Seniors’ free archive matinee

Island in the Sun

This Caribbean-set melodrama, with songs, follows Belafonte’s aspirational young politician as he struggles against prejudice and social injustice.

We regret that, due to flu, Marcus Powell is unable to introduce this screening. We apologise for any disappointment.

  • Director

    Robert Rossen

  • With

    James Mason, Joan Fontaine, Harry Belafonte

  • UK-USA 1957. 119min

  • Digital

  • Certificate

    PG

Filmed in Grenada, this popular, albeit controversial, hit catapulted Belafonte to the pinnacle of his popularity. It also saw a backlash from the Ku Klux Klan upon release in the US, reacting to the two interracial romances that dominate this melodrama. The mento-flavoured title song has become one of his most enduring recordings.

Free for the over-60s (booking by phone and in-person only), otherwise normal matinee price.