THE undoubted high point of July’s films at Ludlow Assembly Room is the screening of the latest instalment in the Harry Potter series on its national release, but there is also plenty of comedy, drama and romance on offer through the summer.

Hamlet (Gamlet) (U) Thursday, July 2, 2pm and 7.30pm Considered by many to be the best screen Hamlet, this 1964 Russian version of the Bard’s tragedy is terrifically atmospheric, with superb black and white cinematography and stupendous soundtrack by Shostakovich.

In the Loop (15) Sunday to Tuesday, July 5 to 7, at 7.30pm The US President and UK Prime Minister fancy a war in this work, directed by Armando Iannucci.

But not everyone agrees that war is a good thing. US General Miller (James Gandolfini) doesn’t think so and neither does the British secretary of state for international development, Simon Foster (Tom Hollander). But, after he accidentally backs military action on TV, Simon suddenly has a lot of friends in Washington DC.

Armando Iannucci takes his hit TV comedy The Thick Of It to new international heights with stars Peter Capaldi as attack dog Malcolm Tucker and Chris Addison as his hapless aide, both on top form.

Cheri (15) Wednesday and Thursday, July 8 and 9, at 7.30pm Romantic drama based on a Colette novel, directed by Stephen Frears (The Queen) and scripted by Christopher Hampton (Atonement). Michelle Pfeiffer plays a courtesan, no longer in the first flush of youth, who falls in love with the much younger Chéri. Unfortunately he’s the son of a jealous rival who’s got her own ideas about his future.

State of Play (12A) Monday and Tuesday, July 13 and 14, Thursday, July 16, 7.30pm Reporter Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) covers three apparently unrelated deaths, but his investigations keep uncovering links, and they point to a conspiracy involving influential people in big business and politics. This fast paced, intricately plotted thriller (based on the 1993 TV mini series) stars Helen Mirren, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams and Robin Wright Penn.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (cert tbc) Friday, July 17, to Monday, July 27, at 2pm and 7.30pm Tuesday, July 28, to Thursday, July 30, at 2pm and 6.30pm Friday, July 31, to Thursday, August 6, at 2pm and 7.30pm Harry, Hermione and Ron are growing up, and romance is in the air, but Harry is still concerned about Lord Voldemort’s dark past, and possible rise to power. Meanwhile, what could Malfoy be up to?

The 7.30pm screening on Saturday, July 25 will be BSL signed Ludlow and Tenbury, 1940-1960 Wednesday, July 22, 2.30pm and 8pm A look back into our shared heritage with another selection of local archive films.

These include unique home movies and rarely seen television material curated by the Media Archive for Central England.

From rare film of Ludlow’s streets in the 1940s to a 1960s tour through Tenbury Wells, as well as a reminder of its hopes to become a spa town.

There’ll also be memories of VE Day in Shropshire and a look back to the time when the winters were so cold that the River Severn froze.

This is a DVD screening in Oscars. Runtime 75 mins To book tickets for any of these films, call the box office on 01584 878141.