Oliver Stone may be the first out of the gates with his film epic about the violent life and times of Alexander the Great (Baz Luhrman’s version of the same story will be out in 2006), but as ever he’s also drawn the fire of controversy for his effort. The film stifled in the States, apparently because of its cavalier attitude to Alexander’s bisexuality. With the more liberal, more intelligent and let’s face it, straightforwardly better British, the film may have a chance. It certainly has a fantastic cast in Colin Farrell, Angela Jolie (pictured as Olympia), Val Kilmer, Anthony Hopkins and talented ex-boxer Gary Stretch. See review, and news story, page 9.

Alexander 1.3 on genera/ release from Fr/ 7 Jan.