A Feast At Midnight (1995)

good back-story, and good acting

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

I saw this movie on a rainy afternoon when I was sick. Such a delight! Christopher Lee has top billing here, but the boys, particularly the Freddie Findlay as Magnus, make the movie. A secret society is started at an English boy's boarding school, but instead of making mischief, they make delicious delicacies! Not exactly a kid's movie, what with the not so subtle sexual tension between Raptor (Christopher Lee) and Mrs. Plunder (Carol MacReady). But it's a fun, if slightly naughty film. Samuel West is a standout as Chef, the taste challenged antagonist of the film. He steals any scene he's in. If you happen upon this title, enjoy being a member of "The Scoffers" if just for a little while!

I had high hopes of this film from the blurb, as a food-themed film that would be suitable for a family audience. Although Christopher Lee and Sam West do their best, director Justin Hardy doesn't seem to know what he wants the film to be. Robert Hardy (any relation?) gives his usual lovable headmaster, and Lisa Faulkner is a convincing repressed daughter. Carol MacCready is a Mrs Bumble of a matron Any non-sporting person will sympathise with the cross country torment. But overall the film is dated and confused, a waste of good acting talent and a potentially delightful story. The start is so slow that younger audiences would not wait for the amusing action to happen. And Edward Fox's cameo role, charming though it is, adds nothing to the story. I wonder what was left on the cutting room floor.

Why oh why is this delightful movie not available on Region 1 DVD or video? WHY??????? I long to own it. This movie is so wonderful! It was directed by Justin Hardy, son of *the* Robert Hardy, beloved by all Jane Austen fans for his roles as General Tilney and Sir John Middleton. Robert Hardy has a role in this masterpiece as well. This is a film about boys in an English boarding school. The outcasts of the school band together and create a secret cooking club, where they bake the most delicious, forbidden treats imaginable. The main character has a correspondence with his father, who has been in ill health, that is touching, humorous, and beautiful. This correspondence heartens and inspires the boy and helps lead to and support the creation of his secret cooking club. Oh, I just want to take a moment to BEG!! BEG, I tell you!! BEG the powers that be to release this film on REGION 1 DVD!! Please!!!!!!!! If you can watch this movie (it's available on PAL video) you should -- you must -- it will add such joy to your life!!

This is a "hidden gem" of a movie. It has all the elements of a fun and wonderful movie experience for idealists and cynics alike! The movie has good pacing and wonderful minor twists and turns on the plot that actually have you saying to yourself "hurray!"