Marking the release of Tony Palmer’s memoirs this May, Chichester Cinema is offering Tony Palmer: A Selective Retrospective, a celebration of one of Britain’s most prolific and distinctive film-makers.

Roger Gibson, artistic consultant and president at Chichester Cinema, said: “As well as providing a rare opportunity for audiences to enjoy a carefully curated selection from Tony Palmer’s extraordinary range of work, the retrospective will feature a special guest appearance from the film-maker himself including a Q&A and book signing.

“Spanning a career of more than one hundred films, the programme brings together 12 carefully chosen titles that reflect the breadth and depth of Palmer’s achievements. From his early work with iconic figures in popular music to his acclaimed portraits of leading composers, performers and cultural figures, the retrospective highlights Palmer’s unique ability to capture both artistic genius and human complexity on screen.

“Audiences can look forward to films exploring the lives and legacies of figures such as Stravinsky, Walton, Britten, Rachmaninoff, Menuhin and Margot Fonteyn, alongside works on John Osborne and Leonard Cohen. The season also revisits Palmer’s groundbreaking early music documentaries, offering a fascinating glimpse into the cultural landscape of the 1960s and beyond.

placeholder image — Tony Palmer (contributed pic)

“Palmer’s Wagner forms the culmination of the retrospective. Charting the life of Richard Wagner, it features an extraordinary cast including Richard Burton, Vanessa Redgrave and Sir Laurence Olivier. Widely regarded as one of the most visually stunning films ever made, this epic work will be screened in three parts on Sunday, May 24. Palmer himself will be at Chichester Cinema to introduce the film, followed by a book signing and Q&A later in the day.

“Tony Palmer has been a passionate supporter of Chichester’s independent cinema and a familiar presence at the venue’s annual International Film Festival. Renowned for its dynamic and vibrant programming, the cinema has built a reputation for championing distinctive voices and celebrating film as an art form, making it a fitting home for this special retrospective.”

Roger added: “We are delighted to welcome Tony Palmer to the cinema for this very special retrospective. His work has shaped the way audiences engage with music and culture on screen, and it’s a real privilege to share these films – and to give our audiences the chance to hear directly from him.”

Programme:

Sun, May 10: 10:30 All My Loving (incl The Beatles, Hendrix, Cream, The Who, Franka Zappa, Donovan); 12:00 Stravinsky: Once, at a Border; 15:15 Walton: At the Haunted End of the Day; 17:30 John Osborne and the Gift of Friendship; 20:00 Menuhin: A Family Portrait

Sun, May 17: 10:00 Ragtime; 11:15 Margot; 14:15 Britten: Nocturne; 16:45 Dvořák in Love

18:45 Rachmaninoff: The Harvest of Sorrow; 20:45 Leonard Cohen: Bird on a Wire.

Sun, May 24: 11:15 Wagner (Part One) Plus Tony Palmer Intro; 14:20 Lunch Break (inc. Film & Food Option at Brasserie Blanc); 16:00 Wagner (Part Two); 18:45 Long Break (inc. Book Signing); 19:30 Wagner (Part Three) Plus Tony Palmer Intro; 22:35 Finish.

Tickets and day passes for all films included in Tony Palmer: A Selective Retrospective are now on sale and available to buy via chichestercinema.org.