Peter Sykes Movies
- 1999
Told from a child's point of view, this film provides an overview of Christ's life and ministry. Segments show him interacting with young children as he preached, ministered to the sick, and tried to reason with the angry leaders who felt threatened by him. Jesus' courage and bravery amidst many accusations and betrayals deeply affects the children who eventually see him crucified for bringing his loving ministry to God's people. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
In the Cold of the Night is an above-average erotic thriller, directed with superb visual style by Nico Mastorakis, but plagued by an uneven, derivative plot. Photographer Scott Bruin (Jeff Lester) is very successful but begins to have frightening visions of himself murdering a beautiful woman. When he meets the woman in those dreams, Kimberly (Adrienne Sachs), they begin a highly charged romance. When Scott becomes suspicious, he finds out information which leads to a "surprise" ending. In the Cold of the Night generated a great deal of controversy when it was originally released, and director Mastorakis had to cut the film to avoid an X rating. Despite the cuts and the weak plot, the extraordinary visual style of Mastorakis, and the haunting cinematography make In the Cold of the Night a treat for fans of erotic thrillers or anyone who appreciates technique and style in filmmaking. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- 1979
- G
Though filmed in Israel using a predominantly Israeli cast, this portrait of the life and times of Christ is not among the best. Much of the dialogue was derived from the Good News Bible. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Deacon, Rivka Noiman, (more)
Christopher Lee stars in this weak occult melodrama as Father Michael Rayner, an excommunicated priest who decides to save the world from its decadence by teaming up with Satan. Richard Widmark is on hand as John Verney, out to stop Rayner's satanic rituals and helped along on the path of goodness by friends Anna Fountain (Honor Blackman) and David (Anthony Valentine). The plot centers on distraught father Henry Beddows (Denholm Elliott), who has signed over his daughter Catherine (Nastassja Kinski) to Rayner in order to save his own skin and now regrets it. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Widmark, Christopher Lee, (more)
- 1973
- PG
In this mundane, droll horror spoof, British comedian Frankie Howerd plays a washed-up actor who tries to cash in on his newly-discovered ties to the outrageously wealthy Henderson family. His efforts are stymied by the greed of stern patriarch Ray Milland, whose equally-avaricious offspring go to great lengths to bump off the hapless hero, abetted by a convenient household nest of venomous snakes. The producers conceived this film as a star vehicle for Howerd, but it didn't exactly propel him to super-stardom. Though competently filmed, this project is hampered by a lazy pace and unimaginative murder setpieces, leaving viewers with a horror-comedy featuring scarcely a scare or a snicker. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
Hammer Films apply their characteristic Gothic touch to this offbeat psychological thriller about a bombastic 19th-century Baron (Robert Hardy) who keeps his two adult offspring imprisoned in the family estate, convinced they are afflicted by an evil curse of madness passed down from their late mother. Unfortunately, they're not the only ones to worry about: it seems a spate of recent murders in the surrounding village are being committed by his son (Shane Briant), who is being manipulated by his father's deranged will to leave the castle and act out Dad's twisted, violent fantasies. Superb photography and good use of locations lend a rich atmosphere to this psycho-costume-drama, and Patrick Magee turns in a good performance as the family doctor (somewhat reminiscent of his role in Coppola's Dementia 13). Director Peter Sykes keeps the horror fairly subdued until the bloody "shock" ending, which seems to spoil the mood a bit. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- 1971
The Legend of Spider Forest is also known as Venom, though it bears no relation to the 1982 Klaus Kinski film of that title. Artist Simon Brent goes on working vacation to Bavaria. While in the forest, he meets an alluring young woman. She turns out to be the dreaded "Spider Goddess," who works hand and glove with mad scientists to kill victims with poisonous venom. An interesting if shoddily made variation on the Dracula legend, The Legend of Spider Forest might make a neat companion feature to Arachnophobia. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Someone is leaking confidential information from a top-secret missile department. The culprit would seem to be a beautiful woman (Veronica Strong) who has systematically seduced several department members -- all of whom subsequently turned up dead, after displaying some rather bizarre behavior. Upon investigating, Steed and Tara must follow a flimsy trail of evidence, consisting merely of an intoxicating perfume fragrance. Written by actor Jeremy Burnham, "Love All" was first telecast in America on February 3, 1969, then shown in England 16 days later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
This short experimental feature follows a young man (Paul Jones, vocalist for the band Manfred Mann) who is picked up by a successful but self-satisfied businessman (Tom Kempinski) while hitchhiking. Bored and exasperated with the businessman's prattle, the young man succumbs to temptation while the mogul checks the engine of his Mercedes Benz, bringing the car's hood crashing down on the man's head. Feeling remorse later on, he sews the businessman's head back onto his body, with the victim seeming no worse for wear. Years later, the young man is working with an architectural firm when he's called upon to join a committee led by a powerful government official (Robert Lloyd). It soon becomes obvious that along with his other duties, the man is asked to account for his actions, which could easily have led to another man's death. The Committee was shot on location at the London School of Economics, and features a musical score by Pink Floyd, which was composed and recorded shortly after Syd Barrett left the group. Influential theatrical rock combo The Crazy World of Arthur Brown also performs in the film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Jones, Tom Kempinski, (more)
- 1965
Recovering from a broken leg at a private convalescent home, Steed soon learns that he is being stalked by a mysterious assailant. The would-be killer turns out to be an old enemy, who intends to kill Steed exactly seven years after he himself was thrown in jail. Physically unable to repel his enemy, Steed must rely upon Tara for salvation. Blatantly inspired by the American movie classic High Noon, "Noon Doomsday" was written by Terry Nation; it was first shown in America on October 28, 1968, and in England on November 27 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
