iPlayer

Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny star in the biographical drama which fans have a limited time to watch for free

A period drama viewers have called “absorbing” and “intoxicating” is currently available for free streaming – but fans keen to watch it only have a limited time to do so.

Director Sofia Coppola’s biopic Priscilla was made available on BBC iPlayer nearly a year ago, and there is now just one month left to watch it before it exits the platform.

The film is based on Priscilla Presley’s memoir, Elvis and Me, and charts her life with legendary rock star Elvis Presley behind closed doors, from their initial meeting to their turbulent marriage. Their relationship has long been a hotly-debated topic given Priscilla was just 14 when she met a then-24-year-old Elvis.

It stars Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla, who earned a Best Actress nod at the Golden Globes for the role, while Jacob Elordi portrays Elvis. BBC iPlayer’s synopsis reads: “Fourteen-year-old schoolgirl Priscilla Beaulieu is accustomed to the unsettled life of an army family.

“Invited to a party at Elvis Presley’s house as he carries out his military service in Germany, the shy teenager catches his eye and is gradually drawn into a strange and unhealthy co-dependent life.”

At time of writing, the film – released back in 2023 – enjoys an impressive 84 per cent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile audiences awarded it a lower 64 per cent score on average.

One reviewer gushed: “A tender, poignant drama and an excellent continuation of her muted but no less intoxicating style. It shows [Sofia] Coppola at her most understanding as she presents a complex, multi-faceted love story where two lovers drift apart.”

Another viewer said: “This was probably the most visually stunning movie I’ve seen,” as a third shared: “Great movie! Very engrossing – felt like I was right there with her every step of the way. The chemistry between the lead actors was mesmerizing.”

A fourth added: “A really we done biopic about Priscilla. Truly shows how even in a house full of people she was still lonely. Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi work really we as Elvis and Priscilla, especially with the height difference.”

However one more critical viewer said: “Truth be told, this film is little more than the story of a relationship between child and the childish. A rather tedious, and in parts, even a queasy watch, even for the Elvis fan.”

Priscilla is now streaming for free on BBC iPlayer. For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.

Fans have watched the thriller 10 times since its premiere

Film fans waiting for the release of Wuthering Heights can now stream the director’s captivating 2023 thriller for free.

Writer-director Emerald Fennell made a splash just three years ago with the release of Saltburn, which stars Euphoria’s Jacob Elordi.

Now, the Oscar winner is set to return to screens with Wuthering Heights, once again starring Elordi as her leading man, Heathcliff. Adapted from the Emily Brontë classic, the tragic romance drama is set to release on February 13.

Those who are keen to dive into Fennell or Elordi’s filmographies can now head to BBC iPlayer, where Saltburn is streaming for free.

Set at the University of Oxford, the film centres on scholarship student Oliver (Barry Keoghan), who is struggling to fit in with his classmates.

He soon becomes infatuated with aristocratic student Felix (Elordi), who later invites him to spend the summer at his family’s huge country estate, Saltburn.

The summer takes a dark turn as a series of tragedies strike the family. The mystery thriller goes on to explore various important themes such as social class.

It impressively bagged five BAFTA Film Award nominations, including a nod for supporting actress Rosamund Pike and leading man Keoghan.

Elordi was also acknowledged in the Supporting Actor category, while Fennell was named in the Outstanding British Film of the Year list.

Despite its stellar cast, though, Saltburn received mixed reviews. Some viewers complained that its social commentary was too shallow, while others were completely won over.

On Rotten Tomatoes viewer shared: “The more I think about this film – the more it grows on me.

“Saltburn is as captivating as it is stunning with stand out performances by both Barry Keoghan and Rosamund Pike. The direction is beautifully done, with a twist ending oh so well earned.”

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Another reviewer gushed: “Omg!!! I love this film watched it ten times I think it’s brilliant all the cast do an amazing job it’s cringe in places but it’s a brilliant sick thriller”

But a third dissapointed viewer slammed: “This movie is all art and no heart…and very vapid pseudo deep art at that…”

While a fourth defended: “I’ve seen this so many times now. I don’t care what anyone has to say, I love it.”

Saltburn is streaming now on BBC iPlayer

The film The Eagle Had Landed stars Michael Caine, Robert Duvall and Donald Sutherland, and is a hit with movie fans who praised it as ‘not your typical boring war movie’

A war film hailed by movie fans as ‘powerful’ and ‘wonderful’ is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.

The film The Eagle Had Landed stars Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, Donald Sutherland and Jean Marsh, and has become a huge hit with movie fans.

Based on the 1975 novel The Eagle Has Landed by Jack Higgins, the movie follows a German intelligence officer Max Radl in 1943 as he plots to kidnap Winston Churchill during a visit to a small English village. Colonel Kurt Steiner leads a team of disguised paratroopers, aided by Irish agent Liam Devlin. The mission, initially successful, is jeopardised when a soldier’s uniform is revealed during a rescue act, bringing in American forces.

Released in 1977, the film might not have won over critics or earned any Academy Awards but it did earn the affection of fans who have praised it. The film ratings website Rotten Tomatoes is packed with positive reviews, all contributing to the film’s 71 percent rating.

One review said: “Its a brilliant lazy afternoon war film packed with actors you recognise and a wonderful performance from Larry Hagman.”

