Free Daily Podcast Summary
Reel Britannia: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Scott Phipps
A very British podcast about very British movies...with the occasional hint of professionalism
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago1h 7m
Bonus Episode - An Audience with Caroline Munro
From Hammer Horror to 007 – A Conversation with a British Screen Icon We're doing something a little different on Reel Britannia this week, as we bring you a very special bonus episode featuring an interview with one of British cinema's most beloved leading ladies, the wonderful Caroline Munro. From her unforgettable appearances in Hammer classics such as Dracula A.D. 1972 and Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter to battling prehistoric monsters in At the Earth's Core, sailing into adventure in The Golden Voyage of Sinbad and sharing the screen with Roger Moore in the James Bond spectacular The Spy Who Loved Me, Caroline has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning more than six decades. And there's plenty more to her story than vampires, dinosaurs and Bond villains! Regular Reel Britannia listeners may already know that Scott and Hal also co-host the Talking Pictures TV Podcast, where, alongside their fellow presenters, they celebrate the wonderful films, forgotten treasures and familiar faces regularly featured on Britain's favourite archive film and television channel. It was through the Talking Pictures TV Podcast that Scott had the great pleasure of interviewing Caroline, who also hosts the channel's hugely popular late-night horror strand, The Cellar Club. In this delightful conversation, Caroline looks back on her extraordinary career, sharing memories of the films, filmmakers and famous faces she's encountered along the way. Warm, funny and wonderfully down to earth, she's every bit as charming as you might hope. We're delighted to share the interview with Reel Britannia listeners as a special bonus episode. And if you haven't yet discovered Talking Pictures TV, you're missing a treat! Dedicated to preserving and celebrating classic films and television, the independent channel offers a glorious mixture of British cinema, Hollywood favourites, vintage television and long-forgotten gems. You can find Talking Pictures TV on Freeview 82, Sky 324, Freesat 306, Virgin Media 445 and Freely 36, or visit www.talkingpicturestv.co.uk for further information and programme listings. You can also enjoy films and television on demand through the free TPTV Encore service. And don't forget to check out the Talking Pictures TV Podcast, featuring monthly film recommendations, fascinating interviews and plenty of affectionate nostalgia: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/talkingpicturestvpodcast This bonus episode and the complete Reel Britannia archive are available here: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia So settle back, put the kettle on and join us for a thoroughly enjoyable conversation with a genuine icon of British cinema. #ReelBritannia #CarolineMunro #TalkingPicturesTV #TPTV #BritishCinema #HammerHorror #JamesBond #ClassicMovies #TheCellarClub #FilmPodcast #BritishFilm #CultCinema
- 1 weeks ago1h 19m
Bonus Episode - Bryan Forbes at 100
BRYAN FORBES AT 100 Celebrating the life, films and extraordinary career of one of British cinema's finest talents. Some filmmakers are remembered for one great film. Others spend their careers working within a particular genre. Bryan Forbes was rather more difficult to pin down. Actor, screenwriter, producer, novelist and director, Forbes was one of the great all-rounders of British cinema. Whether exploring the innocence of childhood, the brutality of war, the absurdities of Victorian society or the quiet desperation of old age, he brought intelligence, sensitivity and a distinctive storytelling touch to everything he did. To celebrate what would have been his 100th birthday, Scott is joined by Mark, Hal and Steven for a very special extended edition of Reel Britannia, looking back at the career of a man whose contribution to British filmmaking deserves to be remembered and celebrated. At the heart of our discussion are four wonderfully different films that demonstrate the remarkable range of his talents. Whistle Down the Wind (1961) takes us to rural Lancashire, where Hayley Mills and her young companions become convinced that a mysterious stranger hiding in their barn is Jesus Christ. A beautifully observed and deeply affecting story of childhood innocence, faith and misunderstanding. King Rat (1965) transports us to a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp, where