My Dinner With André (1981) *****

A long, but fascinating conversation between André Gregory and Wallace Shawn, filmed by Louis Malle. A masterpiece of cinematic art.

Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981) *****

Classic adventure film. One of the best of its kind.

For Your Eyes Only (1981) ****

Czlowiek z zelaza (1981) ****

Polish film about the creation of the "Solidarity" trade union. Winner of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Atlantic City (1981) ****

Mis (1981) ****

The Road Warrior (1981) ****

Quest For Fire (1981) ****

Smash Palace (1981) ****

Diva (1981) ****

Excalibur (1981) ****

Body Heat (1981) ****

Kobieta samotna (1981) ***

Wstrzasajacy film Agnieszki Holland.

Love And Lies (1981) ***

A superb theme song, "The Last Poem".

Pennies From Heaven (1981) ***

Reds (1981) ***

Ragtime (1981) ***

American Pop (1981) ***

Blow Out (1981) ***

Heavy Metal (1981) ***

Heaven's Gate (1981) ***

Arthur (1981) ***

Arguably Dudley Moore's best film (with "Bedazzled" not far behind).

Chariots Of Fire (1981) ***

Sport drama set during the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. A legendary musical score by Vangelis.

Fox And The Hound (1981) ***

Entertaining Disney movie.

The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981) ***

Excellent adaptation of John Fowles' novel.

Byl Jazz (1981) ***

Ciekawy film o grupie muzykow jazzowych w czasach stalinowskich, napotykajacych na wielorakie trudnosci ze strony urzednikow i aktywistow partyjnych. Jeden z nielicznych filmow antykomunistycznych, ukonczonych przed ogloszeniem stanu wojennego. Pokazano go podczas festiwalu filmowego w Gdansku w 1981 roku, ale niezdazyl wejsc na ekrany przed 13 grudnia.

Dreszcze (1981) ***

Dramat o czasach stalinowskich. Film wszedl na ekrany 23 listopada 1981, lecz po trzech tygodniach zostal zakazany.

Il faut tuer Birgit Haas (1981) ***

Birgitt Haas is a former German terrorist. A French secret service team is ordered to kill her and disguise it as an ordinary murder.

Lili Marleen (1981) ***

Interesting film set during World War II.

Only When I Laugh (1981) ***

An excellent adaptation of a Neil Simon's play. Marsha Mason gives a great performance.

La Femme de l'aviateur (1981) ***

Une comédie très intelligente sur les relations humaines.

Martial Club (1981) ***

Possession (1981) ***

Beau pere (1981) ***

Les Fruits de la passion (1981) ***

Jeux de la Comtesse Dolingen de Gratz (1981) ***

Dr Jekyll et les femmes (1981) ***

Mephisto (1981) ***

Pixote (1981) ***

Montenegro (1981) ***

Hokusai manga (1981) ***

Mein vater Alfons (1981) ***

Shortcuts (1981) ***

Dreadnaught (1981) **

Directed by Yuen Woo-Ping. With Yuen Biao. Fine chop-socky film, full of inventive kung-fu fights (including a medical examination, and a tailor taking measurements).

Christiane F (1981) ***

Memorable German film about drug addiction.

Storie di ordinaria follia (1981) ***

A Fêmea do Mar (1981) ***

Puberty Blues (1981) ***

Once In A Lifetime (1981) *****

One of the best music videos of all times. David Byrne's solo performance of Talking Head's greatest song is a marvel of timing, simplicity and sophistication.

Seeing In The Rain (1981) *****

A meticulously executed experimental short, filmed entirely through the windshield of a bus on a rainy day. The movement of the wipers marks the rhythm of the editing. The clever manipulation of time and space creates a weird poem to modern life. The forward movement of the film is continuously interrupted by brief flashbacks that create a feeling of deja-vu, while the rhythm of editing is constant without appearing too monotonous. Directed by Chris Gallagher. Length: 10 minutes.

The Man Who Could Not See Far Enough (1981) ****

Visually stunning experimental film in five parts. The last one is set atop the Golden Gate Bridge.

Les Photos d'Alix (1981) ****

A woman shows her photographs. Surprising, intriguing short by Jean Eustache. There is a great review of the film here.

Girls On Film (1981) ***

Don't You Want Me (1981) ***

Woody y yo (1981) ***

Spanish short inspired by the Woody Allen films. Directed by Manuel Valdivia.

Couples And Robbers (1981) ***

Oscar-nominated short film from Britain.

Fast Paced World (1981) ***

La Tendresse du maudit (1981) ***

Post-apocalyptic French animated film about a Notre Dame gargoyle fighting against a skeleton.