MOVIE NIGHTS AT BANNERMAN CASTLE

Jaws – May 12, 2023 

Steven Spielberg’s serial-killer masterpiece from 1975; a film that apart from everything else, invented the “forensic-autopsy-running-commentary” scene, delivered by a scientist trying not to puke. It was adapted from Peter Benchley’s filthier bestseller: a killer shark with the cunning of a U-boat commander is eating swimmers, and threatening to destroy the precarious prosperity of a US beach resort over the 4 July weekend. As a picture of pre-bicentennial angst, Jaws stands alongside Robert Altman’s Nashville.

Richard Dreyfuss, Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw are the three glorious hombres of 70s Hollywood tracking down the shark, whose presence is signaled by John Williams’s orchestral theme, the creepiest since Herrmann’s Psycho. All have something to prove: Dreyfuss is oceanographer Hooper, a superbly natural, utterly real performance, who has to show he’s man enough to take down the big fish. Scheider’s police chief has to redeem himself after participating in that contemporary political phenomenon, a cover-up: he withheld information about the shark to protect tourism. And Shaw’s grizzled seadog Quint is haunted by a chilling wartime memory.

Alfred Hitchcock’s THE BIRDS – June 9, 2023

Seaside gulls go mental in Hitchcock’s macabre masterpiece!

Despite spending most of his career within the realms of the thriller genre, Alfred Hitchcock hasn’t restricted himself where variation is concerned. Most of his best work represents a different type of thriller, and The Birds is no different. It is often said that Psycho is Hitchcock’s first foray into the horror side of the thriller, and it is indeed; but it’s not the complete horror film that The Birds is. Often cited as an obvious influence for Night of the Living Dead, The Birds follows Melanie Daniels as she travels to the seaside town of Bodega Bay with a pair of lovebirds for Mitch Brenner, an eligible bachelor that she met in a pet shop in San Francisco. However, while there the birds of the coastal town begin to attack the residents and so begins a terrifying tale of man’s feathered friends waging a war against humanity…

Collar – June 17, 2023 

WILLY-GILLY PRODUCTIONS SUPPORTS
BANNERMAN CASTLE TRUST BENEFIT SCREENING OF THE
AWARD-WINNING FILM COLLAR
TO SUPPORT BANNERMAN ISLAND

Willy-Gilly Productions, Inc. is pleased to announce a screening of its award-winning feature film “Collar” on Bannerman’s Island on June 17, 2023 in support of the work Bannermancastle.org is doing to restore the buildings on this historic island.

The screening with include a boat ride to the island, a tour, refreshments and a screening of the award winning film “Collar.” Some of the stars of the movie, David Patrick Wilson, Jaime Santana, Bettina Skye and the Producer Nan Gill will be attending a “Meet and Great” and look forward to meeting you! Be sure to join the fun – get your ticket today!

Learn more about the benefit screening.

Somewhere in Time – June 30, 2023

It is June 27, 1912. You are lying in your bed in the Grand Hotel and it is 6pm on the evening of June 27, 1912. Your mind accepts this absolutely. 6pm on June 27, 1912. Elise McKenna is in this hotel at this very moment…While these words may not sound like the most romantic recital in cinematic history, they absolutely are. Spoken by 1980s playwright Richard Collier (Reeve) in an attempt to send himself back in time, the mantra is filled with more angst, love and pain than most actors are able to imbue in a full 90 minute performance. His words not only transport him, but also us as an audience with him, almost 70 years into the past to a time where promising actress, Elise McKenna (Seymore) is getting ready to perform, completely unaware that she’s about to meet a man out of time that will change her life forever. In so many ways, Somewhere in Time is the epitome of a cinematic love story. It is literally saturated in romance, from John Barry’s timeless and lip-quivering score, through the intoxicating performances from Reeve and Seymore and the heart-wrenching story from the king of fantasy storytelling, Richard Matheson. Funny, smart, touching and, did we mention romantic? Somewhere in Time is a masterclass in acting, writing and emotive cinema. Required viewing.

