Rather than always visit the big-brand cinemas, consider supporting local indie cinemas. Many towns have one, and they tend to play arthouse and indie films that support local filmmakers. They also work out cheaper.
Another idea is to use the license of a local pub, and have your own indie cinema for the community. Many transition towns do this, so that you get all the benefits of a local cinema, yet still support communities over big multi-nationals. Independent Cinema Office has information, if you wish to set up your own local independent cinema.
You can rent films from any genre (including classic black-and-white movies) from British Film Institute. Even if you only have a small space, you can use a simple Smartphone Projector to give all of the allure of a real cinema. You could nominate someone as ‘half-time ‘usher’ to offer drinks and snacks!
Most towns and cities in England are home to ‘big cinema’, owned by just two big corporate companies. One almost went bust a few years ago, saved by huge sales of the latest James Bond release film. But these cinemas still remain very expensive, with over-priced drinks and snacks, and often only showing the latest blockbuster releases, rather than showcasing home-grown talent or interesting world cinema releases. If you’re going to visit the cinema, try an indie one that will more likely show better films!
the setting for the film ‘Brief Encounter’
The Lancashire train station at Carnforth is iconic, as the place where the beautiful film Brief Encounter was filmed (even today, the station cafe remains a top tourist attraction). The scenes were filmed here during the war, so work could easily shut down, being given enough time for air raid warnings, during the second world war.
Originally a play by Noel Coward, it was shot on a modest budget and starred Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson as a middle-aged couple who suddenly fall in love, after he (a doctor) removes a piece of grit from her eye, at the train station. It was Noel Coward himself who makes the train station announcements in the film.
Knowing they cannot be together as both are married, it’s a tale of good morals yet tragic circumstances where they decide to split, to do the right thing. Today the town of Carnforth on Morecambe Bay retains a railway history and tradition, though of course it’s nothing like it used to be. The town is only 5 miles from Lancaster and Morecambe, but much smaller. Nearby is Warton Crag, a limestone outcrop that looks over a village, with views of the Cumbrian hills.
In Cumbria, Middle Fell Bridge is a tiny unassuming bridge at Dungeon Ghyll, in Langdale. Film buffs may like to know that it’s here that Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard meet (twice) in the film.