Kate Nelligan Movies

While many people think the world underneath the sea is a quiet and tranquil place, it's actually buzzing with activity, as different species of aquatic animals propagate their kind, battle for survival, and struggle with the many dangers beneath the surface of the ocean. Into the Deep is a documentary -- originally shot and released in the high-definition IMAX film format -- which dives into the waters off the coast of Southern California, and captures on film the adventure and excitement of life in the waters. Kate Nelligan narrates. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Terrence McNally's stage play Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune was a two-character piece, which starred Kathy Bates and F. Murray Abraham on Broadway. Garry Marshall's film version of the McNally play streamlines the title to Frankie and Johnny, expands the dramatis personae to include at least a dozen fascinating characters, and "glamorizes" the decidedly unglamorous Frankie and Johnny in the forms of Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino (their first co-starring stint since Scarface). Purists carped at the changes, but overall the film is likeable enough to transcend these carps. While serving an 18-month sentence on a forgery charge, Johnny (Al Pacino) discovers the joys of cooking and classical literature. Upon his release, he is hired by gruff but good-hearted New York diner owner Nick (played by Garry Marshall "regular" Hector Elizondo). Also working for Nick is a waitress named Frankie (Michelle Pfeiffer). When Johnny expresses interest in Frankie, she keeps him at arm's length, her mistrust of men stemming from an unmentioned but obviously traumatic experience in her past. Eventually, however, Frankie and Johnny do get together, their curious relationship setting the stage for a dramatic denouement wherein both lovers bare their souls. The bulk of the original McNally play is concentrated in the film's final 20 minutes; the rest of the picture is a kaleidoscope of comic and poignant vignettes and quick-sketch character studies. Of the newly minted characters, the standout is Nathan Lane in the traditional "gay best friend/severest critic" role: he plays the character so effectively that one forgets he's essentially a cliché. As for the stars, Al Pacino is ideally cast as Johnny, but Michelle Pfeiffer, superb though she is, seems a bit ill at ease as the emotionally tattered Frankie; she totally wins the audience's hearts, however, in the film's memorable bowling-alley sequence. Smoothing over the rough spots in Frankie and Johnny is the evocative musical score by Marvin Hamlisch. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

While Love and Hate: A Marriage Made in Hell had its American network debut in July of 1990, it was not precisely a world premiere. The film had already been shown in 1989 on Canadian TV, where it was the highest-rated TV movie of that year. Small wonder: It was based on a true story that had dominated Canadian headlines since 1980. Kenneth Welsh stars as Colin Thatcher, a wealthy Saskatchewan rancher/ politician. Kate Nelligan plays his wife, who withstands years of physical abuse before filing for divorce. Using his political and financial clout, Thatcher carries on a brutal courtroom battle to gain custody of his children. His wife wins but the victory is brief, however; Mrs. Thatcher ends up murdered. Thatcher is almost immediately pounced upon as the prime suspect, and the film concludes with his trial--which develops into a real nail-biter. Based on a true story that had hogged Canadian headlines for nearly a decade, Love and Hate: A Marriage Made in Hell was the highest-rated TV movie to be shown on Canadian TV in 1989. Its below-the-border debut occurred on July 15 and 16, 1990; in syndication, the two-part film was trimmed to 153 minutes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Fifteen strangers who have volunteered for an experiment in isolation are forced to deal with an even larger problem in this film from Italian director Giuliano Montaldo. A research group in Germany wants to study the effects of isolation in a nuclear shelter on human subjects and assembles a diverse group of people for the test. The strangers agree to stay in the shelter for 20 days, but are allowed to exit at any time. During their time in the shelter, the group experiences a wide range of social dynamics, but near the end of their stay in the shelter, it is learned that a real nuclear incident is underway and the test group will be forced to stay in their shelter indefinitely. Featured in the cast are Burt Lancaster, Ben Gazzara, and Kate Nelligan. ~ Ryan Shriver, Rovi

