VINTAGE SCREENINGS
FAMILY
2025
This November, we’re celebrating the 90th anniversary of one of the all-time great comedies, It Happened One Night. Frank Capra’s screwball romcom prototype is one of only three films to date to win ‘The Big Five’ at the Oscars – Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress – so we’re pairing it with wines from around the world that have won a similarly impressive number of awards and accolades.
Our Autumn Vintage Screenings continue with the film noir classic The Third Man, which turns 75 this year. In tribute to this film’s moody Vienna setting, this tasting will focus on Austrian wines to enjoy alongside this seminal piece of cinema history.
Just in time for its 15th anniversary, we’re screening Moon at the Planetarium this November. Sam Rockwell stars in Duncan Jones' moody, unsettling debut feature; it’s a gripping watch, made all the more impressive by the film’s comparatively low budget, proving you don’t it doesn’t cost the earth (surely “moon”? - Ed.) to make top quality sci-fi!
The Oscar-winning musical comedy Seven Brides For Seven Brothers turns 70 this year; it features some stunning choreography, including "one of the most rousing dance numbers ever put on screen.” In honour of the eponymous Pontipee brothers, we’re focussing on wines from around the world made with multiple grape varieties, showcasing how producers carefully balance their blends to create signature styles.
We’re excited to present a 25th anniversary screening of the seminal 90s sci-fi action film, The Matrix! This hugely influential piece of cinema has withstood the test of time and remains a high-octane, high-concept rollercoaster ride of a movie that will leave you saying “Whoa…!”
We’re hacking into the mainframe this November to bring you a screening of Tron, the grandfather of CGI sci-fi! Its visuals were groundbreaking at the time and helped inspire everyone from Pixar to Daft Punk - it’s an electrifying retro treat for all ages.
Due to massive demand on Burns Night, we’re hosting another special 75th anniversary screening of Whisky Galore! on St Andrew’s Day. This classic Ealing Comedy will be accompanied by a Scotch whisky tasting flight to complement both the film and the annual celebration of Scotland’s patron saint. Slàinte!
We’re rounding off November’s screenings at the Planetarium with a special screening of Blade Runner: The Final Cut. This is the only cut of the legendary sci-fi thriller that director Ridley Scott had complete artistic control over, and was only released in 2007; Scott considers it the definitive version, and we’re thrilled to be bringing it to the big screen.
Join us on Advent Sunday as we start the festive season with one of the all-time great Dickens adaptations, The Muppet Christmas Carol. In addition to all of the usual ensemble cast of Kermit and friends, Michael Caine plays it straight as Ebenezer Scrooge, in a career highlight performance that underpins the trademark Muppet zaniness with real pathos that will warm even the sternest of hearts.
Join us at The Mount Without for a Christmastime screening of last year’s award-winning comedy-drama, which reunited director Alexander Payne and star Paul Giamatti, who first worked together on another festival favourite, Sideways. Funny, poignant and heartwarming, with a beautiful retro visual style, it’s sure to become a staple of the season.
An extra screening of the family-friendly sci-fi fantasy hit, presented back on the big screen at the Planetarium. The eponymous robot is a global sensation in waste allocation - until he embarks on an out-of-this-world misadventure…
If you missed Oppenheimer in cinemas, then you need to see it in the Planetarium this December. If you saw Christopher Nolan’s multi-Oscar-winning magnum opus, then you already know that only the big screen does it justice! Join us for this astonishing epic biopic that sees one of the 21st Century’s most acclaimed directors raise the bar once again.
We’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of the sci-fi action thriller The Terminator this December. It launched James Cameron’s career, and introduced the world to what is arguably Arnold Schwarznegger’s signature role (and one of his signature catchphrases!) - enjoy this hugely influential piece of cinema in the Planetarium with us as we go back to the future!
If you missed Denis Villeneuve’s stunning sci-fi sequel earlier this year - or, if like us, you want to see it again on a big screen! - then join us for an epic screening of Dune: Part Two in the run-up to Christmas. Continuing Paul Atreides’ story as he struggles to regain control of Arrakis, it’s a jaw-dropping spectacle that will surely enjoy success during 2025’s awards season.
