Swashbuckling adventure. In the absence of the king, an English lookalike attempts to protect the throne from the designs of an evil pretender and falls for the king's fiancee. Show more
Drama based on the true story of a ship carrying German-Jewish refugees which was denied permission to land anywhere and was obliged to return to Germany and the horrors of Nazism. Show more
Agatha Christie's murder mystery. Detective Hercule Poirot sets out to discover the truth behind the death of a stage star at a resort hotel on an Adriatic island. Show more
Humanistic biopic of Hitler's greatest commander, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, famous for bringing the British in north Africa to a standstill for two years during World War II. Show more
Rome, 44 BC. Caesar’s power has grown so great that even his allies in the senate plot his downfall. Classic Hollywood adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play.
Powerful drama, based on the novel by Penelope Mortimer, about a mother who suffers a nervous breakdown after learning of her third husband's infidelity. Starring Anne Bancroft. Show more
Romantic drama in which a materialistic young model marries a millionaire. But the match does not bring her happiness and she seeks solace elsewhere - in the arms of a doctor. Show more
Gripping courtroom drama in which an ambulance-chasing lawyer attempts to regain some integrity from one final case - a medical malpractice suit for a woman who lies in a coma. Show more
Classic film noir in which a man finds himself blackmailing a woman after her daughter accidentally kills her lover. Starring James Mason. Show more
During World War I, an aggressively ambitious German fighter pilot becomes obsessed with the Blue Max, his country's highest honour, and ruthlessly sets out to win it.
Grand epic recounting the tale of the notorious 12th-century warrior. The film traces Khan's rise from obscurity to become the leader who united warring Mongol tribes. Show more
This charming adaptation of Charles Kingsley's classic fantasy tells the tale of an orphan chimney sweep who finds undersea adventure in his search for the mysterious water babies. Show more
Thriller. While holidaying in the south of France prior to World War II, an Austrian medical student is wrongly accused of spying and must clear his name. Show more
James Mason stars in an adaptation of Isabel Colegate's novel. A stately home is overrun for a weekend by the cream of Edwardian society on the eve of the Great War. Show more
Musical drama in which a fading actor becomes involved with a young singer on her way up. Judy Garland was nominated for an Oscar for her role as the rising star. Show more
Thriller. Nazi hunter Ezra (Laurence Olivier) learns Dr Josef Mengele has ordered his neo-Nazi followers to kill 65 men of similar age, birthday and backgrounds by a certain date. Show more
Touching drama about a gifted concert pianist who suffers from suicidal depression, and finds that she has blocked out a traumatic relationship with her piano teacher and guardian. Show more
Wartime drama about a group of disillusioned German soldiers trapped on the Russian front in 1943. One is tired of fighting, but another will stop at nothing to win an Iron Cross. Show more
Johnny McQueen, leader of 'The Organisation', is shot during a hold-up to obtain funds and left in the street. From then onwards he is hunted without mercy. With James Mason. Show more
Desert Island Discs
James Mason
3 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Home Service Basic
Available for over a year
Roy Plomley's castaway is actor James Mason. Show more