Young divorced mother Kate Nelligan refuses to go into a panic when her six-year-old son disappears. She manages to maintain an even emotional keel even when detective Judd Hirsch unearths several clues which point to sexual molestation. After several false leads, the truth is revealed. We won't divulge the ending, but we will note that we found it pretty hard to swallow-especially when compared to the actual case upon which Beth Gutcheson's novel and screenplay were based. Despite its cop-out denouement, Without a Trace deserves to take its place among such superior missing-children dramas as the made-for-TV Adam and Just Another Missing Kid. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Having already been seen spying for the Nazis in 1979's The Eagle Has Landed, Donald Sutherland once more infiltrates wartime England on behalf of Der Fuhrer in Eye of the Needle. Willing to kill even the most innocent of bystanders to complete his task, Sutherland manages to remain in Britain until the eve of D-Day in 1944. Discovering that the invasion is to take place on Normandy, Sutherland scurries to rendezvous with a U-boat off the treacherous Isle of Storms. His mission is thwarted by Kate Nelligan, the frustrated wife of paralyzed RAF commander Christopher Cazenove. Though having fallen in love with Sutherland, Nelligan nonetheless prepares to turn the man in when he kills her husband. Tension mounts in the closing scene as Sutherland races against time to (a) make contact with the U-boat and (b) stop Nelligan before she blows the whistle on him. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this suspenseful horror movie, four rape victims team up to bring their brutal attacker to justice. He had been tried before on similar charges and acquitted on a technicality. Now the women, led by a determined young doctor are determined to make him pay for destroying their lives. Unfortunately, the man is a prominent and powerful citizen. Fortunately, this doesn't stop them and justice is served. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Dreams of Leaving is centered around the Candide-like experiences of novice journalist Bill Nighy. He is determined to experience first-hand the social and mating habits of London's elite. Nighy gets more than he bargained for at the hands of bed-hopping socialite Kate Nelligan. Dreams of Leaving was filmed in 1979 for British television. It was picked up by America's Arts and Entertainment cable TV network, where it was shown in the fall of 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Vincentio (Kenneth Colley), Duke of Vienna, is a good and kindly ruler, but his leniency has allowed vice to thrive. So he decides to leave town temporarily, putting in charge his stern chief deputy, Angelo (Tim Piggott-Smith). Immediately, Angelo condemns the young nobleman, Claudio (Christopher Strauli), to death for getting his sweetheart, Juliet (Jacqueline Pearce), pregnant. Isabella (Kate Nelligan), an aspiring nun who is Claudio's sister, is disgusted by Angelo's suggestion that she "lay down the treasures" of her body to save her brother's life. Meanwhile, the Duke returns to town in the guise of a friar to see how his domain is faring in his absence. When he spies around, he learns of Claudio's imprisonment, and he overhears the dilemma that Angelo has created for Isabella. The helpful ''friar'' then suggests to Isabella that Mariana (Jacqueline Pearce), who was once betrothed to Angelo, take her place in the darkness of Angelo's bedroom. Mariana agrees, and the scheme goes according to plan. However, Angelo reneges on his promise because he fears Claudio will seek revenge if he is released, and instead he orders Claudio's immediate execution. However, Duke Vincentio, still disguised as a friar, persuades the prison warden to spare Claudio and to trick Angelo into thinking Claudio is dead. When Duke Vincentio doffs his disguise and reappears as himself, Angelo, realizing the game is up, asks to be executed to avoid a degrading trial. But Mariana, steadfast in her love for Angelo, pleads for his life. Mercy and a happy ending triumph. Claudio returns from the dead to wed Juliet. Angelo is spared and marries Mariana. The Duke then begs the hand of Isabella. He tells her, ''Dear Isabel, I have a motion much imports your good; whereto if you'll a willing ear incline, what's mine is yours and what is yours is mine.'' ~ Mike Cummings, Rovi

This is the true story of Dr. Norman Bethune, the Canadian doctor who tended to the needs of Mao Tse Tung's army during the communist takeover of China. Bethune's motives, most of which he preferred to keep to himself, have intrigued many filmmakers of humanistic or liberal inclinations. This Canadian made-for-TV version, directed by Eric Hill, stars Donald Sutherland as Bethune and Kate Nelligan as his wife. The political and humanitarianism issues inherent in the saga are subtly woven into a thought-provoking screenplay. Sutherland later reprised his role in the 1990 film Bethune: The Making of A Hero. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Richard Chamberlain stars in this lavishly appointed adaptation of the classic Alexandre Dumas adventure story. When Count Edmond Dantes (Richard Chamberlain) is stripped of his wealth and sent to prison for crimes he did not commit, he swears to get revenge against those who wronged him. With the help of Abbe (Trevor Howard), a fellow prisoner, the Count escapes and sets forth to see that justice is done. The supporting cast includes Tony Curtis as Mondego, Louis Jourdan as De Villefort, and Donald Pleasance as Danglars. This seventh of eight film versions of The Count of Monte Cristo was produced for American television but received a theatrical release in Europe. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi