P.D. James Movies
Y Tu Mamá También and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban director Alfonso Cuarón returns to the helm to tell this futuristic tale in which society is without hope since humankind lost its ability to procreate. The year is 2027, and women can no longer give birth. The youngest inhabitant of the planet has just died at the age of 18, and all hope for humanity has been lost. As civilization descends into chaos, a dying world finds one last chance for survival in the form of a woman who has become inexplicably pregnant. Now, as warring nationalistic sects clash and British leaders try to maintain their totalitarian stronghold on the country, a disillusioned bureaucrat (Clive Owen) is brought back into the fold of activism by his guerrilla ex-wife (Julianne Moore). Reluctantly, he takes on the daunting task of escorting Kee (Claire-Hope Ashitey), the refugee who represents humankind's last hope for survival, out of harm's way and into the care of a mysterious organization known as The Human Project. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Charlie Hunnam, and Michael Caine co-star in this adaptation of author P.D. James's gripping 1992 novel. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, (more)
This mystery centers around an isolated British town in which a death at a theological college, previously ruled as accidental, is reopened for an extended investigation by Scotland Yard. Commander Dalgliesh, a former student at the college, conducts the necessary research at first simply as a matter of protocol, but he soon finds more mysterious and distressing revelations at every turn. Dalgliesh believes that the college and its visitors are in imminent danger, but by the time he is able to warn them, it may be too late. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Shaw
The heir to London's Dupayne Museum has died in a suspicious fire and it's up to Commander Dalgliesh (Martin Shaw) to crack the case in this mystery based on the best-selling novel by author P.D. James. It seems that the infernal crime bears a striking resemblance to a notorious case from the Murder Room, and though Commander Dalgliesh soon begins to make headway in solving the difficult crime, the strain that the case is having on his relationship with Emma (Samantha Bond) is only exceeded by the endless hours he's been putting into the investigation. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Shaw
- 1997
Based on a novel by mystery specialist P.D. James, the British drama series An Unsuitable Job for a Woman starred Helen Baxendale as the attractive title character. Employed by a seedy private detective agency, Cordelia Gray (Baxendale) was obliged to take over the business when her boss committed suicide. With next to no detective experience, Cordelia stumbled her way through a variety of life-threatening cases, managing to keep alive and to round up any and all culprits with the assistance of protective office assistant Edith Sparshott (Annette Crosbie). A co-production of Britain's HTV and America's WGBH-TV, An Unsuitable Job for a Woman debuted in England on October 24, 1997, yielding a total of six hour-long and two two-hour episodes as of 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Gore combines with dry British wit in this whodunit. After brilliant, successful defense attorney Venetia Aldridge (Penny Downie) is found murdered in her court chambers, it's anybody's guess who killed her; a controversial personality who didn't hesitate to mince words around her male colleagues, Aldridge made a number of enemies. It's up to Scotland Yard's formidable Commander Adam Dalgliesh (Roy Marsden) to solve her murder. Adapted from the celebrated novel by P.D. James. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Marsden
P.D. James: Original Sin is another murder mystery featuring Scotland Yard investigator Adam Dalgliesh. A respected author summons Dalgliesh to Peverell Publishing in order to investigate a disturbing series of threatening letters that have been sent to various people who work there. When deaths start occurring among this circle of people, Dalgliesh must figure out which of them know the truth. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Marsden
A Mind to Murder follows a poetry loving yet uber-masculine homicide officer as he solves one baffling case after another. The film stars Roy Mardsen as the English ace detective Commander Dalgliesh. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Marsden
When a mutilated corpse is discovered floating at sea in an abandoned dinghy, Scotland Yard commander Adam Dalgliesh (Roy Marsden) is certain that the cause of death is not natural in this elaborate whodunit that was originally seen on the acclaimed PBS series Mystery! As the murder case continues to take an ominous downward spiral, Commander Dalgliesh soon discovers that the case has a strange tie to a multi-million-dollar currency scam. With no shortage of suspects and no end to their rock-solid alibis, the difficult case soon begins to affect Commander Dalgliesh's personal life, and it's not long before he finds himself stalked by a mysterious assailant with murderous intent. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Marsden
Based on the P.D. James novels, this mystery miniseries follows the investigations of Commander Adam Dalgliesh (Roy Marsden). Also starring Penny Downie and Wendy Hiller. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Marsden
Not even a vacation can stop Commander Adam Dalgliesh from ferreting out criminals in this made-for-TV mystery based on the novel by P.D. James. While recuperating after an injury, Dalgliesh (Roy Marsden) decides to take some time off and visit scenic Toynton Grange. But crime knows no holiday, and after three murders and two bizarre suicides rock the quiet village, Dalgliesh puts himself to work, and soon discovers a dark web of blackmail, death, and a secret trapped in a darkened tower near a cliff. The Black Tower also stars Pauline Collins and Art Malik. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Marsden
Roy Marsden returns as ace detective Commander Adam Dalgliesh in this made-for-TV mystery based on the novel by P.D. James. It comes as no great surprise when a notorious drug dealer is found murdered, but more than a few eyebrows are raised when his body is discovered in an exclusive London book club. Dalgliesh is brought in to investigate, and discovers the only witness is a servant who many already believe is guilty of the crime. Cover Her Face also features Rupert Frazer and Mel Martin. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Based on the P.D. James novels, the miniseries Shroud for a Nightingale follows the investigations of Commander Adam Dalgliesh (Roy Marsden). Also starring John Vine and Joss Ackland. This box set from Wellspring Media offers three videos. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Marsden
Roy Marsden stars as Commander Adam Dalgliesh in this made-for-television adaptation of the novel by P.D. James. Edwin Lorrimer (Geoffrey Palmer) is a noted forensic scientist who is often called upon to testify in court proceedings as an expert witness, and when he dies as a result of foul play, Dalgliesh is called in to investigate. Lorrimer was killed inside the building where he worked, and given the tight security of his offices, initial police research assumes that someone who worked alongside Lorrimer is the most likely culprit. However, the longer Dalgliesh looks into the murder, the more he's convinced the answer lies elsewhere. Originally aired as a three-part miniseries, Death of an Expert Witness also features John Vine, Barry Foster, and Brenda Blethyn. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1982
After the suicide of her friend and employer, who has been teaching her to be a detective, Cordelia Gray (Pippa Guard) takes over his business and begins an investigation of the apparent suicide of the son of a businessman. When the suicide turns out to be murder, what she discovers disrupts the entire family and puts Cordelia's life in danger. This off-beat British film is a moody, entertaining thriller, much in the tradition of film noir, but with an unusual and determined female detective. Nicely directed by Christopher Petit, and based on the wonderful novel of the same name by the acclaimed British mystery writer P. J. James, this film gives a fresh approach to the detective-film genre and introduces an intelligent and resourceful woman to a profession usually dominated by men. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pippa Guard, Billie Whitelaw, (more)
