Howards End (1992 James Ivory)

For such a quintesentially British film of E.M. Forster's novel, I always forget that Ivory was American, producer Ismail Merchant Indian, and writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala... no, not Indian, she was actually born in Germany! And that it was shot 10 minutes up the road at Peppard Common (which is why - Q suddenly conjectures - the Red Lion next door is always so busy).

What a story, marvellously acted by all concerned especially Emma Thompson (winning Oscar), Helena Bonham-Carter, Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave and Samuel West (Any Human Heart) as the unfortunate Leonard Bast (the scenes between him and Nicola Duffett are wonderfully natural). With Adrian Ross Magenty, Jemma Redgrave, James Wilby, Prunella Scales.

It's gorgeously shot by Tony Pierce-Roberts and edited by Andrew Marcus and Oscar-nominated Richard Robbins' score, which is so good at giving the story momentum, is also beautiful.

Fades to black during scenes most unusual.

"The north star goes round and round and you go round and round with it".

And, after the classic line "What lovely houses you have all over the place" you might if laughing too much miss "It was in the wrong part of Shropshire".