The Rex cinema in Berkhamsted has one screen in a small historic building, showing a maximum of 2 films per day that often sell out. It is an independent and privately owned art house cinema. The cinema has a bar and offers various seating options like royal box seats and table seats with waitress service. It is located off the main road in Berkhamsted but parking is limited. Approximately 55% of the films shown are independent and 45% are from major studios. The cinema appeals to a niche audience and is not intended as a regular trip due to limited tickets and higher prices. It shows classic, indie and foreign films without posing a threat to larger cinema chains.
2. This cinema has one huge screen. As
it comes from a small historic
building, there is no room for more
screens. However this one screen
shows a maximum of 2 films per day
and sells out almost every night.
This cinema is an independent
cinema and is specifically a privately
owned art house cinema. This is
because this cinema does not belong
to a large chain of cinemas, it is
locally and privately owned.
How many screens does it
have?
How would you categorise the
cinema?
THE REX
3. The cinema has a bar that is open on
entry. It offers the option of the
‘royal box’ seats, normal seats or
‘table’ seats. All chairs are
comfortable and table seats receive a
waitress service offering drinks and
snacks.
The cinema is located in
Berkhamsted on the outsides of
Hertfordshire, it is right off the main
A road so it is easily accessible.
However it is also quite hidden, there
is very limited parking so this means
it is not as convenient as a multiplex
cinema.
What facilities does it have? Where is it located?
THE REX
5. I estimate that the amount of indie films compared to big blockbuster film is
around 55%/45%, 55% being the indie films and 45%, the conglomerates.
APPROXIMATELY WHAT PERCENTAGE OF
THE FILMS SHOWN AT THIS CINEMA ARE
INDEPENDENT/ CONGLOMERATE?
6. This cinema offers a very specific and unique cinema experience, this would
appeal to a niche audience and would probably not be a regular trip for many
people as there are limited tickets and prices are higher than other chain
cinemas. The location is not very convenient as it is quite hidden and parking
is limited. This is a good location for locals however not for a big multiplex
cinema. They have to have high prices and good quality experience to ensure
that customers return and keep making a profit to keep it open. They show
old classic films, relatively new indie films and foreign language films, meaning
this privately owned cinema does not pose as a threat or competition in
comparison to the larger cinema chains. The implications for the institution is
that, it does not pose great threat to any conglomerate as they still control the
market, this is mostly for the one-off trips and the admiration of the creation
of film itself.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
