bantam cinema

Who needs the chain cinemas when you can go to the oldest "art-movie" theater in CT? Always comfortable and on time, locals abound, excellent prices, snacks and a feeling of home-theater. Great to be here and I hope they never close!

I don't go to the movies often, but when I do Bantam Cinema is my favorite theater. I hate the big theaters that are so impersonal and noisy. Bantam Cinema is quaint, small and quiet. It is my type of place.

We've been to the Bantam many times. It's a very small theater showing art cinema films which are sometimes hard to find elsewhere. Very cozy. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Sign up for their email list and they will email you each week with information about the films and schedule. We have found out about many great films through their emails. For a fun time at a good price and a throwback to yesteryear, visit the Bantam. It is the oldest continuously operating theater in Connecticut.

Old fashioned comfortable small theater with well chosen films. Only problem is not enough 4pm showings!

It is such a pleasure to go to the Bantam. When I have been there it has always had interesting movies. I love the real, old-fashioned popcorn. The theatre is very comfortable in a cosy, homey sort of way. The staff are friendly and do their jobs well. It is a great bargain for the money, and worth going out of your way to attend. Lee I.

I really love going to the Bantam Cinema. I drive there from Great Barrington, MA even when all the nearby theaters to me are playing the same films. The overall experience at Bantam is so unique, the theater has such ambiance and is such a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. The staff is very kind and helpful as well. The quality of the films are always spectacular, I have gone to see many a movie there I had never heard of just because I figured since Bantam was showing it then it is worthwhile. And sometimes I even go to a movie JUST to go to Bantam Cinema. I can't recommend enough.

Have been a fan of Bantam Cinema for a long time. Small, old, comfy barn like place to see interesting movies. Spent an afternoon there watching a documentary, Casting By, about Marion Dougherty the woman who created the position of Casting Director for movies, and her disciples. It was filmed for HBO. Following the showing there was a Q&A conducted by Tom Donahue the film's director, the producer, and Academy Award winner Tony Bill one of the Hollywood producers, directors and actors interviewed for the film. You won't find something like that at the Mall.

We've now been to Bantam Cinema twice and seen two wonderful movies in a small but comfortable setting. The only slight negative is that the theatre could use a bit more air conditioning or if not more coolness, more airflow...other than that it was 5 star - and even if it doesn't change, we'll be back! I, too, recommend the Wood Pit right next door - their menu is extensive and reasonable. We are lucky to have such a super independent movie theatre with atypical films within a 40 minute drive - out here in the country that's "close"! Great place and wheel chair accessible.

Been to Bantam Cinema quite a few times and always enjoy it. The movies they play are always of interest and they have delicious fresh baked cookies, coffee, milk. Can't go wrong! This is what going to the movies was like before the sixties!

My husband took me to this cinema while we were dating. It was a perfect date night...dinner at Woods Pit across the street and a movie at Bantam Cinema. Its very quaint...we loved the area so much we bought a house!!

My husband and I love this movie theater and go at least once a month. Even though anyone with an iPad can download films on demand these days, there's nothing quite like the old-fashioned experience of seeing a film on the large screen, in a small intimate theater. There's nothing fancy about the Bantam Cinema: the two side-by-side theaters are quite small (about 75 to 100 capacity in each), the seats are older, floors are sometimes littered, the concession stand is small, and the ticket-taker also turns on the DVD player after he dims the house lights. But as many have written, the theater runs art-house films that larger blockbuster theaters don't, they offer homemade goodies as well as popcorn, drinks, coffee and tea; the restrooms are CLEAN; they always provide a critic's review of the film (typed up and copied for movie goers); and sometimes the theater owners bring in an actor or celebrity to talk about the film being shown. Last year they brought in Daniel Day Lewis, for example. On the way out of the film, movie goers have an opportunity to express their comments on a large board posted across from the concession stand, and it's always interesting to read what others write. Although the cost of a ticket is competitive with the bigger theaters, the experience itself is worthwhile.

Buy your ticket and take a seat. The ticket seller turns off the music and turns on the movie projector (which is really a fancy DVD projector). Small, comfortable theater in an old barn. The oldest move theater in CT--catering to a lot of New Yorkers who have weekend homes in the area.

I love going to Bantam for a movie, but both viewing rooms are small and do fill up, so get there early on weekends and opening nights to avoid craning your neck because you had to sit in the front row. I have been there often when every seat is taken...and sometimes can't sit with who I came with.That said, they have REAL butter and other toppings for the popcorn, a cooler with affordable cans of soda and bottled water, and homemade cookies. What's not to love. Have dinner next door at Woods Pit BBQ and you have a really fun evening in store.

After visit to Lake Waramaug in the afternoon, we drove to Bantam to watch a movie at the Bantam Cinema. The theater is small and lovely. The attendant was very friendly. The selection of movies was good.

Thank goodness there are still a few independent movie theaters so one can find films that appeal to an older (not teen) audience. Small theater and screen, but at least there is the opportunity to see non-blockbuster films.