84 Charing Cross Road [DVD] [2002]

An extremely enjoyable and comforting film to watch. Well acted and presented.

I read this book many years ago and found the simplicity of the story charming and quite heart-warming whilst the subtlety of the emotional undertones beautifully conveyed a genuine mutual respect and love. These self-same sentiments shine through in this 'page to screen' adaptation and I'm pleased to say none its charm has been lost in the process. The story principley entails the real life correspondence that occurred in the 1940s-1960's between Helene Hanff, an American scriptwriter living in New York with a passion for second-hand books, and Frank Doel a knowledgeable bookseller living in London, working at an antiquarian bookshop at 84 Charing Cross Road. Frustrated at her inability to get the sort of books she wants (at the price she's willing to pay) in New York she tries her luck by writing to a firm in London. The reply she receives inspires her and leads to a witty and touching correspondence spanning 20 years. Although she's making business enquiries, Helene's style of communication through her letters with the bookstore is conversational and warm and this encourages different members of the bookstore to correspond with her in like fashion. This film is a delight to watch, perfect for those quieter, more contemplative moods. The humour is mild and the humanity rich and at times genuinely touching as the letter writing relationship (note, they are not 'pen friends') between the principle characters deepens and matures. Overall, a very gentle yet satisfying movie where the strongest 'character' is perhaps the words of the letters themselves. I watched this film with a friend and we were both so engrossed we hardly spoke a word to each other throughout! If the 95 minutes run time is not enough for you, you could watch again but it in any of the 4 dubbed languages; French, German, Italian, and Spanish as well as a whole host of subtitled languages.

If you haven't seen this film it's a classic. Well worth a watch. Dvd was perfect, packaging perfect and delivered in great time .

This is such a lovely gentle film, far removed from the noisy and violent themes that seem to dominate today. The true story of writer Helene Hanff and her search for lovely old books that she just cannot find in America. She discovers a bookshop specialising in exactly what she wants and writes to the shop asking for certain books. This begins a wonderful relationship between The shop manager Anthony Hopkins and herself (played beautifully by Anne Bancroft). Over the years (the 50s and 60s) Helene manages to add more and more books to her collection, making her desire to actually come to London and visit the shop and all the staff stronger and stronger. I won't say more as I do not wish to spoil the film. This is a must for anyone who just wants to be entertained by a brilliant film, well acted and directed.

good

I had remembered watching this film many years ago with my Mum and absolutely loved it as a child. I had often thought about it and was delighted to find the film on Amazon. I thought maybe it wouldn't be as good as i'd remembered it however it was! So clever how they made a film based on a book of letters and Anne Bancroft completely captures the bright energy of Helene Hanff and Anthony Hopkins plays a gentle and charming Frank. Such a lovely film perfect for a Sunday afternoon. Also the book is a wonderful read too. Such a lovely tale of a correspondence that spanned over 20 years and a friendship based on the love of books even though Helene and Frank didn't get the opportunity to meet. A lovely film that captured me as a child and i'm happy to say as an adult also.

Lovely, amusing film - really enjoyed it. Great actors. Bancroft plays an America Jewish woman who seeks specialist old books. she writes to the shop in London and the manager is Hopkins. Over the years they start up regular correspondence. The films shows how their lives - her in America and him and his staff and families in London - develop in the twenty years; including marriages and deaths etc. She even sends food parcels as extra payment for the books as England is still under rations/coupons just after the war when the film begins. Unfortunately the American cannot visit them all during the Coronation as she has to pay out for dental work. But when she does come over many years later the shop is closed down and the manager (Hopkins) is dead. What a sad ending!! Loved this film.

Very good film to watch from the start until the finish. Anne Bancroft, living in New York and looking for out of date or rare printed hardback books as difficulty obtaining them at home. She mangages to find a place in London, being 84 Charing Cross Road a shop that has the titles of books she wants.Anthony Hopkins is her man to be: he employes a few members of staff Maurice Denham, a young girl assistant, a man at an enquiry desk. Married to Judi Dench with two children. Set in the 1950's during the Festival of Britain; to the death of King George the 6th; to the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd. Anne Bancroft sends various gifts of thankfulness and kind consideration as an appreciation to the staff of 84 Charing Cross Road. She has plans to visit London but something gets in the way. Will she come to London in the end or will something happen to stop the visit occuring?

After being told it would ship on 02 May 2020, the film finally arrived on 18 August 2020. Not sure what happened as the vendor only sent form emails but happy to receive this very hard to get film at last.

Excellent product as described. Shiny new undamaged delivery. Of course I got great quality media at very cheap price. So thank you so much Amazon seller.

Il ne faut pas attendre du spectaculaire et de l'agitation mais c'est un film original et qui ne manque pas de charme. Tout en calme et sentiments, des films comme il en manque, à notre époque, et qui fait du bien par son calme reposant.

This is a special movie. If you liked "The Shop Around the Corner" or "You've Got Mail," you will like this movie. Pay special attention to the books Helene discovers as the wrapping of other books she orders.

Great movie, wonderful story, amazing actors. I was very happy to get a good quality dvd of the movie in India at last.