84 Charing Cross Road starring Anthony Hopkins, Anne Bancroft
Director: David Jones


Essential Actor / Actresses Here

Amazon.com
Helene Hanff (Anne Bancroft) and Frank Doel (Anthony Hopkins) are lifelong friends who never meet in this unique comedy-drama based on a true story. Hanff and Doel are separated by 3,000 miles of ocean and joined by a passion for old books. Their relationship begins when New Yorker Hanff orders a copy ("unabridged, please!") of Pepys's diary. Doel, as polite and soft-spoken as Hanff is loud and overbearing, fields the request from his book shop in London. For the next two decades they correspond without ever actually sitting down for tea and crumpets. Brit director David Jones (Betrayal) does a reasonably good job of goosing a movie about something as uncinematic as letter writing, and the stars have fun chewing scenery on both sides of the Atlantic. The model for this kind of bittersweet relationship is David Lean's Brief Encounter, which, not coincidentally, is glimpsed here when Hanff steps out for a rainy-day matinee.
Synopsis
In 1949, New Yorker Helene Hanff, a writer with a passion for English literature and a small budget, answers an ad for the London bookstore Marks & Co., which offers rare volumes at low prices. As a result, she takes up a twenty-year correspondence with bookseller Frank Doel, and the store's other employees. They exchange letters and gifts and form a long-distance friendship, but, sadly, never meet face-to-face.

Video Description
A letter to a London bookstore in search of rare English classics for a New York writer begins a relationship that spans two decades and two continents. Although their personalities and cultures are miles apart, their friendship blossoms into a deeper affection.

 

 

 

Amazon.com Hot 100
The 100 titles Amazon.com customers couldn't live without in the last 24 hours. Updated hourly.

Amazon.com Hot 100
Save up to 30% on the 100 bestselling music CD's at Amazon.com. Updated hourly.

Music Essentials

Our recommendations for the best CD's from the best artists.
Whether you're thinking of exploring an unfamiliar style or already building a focused collection, our Essentials pages can streamline your musical search. >From alternative music to zydeco, bebop to hip-hop, the Essentials will lead you to the hundreds of artists and thousands of recordings that matter.

 

Amazon.com is pleased to have Dr. Holleman Booksellers in the family of Amazon.com associates. We've agreed to ship products and provide customer service for orders we receive through special links on Dr. Holleman Booksellers.
Amazon.com associates list selected books and music in an editorial context that helps you make the right choice. We encourage you to shop at Dr. Holleman Booksellers often to see what new items they've selected for you.
Thank you for shopping with an amazon.com associate.
Sincerely,
Jeff Bezos, President Amazon.com