We’re excited to be hosting one of the first non-theatrical screenings of Alien: Romulus this December. Director Fede Alvarez’s trademark claustrophobic horror is a great match for this beloved franchise, and his love for the original is apparent. Steel your nerves, and remember: in the Planetarium, everyone can hear you scream…!
Due to massive demand, we’ve added a screening of the 2003 cut of Ridley Scott’s game-changing sci-fi horror Alien. This remastered and reworked cut ratchets up the tension and restores some sequences from the cutting room floor, including one of the most controversial scenes from the entire franchise. It's a futuristic fright-fest and pure cinema genius that’s a perfect antidote to Christmas programming!
Join us this Christmas season in one of Bristol’s most beautiful venues, Clifton College Chapel, for a special series of screenings of the first three Harry Potter films. Step into this magnificent venue and enjoy these spellbinding adventures back on the big screen, starting of course with Harry’s first year at Hogwarts…
Our final weekend of Planetarium screenings in 2024 starts with a double bill of classics from 1999, as they celebrate their 25th anniversaries. First up is Brad Bird’s magical and moving directorial debut, The Iron Giant. Inspired by Ted Hughes’ novel, it’s a powerful story that balances glorious sci-fi action with moments of pathos and joy that will leave you glowing.
Join us this Christmas season in one of Bristol’s most beautiful venues, Clifton College Chapel, for a special series of screenings of the first three Harry Potter films. Step into this magnificent venue and enjoy these spellbinding adventures back on the big screen, starting of course with Harry’s first year at Hogwarts…
It’s back to the 90s again for our screening of the darkly comic action sci-fi, Men In Black. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones team up to save the planet from a seriously ugly alien menace (no offence, Vincent D’Onofrio!) in this tongue-in-cheek misadventure from the director behind Addams Family Values.
Join us this Christmas season in one of Bristol’s most beautiful venues, Clifton College Chapel, for a special series of screenings of the first three Harry Potter films. The screenings at this magical venue continue with Chamber Of Secrets, a decidedly darker sequel to the original, yet still retaining all of the charm of its predecessor, and the spirit of the source material.
Our second sci-fi selection from 1999 at the Planetarium this December is the original Star Wars prequel, The Phantom Menace. Debate over the prequels still rages, but if you’re a millennial then memories of podracing, John Williams’ score and that lightsaber battle surely stir some deep-rooted emotions. Search your feelings; you know it to be true.
Our final film of the year in the Planetarium is a truly special one and a late announcement, but we finally have screening rights again! Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning epic space odyssey was made for the big screen, and this screening includes some of the most breathtaking scenes restored to their IMAX ratios for an extra-detailed viewing.
Due to massive demand, we’ve added another date! Join us for an exceptional evening in Averys Wine Cellars celebrating the 50th anniversary of Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece sequel. This special Vintage Screening will include a tasting of six Sicilian and southern Italian wines throughout the film, as well as a Godfather-inspired buffet meal during the interval courtesy of Toff’s Pasta.
Due to demand we’ve added a third Die Hard Vintage Screening to this year’s festive programme! As always, we’ll be showing the definitive Christmas film alongside a German versus American wine tasting that will have you exclaiming “Yippee-kay-yay”…!
We’re delighted to be showing It’s A Wonderful Life at Averys again this December. Wind down for the festive period with this timeless classic, as we pair it with some winter-ready wines that are ideal for accompanying a Christmas dinner – or a Christmas film screening!
We’re delighted to be showing It’s A Wonderful Life at Averys again this December. Wind down for the festive period with this timeless classic, as we pair it with some winter-ready wines that are ideal for accompanying a Christmas dinner – or a Christmas film screening!
Is it really Christmas until we’ve hosted a Die Hard Vintage Screening? As always, we’ll be showing the definitive Christmas film alongside a German versus American wine tasting that will have you exclaiming “Yippee-kay-yay”…!
It’s a perfect way to prepare for the festive weekend if, like us, it’s not truly Christmas until you’ve seen this film again… celebrating its 20th anniversary, we’re catching up with Buddy the Elf in the stunning setting of Armada House.
