Little bit of class

Ever wanted to see a Russian Ballet live? You can experience the Bolshoi Ballet in the GFT as they stream live from the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Theatre has always been a huge part of Russian culture, especially in Moscow, so the Bolshoi Ballet is extremely appreciated. You can save mass amounts of money viewing from the GFT than travelling all the way to Russia to see “The Bright Stream” or “Raymonda”.

"The Bright Stream" screens on the 29th of April 2012 and "Raymonda" on the 24th of June. It may not be as classy or sophisticated at going to the cinema in Russia but for a lot less you can experience a Russian ballet live in the chilled out style of the Grosvenor. Not everyone's cup of tea but you can't argue that the Grosvenor doesn't go that bit further than the larger cinemas.

"See more, hear more, feel more"

"Filmmaking's not about the tiny details - it's about the big picture."
Ed Wood, 1994 


The big thing right now in cinema seems to be 3D and IMAX. 3D films seem to be taking over to give you that extra sense of realism that you are in the moment and experiencing every aspect of the film. IMAX takes this idea further for the "ultimate" cinema experience with the Science Centre's IMAX claiming you will "see more, hear more, feel more". 

3D films can be experienced in the Odeon and Cineworld as 3D films come with 3D glasses but for that extra push for the best experience possible, IMAX cinemas are available in the Science Centre and the Odeon at Braehead. IMAX screens are bigger to fit in all that extra detail that the 3D films contain so you can get the full impact of it. If you're looking to see a new release on an IMAX screen you may be better to trying the Odeon as the Science Centre mostly show films on space and nature.


Not only are newly released films brought out in 3D but they are also bringing older films back into the cinema in 3D for example the Lion King was a hit last year and this years big 3D remake to hit the screens is Titanic, out in April.




You might want to jump on the band wagon and try a 3D film to enrich your movie experience. Here's a video of how it works. 

Learn something new today

The Glasgow Film Theatre not only shows films to entertain the community but also show educating films and runs educating workshops. From cult movies to documentaries about fashion, films shown can educate and inspire the audience. The GFT decided to take educating through the cinema to another level by running courses on film and discussion groups over film to give that extra push of community to Glasgow cinemas.

The Films of Pedro Almodovar

Contemporary Cinema 1

The current courses running are Contemporary Cinema 1 and The Films of Pedro Almodovar, both must be paid for priced at £71 and £43 respectively and are used to teach the community about films and the cinema. This adds culture to the cinema, it not only educates the participants but also brings that sense of worth to the community that these other chain cinemas don’t have. These courses may be a bit pricey but they help fund the GFT to keep it running, although with the help of Glasgow City Council and Creative Scotland do they really need it? You can also avoid spending money though with free workshops about film which are run like discussion groups.


The GFT may not be your first choice of cinema for a night out but when looking for knowledge of film and somewhere to discuss your opinions the GFT is most definitely the place for you. The GFT will educate you no matter what your previous education, so if you’re over 18 and have a passion for film you should try out a course at the GFT. You can also catch the latest documentaries to teach you about important matters and issues. If under 18, there is still something for you, you can take part in the GFT's school programme  which gets kids involved in the Glasgow Youth Film Festival. So why not try something a little bit different today?

The Odeon, hard to miss

Last but certainly not least comes the Odeon cinema. It was created in 1928 by Oscar Deutsch which is where the name came from with the slogan "Oscar Deutsch Entertains Our Nation". Since then Odeon cinemas have continued to grow with 115 cinemas in the UK alone. In Glasgow Odeon cinemas are easy enough to find as they are dotted around the city, although in the centre Cineworld runs the roost. The Odeon in the centre of Glasgow, was shut in January 2006 after being previously run by Paramount since 1934. The building proved a successful cinema for both Paramount and Odeon but since 2006 has been left untouched and now plans to turn it in to offices are been looked at.

Paramount cinema since 1934.

The Odeon cinema up and running until 2006.

The cinema now, shut down and left to ruins.

Even though the Renfield Street Odeon was shut down and there remains no Odeon in the city centre, Odeon still proves successful as there are many locations around the outskirts of the city. Prices vary depending on concessions but remain similar to the likes of Cineworld, its main competition. The Odeon may not be able to compete with the sky scrapper Cineworld in Glasgow but the Odeon is easier to access with more destinations.

If you’re looking for a cinema around Glasgow to catch the latest Hollywood film, the Odeon may be easy to come across. You can even pick up an Odeon points card to collect points for free cinema tickets or popcorn. It may not be as excessive as Cineworld or as quirky as the Grosvenor but for a trip to the cinema, based on convenience around the city, the Odeon may be easiest for you.

