Brief Encounter (1945) - 16mm Film Screening

We are thrilled to be getting this chance to screen Brief Encounter from a beautiful 16mm film print. Laura Jesson leads an ordinary married life until a chance meeting with doctor Alec Harvey at a railway station develops into an unexpected and increasingly intense friendship. As their feelings deepen, the two must confront the boundaries imposed by marriage, duty and society.

David Lean's Brief Encounter is one of the great British films about love, restraint and longing. Adapted from Noël Coward's Still Life, it finds enormous emotional power in the smallest moments and has become one of British cinema's defining romantic dramas.

Its depiction of ordinary lives and suppressed emotions remains remarkably moving eighty years after its release.

This screening starts at 7pm and we don’t run adverts or trailers, so we recommend arriving 15–20 minutes early. This gives you plenty of time to find a seat (all seating is first come, first served) and enjoy a drink from the bar before the show begins.

PLEASE NOTE WE ARE A CASHLESS VENUE, AND ONLY ACCEPT CARD PAYMENTS

Halfway through the film we take a short intermission while the film reels are changed over. It’s the perfect chance to discuss the film so far, top up your glass at the bar, and treat yourself to some delicious Caroline’s Dairy ice cream, served by our wonderful usherettes.

Because we’re showing these films from often original 35mm and 16mm prints which are over 50 years old, so the occasional pause in running can happen if a reel needs adjusting. If it does, rest assured our projectionist will have things running again in no time, it’s all part of the authentic analogue experience!

While many of our films are rated as family-friendly, we don’t recommend bringing infants or very young children. The soundtracks on older film prints, combined with the natural acoustics of our hall, can sometimes feel a little overwhelming for little ears.