David Hemmings Movies
When the film version of the Broadway musical Camelot was released in 1967, critics had a jolly old time lambasting director Joshua Logan for casting non-singers in the leading roles. While it's certainly true that Lynn Redgrave, Richard Harris and Franco Nero seemed to suffer from Tin-Ear Syndrome, the critics were most unfair in picking on the fellow who played Mordred: David Hemmings. The son of a cookie merchant, Hemmings was a successful touring boy soprano at age nine, performing with the English Opera Group. He briefly left the musical world when his voice changed, studying painting at the Epsom School of Art and staging his first exhibition at 15. He returned to singing in his early 20s, first in nightclubs, then on the musical stage. Easing into acting, Hemmings appeared as misunderstood youths and belligerent "Teddy Boys" in a number of British programmers before attaining international stardom as the existential fashion photographer "hero"of Antonioni's Blow-Up (1966). With 1971's Running Scared, the indefatigable Hemmings began yet another new career as director; he has since helmed theatrical and made-for-TV films in England, Australia and Canada. With business partner John Daly, Hemmings formed the Hemdale Corporation for the express purpose of allowing the actor to do pretty much what he pleased both before and behind the cameras. In later years, he added novel writing to his considerable list of accomplishments. David Hemmings was the former husband of American actress Gayle Hunnicutt. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1972
In this grim drama, a college student remains passive as his friend commits suicide causing his friends to blame him for the death. Eventually he too, kills himself. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1957
- NR
After an extensive talent search, producer-director Otto Preminger selected a 17-year-old unknown from Iowa, Jean Seberg, to play Joan of Arc, a role traditionally portrayed by actresses twice to three times Seberg's age. Seberg is cast opposite such venerable pros as Richard Todd (as Dunois), Anton Walbrook (the Bishop of Beauvais), John Gielgud (Earl of Warwick) and Felix Aylmer (The Inquisitor). Cast as the vacillating Dauphin is Richard Widmark. Graham Greene's screenplay refashions the original Shaw text in the form of a flashback. Seberg eventually became an accomplished actress by virtue of her appearances in such nouvelle vague films as Breathless, but it was too late to salvage Saint Joan, which was figuratively burned at the stake by critics and filmgoers alike. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Seberg, Richard Widmark, (more)
- 1962
More of a corny propaganda film for a British social engineering policy program of the 1960s than a serious attempt to tackle an issue, this youth drama is notable chiefly because it features an early performance by David Hemmings, four years before he rose to prominence in Blow-Up (1966). Bert (Hemmings), Bill (David Andrews), and Johnnie (Ray Brooks) are a trio of juvenile delinquents in Bristol who lose their driver's licenses after a 100 mile-per-hour accident on their motorcycles. Bored without their speed machines and alienated in their economically-depressed factory town, they assemble a rock band with the aid and encouragement of Smith (Kenneth More), the choir director of a local church who offers his facilities for rehearsal space. The band becomes involved with a youth awards program devised as a community outreach vehicle by the Duke of Edinburgh and the British government, and despite some lingering moments of dissension, they begin to turn their lives around, encouraged all the while by a hopeful adult community. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kenneth More, Ray Brooks, (more)
Brad Pitt is reunited as a co-star with his A River Runs Through It (1992) director Robert Redford for this espionage thriller from Tony Scott. On the verge of retirement from the Central Intelligence Agency, veteran spy Nathan Muir (Redford) learns that his one-time protégé Tom Bishop (Pitt) has gone rogue and been taken prisoner after attempting to smuggle a prisoner out of China. Although Muir and Bishop had once been close friends, sharing adventures from Vietnam to Berlin, bad blood and resentment developed between them, and the two men haven't seen each other in years. As his memories of their friendship come flooding back, Muir sets about arranging the rescue of his old friend from a Communist jail. Spy Game (2001) co-stars Catherine McCormack as a human rights activist and Bishop's love interest. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, (more)
- 1978
