This film is part of Rentals
Doombeach
A truant schoolboy sabotages the secretive power station he believes killed his friend. With Glenda Jackson.
Director: Colin Finbow
Overview
Twelve-year-old Gavin is sent to the wrong school and begins truanting with a gang of fellow outsiders. When his new friend Mark is hospitalized after a swimming race, Gavin suspects the local power station of leaking toxic waste into the sea. Futile protests and an attempt on his life compel Gavin to a fateful course of action. With Jeremy Coster, Glenda Jackson, Michael Sheard, Emma Freud.
From 1981 to 1998, the Children’s Film Unit provided invaluable training for young British filmmakers and actors between the ages of 10-17, producing 18 features and a number of short films all featuring children on both sides of the camera. The stories were all conceived by the children themselves then shaped and helmed by the project’s founder, Colin Finbow. The CFU was supported by Sir Richard Attenborough and director Steven Spielberg. Doombeach was shot over three weeks in Swanage in Dorset and had a Royal Premiere at BAFTA in Piccadilly on February 4, 1990.
Related
Ghost Trail Ghost Trail
Thriller 2024 106 mins Director: Jonathan Millet
Tense, morally complex political thriller about a man hunting down fugitive war criminals from the Assad regime in Syria, inspired by true events.
To a Land Unknown To a Land Unknown
Thriller 2025 106 mins Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Danish-Palestinian director Mahdi Fleifel’s feature debut combines a buddy drama and tense thriller to powerful and topical effect.
Cloud Cloud
Drama 2024 124 mins Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
An online scam leads to deadly consequences in Kurosawa Kiyoshi’s chilling tech thriller.
The Crime is Mine The Crime is Mine
Thriller 2022 103 mins Director: François Ozon
François Ozon’s witty 1930s farce about a penniless actress who finds fame while on trial for murder, featuring a riotous performance from Isabelle Huppert.
Kathleen Is Here Kathleen Is Here
Thriller 2023 95 mins Director: Eva Birthistle
Riveting debut from acclaimed Irish actor Eva Birthistle, about a young care leaver on a destructive path to find a new mother figure.
The Critic The Critic
Thriller 2023 101 mins Director: Anand Tucker
Ian McKellen is in delicious form as London's most vicious critic, who strikes a Faustian pact with a struggling actor (Gemma Arterton).
Wild West Wild West
Comedy 1993 84 mins Director: David Attwood
Defying opposition from his conservative Pakistani family, Zaf Ayub dreams of becoming Southall's greatest gift to country & western.
The Song of the Shirt The Song of the Shirt
Drama-documentary 1979 129 mins Director: Sue Clayton and Jonathan Curling
The plight of women in the 1840s London rag trade is explored and deconstructed in this multifaceted documentary
Privates on Parade Privates on Parade
Comedy 1983 113 mins Director: Michael Blakemore
Musical comedy with John Cleese. In Singapore, 1948, the Song and Dance Unit tour their 'Jungle Jamboree' review.
Blue Scar Blue Scar
Drama 1949 97 mins Director: Jill Craigie
A stirring tale of love, music, and coalmining in Abergwynfi, South Wales.
Remembrance of Things Fast Remembrance of Things Fast
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1993 62 mins Director: John Maybury
John Maybury’s dark, queer state of the nation film starring Tilda Swinton and Rupert Everett
Justine Justine
Drama 1976 90 mins Director: Stewart Mackinnon
Stewart Mackinnon’s avant-garde adaptation of Marquis de Sade’s infamous erotic novel has been near impossible to see since 1976.
The Great Escaper The Great Escaper
Drama 2023 96 mins Director: Oliver Parker
Michael Caine and the late Glenda Jackson deliver superb performances in this heart-warming story of a war veteran’s escape from his care home to join the 70th anniversary of the D-day landings in Normandy.
The Rainbow The Rainbow
Drama 1989 106 mins Director: Ken Russell
Ken Russell returns to D. H. Lawrence for the story of a young girl’s sexual awakening and immersion in a love triangle with both a man and a woman.
The Triple Echo The Triple Echo
War 1973 93 mins Director: Michael Apted
Oliver Reed and Glenda Jackson star in the rarely seen drama about an AWOL soldier who disguises as a woman to avoid capture.
Giro City Giro City
Drama 1982 102 mins Director: Karl Francis
Glenda Jackson and Jon Finch play Welsh investigative journalists covering the Troubles in Northern Ireland only to unearth censorship and corruption back home.
Captain Stirrick Captain Stirrick
Children's 1982 95 mins Director: Colin Finbow
Pickpockets, mad puppets, and murder – all from the 1840 press accounts of a real case that lead to the gallows – conceived as a musical by the Children’s Film Unit.
Ghost Trail Ghost Trail
Thriller 2024 106 mins Director: Jonathan Millet
Tense, morally complex political thriller about a man hunting down fugitive war criminals from the Assad regime in Syria, inspired by true events.
Plainclothes Plainclothes
Drama 2025 97 mins Director: Carmen Emmi
Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey lead a Sundance-prize winning ensemble in this knockout cruising drama from debut director Carmen Emmi.
What Have You Done Today Mervyn Day? What Have You Done Today Mervyn Day?
Documentary 2005 45 mins Director: Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly’s second collaboration with pop band Saint Etienne traces the hidden history of East London’s Lower Lea Valley before its Olympic makeover.
Young Hearts Young Hearts
Drama 2024 99 mins Director: Anthony Schatteman
A gentle and sincere story of queer love between two young teenage boys, told with warmth and humour.
Finisterre Finisterre
Documentary 2003 59 mins Director: Kieran Evans and Paul Kelly
A journey from London’s suburbs to its heart, charting the influence of the city on indie pop band Saint Etienne.
This Is Tomorrow This Is Tomorrow
2007 54 mins Director: Paul Kelly
The final part of Saint Etienne and Paul Kelly’s London trilogy follows the renovation and reopening of the Royal Festival Hall through 2005-7.