Alec Guinness: Masterpiece Collection

Four-disc set includes: Kind Hearts And Coronets (1949)Born to a lifetime's struggle after his mother was disinherited by her aristocratic kin for marrying his father, Louis D'Ascoyne Mazzini (Dennis Price) vowed that he'd someday hold the familial title of Duke of Chalfont... and if he had to successively knock off eight relatives (each played by Alec Guinness, in a tour de force performance) with prior claim, then so be it. Wickedly funny black comedy from Ealing Studios also stars Valerie Hobson, Joan Greenwood, Hugh Griffith. 106 min. BW/Rtg: NR The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)Timid London bank clerk Henry Holland (Alec Guinness) would gladly steal a fortune in bullion... if he could only figure out a way to get it out of the country. Enter Alfred Pendlebury (Stanley Holloway), a foundry owner who teams with Henry for a daring scheme that involves melting the gold down and disguising it as miniature Eiffel Tower souvenirs. Hilarious Oscar-winning comedy also stars Alfie Bass, Sidney James; look for a young Audrey Hepburn in the opening scene. 81 min. BW/Rtg: NR The Man In The White Suit (1951)Determined textile chemist Sidney Stratton (Alec Guinness) finally realized his ambition of creating an indestructible fabric that resists all stains and tears. The celebration is short-lived, however, once both clothing industry management and labor realize the bottom-line implications of garments that never wear out-and then set out to squelch his discovery by any means necessary. Classic farce from Ealing Studios also stars Joan Greenwood, Cecil Parker, Michael Gough, Ernest Thesiger, Vida Hope. 81 min. BW/Rtg: NR The Ladykillers (1955)The final Ealing Studios comedy, this outrageous caper farce stars Alec Guinness as Professor Marcus, a criminal mastermind planning a multi-million-pound heist. Enter Mrs. Wilberforce (Katie Johnson), the little old landlady who runs the professor's team's hideout, an ever-present fixture who constantly-and unwittingly-throws a spanner in the works. Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom co-star; directed by Alexander Mackendrick ("Sweet Smell of Success"). 86 min. C/Rtg: NR Standard/Widescreen; Soundtrack: English; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; interviews; theatrical trailers; alternate ending; documentary; featurettes. Includes a Blu-ray of special features.