Beer Film Society was founded in September 2006.  With a great deal of help from the British Federation of Film Societies and donations from Beer Parish Council, Devon County Council, Mike Green and several others, the Society was able to obtain basic projection and audio equipment.  Our aim is to bring a combination of popular as well as less-mainstream films to the village.  Over the years the Society has used any surplus funds from the screening of films to improve the quality of its equipment.

Our screenings are held in Mariners' Hall in Beer, which has a high-definition video projection system as well as improved acoustics, and which together mean that our audiences get a first-class viewing experience.  A licensed bar is provided.

LIFE was very different in 1972.

Petrol cost the equivalent of 8 pence a litre, a pint of milk was 5.5p and a pint of beer between 14-18p.

Edward Heath was the Prime Minister of a Conservative government, Leeds United beat Arsenal 1-0 to win the FA Cup and Ford launched its new executive model, the Granada, to replace the Zephyr.

The BBC TV programme Mastermind was broadcast for the first time chaired by Magnus Magnusson.

And the German city of Munich hosted the 1972 Olympics.

Which brings us to the subject of our film ‘September 5’ (2024, 95mins, 15), which we will be showing in the Mariners’ Hall on Thursday 17 July.

During the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, an American sports broadcasting team must adapt to live coverage of the Israeli athletes being held hostage by a terrorist group.

While we all know the outcome (if you can recall it all those years ago) this movie nonetheless re-creates the real and tangible tension that transfixed the world in an era way before social media, 24-hours news coverage and mobile phones.

In short, this is a gripping historical drama focussing on an event that, according to some observers, ushered in a new era of terrorism seeking global attention.

 What the critics said:

‘So tautly directed that you can practically feel the panic-sweat trickling down the back of your own neck.’    Wendy Ide. The Observer. 4*

‘This gripping account of the 1972 massacre at the Munich Olympics focuses only on the TV coverage of the atrocity yet the tension mounts inexorably.’    Kevin Maher. The Times. 4*

‘Modern audiences may feel the contemporary context makes it naive or obtuse.  But it’s a muscular, well-made picture with the tang of cold sweat.’   Peter Bradshaw. The Guardian. 4*

‘Even though we know how the story ends, the film, at a compellingly-taut 95 minutes, is heart-thumpingly tense throughout and a deserving Oscar nominee for Best Original Screenplay.’   Brian Viner. Daily Mail. 4*

A reminder that the Mariners’ Hall doors will open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.  
Tickets cost £5 for members and £7 for guests and are available on the door.
Card payment preferred please.
The bar will be open and Baboo Gelato ice creams will be available.
Any members wishing to reserve a seat should email us at beerfilmsociety@gmail.com before Monday 14 July.

HOT NEWS!

Finally, a reminder that our 2025 AGM will be held before the film starting at 6.45pm, and all members are welcome to attend.

And just to remind people, our Regatta week film on Saturday 9 August will be: ‘Paddington in Peru.’ 

Also, we are planning to show the ‘Salt Path’ in September.  More details to follow.

Don’t forget our new start time.  7PM

Don’t be late! 

Membership of Beer Film Society costs £15 for a full 12 months, and members pay a £5 entrance fee at each screening that they attend.  The entrance fee for non-members is £7.  Priority is given to reservations by members, but non-members may also reserve tickets.  To book tickets or to find out more about Beer Film Society, just email beerfilmsociety@gmail.com.

 

Last edited: Monday 30 June 2025