In this suspenseful war drama, the commander of a tank and other military leaders team up and stage a coup d'etat in a European country. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Dead Kids, aka Strange Behavior, is a creepy exercise from director Michael Laughlin--who conceived this as part one of an abortive "Strange Trilogy" which also included 1983's Strange Invaders. Although lensed in New Zealand, the film is set in a sleepy American town, in which a series of gory murders committed by local teenagers are linked to a twisted brainwashing scheme by a deranged behavioral psychologist (note irony please). Despite some humorous details (e.g. one killer dons a Tor Johnson mask) and a nostalgia for '50s pulp horrors (not to mention a fondness for splattery death scenes), the disparate plot elements don't come together as well as they should, failing to live up to the premise's potential for guilty chuckles or gasps of horror. Fiona Lewis is sexually menacing as the mad doc's assistant, but Louise Fletcher's wasted role may make viewers pine for Nurse Ratched. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Murphy, Louise Fletcher, (more)
- 1972
In this sad British drama, a family of 14 children is suddenly orphaned and must now consider how to keep themselves from being separated by the authorities. They launch a brave campaign in the face of nosy social workers who want to place them in assorted reform schools and foster homes. Eventually the eldest brother and sister realize that they must split up for the benefit of the younger children. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Season Four of The A-Team begins with part one of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode). Despite increasing threats of capture by their old nemesis Col. Decker (Lance LeGault), the A-Team agrees to help Judge Mordente (Dana Elcar), whose daughter Lori (LaGena Hart) is being held hostage so that Mordente will render a "not guilty" verdict upon mob boss Joe Scarlett (Robert Miranda). The plan involves Hannibal (George Peppard) posing as a gangster in order to infiltrate Scarlett's gang, as well as the "borrowing" of a mob limo for an escape vehicle. Ultimately, both the Team and the kidnapped girl wind up in Italy, where things really begin to percolate! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
The henchmen of crooked land developer Phillip Chadway (Ray Wise) make a big mistake when they use strongarm tactics to force the elderly tenants of a Chicago apartment building to vacate the premises. It seems that one of those tenants is a certain Mrs. Barracus (Della Reese)--who happens to be the mother of a certain short-tempered "A-Teamer" by the name of B.A. (Mr. T). As a consequence, B.A.'s fellow Team-mates take it upon themselves to champion the tenants' cause, and to teach Mr. Chadway a valuable (and very painful) lesson! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Using the defective of a Russian ballet dancer as a subterfuge, Soviet intelligence agent Shasta Kovich (William Smith) hires the A-Team to locate and neutralize renegade Russian officer Pedavich (Gene Scherer). Aided by a group of American "Com-symps", Pedavich is planning to set off World War III a stolen satellite doomsday device. So vital is this mission that Hannibal (George Peppard) begs the assistance of his nemesis Gen. Fullbright (Jack Ging)--who agrees to help, but only if the A-Team will surrender to him once the job is done! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
In the middle of Murdock's regular therapy session, his psychiatrist Dr. Richter (Richard Anderson) is kidnapped. Immediately, Murdock (Dwight Schultz) alerts his A-Team colleagues, who launch a search for Richter in the treacherous jungles of "Curaguay." The rest of the episode is an extended lampoon of Apocalypse Now, replete with a megalomanic rogue army officer named Mack Stoddard (Geoffrey Lewis). And let us not forget the Team's attractive travelling companion (Jeannetta Arnette), a woman named Betty (or is it Sarah?) who claims to be Richter's daughter--as well as several other people. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Heavily disguised for a new assignment, Hannibal (George Peppard) is mistaken for a skid-row wino named Jim Beam (Elisha Cook Jr.)--and vice versa. It soon becomes obvious that someone is trying to murder Beam. . .but why? To solve this mystery, and to rescue Hannibal in the process, the A-Team sets up a skid-row mission called the Road to Hope, with Murdock (Dwight Schultz) tearing a passion to tatters as street preacher Harry Dean Hanover (when he isn't trying to pass himself off as the Invisible Man, that is!). Look for future X-Files regular Mitch Pileggi in a small role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