Odeon points card.

The heart of Glasgow cinema, The GFT

When discussing the Glasgow cinema scene it can prove impossible to miss out the Glasgow Film Theatre well known as the GFT. The GFT has been around since 1974, taking over form the Cosmo cinema, but wasn’t recognised as an independent company or charity until 1986. It vastly differs from chain cinemas as it shows not only film but also video and TV and runs educational classes. GFT can be seen as the heart of Glasgow’s cinema scene as it is aimed at the community showing international and classical films as well as documentaries. An example of the classes run to bring the community together through cinema is the Film Discussion Group run every Wednesday for free by film writer Eddie Harrison.

As a community based cinema, funded mostly by Glasgow City Council and Creative Scotland, prices are surprisingly similar to chain cinemas. A full price ticket is £7.00 and student tickets are £5.50, this is not far from the ticket prices you would find in Cineworld. With the workers unpaid on a volunteer basis and funding from the Council surely prices could be lower so a trip to the cinema would not be as rare for Glaswegians seeking to be part of the community.

The GFT allows a break from the rush of in your face, Hollywood films and has the ability to add a mass amount of education and culture to the cinema scene in Glasgow. Films screening at the GFT don’t follow the classical Hollywood narrative and base the film on institutional factors but create films to inspire and inform through entertainment. The GFT may educate the community on World issues and different communities over the world but when looking to escape the stresses of work and everyday life the GFT might put too much of a strain on your brain while posing questions and ideas through their films.

Cineworld, the tallest cinema

Far from the small screens of the Grosvenor cinema stands the tallest cinema in Europe. Glasgow Renfield Street's Cineworld has 6 floors and 18 screens but despite the vast capacity of the cinema there is always a queue. There are 78 Cineworld cinemas to choose from containing hundreds of screenings with the ability to show many films. Smaller, independent cinemas may be the chosen destination if you are looking to escape from the clutches of a major corporation but for a cinema providing the new, overly advertised film, Cineworld fits the bill. With 6 times the amount of screens as the Grosvenor, it has the space to show a variety of films showing, along with Hollywood best sellers, Bollywood films and Operas. 

As chain cinemas go, Odeon cinemas have ticked the box of accessibility as there are more of them dotted around Glasgow and are easier to come across. Cineworld may only have two cinemas in Glasgow and it may be harder to get to, if you live on the outskirts of the city, but you will not be disappointed with the venue. The prices vary but are not too expensive with the dearest ticket being an adult at £6.90 with students, children and seniors getting discounted tickets. They also have many offers available for example the unlimited card proves very popular as it is a huge money saver if you are a regular attender. For £14.99 per month you receive unlimited access to films, worth the money if you attend the cinema at least three times a month. Orange Wednesday’s also bring in huge crowds with the queue outside the door to get the two for one deal.

So if you’re about Glasgow and looking for a cinema, Cineworld is highly recommended. If not only to check out your star crush in their new film or to escape from the strains of your everyday, stressful life, you will also have visited the tallest cinema in Europe.

The Grosvenor Cinema

If there was one word to describe The Grosvenor cinema it would be quirky. The cinema is situated on Ashton Lane with the entrance looking more like a small shop than a cinema, it can be easily missed. This is no Cineworld with 18 screens showing a variety of films, in comparison The Grosvenor cinema is tiny. With only 3 screens and 3 films showing a night, it uses its small and cosy atmosphere to bring in box office sales. Described as a “home away from home” the cinema definitely delivers the desired approach with couches and comfy leather seats in each screen to allow each visit to be as relaxing as the next. With the squashy, worn out leather couches and the sheep skin rug teamed with the paired leather seats, how is it possible to not relax and feel at home.

The cinema is very upper class with the front containing a small bar providing tickets, popcorn, snacks and alcoholic beverages. The difference being that, unlike the big chain cinemas, the majority of snacks are American. With pretzels, twizzlers and reece’s for sale, cinema goers can eat the American candy that their favourite Hollywood stars are eating on screen. The cinema upholds a very American theme with the big round popcorn tubs that features along with the fat, old guy who always seems to be around in any cinema scene in American films.

The cinema not only shows Hollywood blockbusters but also screens European films giving the cinema a more edgy feel with screenings like the Bolshoi Ballet Live. Surprisingly ticket prices are not extravagant and remain similar to those of tickets from the Odeon or Cinewold, expensive but affordable. The Grosvenor cinema may not be an everyday choice to see the newest Ryan Gosling film but if you are looking for a good night out in the quaint Ashton lane the Grosvenor may be the place for you.