Donald McWhinnie

Queen of a Distant Country

Tom dreams of being a writer while working in his father's shop in a small seaside town. He's too shy to realise that the girl he loves is waiting for his approach.

Ghost Trio

A female voice identifies a lone man in a room. The shots cut closer, revealing he is holding a cassette recorder, playing Beethoven's "Ghost" Piano Trio no. 5. The film repeats the imagery, and then shows what he has been reacting to.

...but the clouds...

A woman left behind by a man. Based on a script by Samuel Beckett.

The Country Wife

Directed by Donald McWhinnie.

Beasts: What Big Eyes

An RSPCA officer is horrified when he discovers a pet shop owner has been conducting experiments on a wolf, searching for proof of lycanthropy. Created as an episode of Nigel Kneale’s “Beasts” horror anthology miniseries.

The Wood Demon

A luncheon party gathers to celebrate a wealthy unmarried man's birthday; his sister hopes he'll marry Sonya, the daughter of a selfish gout-ridden old professor who makes life Hell for his son George and his young wife, Helen. At the luncheon is Khrushchov, a passionate environmentalist, called "the Wood Demon" by all, in love with Sonya and she with him, but neither will say it. Two weeks later there's a family meeting at the professor's estate; two weeks after that, a supper at the cabin of Dyadin, who's cheerful to all. George, Helen, Sonya, and Khrushchov are each suffocating. Can any of them take action?

Fallen Angels

Two men go off on a golfing trip, leaving their wives to amuse themselves as best they can. The wives each receive a postcard from Maurice Duclos, a former lover both had before their marriages.

An Afternoon at the Festival

Ahead of a screening of his latest film a director converses with a prostitute, whilst his female star and estranged wife talks to a writer, his brother. Intercut are scenes from the film, and the making of it.

Krapp's Last Tape

A 69-year-old man sits alone on his birthday and listens to his past through the form of tape reels he has recorded throughout his life.

The Creeper

A young man starts a new job as companion to a wealthy, eccentric recluse who lives in a large house in a remote area. The only others living there are an aged butler and a companion about to leave. It transpires that there is more to this curious household than meets the eye.

Thark

Farce in which the nouveau riche Mrs Frush buys Thark, a large country house, from Sir Hector Benbow but then complains that the house is haunted. An assortment of characters go to the house to investigate.