George Segal stars in a gripping examination of survival, morality and the uncomfortable compromises people make when the normal rules of society have collapsed. The Wrong Box (1966) offers a complete change of pace, with a gloriously eccentric Victorian black comedy featuring an extraordinary collection of British acting talent, including John Mills, Ralph Richardson, Michael Caine, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Tony Hancock and Peter Sellers. Bodies, barrels, inheritance schemes and magnificent comic chaos abound. The Whisperers (1967) brings us back to altogether darker territory, with Edith Evans delivering an unforgettable performance as an elderly woman struggling with poverty, isolation and a deteriorating grip on reality. A compassionate, unsettling and devastatingly powerful piece of filmmaking. And the conversation doesn't end there. We also wander through the rest of Forbes' fascinating career, discussing his work both in front of and behind the camera, revisiting other favourites, sharing a few lesser-known stories and considering what made him such an important figure in post-war British cinema. Along the way, expect plenty of fond memories, contrasting opinions, the occasional disagreement and the usual Reel Britannia diversions as four film enthusiasts celebrate a filmmaker whose work continues to entertain, challenge and move audiences. A century after his birth, Bryan Forbes remains one of the great names of British cinema. We think that's well worth celebrating. So settle back, put the kettle on and join Scott, Mark, Hal and Steven for a very British celebration of a very British filmmaking legend. Welcome to Reel Britannia! #ReelBritannia #BryanForbes #BritishCinema #WhistleDownTheWind #KingRat #TheWrongBox #TheWhisperers #ClassicCinema #FilmPodcast
- 2 weeks ago1h 23m
Episode 207 - Ghost Stories (2017)
A Skeptic's Guide to Things That Go Bump in the Night For our latest episode of the Reel Britannia podcast, we are turning down the lights and hiding safely behind the sofa for a properly unsettling slice of modern cinema: 2017's Ghost Stories. Directed and penned by the brilliant duo of Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman—adapting their own smash-hit stage play—the film follows Professor Phillip Goodman (Nyman), a professional skeptic who makes his living debunking fraudulent psychics and supposed supernatural phenomena. However, his rigid worldview is thrown into chaos when he is tasked with investigating three chilling, stubbornly unexplained cases. As he crosses paths with a terrified night watchman (Paul Whitehouse), an unhinged teenager (Alex Lawther), and a wealthy, arrogant businessman (Martin Freeman), Goodman soon finds that the truth might be far more terrifying than a simple trick of the light. A masterful love letter to the classic British anthology horrors of Amicus and Ealing, the film beautifully balances creeping psychological dread with some genuinely spectacular frights. The Reel Britannia team will be braving the shadows to unpack the picture in our familiar warm, conversational, and lightly irreverent style, chatting about the phenomenal cast and how perfectly the directors translated the claustrophobia of the stage to the big screen. This episode, along with the complete Reel Britannia back catalogue, is available wherever you download their podcasts and at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia You can also follow the podcast on X at @rbritanniapod. If you fancy a few more cinematic thrills, special bonus episodes are available through the Reel Britannia Patreon. We'd love to invite listeners to support the podcast and enjoy our additional dives into the archives of British film. #GhostStories #AndyNyman #MartinFreeman #PaulWhitehouse #BritishHorror #BritishCinema #ReelBritannia #Podcast #HorrorAnthology
- 3 weeks ago1h 7m
Episode 206 - Ladies Who Do (1963)
Taking the City to the Cleaners For our next outing on the Reel Britannia podcast, we are grabbing our mops and buckets for a wonderfully inventive slice of 1963 British comedy, Ladies Who Do. Directed by C.M. Pennington-Richards and penned by the writing duo of Michael Pertwee and John Bignall, the film follows a formidable crew of London charwomen—led by the irrepressible Mrs. Rubin (Miriam Karlin) and the commanding Mrs. Higgins (Peggy Mount)—who spend their evenings scrubbing the offices of the City's financial elite. When they stumble across lucrative stock market tips discarded in the wastepaper baskets, they team up with an eccentric, cigar-chomping retired Colonel (Robert Morley) to play the