Here at the Connaught Cinema we’re all suckers for classic horror. Every year we dip into the archives to show some of our favourite scary movies on the Big Screen!
This year we’ve gone bigger than ever before with six films playing to please gore-hounds. We’re showing a full range from supernatural chills, slasher nasties, classic horror, and Oscar winners – with films originating from the UK, Japan and the USA. Whether it’s your first time seeing these or they are already firm favourites with you, this season gives you an amazing opportunity to see them looking their best on the big screen.
This year our lineup includes the original slasher Friday the 13th, Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, William Friedkin’s The Exorcist, Jack Nicholson in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining and legendary Japanese chiller Ring.
We are also delighted to be offering an extremely rare opportunity to see Ghost Watch at the cinema – a BBC production from 1992 starring Michael Parkinson; this was a spoof live broadcast that fooled the nation and sparked a wave of controversy. We will be welcoming production designer Richard Drew to the Connaught for a Q&A after the screening to find out how they pulled off this daring and controversial television experience.
In addition to the films we will be hosting a horror-themed edition of our ever popular Film Quiz! We hope there’s something for everyone to send a good chill down your spine this Halloween.
The Films
Fri 13 Oct, 8.30pm
It may be unlucky for some – certainly the charaters – but not for you! Enjoy something that only comes around once or twice a decade and watch Friday the 13th on Friday 13th October!
It’s one that started an epic franchise – and features an early performance from Kevin Bacon. The film was hugely shocking at the time, which led to it being a massive success. You know the story: something about some kids at a camp, blah blah blah, they mostly get murdered etc etc.
Thu 26 Oct, 8pm
This legendary TV show was unleashed in 1992 and swiftly banned by the BBC. Initially promoted as a live broadcast investigating ghosts, the hosts of the ‘show’ soon get dragged into a chilling ghost story.
Viewers at home were convinced the film was real and parents complained that the film had scared their children so much that they couldn’t sleep. The media furore that followed saw the film banned and never repeated.
We are incredibly excited to welcome production designer Richard Drew to this screening. Richard will be joining us for a Q&A about the making of the film, the public reations at the time and its enduring legacy in British culture.
Fri 27 Oct, 5.40pm
We don’t need to tell anyone living on the South Coast that they should be afraid of Seagulls, but Alfred Hitchcock delivers a classic horror with the terrifying premise of our feathered friends turning against us.
Starring Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor, the film is celebrating it’s 60th Anniversary. You can also catch The Birds (or maybe they’ll catch you!) as part of our Silver Screen programme at 11am on Monday 30th October.
Fri 27 Oct, 8.15pm
After the recent passing of director William Friedkin and the film marking it’s 50th birthday this year, it seemed fitting to screen ‘The Scariest Movie Ever Made’™. This story of possession and cruelty is still as shocking as in 1973, mostly because it all feels so real.
The Exorcist is another reknowned horror film that was banned across the UK, and around the world. It wasn’t until the 1990s, when censroship laws began to relax, that it became more widly accessible, being shown on television in the UK for the first time in 2001. Ellen Burstyn plays a mother who enlists the help of a priest to help rid her daughter of demons.
Sat 28 Oct, 5.30pm
Based on the book by Stephen King with an all-time classic, unhinged performance by Jack Nicholson. Stanley Kubrick’s film has stood the test of time and is considered one of his best.
With it’s story of ghosts, telepathy, hauntings and historical murders, it’s a fantastical blend of all the things that make horror such a great genre. The Shining will be playing in the extended cut.
As the cursed tape makes it’s way around school pupils, a reporter and her ex-husband investigate the source of the tape to try and stop the deaths. An absolutely creepy ghost story to finish off the season.
Tue 31 Oct, 7pm
Our hugely popular film quiz returns for some gore-filled spooky fun. Show off your scary movie knowledge and win prizes. Tickets must be booked in advance as it always sells out.