The title character in this episode is a boozy ex-boxer (played by Paul Gleason), who is currently being persecuted by a gangster named Fats (John Hancock). At the request of his old pal Hulk Hogan, B.A. (Mr. T) tries to help Fats out for the sake of the old drunkard's son Jeffrey (Billy Jayne). Former Chicago Bears player William "Refrigerator" Perry also appears in this episode, in which the A-Team manages to get kidnapped twice -- by two different gangsters! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
The small mountain logging firm run by John and Samantha Lawrence (Joseph Lambie, Tracy Brooks Swope) has been targeted for extinction by corrupt union organizer Billy McEwan (Beau Starr). Accompanied by the strains of Monty Python's immortal "Lumberjack Song", the A-Team arrives at the scene to save the Lawrences and expose McEwan as a crook. This is the episode in which B.A. (Mr. T) gets to lift an entire tree, and Murdock (Dwight Schultz) tries to capture Bigfoot! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Pat Sajak and Vanna White appear as themselves in this episode, in which Murdock (Dwight Schultz) goes on Wheel of Fortune and wins $28,000 and a Hawaiian vacation. Unfortunately, he won't have a lot of time to enjoy his winnings--not after being abducted by a group of mean claiming to be CIA operatives, who want to recruit Murdock for a top-secret mission. When the rest of the A-Team finds out that Murdock is being hornswoggled by a gang of crooks out to steal a Soviet gunner, it's off to Las Vegas for a bang-pow finale at the Silver Horse Casino. (Trivia note: One of the other Wheel of Fortune contestants is played by Bill Nuss, who wrote this episode!). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
In this British farce, the British Home Secretary satisfies the men of London by sanctioning a government-run brothel. This comedy chronicles what happens when secretary John Bird appoints Sir Francis Leybourne to run the place. Bird then has his lovely girlfriend Babbette act as the Madame. Sir Leybourne owns an opium plantation in India and one day goes there to see it. Unfortunately, he gets killed in an uprising, leaving his prim niece Josephine Pacefoot in charge of the cathouse. A staunch believer in social reform, she is quite sure what to do with the disreputable business. Leybourne's son has plenty of ideas too and wants the fortune and the bordello for himself. The ensuing struggle creates plenty of trouble and many laughs. Though the film originally received a British "X" rating, the sex is pretty tame by modern standards. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Hemmings, Joanna Pettet, (more)
- 1968
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During the ill-fated charge of British troops at Balaclava in the Crimean War, loyal soldiers who blindly followed orders were led to certain death. This is the fifth time the story has been told on film, but the actual event is an afterthought to the main plot. Snobbish aristocrats and ineffectual politicos combine with pompous blue-bloods to make decisions affecting 600 men thousands of miles away. A decidedly anti-war and satirical slant is presented, as inept generals stand knee-deep in bodies, each blaming the other for the fiasco. Vividly underscored here is the fanaticism, dedication, and blind loyalty which caused the total annihilation of hundreds of soldiers. This 5-million-dollar epic film recouped only 1 million after the initial release, leaving critics to compare the real-life disaster with the financial one suffered by the producers. Trevor Howard, John Gielgud and Vanessa Redgrave head the excellent cast. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Trevor Howard, Vanessa Redgrave, (more)
- 1982
Several criminal lawyers reunite every year in the Swiss mountains to entertain themselves with fake trials and murder mysteries. At one year's party, an unwitting American becomes part of the game. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Following up 1975's Golden Bear-winning Overlord, director Stuart Cooper delivered this 1977 psychological thriller starring Donald Sutherland as contract killer Jay Mallory. When his wife goes missing, Mallory finds that his distress is starting to affect his work. The plot thickens when he begins to suspect that his latest assignment is connected to her disappearance. With a supporting cast headed up by Christopher Plummer and John Hurt, The Disappearance was written by Paul Mayersberg who would go on to pen the screenplay for Mike Hodges' critically acclaimed Croupier. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1966