Another wrote: “Watched the film for the first time recently. It was better than I thought. Great cast and moves quickly.”

A third posted: “This is as much a thriller as a ‘war movie’. It has great characters, a wonderful soundtrack and has an authentic vibe throughout. Suspect negative reviews are from gamers. This film requires thought and attention to fully enjoy. The book is Higgins best and is a really enjoyable read.”

“A powerful beginning, great build-up, an interesting side-story to keep us interested and great finishing action sequences make for a World War II movie that is well worth seeing,” said a fourth.

A fifth added: “A neat little WWII spy thriller. Caine and Duvall are great, and Pleasence and Sutherland ham it up in an agreeable fashion.

“It’s not attempting to reinvent the genre, but it goes about its business with confidence (the steady hand of veteran director Sturges is felt in this regard), and it’s unique in that it presents the story (fairly exclusively) from the point-of-view of the ‘enemy.'”

Another highlighted the star cast as it said: “Michael Caine and Robert Duvall are two of my favorite actors of all time and yet somehow, Donald Sutherland totally steals the show. Awesome story out of the WW2 era. Not your typical boring war movie either.”

“Well made little war film based on the novel by Jack Higgins. Last film directed by Sturges is not as good as “The Great Escape” or “Magnificant Seven” but its not bad. Duval, Sutherland, Caine and Wiliams all do well while Hagman acts like he’s in a different movie entirely,” said another.

Another simply wrote: “One of the best action war movies.”

The Eagle Has Landed is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

The 2023 film follows childhood friends coming to terms with a devastating loss

A touching drama that kept viewers glued to their screens has landed on BBC iPlayer just in time for your midweek viewing.

First hitting screens in 2023, Kindling marked writer-director Connor O’Hara’s feature film debut.

Though he was a fresh face in the industry, O’Hara worked with an impressive cast including Sex Education’s George Somner and fellow Netflix actress Mia McKenna-Bruce (Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials).

The heartfelt drama follows a group of young men who return to their hometown for one last summer with their terminally ill friend, Sid (Somner).

Coming to terms with his mortality, Sid creates a plan to make the summer unforgettable. He gathers his friends and tasks each of them with finding an item that connects their group to either love, home, friends, family or location.

As a science nerd, Sid plans on burning every beloved item to immortalise his memory in the form of particles lingering in the atmosphere.

As you can expect, the film dives into heavy themes including grief and terminal illness. But it also explores uplifting topics such as the importance of friendship.

Although Kindling didn’t capture much attention upon its debut, fans who caught it were completely captivated.

Taking to Rotten Tomatoes, one viewer praised: “Very touching film with some fantastic performances by such a young cast! The filmmakers did a great job of handling such complex subject matter without it feeling heavy-handed. I hope more people see this film!”

Meanwhile an IMDb user dubbed it as “a classic in every way,” before adding: “Kindling kept me glued to the screen in a trance.”

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A third viewer shared their own glowing review: “Overall, Kindling is a touching and beautifully made film that will leave you feeling grateful for the people in your life. It is a celebration of life and friendship, and a reminder to cherish every moment we have. Highly recommended.”

While a Letterboxd user enthused: “One of those deeper films about real friendship, love and loss. This in many ways is about how loss affects the individuals, the friends, family members and an outsider. Thought provoking, sad, happy and very real. A film which needs to be watched more than once.”

However, someone else warned: “Be prepared to cry if you’re gonna watch this.”

Kindling is streaming now on BBC iPlayer

Fans claim it is the best period drama since Mad Men

A captivating period drama with a rare 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating might be the perfect addition to your mid-week watchlist.

BBC iPlayer is currently streaming Australian hit drama, The Newsreader, which stars Mindhunter actress Anna Torv and Interview with the Vampire’s Sam Reid.

The duo are part of a competitive team of journalists in a 1980s Australian newsroom, with Torv playing the channel’s first female newsreader, Helen Norville.

After fighting various barriers to make her way to the top, Helen gets paired up with producer Dale Jennings (Reid).

Viewers are then thrust into the duo’s personal and professional lives as they cover major historic events such as Halley’s Comet and the AIDS crisis.

Created by Michael Lucas, the workplace drama debuted in 2021 and aired for three seasons. Each instalment earned overwhelming praise from critics and casual viewers alike.

Rotten Tomatoes reviewers awarded the drama a perfect 100% score for its first two seasons, with no score available yet for the third instalment.

Torv and Reid were showered with praise following the release, with one IMDB user raving: “The biggest news to come from the Aussie drama ‘The Newsreader’ is that Sam Reid (Dale Jennings) is sensational.”

“I suggest that his career is about to take off epically. I could see him as the next James Bond!”

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Someone else agreed: “The Newsreader is a brilliantly acted and written drama series. I absolutely love TV shows that are based around historic events and this is the best example since Mad Men.”

While a third fan shared their detailed verdict: “I consider this show a bit of a hidden gem, especially because I discovered it completely by coincidence. It’s difficult to put into words what an intense viewing experience it is.

“The backdrop setting of a 80’s newsroom is so delicious it feels like it could have been written for me personally. The rise and decay of these characters, especially the two leads BRILLIANTLY portrayed by Anna Torv and Sam Reid, is extremely captivating.”

The Newsreader is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.