National Theatre Live: The Motive and the Cue

Mar 21, 2024

2h 45m

★ 7.5

Overview

In 1964, Richard Burton, newly married to Elizabeth Taylor, is to play the title role in an experimental new Broadway production of Hamlet under Sir John Gielgud’s exacting direction. But as rehearsals progress, two ages of theatre collide and the collaboration between actor and director soon threatens to unravel.

Genres

Drama

Production Companies

National Theatre

Neal Street Productions

National Theatre Live: The Motive and the Cue Trailers

Cast

Richard Burton

Johnny Flynn

Sir John Gielgud

Mark Gatiss

Elizabeth Taylor

Tuppence Middleton

Aysha Kala

William Redfield

Luke Norris

Hume Cronyn

Allan Corduner

George Voskovec

Ryan Ellsworth

Jessica Levy

Elena Delia

Clement Fowler

Huw Parmenter

Hugh McHaffie

Laurence Ubong Williams

Michael Walters

Mick Burrows

Mark Extance

In the early years of the 20th century, Mohandas K. Gandhi, a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government, Gandhi adopts a policy of 'passive resistance', endeavouring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed.

7.5

Almost Famous

Sep 15, 2000

In 1973, 15-year-old William Miller's unabashed love of music and aspiration to become a rock journalist lands him an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to interview and tour with the up-and-coming band, Stillwater.

7.3

Good Morning, Vietnam

Dec 23, 1987

A disk jockey goes to Vietnam to work for the Armed Forces Radio Service. While he becomes popular among the troops, his superiors disapprove of his humor.

7.6

JFK

Dec 20, 1991

Follows the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy led by New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison.

7.0

American Graffiti

Aug 11, 1973

A couple of high school graduates spend one final night cruising the strip with their buddies before they go off to college.

8.1

In the Mood for Love

Sep 29, 2000

Two neighbors form a strong bond after both suspect extramarital activities of their spouses. However, they agree to keep their bond platonic so as not to commit similar wrongs.

7.4

Enemy at the Gates

Feb 28, 2001

A Russian and a German sniper play a game of cat-and-mouse during the Battle of Stalingrad in WWII.

8.2

Saving Private Ryan

Jul 24, 1998

As U.S. troops storm the beaches of Normandy, three brothers lie dead on the battlefield, with a fourth trapped behind enemy lines. Ranger captain John Miller and seven men are tasked with penetrating German-held territory and bringing the boy home.

7.0

Cool Runnings

Oct 1, 1993

When a Jamaican sprinter is disqualified from the Olympic Games, he enlists the help of a dishonored coach to start the first Jamaican bobsled team.

7.3

A Man for All Seasons

Dec 13, 1966

A depiction of the conflict between King Henry VIII of England and his Lord Chancellor, Sir Thomas More, who refuses to swear the Oath of Supremacy declaring Henry Supreme Head of the Church in England.

8.0

By Player

Dec 2, 2000

The film is a series of vignettes from Taiji Tonoyama's life and film clips, interspersed with a dialogue to camera by Nobuko Otowa, addressing the camera as if she is addressing Tonoyama himself, recollecting events in his life. The film focuses on Tonoyama's alcohol dependence and his various sexual relationships, as well as his film work with Shindo.

0.0

Four Minus Three

Mar 6, 2026

Barbara is a professional clown, as is her partner Heli. The two children call them a "clown family". Barbara believes in failure and in making fun of what doesn't work. In the ability to turn things around and see the positive in the negative. But Barbara's attitude is fundamentally challenged when she loses her husband and two children in a traffic accident. Will her profoundly positive view of the world help her to find her way back into life?

0.0

Trust Me, I'm a Doctor

Invalid Date

The life of Dr. Sandeep Kapoor was turned upside down when he's implicated in the wrongful death trial of one-time Playboy centerfold Anna Nicole Smith.

6.7

Hairspray

Jul 19, 2007

Pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad auditions to be on Baltimore's most popular dance show - The Corny Collins Show - and lands a prime spot. Through her newfound fame, she becomes determined to help her friends and end the racial segregation that has been a staple of the show.

6.9

42nd Street

Mar 11, 1933

A producer puts on what may be his last Broadway show, and at the last moment a chorus girl has to replace the star.

6.8

The Red Sea Diving Resort

Jul 28, 2019

Sudan, East Africa, 1980. A team of Israeli Mossad agents plans to rescue and transfer thousands of Ethiopian Jews to Israel. To do so, and to avoid raising suspicions from the inquisitive and ruthless authorities, they establish as a cover a fake diving resort by the Red Sea.

6.9

The Marriage Fool

Sep 20, 1998

Recently widowed after 41 years of marriage, Frank Walsh meets the outgoing Florence, sparking joy back into his life again. However, there is clear disapproval of her from his grown children, especially his eldest son Robert. As Frank and Florence grow closer in their relationship, Robert begins to change his perspective on their commitment and devotion to one another.

7.3

Till

Oct 14, 2022

The true story of Mamie Till Mobley’s relentless pursuit of justice for her 14 year old son, Emmett Till, who, in 1955, was lynched while visiting his cousins in Mississippi.

0.0

Awake and Sing!

Mar 6, 1972

The Bergers, a blue-collar Jewish family living in an overstuffed tenement and undone by the Depression, struggle through hard times and dream of a better future in this 1972 production of Clifford Odets' pungent play. Personalities and politics clash as Odets' mélange of characters try to survive on pennies a day. Walter Matthau plays cynical World War I amputee Moe Axelrod, and Leo Fuchs portrays the family's iron-willed leftist grandfather.

7.5

Walk the Line

Sep 13, 2005

A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.