Cinema is a powerful cultural medium, both reflecting and influencing society. The role of British cinema has been controversial--sometimes derided, but also vigorously celebrated, especially for specific films and film-makers. In this Very Short Introduction, Charles Barr considers cinema in Britain against the backdrop of changing artistic, socio-political, and industrial climates up to the present day. He traces how British cinema has developed...

When an American academic in Pakistan is kidnapped by anti-American radicals, the CIA thinks popular young Pakistani professor Changez is involved. But as Changez tells his story about his life in the US to an American foreign correspondent, the truth becomes harder to pin down.

When an English ship carrying 50,000 cases of whiskey wrecks off the coast of a tiny Scottish island that has ran out of "the water of life"', Captain Waggett vows to defend the vessel against any looting efforts.