A foundering British submarine provides the basis for this gripping drama. Flame in the Streets (1961): Set amidst the backdrop of working class London, Sir John Mills stars as a craftsman, Jacko, working in a factory. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, Oscar Aca...John Mills - The Centenary Colleciton 1 - 9-DVD Box Set ( In Which We Serve / We Dive at Dawn / Waterloo Road / Great Expectations / The October Man / The History of Mr. Polly / Morning Departure (Operation Disaster) / Flame in the Streets