Just in time for Christmas, we’re presenting a very special double bill at Armada House: Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman, screened back to back with The Snowman & The Snowdog. The Oscar-nominated original and its stunning sequel have entertained generations, and we’re delighted to presenting them together.
Perfect for the whole family, enjoy the heartwarming story of The Polar Express, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year!
Our day of festive films at Armada House continues with the Christmas-themed crime caper, and firm festive favourite, Home Alone. Join Kevin McAllister for his one-child showdown with the Wet Bandits, featuring an increasingly wince-inducing series of booby traps…
What Christmas celebration is complete without Henry Selick’s macabre musical masterpiece The Nightmare Before Christmas? Join Jack Skellington on his misguided quest to replace ‘Sandy Claws’ and become the leader of Christmas Town for one night to remember…!
Richard Curtis’ ensemble rom-com hit Love Actually is the perfect film to get you into the Christmas spirit at Armada House this December!
Is it really Christmas until we’ve hosted a Die Hard Vintage Screening? As always, we’ll be showing the definitive Christmas film alongside a German versus American wine tasting that will have you exclaiming “Yippee-kay-yay”…!
This March we’re dedicating an evening to a double bill of two of the more eccentric entries into the sci-fi canon, starting with a 20th anniversary screening of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy. Douglas Adams himself co-wrote the script shortly before his death, and the ensemble cast is bolstered with cameos and nods back to the both the radio & TV series (under-30s, ask your grandparents).
Our second ‘eccentric sci-fi’ screening this March is Terry Gilliam’s dystopian dark comedy Brazil. This surreal, Kafkaesque satire has proven hugely influential, with everything from Batman to Star Wars paying tribute since its release - it’s consistently ranked among the greatest British films of all time, and some of its themes are as relevant as ever four decades on.
Join us for a special screening of this adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved novel; it was one of the first films to use stop-motion animation, and had a monumental impact on genre filmmaking as far forward as Jurassic Park. It will be accompanied by a live, entirely improvised organ recital by the award-winning composer Dr. David Bednall, blending silent cinema with live music to create a unique performance that promises to add another dimension to this remarkable film.
Our February collaboration with TEDxBRISTOL presents a sweet treat in time for Valentine’s Day. We’re joined by Carlos Ayala, a local chocolatier, and will be screening the whimsical French romance Chocolat.
This Valentine’s Day, we’re presenting another screening of the perennial Festival favourite WALL•E. This delightful sci-fi misadventure is both an epic voyage into humanity’s future, and a nod to silent comedy cinema. It’s perfect for a date night, or for the entire family.
Due to demand, we’re bringing the tale of star-crossed lovers back this February! The Mount Without, one of Bristol’s newest and most unique event spaces, will play host to an evening of Baz Luhrmann’s high-octane, contemporary take on Romeo + Juliet, a film with an appropriately fitting aesthetic for this wonderful former church.
We’re bringing another British icon to Aerospace Bristol this November with a screening of The Italian Job. Released in the same year as Concorde’s maiden flight, it helped make the Mini Cooper an international star, and remains a cornerstone of British pop culture. Expect an evening celebrating innovation and icons as we take you back to the 60s for an evening of comic capers and high-octane car chases!
We’ve got more screenings coming soon - join the mailing list below to be the first to hear when new events are on sale!
![ALIEN: DIRECTOR'S CUT [Extra Screening] at The Planetarium](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f1811b47a7edc2eea4892b4/1713453486422-0VT2I7RVXD59KP3BALRB/ALIEN+POSTER.jpg)
![HARRY POTTER & THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE at Clifton College Chapel [EARLY SCREENING]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f1811b47a7edc2eea4892b4/1633050665365-LP651QD89F8RAZBWUREK/harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone-special-approval-required-1-poster_1.jpg)
![HARRY POTTER & THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS at Clifton College Chapel [EARLY SCREENING]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f1811b47a7edc2eea4892b4/1696263534558-G1OVQ12KWJIU5GUJ2AYI/HARRY+POTTER+AND+THE+CHAMBER+OF+SECRETS+POSTER.jpg)
