Jacqueline Pearce Movies

Produced for British television, Daniel Deronda was adapted from George Eliot's final novel, written in 1874 (and first filmed in 1921). As was her habit, Eliot laid bare the hypocrisy and venality of Victorian-era "class culture," at the same time admitting that a certain amount of conformity was necessary if one hoped to survive in a world where nonconformity was not only looked down upon but actively suppressed. Essentially, both the novel and the TV presentation are comprised of two separate stories, linked together by the titular Daniel Deronda (Hugh Dancy), a young man of Jewish heritage. In the main narrative, Daniel is attracted to the spoiled, headstrong Gwendolen Harleth (Romola Garai), who is reluctantly poised to enter into a marriage of convenience with the wealthy, snobbish, and intensely anti-Semitic Henleigh Grancourt (Hugh Bonneville). This romantic intrigue is played against the curious relationship between Daniel and the Zionist visionary Mordecai (Daniel Evans), who tirelessly proselytizes in favor of a permanent homeland for the Jewish people. Things come to a head when Daniel finds himself falling in love with Mordecai's sister Mirah (Jodhi May). Originally telecast in three parts on the BBC beginning December 7, 2002, Daniel Deronda was re-edited as a two-parter for the PBS anthology Masterpiece Theatre, where it first aired on March 30, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Loosely based on an actual incident, this family-friendly British comedy is also a sly satire of class consciousness. Phoebe Cates stars as a woman who appears in the English countryside of 1817 wearing exotic garb and speaking gibberish. Delivered to a nearby manor, the mystery woman is sheltered by the Worralls (Wendy Hughes and Jim Broadbent), who are then persuaded by their suspicious Greek butler Frixos (Kevin Kline, Cates' real-life husband) to have the drifter tried for vagrancy and begging, capital crimes. At the hearing, however, the woman persuades the magistrate through pantomime that she is a princess of Javanese origin named Caraboo, escaped from pirate kidnappers. The Worralls welcome Caraboo back into their home, lavishing upon her the deference due a royal. A society sensation, Caraboo wins over a linguist (John Lithgow), the prince regent (John Session), and even Frixos. Only an Irish reporter, Gutch (Stephen Rea), remains skeptical about Caraboo's origins. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

After years of capitalizing on the weaknesses of a gullible public, a London advertising executive finds that his worst qualities have literally taken on a life of their own in this scathing satire. Successful copywriter Dennis Bagley (Richard E. Grant) lives a posh life with his lovely wife, Julia (Rachel Ward), in the London suburbs. Pushed to distraction by a bothersome new pimple-ointment account, he flirts with renouncing his career and becoming socially aware. Immediately thereafter, Bagley discovers that he's developed a zit of his own -- a monstrous boil on his neck that begins whispering evil things in his ear. Convinced that he's being taken over by his dark half, Bagley soon finds his "good" self relegated to the boil while his malevolent alter ego returns to the world of advertising with a vengeance. At first, Julia is relieved that her husband seems to have bounced back from the abyss of mental illness, but soon she realizes that she prefers the gentle but crazy Dennis to the poisonous professional. Written and directed by Withnail & I's Bruce Robinson, How to Get Ahead in Advertising reunites the director with that film's leading man Richard E. Grant. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

