Films to watch to help with GCSE English

[Eddermarmay]

DC in Y0 and studying Romeo & Juliet, An Inspector Calls, Jekyll & Hyde and the Power & Conflict poetry. They watch an 'approved' version of some of these in school, but we are looking for alternatives, or more especially related, or vaguely related films for context. eg Shakespeare in Love -mostly nonsense but quite fun, Picture of Dorian Gray, Mary Reilly, etc. Also any films that would help with learning about Buddhist beliefs.

Have they been to see 'An inspector calls' at the theatre? Not sure it's still touring but we took year 9 a couple of months ago to a great performance

If it’s the exam board it sounds like, there is a good documentary on YouTube about the Romantics which gives you lots of detail about Wordsworth and his boat stealing. The In Our Time documentaries/radio shows are good too.

Be careful about loading them up with too much context. They won’t need to include it for some parts, e.g. we do A Christmas Carol and Lord of The Flies and context is needed for ACC (the Victorian era, Dickens’ life etc) but they get no credit for knowing about Golding’s political views or the imaginary war the boys are escaping from.

Op I think this is a great idea.
Dd (Eng lit degree) says the Leo r+j, also Zeffirelli’s with Olivia Hussey who is luminous.

Other Shakespeare- maybe the Mel Gibson Hamlet which I think is interesting tho it takes liberties.

yy WW1 films like 1917 or all quiet; she says is there a film base on the charge of the light brigade? Or a documentary about that.

She did a module on Vict gothic inc J and H, and that included Dorian Gray which has lots of crossover themes, there’s a film of that; also Hound of the Basketvilles - animals and the supernatural. Hth

Re AIC, really need to see the play and see it as a play, the revived National Theatre version is amazing. Much easier to talk about the fact of its being a play and impact on the audience if you have seen it on stage - even a film of that.

Also films if other Priestley plays like when we are married and time and the Conways - no idea if they exist but the plays deal with the same themes.

Hello! Just seen thisOP. There's been some excellent suggestions already. I liked the idea of Titanic.

I'll keep thinking. I made DS watch some films but struggling to recall.

Will rack my brains.

Upstart Crow for Shakespeare.

If you can I'd try to get your dc to see a theatre performance - it really does add to understanding and enjoyment.
Years ago I saw an abridged version of Macbeth with a Nazi Germany slant - it wasn't the best version I've ever seen but definitely food for thought, Different takes on classics are very interesting - I love the 'new' R&J (showing my age there by considering it as new ). Seeing a live performance is much much better than film, if you can manage it. I saw Antony and Cleopatra years ago when I was at school, with Sylvia Simms as Cleopatra and it really made the play come alive for me!

‘Chariots of Fire’ for understanding of muscular Christianity (Jekyll and Hyde)

BBC iplayer for An Inspector Calls?

Do be careful though. I did hear of a student who watched Macbeth and then wrote about a scene in the film that actually wasn't in the play. As long as they are aware of any differences such as this then it can help with understanding.

ten things i hate about you
aka taming of the shrew

The great gatsby

Sorry OP I see you have already flagged Picture of Dorian Gray! btw the module on Vict gothic that DD did was as part of her third year of an Eng lit DEGREE. I do think J + H is a tough tough book for GCSE. Suspect it appeals bc it is short but for weaker students it is a real challenge. Not saying your DC is weak obvs.

Thought of another great Shakespeare film, 10 things I hate about you - not a tragedy but still quite fun to watch.

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Yes agree with everyone saying see live productions. Just to be clear, we have already seen AIC, R&J and even J&H (although appreciate this isn't a play) as live theatre.

The new All Quiet (mentioned upthread) is on Netflix. It is really excellent. It might be a bit gory for your DS's tastes but most of the film isn't . It gives that same impression as 'Exposure' does of waiting waiting waiting. It's very intense. And good to watch foreign film every so often!

There was a fantastic BBC adaptation of An Inspector Calls a couple of Christmases ago. I wonder if it’s streamed anywhere?

I was going to suggest The Not Dead for power and conflict poetry but another poster beat me to it.

If you're open to things that can support creative writing for English Language then any longer documentaties can be good for broadening knowledge of world issues for English Language Paper 2, and trying to watch films across a range of genres would help for English Language Paper 1. I've guessed from your texts that your DC are sitting AQA.

uktvplay.co.uk/shows/an-inspector-calls/watch-online

That's the AIC they showed them in school.

Interesting suggestion, thank you.

The Hollow Crown bbc series. Its amazing

Macbeth on the Estate
It’s on Apple TV or you can get the DVD www.foundthatfilm.co.uk/epages/es133404.mobile/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es133404/Products/Macbeth%5B1%5D