Walt Disney’s Snow White – July 7, 2023

The Grimm fairy tale gets a Technicolor treatment in Disney’s first animated feature. Jealous of Snow White’s beauty, the wicked queen orders the murder of her innocent stepdaughter, but later discovers that Snow White is still alive and hiding in a cottage with seven friendly little miners. Disguising herself as a hag, the queen brings a poisoned apple to Snow White, who falls into a death-like sleep that can be broken only by a kiss from the prince.

The Goonies – July 28, 2023

A group of young misfits called The Goonies discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate’s long-lost treasure.

Mikey and his friends have always wanted to go on an adventure. One night they are all in Mikey’s attic and Mikey stumbles across an old map. Mikey has always wanted to know if One-eyed Willy ever was a real person and now he might. They set off and later realize that they have to go through the evil Mama Fratelli’s restaurant to get to a secret passage to the caves. As they try to get into the caves Mama Fratelli catches Chunk and he is left behind. He then meets Sloth one of Mama Fratelli’s sons with a messed up face. He befriends Sloth. Meanwhile Mama Fratelli and her sons are trying to get to the treasure too. Will the kids make it there before Mama Fratelli does? Will Chuck ever get out of her basement?

The Princess Bride – August 11, 2023

Back by Popular Demand!

A high-spirited adventure that pits true love against inconceivable odds, The Princess Bride has charmed legions of fans with its irreverent gags, eccentric ensemble, and dazzling swordplay. A kid (Fred Savage), home sick from school, grudgingly allows his grandfather (Peter Falk) to read him a dusty storybook—which is how we meet the innocent Buttercup (Robin Wright, in her breakout role), about to marry the nefarious Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon) though her heart belongs to Westley (Cary Elwes). The wedding plans are interrupted, however, by a mysterious pirate, a vengeful Spaniard, and a good-natured giant, in a tale full of swashbuckling, romance, and outrageously hilarious spoofery. Directed by Rob Reiner from an endlessly quotable script by William Goldman, The Princess Bride reigns as a fairy-tale classic.

Portrait of Jennie – August 25, 2023

In 1934, impoverished painter Eben Adams (Joseph Cotten) meets a fey little girl named Jennie Appleton (Jennifer Jones) in Central Park, Manhattan. She is wearing old-fashioned clothing. He makes a sketch of her from memory which involves him with art dealer Miss Spinney (Ethel Barrymore), who sees potential in him. This inspires him to paint a portrait of Jennie.

Eben encounters Jennie at intermittent intervals. Strangely, she appears to be growing up much more rapidly than is possible. He soon falls in love with her but is puzzled by the fact that she seems to be experiencing events that he discovers took place many years previously as if they had just happened. Eventually he learns the truth about Jennie and though inevitable tragedy ensues, she continues to be an inspiration to Eben’s life and art, and his career makes a remarkable upturn, commencing with his portrait of Jennie.

Ghost – September 1, 2023

Even though Sam Wheat, the successful investment counsellor, still finds it difficult to express his deeper feelings for her after all these years, his young potter girlfriend, Molly Jensen, is the love of his life. However, a curious case of a systematic discrepancy will prepare the ground for a hideous urban homicide in one of Manhattan’s dark alleys, trapping, seemingly forever, the unfortunate deceased’s immortal soul in the realm of the mortals. With the condemned spirit unable to interact with the physical world–and as Molly’s life, too, is in grave danger–Sam will have to turn to the spiritual medium, Oda Mae Brown, to warn and protect her. Can Oda and the ghost settle the unfinished business in time?

Additional Information:

• No outside food can be brought onto the island for this showing.
• Bannerman Island books and tee shirts are also available.
• Movie seats are supplied on the island.
• There are 72 steps from the dock to the main trail.
• There are also self-composting restrooms at the top of the stairs.

Please note:

• COVID-19: Vaccination Cards and masks are currently not required at this time but could change depending on the severity at the time. Bannerman Island follows New York State COVID-19 regulations.
• We have a concession stand and gift shop where guests can purchase sandwiches and Bannerman related gifts, snacks, and drinks during the performance. No outside food or drinks are allowed on the island for Theatrical performances and movies.
• Alcohol and smoking (of any kind) are not permitted on Bannerman Island.
• Only service dogs that are defined by the ADA are allowed.

What to bring:

Wear comfortable walking shoes. Dress for the appropriate weather conditions. Your confirmation email is also your ticket for the movie.