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DVD Description
Winner of the Prix Italia. Written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff. Starring Lindsay Duncan, Timothy Spall, Liam Cunningham, Billie Whitelaw, Emilia Fox, Arj Baker and Blake Ritson.
As the representative of a US corporation, Christopher Anderson is developing a country house on the outskirts of London into a business school for the 21st century, which would be fine … if it were not the home of a unique photographic collection, cared for by a small but determined staff.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN, SPECIAL FEATURES: Cast/Crew Interview(s), Commentary, Interactive Menu, Photo Gallery, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: This 1999 British film pits idealistic overseers of a London photography collection against a pragmatic American entrepreneur exercising his right to evict them from a mansion he has purchased. The photo collection is one of the world's largest, containing ten million pictures which the staff files, maintains, and rents to various media. From an aesthetic standpoint, the collection -- dating all the way back to the beginning of photography in the 19th century -- is priceless. The key question is what will happen to it, for wealthy American businessman Christopher Anderson (Liam Cunningham) owns not only the building, but also the collection itself. After announcing plans to remodel the mansion into a state-of-the-art business school, he threatens to destroy all but the most valuable photographs because there's no time, according to his rat-race schedule, to find a new repository for them. Feisty curator Marilyn Truman (Lindsay Duncan) and her eccentric assistant, Oswald Bates (Timothy Spall), then hatch plots to thwart his plans. First, they "mislay" a selection of highly valuable photographs. When that stratagem doesn't work, Truman persuades Anderson to look at several stacks of the ordinary, less valuable photographs. These photographs turn out to be extraordinary. One set tells the poignant story of a Jewish family victimized by the holocaust. The images impress Anderson, but he refuses to alter his plans. Then Bates launches an ingenious scheme. Using his incredible "photographic" memory, he selects a few startling photos from among the millions -- photos that have a connection to Anderson's past. These photographs, and the secrets they hold, stun Anderson while ...Shooting The Past
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I saw the series upon transmission and I was utterly captivated. This is writing and direction at its best (by Stephen Poliakov), with performances being absolutely second to none. The atmoshere conveyed by the wonderful cast who manage this time-warp photographic collection is a mixture of sadness, tension, irony and amusement as those consider their stand against the dark external forces that arrive in the form of the brash American businessman who appears hell-bent on breaking up the collection for profit and destroying everything that those within have known for so long.
Timothy Spall (Auf Weidersehn Pet's Barry), as the archivist, gives what could be described as his best ever screen performance. This is classic British TV drama and an absolute must for every self-respecting DVD collection - and should be viewed by anyone who questions whether British television is still capable of producing drama of the highest quality.
46 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
if i could choose one tv series to watch over and over again until my dying day it would be Shooting the Past. Poliakoff is an absolute master of beauty and atmospheric tension and i adore this series to death. it combines all my favourite things - photos, old paris, murders (you'll know what i mean),memories and the stories that go with fotos. The music is absolutely beautiful and sends shivers down my spine just thinking of it. It is so perectly in time with the story that you would think it was magic. i have not one bad word to say about this film, and it wil be a treasure that will stay with me for always, inspiring me to never give up, no matter how bad the situation seems.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Shooting the Past is an unusual story full of eccentric characters who have one thing in common - the collection of photographs they are trying to save. They are all passionate and determind, gradually getting through the closed mind of the American buyer who wants to turn the building where the photographs are housed into a business school. The story told to him through the photographs, of his own family history is atmospheric, sending shivers down ones spine. This film has to be seen to be truly appreciated, I would advise anyone to buy the video, they won't regret it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
photo library
Deep slow moving film of the attempt to preserve what appears to be a fascinating photographic library. Read more
Published 5 months ago by A. M. Pardoe
Shooting the Past DVD
This purchase was for a gift. It arrived promptly in excellent condition. The drama itself is superb. Read more
Published 5 months ago by modes98@aol.com
Skillful entertainment
Shooting the Past held my attention throughout.
Great script, excellent casting, fine acting - leading to a great production. Read more
Great script, excellent casting, fine acting - leading to a great production. Read more
Published 6 months ago by R. C. Harris
Shooting the Past
Was replacing copy "lent" and not returned. Aaaargh!
Delivered promptly and in good condition. No more lending!
Delivered promptly and in good condition. No more lending!
Published 11 months ago by R. Wood
Great !
I just ordered this film because of a dithyrambic review...and was not disappointed ! I've discovered Timothy Spall through this film (I'm not British... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Melba
Shot past
A truly wonderful screenplay, well acted by a strong cast
- makes one ponder the ultimate end-game wrt. progress...
- makes one ponder the ultimate end-game wrt. progress...
Published 15 months ago by Mr. Debal Bagchi
SHOOTING THE PAST
One of the best BBC dramas ever written/produced. Beautifully written, outsanding performances and shot perfectly. Amazing!Shooting The Past (BBC) [1999] [DVD]
Published 16 months ago by ANDREW MATTINSON
Shooting the Past
Shooting the past, is superb. Both the plot and the way it has been woven together keeps you rivited for the length of the film.
The actors couldn't have been better.
The actors couldn't have been better.
Published 17 months ago by mrs. d.a. goodchild
Shooting the Past - bbc dvd
You would hardly think that set in a photo archive that there would be any scenario that would generate so much suspense. It does, and with interest. Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2010 by Mr. Terry F. Burdett
Best Poliakoff
From a Poliakoff fan, I think this is his still his best and my personal favourite. Everything, the unfolding, compelling stories, presented through photographs, to the reveals,... Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2009 by Mrs. N. Davies
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