Ill Met by Moonlight (1957) is a film by the British writer-director-producer team of Powell & Pressburger under the banner of "The Archers", based on the 1952 book of the same title by W. Stanley Moss. It was the last film Powell and Pressburger made together through their Archers production company. The title is a quotation from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
This is a modern adaptation of Midsummer Night's Dream, A (1999) by William Shakespeare. It is filmed almost entirely at night in Los Angeles, often in back alleys near dumpsters, a puzzling decision on the part of director S. P. Somtow. The plot remains that of Shakespeare, though somewhat amputated: Demetrius and Lysander both want Hermia. She loves Lysander, but her father prefers Demetrius. Helena, meanwhile, adores Demetrius. The young lovers escape to the forest, where Oberon and Titania (King and Queen of the Fairies) are quarrelling. Oberon's mischief-maker, Puck, runs loose with a flower which causes people to fall in love with the first thing they see upon waking; wacky hijinks ensue. Somtow hired kids in punk and punkette costumes and the impression is supposed to be hip and streetwise, but the audio quality is poor and the scenes are usually too dark to see anyone well. One interesting touch is the role of Oberon, whom Tim Sullivan (VII) played in a vocal imitation of Nick Nolte, in accordance with Somtow's request. The production is overall flawed, but it was a brave attempt at innovative reinterpretation, and the actors are generally energetic if inept. Written by Fiona Kelleghan
Based on the true story of how, during World War II, a gang of desparadoes (British officers enlisted for "hostilities only" and local partisans) went to the occupied island of Crete and kidnapped a German General from under the nose of his army. That was the easy bit !!! They then had to get him back to Cairo, dodging an intense air and land search. Written by Steve Crook