The System is a "Swinging London" comedy with an unsettling undercurrent of bitterness and cynicism. Oliver Reed plays a girlie-magazine photographer, the self-appointed leader of a group of handsome but unscrupulous bachelors who hang out in a British seaside resort. Their avowed goal is to seduce and abandon as many wealthy young girls as possible. One of the group, jealous of Reed's success, uses their "system" to hoist the leader on his own petard. Michael Winner solidified his reputation as a "mod" director in The System--and also displayed his utter contempt for the pretty young people he depicts. The film was released to the US under the more bankable title The Girl Getters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oliver Reed, Jane Merrow, (more)
- 1957
Prejudice is a main theme in this crime drama that follows the case of a West Indian man accused of a murder because of his dark skin. A lawyer helps the boy avoid arrest until the true murderer is revealed. The killer is discovered after the lawyer saves the boy who was captured by him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Produced for the syndicated "Operation Prime Time" anthology, The Key to Rebecca is a two-part adaptation of the Ken Follett novel. Cliff Robertson stars as a British major who is determined to capture an elusive German spy during World War II.The spy in question, played by David Soul, has disguised himself as a British subject and is squirreled away somewhere in Cairo. Robertson hopes to draw Soul out with the help of exotic dancer Lina Raymond and the more "wholesome" but no less attractive Season Hubley. Soul responds to this by kidnaping Hubley, hoping to use her as a shield while he makes his escape. Also appearing in this 4-hour escapade is Robert Culp, bizarrely cast as General Rommel. Key to Rebecca was first made available to local TV stations the week of April 27, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
- PG13
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Based on the comic book miniseries by Alan Moore, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen takes place in an alternate universe where the characters of several literary classics exist in reality. As if that weren't enough, they've been assembled together in 1900 by Queen Victoria as a team of evil-fighting heroes. Among them are Allan Quatermain (Sean Connery) from H. Rider Haggard's King Solomon's Mines; Mina Harker (Peta Wilson) from Bram Stoker's Dracula; Tom Sawyer (Shane West) from several works by Mark Twain; Dorian Gray (Stuart Townsend) from Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray; Captain Nemo (Naseeruddin Shah) from Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; The Invisible Man (Tony Curran) from H.G. Wells book of the same name; and several others. Working together, the odd assortment of characters must combine their powers to defeat a mysterious villain and save the world from certain destruction. Directed by Stephen Norrington (Blade), The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen also stars Jason Flemyng, Tom Goodman-Hill, and David Hemmings. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sean Connery, Shane West, (more)
- 1968
In this somber drama set during WWII, John (David Hemmings), Cliff (Tony Beckley), and Tom (Tom Bell) are three British soldiers trapped in German territory while waiting for their commanding officer to rescue them. John detests war, Cliff revels in it with a perverse enthusiasm, and Tom is simply weary of the whole business. While trying to avoid capture, the three find a German officer, Helmut (Alan Dobie), and take him prisoner. While they consider executing him on the spot, Helmut pleads with the Britons that if they'll let him live, he'll guide them to his commanders. They agree, but while Helmut proves good to his word, they're too late -- to the shock of all four, they discover that the German general has been murdered, leaving the Englishmen and their captive to find their own way behind enemy lines. The Long Day's Dying won awards at the 1968 Cannes and San Sebastian International Film Festivals for its director, Peter Collinson. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Hemmings, Tom Bell, (more)
- 1971
- R
Based on the novel The Love Machine, by Jacqueline Susann, this movie concerns the machinations, in the boardroom and in the bedroom, of a group of people--from the chairman of the board down--who are involved in network television. Through his own guile and the sponsorship of his mistress (Dyan Cannon), the wife of the chairman of the board, a lowly television newsman (John Phillip Law) becomes the head of the network in a very short time. He leaves behind very few friends on his climb to the top, however, and he will need some. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Phillip Law, Dyan Cannon, (more)