ruthless property developers at their own game. It's not long before they cross paths with the unscrupulous James Ryder, played with delightful sleaze by Steptoe and Son's Harry H. Corbett. Boasting an absolute powerhouse ensemble of beloved British character actors, including Dandy Nichols and Jon Pertwee, the film is a gloriously charming class-war caper and a fascinating time capsule of a rapidly changing London. The Reel Britannia team will be sweeping through the film in our familiar warm, conversational, and lightly irreverent style, marvelling at Morley's effortless buffoonery and the sheer screen presence of our leading ladies. This episode, along with the complete Reel Britannia back catalogue, is available wherever you download your podcasts and at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia You can also follow the podcast on X at @rbritanniapod. If you're enjoying the show, remember that special bonus episodes are available through the Reel Britannia Patreon, inviting listeners to support the podcast and enjoy even more of our classic film discussions. #LadiesWhoDo #RobertMorley #PeggyMount #HarryHCorbett #BritishComedy #BritishCinema #ReelBritannia #Podcast #ClassicFilm #1960sCinema
- Oct 9, 20261h 20m
Episode 205 - The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner (1962)
Jogging On with the Ultimate Angry Young Man For episode 205 of the Reel Britannia podcast, we're lacing up our running shoes and taking a rather defiant jog into the heart of the British New Wave with Tony Richardson's 1962 classic, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. Adapted by Alan Sillitoe from his own celebrated short story, the film introduces us to Colin Smith, played with smouldering brilliance by Tom Courtenay in his breakout role. After a minor scrape with the law, Colin is packed off to a bleak youth offenders' institution. There, the establishment's pompous Governor (a perfectly cast Michael Redgrave) discovers Colin's undeniable talent for cross-country running and decides to exploit the lad's athletic prowess for the institution's glory. What follows is a brilliant, beautifully shot exploration of class, rebellion, and personal freedom. This week, Scott is joined by Steven to figure out exactly where this gritty masterpiece sits within the broader landscape of sixties British cinema. We'll be debating whether Colin is the ultimate cinematic 'angry young man' or if the film is attempting something a little more complex beneath the surface. Expect our familiar warm, conversational, and lightly irreverent style as we unpack the mud, the miles, and that iconic two-fingered salute to authority. This episode, along with the complete Reel Britannia back catalogue, is available wherever you download your podcasts and at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia You can also follow the podcast on X at @rbritanniapod. If you'd like to go the extra mile with us, special bonus episodes are available through the Reel Britannia Patreon, inviting you to support the podcast and enjoy additional film discussions. #TheLonelinessOfTheLongDistanceRunner #TomCourtenay #TonyRichardson #BritishNewWave #BritishCinema #ReelBritannia #Podcast #AngryYoungMan #MichaelRedgrave
- Sep 8, 202646 min
Episode 204 - Carry On Jack (1964)
All at Sea with a Slightly Different Crew For episode 204 of the Reel Britannia podcast, we are taking to the high seas and hoisting the mainsail for the 1964 nautical romp, Carry On Jack. The story follows the earnest but hopelessly inept Albert Poop-Decker (the brilliant Bernard Cribbins), who takes a commission as a midshipman on the frigate Venus. Naturally, things go pear-shaped before he even leaves the tavern, leading to a frantic voyage involving a stolen identity, a remarkably resourceful young woman named Sally (Juliet Mills), and the decidedly cowardly Captain Fearless (Kenneth Williams). Directed by series stalwart Gerald Thomas, the film features a lively score composed by Eric Rogers and marks Talbot Rothwell's second Carry On script following his debut with Carry On Cabby. But what makes Jack a particularly fascinating watch is who isn't on deck. Scott is joined by Steven, Tony, and Mark to debate a crucial question for the franchise's history: does the film suffer from a lack of familiar faces like Sid James and Joan Sims, or do Cribbins and Mills make a thoroughly welcome addition to the family? Along with spotting Jim Dale (making another welcome appearance after Cabby) and enjoying Charles Hawtrey as the hapless Walter Sweetley, we'll be unpacking the picture in our familiar warm, conversational, and lightly irreverent style. This episode, along with the complete Reel Britannia back catalogue, is available wherever listeners download their podcasts and at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia Listeners can also follow the podcast on X at @rbritanniapod. If you're enjoying our cinematic voyages, please note that special bonus episodes are available through the Reel Britannia Patreon, inviting listeners to support the podcast and enjoy additional film discussions. #CarryOnJack #BernardCribbins #JulietMills #KennethWilliams #BritishComedy #BritishCinema #CarryOnFilms #ReelBritannia #Podcast
- Aug 29, 202654 min
Episode 203 - Casino Royale (1967)
A Licence to Confuse and a Swinging Sixties Spectacle For episode 203 of the Reel Britannia podcast, we are tumbling down a deeply psychedelic cinematic rabbit hole with the delightfully baffling 1967 spoof, Casino Royale. The premise, should you choose to try and follow it, sees the original, legendary Sir James Bond (David Niven) coaxed out of a genteel retirement to take down the nefarious syndicate SMERSH. His tactical masterstroke? Confusing the enemy by renaming every single active agent—male or female—James Bond. Naturally, absolute chaos ensues. Produced by Charles K. Feldman and steered by a famously sprawling committee of writers and directors, the film boasts a dizzying, star-studded cast that includes Peter Sellers, Ursula Andress, Woody Allen, and Orson Welles. But the real question we're asking this week is where exactly this extravagant behemoth fits into the 007 canon. Scott is joined by Steven, Tony, and Mark to figure out if the film is strictly for the die-hard fans, an odd little cinematic curio, a completely disjointed mess, or simply a wonderfully unhinged snapshot of the swinging sixties. Expect our familiar warm, conversational, and lightly irreverent style as we try to make sense of the glorious excess of it all. This episode, along with the complete Reel Britannia back catalogue, is available wherever listeners download their podcasts and at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia Listeners can also keep up with our latest ramblings and follow the podcast on X at @rbritanniapod. If you're enjoying the show, do bear in mind that special bonus episodes are available through the Reel Britannia Patreon, inviting listeners to support the podcast and enjoy even more of our late-night film discussions. #CasinoRoyale #JamesBond #DavidNiven #PeterSellers #SwingingSixties #BritishCinema #ReelBritannia #Podcast #007 #ClassicFilm
- Aug 16, 202649 min
Episode 202- The Square Peg (1958)
Digging Up Trouble Behind Enemy Lines For episode 202 of the Reel Britannia podcast, we're trading our civvies for khaki and marching straight into the chaotic world of a genuine British comedy icon. This time around, the team is discussing the 1958 Norman Wisdom classic, The Square Peg. Directed by John Paddy Carstairs and written by Jack Davies, the film follows the hapless road mender Norman Pitkin (Wisdom, naturally) and his perpetually flustered boss Mr Grimsdale (Edward Chapman) as they find themselves unexpectedly drafted into the Pioneer Corps. Before long, the pair are parachuted into occupied France, where Pitkin discovers he is the spitting image of a ruthless Nazi commandant, General Schreiber. What follows is a brilliantly executed dual-role performance that perfectly showcases Wisdom's immense gift for physical comedy and timing. Supported by a wonderful cast that includes Honor Blackman and the glorious Hattie Jacques, it's a masterclass in slapstick that cemented Wisdom's place as a box office giant. The Reel Britannia team will be unpacking the film in our familiar warm, conversational, and lightly irreverent style, chatting about the ingenuity of the doppelgänger setup and the sheer, exhausting energy of Pitkin's war effort. This episode, along with the complete Reel Britannia back catalogue, is available wherever listeners download their podcasts and at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia Listeners can also follow the podcast on X at @rbritanniapod. If you fancy even more film chat, special bonus episodes are available through the Reel Britannia Patreon. We'd love to invite listeners to support the podcast and enjoy our additional dives into the archives of British cinema. #TheSquarePeg #NormanWisdom #BritishComedy #BritishCinema #ReelBritannia #Podcast #EdwardChapman #ClassicComedy
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A very British podcast about very British movies...with the occasional hint of professionalism
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