Based on one of the most scandalous murders in British history, White Mischief transpires in Kenya at a time just before the beginning of World War II. Jock Broughton (Joss Ackland) is a wealthy rancher who becomes taken with a young gold-digger named Diana (Greta Scacchi). Even though he is fully aware of her reasons for doing so, the pair wed. Broughton falls on hard times and loses his fortune. The hedonistic Earl of Erroll (Charles Dance) realizes this change of fortune may make Diana more open to engaging in an affair. One evening, Erroll is found murdered. Broughton is tried for the crime. Michael Radford would not direct again for seven years, but returned with the international hit Il Postino in 1994. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the three-part adventure "The Two Doctors," the Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) comes face to face with his predecessor, Doctor #2 (Patrick Troughton), and that worthy's traveling companion, Jamie (Patrick Hines). Rescuing the Second Doctor and Jamie from a Sontaran attack, the "current" Doctor must also cross swords with a voracious Androgum chef, who intends to feast upon the hapless time travelers. Also placed in jeopardy is the new Doctor's own companion, Peri (Nicola Bryant), who is understandably confused by all this. Written by Robert Holmes, "The Two Doctors" was originally telecast in England on February 16 and 23, and March 2, 1985, then released in a six-part version in the United States. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Taking control of Scorpio, Avon guides the ship away from Xenon and heads to a different planet. Alas, this world is under the thumb of the newly regenerated Federation, which has developed an even stronger mind-control drug than before. Crew members Tarrant (Steven Pacey) and Dayna (Josette Simon) are given the task to locate the antidote for this drug, and in so doing run across an old enemy (though they don't realize it at first). "Traitor" originally aired on October 12, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Dayna (Josette Simon) is marooned on a strange planet with Justin (Peter Byrne), her former mentor and sweetheart. Justin is in the midst of developing genetic creatures, designed to work around high radiation. Both the "good guys," represented by Avon, and the villains, headed by Servalan, would like to use those creatures for their own purposes; unfortunately, Servalan gets to Dayna and Justin first. "Animals" was initially broadcast on October 26, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Diminutive comic actor Roy Kinnear, a familiar face to fans of the films of director Richard Lester, appears in this episode as Keiller, an old chum of Scorpio skipper Avon (Paul Darrow). Though now employed as purser on the cruiser Space Princess, Keiller has not quite forsaken his former criminal ways. Aware that the cruiser is carrying Federation gold, he enlists Avon's aid in stealing the valuable ore. But of course, that's hardly the end of the story. "Gold" was first broadcast on November 30, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The crew attempts to smuggle vital power-source crystals onto the Scorpio. This action may well cost them their lives -- unless they can outwit the game-playing computer owned by shifty swindler Belkov (Stratford Johns). And what of the evil Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce), who now has a score to settle with both the crew and Belkov? "Games" made its first television appearance on November 16, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Tarrant (Steven Pacey) is appalled to discover that his brother, Deeta (also Steven Pacey), is to fight a duel to determine the outcome of an interplanetary field. Even more disturbing is the fact that the evil Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce) has set herself up as a neutral "judge," the better to foment peace rather than war. Deeta is killed at the hands of Servalan's hand-picked opponent (actually an android), whereupon Tarrant swears to avenge his brother's death -- a vow that will result in unbearable pain amongst the citizens of both warring worlds. "Death-Watch" was originally telecast on March 24, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The long-missing Blake (Gareth Thomas) apparently resurfaces out of nowhere, issuing a coded message from afar to his former comrade-in-arms, Avon (Paul Darrow). Deciphering the code, Avon pilots the Liberator to Terminal, a synthetic planet. Unfortunately, the crew has been lured into a trap by their old enemy, Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce) -- and even worse, the Liberator is destroyed. This final episode of Blakes 7's third season adheres to tradition by concluding with a nail-biting cliffhanger. "Terminal" was originally broadcast on March 31, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Returning to Liberator with his new friend, Dayna (Josette Simon), Avon (Paul Darrow) finds that the ship has been captured by a Federation death squad, commanded by Tarrant (Steven Pacey, in his first series appearance). Meanwhile, Cally (Jan Chappell) has spirited the wounded Vila (Michael Keating) away to a hospital ship, ostensibly bound for the planet Chenga. Only upon discovering that their longtime enemy, Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce), has likewise boarded the ship do Cally and Vila find out that this "hospital" is actually a bank for human organs -- and that they've been slated to be "donors." "Powerplay" originally aired on January 14, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Under the leadership of Tarrant (Steven Pacey), the Liberator crew steals the Kairopan crystal harvest, which would otherwise be used for the Federation's weaponry. Unfortunately, Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce) and her Federation minions have managed to board the disabled Liberator, leaving the crew stranded on Kairos, now a dangerous place, indeed. The fate of the good guys may well rest with the ship's computer, Zen -- but only if Servalan is unable to corrupt Zen's memory banks. "The Harvest of Kairos" first aired on February 4, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide