Classic Movies on Sky Arts - Series 5 Episode 3 - The Story of Three Days of the Condor

 

For a change it was Steven Armstrong who opened this episode about Three Days of the Condor, discussing the background with Ian Nathan. In fact the first glimpse of this movie has the star, Robert Redford, finding a dead body. The American Literary Historical Society is a cover for the CIA. Then here is Bonnie Greer (a previous contributor to earlier series) telling us about what was happening in America at the time, especially Watergate. So was director Sidney Pollack "going a little too far out on a limb"?

Steven reminds us that Watergate was still fresh in people's minds when the film was released in 1975. Christina Newland and Neil Norman both talk about America and the new breed of directors. Ian Nathan goes back to that "brilliant opening", and Bonnie Greer talks about Sidney Pollack. Steven tells us about the book Six Days of the Condor by James Grady, on which the film is based. The book had been optioned by producer Dino De Laurentiis, and he brought in screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr who had written The Parallax View. He "both streamlined and complicated" the story. 

It was actually Robert Redford who insisted that his good friend Sidney Pollack would direct if they wanted him to appear. This was just one of the films that they made together. It was Ian Nathan who talked about the director, while Christina tells us about Robert Redford and how this part was quite a departure. Steven then compares this film with a Hitchcock thriller. Bonnie Greer describes how important co-star Faye Dunaway is, how she is central to the film and her relationship with Redford. A very different role for her. The villain is played by Max Von Sydow, and Neil Norman says this casting is "a stroke of genius". Steven describes the supporting cast as "top class".

The location of the book was changed to cold New York in the lead-up to Christmas. Neil Norman describes how the film was all "about technology" that was moving so fast at this time. Bonnie Greer thought "the machine aspect takes over this movie". Ian Nathan thinks this was a new kind of thriller – "a techno thriller". Steven concludes the film had a great box office appeal and that it "grows more relevant by the year". 

Holiday in Ely

 

We had booked a short break in Ely, mainly because this was a good way to include Cambridge on our itinerary. On Monday, 1st June, we set out just before 10am and arrived early at the National Trust's Wimpole Estate near Royston in Cambridgeshire. It's quite a long walk from the car park to the centre, and we went straight to the cafe for tea and cake. Refreshed, we wet out to explore the parkland.

We first toured the gardens of Wimpole Hall; see the top photo. The parterre was bare and very disappointing. See 6 and 7 on the map. We then headed out into the deserted parkland to reach the Chinese Bridge and the Serpentine Lakes (8 and 9). Still not a soul around, that is, except for this herd of cows who seemed to follow us to the water.

We crossed the bridge and headed for The Folly (10) at the top of a hill. The map above shows the way back as that circular route in blue. Arriving back at the centre, we found the area where everybody else was there. We found the walled garden (absolutely superb) where I stayed while Alison went off for the 2.30pm feeding of the pigs at Home Farm.

After we met up, it was off to the other cafe for tea and cake. It was then 4.30pm and time for the drive to Ely and our little terraced house on the main road. The owner was there to show us round. He had made it as perfect as it was possible, even though the triple glazing could not block out all the road noise.

After we unpacked, we walked down to the centre of town and found a brand new restaurant called Limora Mediterranean Kitchen and Bar. Very smart, top class, great service and a good menu (Greek moussaka and lamb casserole). Hope it does well.

Tuesday was forecast to be rainy, so we stayed in Wells. A walk around the cathedral, then a nice circular walk down the hill to the river (the Great Ouse) in the countryside. Then off to Oliver Cromwell's House, a much better tour than I imagined with a digital handset and headphones. See their website, olivercromwellshouse.co.uk, with a taster tour.

A great lunch at Gail's Bakery; see gails.com. Then to Ely Cathedral for our 2pm tour, only four of us and our guide. Photos were taken care of by Alison's phone, as my ancient camera was faulty.

Our guide was excellent, very informative. I especially liked the Octagon Tower and lantern that was rebuilt after the collapse of the old roof. It took around fourteen years to rebuild – see klmagazine.co.uk – Wonder of the Mediaeval World. After the tour I just sat to take it all in.

Dinner was at Wildwood in town. It was a much brighter day than forecast; I think the rain came while we were in the museum.

So Wednesday was the day for Cambridge despite a more mixed weather forecast. A drive to Milton Park and Ride and the bus into the city. We started with a cuppa and a bun at Cafe Nero before finding our way to Kings College Chapel. (The colleges were closed due to exams). But the chapel, whilst not as impressive as Ely Cathedral, had some even better features. The free brochure told us enough about its history and how it was started by the then nineteen-year-old Henry VI in 1441. 

It's the roof that is most impressive with that wooden fan-vaulted ceiling. It was completed in three years between 1512 and 1515. The world's largest fan vault.

However, even more impressive for me were the heraldic stone carvings, five on either side of the ante-chapel. All the same, except the doors were on opposite sides to match positions. The brochure explains all the emblems, and I spent some time identifying each one. Absolutely outstanding. 

Next stop was the Round Church, founded between 1114 and 1131, so pretty old. We found out all about its history. There is a video with headphones.

It was late afternoon when we left and decided to have a very late lunch or early tea at Bills. This time we had a selection of nibbles which went down well. We had missed some heavy rain while we were there, only to get soaked on our way to the bus stop. We had a quiet evening in and watched some cricket.

We left Ely on Thursday morning and headed for the National Trust's oldest nature reserve at Wicken Fen.

We took one of the trails to see reed beds, open water and wet grassland. It was very quiet. We saw some school parties in the distance and ignored the boat trip. Which was fortunate, as when we arrived back at the cafe, it poured with rain. It was time to head for home, a quite tiring, for me, four days.

Classic Movies on Sky Arts - Series 5 Episode 2 - The Story of Chaplin

 

I thought this might be a strange choice, a film about Charlie Chaplin. In the end, Chaplin seems to be a marvellous film. This episode starts with a lot about the back story of this famous comedian. From his roots in England (there are extracts from a newsreel where the actor is unrecognisable as the clown, with his classy British accent) and extreme poverty to the riches of Hollywood. Ian Nathan tells us about the "sensational central performance by Robert Downey Jr", who portrays the man on and off screen, from teenager to octogenarian. 

Christina Newland talked about his genius and the "lush period detail" of the movie. Neil Norman added it's a "rags to riches" story. But Steven Armstrong mentions that the film is "laced with tragedy" and about the costs of fame. Ian Nathan thought the film was a "fabulous portrait" of early Hollywood. 

We then hear about the director, Richard Attenborough, who had actually specialised in biopics, and how he made the transition from acting to directing. Christina explains how he became a national treasure. It was then Neil Norman who tells us how Attenborough had to get the Chaplin family on board. Christina adds that he had already bought the rights to two books about Chaplin, but that the studio, Universal Pictures, was not impressed by the subject. The fact that Attenborough also wanted a budget of 30 million dollars put a stop to their interest. 

The film was saved by Corolco (I had never heard of this production company). They had made a fortune from the Rambo movies, and so maybe wanting something of a higher class, they decided to finance the entire film. Next we hear about the cast. Robert Downey Jr worked so hard on his preparation over nearly a year. Steven Armstrong tells us about his screen test and that certain physical resemblance. Neil Norman says he was "absolutely perfect in the role". Ian Nathan takes us through the supporting cast with a special mention for Dan Akroyd. The script was by Bryan Forbes, William Boyd (one of my favourite authors) and Willaim Goldman.

The main thread of the movie involves a book editor, played by Anthony Hopkins, talking to Chaplin about his life. We hear about the theme composed by John Barry. Neil Norman ends by saying how Downey Jr was perfect in the role and how it is "one of the few really good biopics". Ian Nathan explains how the film didn't do well when it was released but has stood the test of time, with Downey Jr nominated for a best actor Oscar.

The Wildflower Border

The wildflower border has been mainly disappointing over the years. But not so this May. Everything has grown up together, so mostly all are self-supporting. They include the wildflowers that I planted years ago and love the warm weather. These include the ox-eye daisy and greater napweed.

This improvement might be partly down to the fact that the viburnum I was growing as a small tree was removed two years ago and all the asters have gone. Whatever has happened has worked. Some ofthe flowers have yet to bloom, so watch this space.

Shrubs under the trees

 

This is an update on my post of the 10th of April 2026. The shrubs that I planted years ago are still thriving under the tall leylandii along the back fence. Today they had to be pruned, as they were growing over the lawn, and I couldn't get past that round shrub at the far end of the photo. 

I took the opportunity to take some photos and, using PlantNet, identified them all. Starting at the far end with the lonicera xylosteum (dwarf honeysuckle). 

Next are three Berberis darwinii Hook (Darwin's barberry).

Then the euonymus japonicus Thunb (Japanese spindle). No idea where that came from.

Next comes two viburnum tinus L. (Laurestine).

And then the cotoneaster.

Before the last of the viburnum.

And finally, two vinca major (periwinkle).

Robinia pseudoacacia

 

Even though this tree is not actually in our garden, the Robinia pseudoacacia is right next to our fence at the very far end of the garden. In that patch of ground that nobody seems to own. I have included photos over the years, and my latest post was on the 23rd of May last year. I'm always happy when it comes into flower, which means it is still quite healthy.

I had a closer look at the multiple trunks that seem quite unusual. When the tree comes into full leaf, I will add another photo.

Then at the end of May the blossom is falling to the end of the garden.

The Garden in May

 

I had already posted about the alliums, which are the highlight of the garden in May. The other colourful shrub is the Weigelia Red Robin. Next come the astrantias that are putting on a good display.

The geraniums are just about coming into bloom.

Even better than the red, pink and white flowers in the borders is this blue iris with a yellow centre. Unfortunately, the flowers do not last very long.

This dianthus is new.

But these are from last year, transferred from pots into the garden.

The delphinium has taken a while to come into flower.

As has the foxglove.

The roses had been in bud for so long, but they needed a change to warmer weather to come into flower. 

The lawn has struggled all spring, but with some warmer weather it is now fine.

This is the shrub that grows next to the wall that separates the front garden and the patio. I thought it was a berberis but maybe not.

Right in the corner of the patio is this hydrangea that has these lovely white flowers.

Next to the dwarf wall, the Penstemon 'Shirley Blue' has only just flowered in the last week in May.

The campanula around the conservatory has spread all across the path, so it's difficult not to tread on them.

The Philadelphus 'Belle Etoile' is in flower with lots more to come. It suffers badly from black fly but the flowers are fine. 

Finally, the Photinia Red Robin has flowered like never before. A picture taken from my study window.