Eric Till Movies

Stricken with tuberculosis as he attempts to complete his latest play The Cherry Orchard, famed Russian playwright Anton Chekhov confronts his sister Maria when she discovers that he has married Moscow Theatre actress Olga Knipper and attempts to prevent him from returning to Moscow. Chekhov is living with his sister in Yalta when he falls gravely ill. With her help, he manages to continue writing and complete his masterwork. But when Maria unearths evidence of her brother's secret marriage to the famed Russian actress, she does everything in her power to prevent him from leaving Yalta. Upon realizing just how manipulative his sister has been, Chekov prepares to confront her on the matter once and for all. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

The life of one of the controversial figures in the history of modern religion is brought to the screen in this historical biography. Born in 1483, Martin Luther (Joseph Fiennes) was an intelligent and principled young man who was studying law in early 16th century Germany when a close brush with death led him to follow a spiritual path and join a Catholic monastery. Under the guidance of Johann von Staupitz (Bruno Ganz), Luther became a valued member of the monastery's hierarchy, and as a sign of his trust, von Staupitz asked Luther to join him for a voyage to Rome as part of church business. Luther was appalled by the corrupt practices of the leading church officials, in particular the sale of "indulgences," in which the wealthy could purchase forgiveness for a wide variety of sins. Luther left the monastery to study theology in Wittenberg; a keen student, he later became a professor and won the support of Frederick the Wise (Peter Ustinov), who also recognized the potential controversy of Luther's iron principles. When a new pope, Leo X, assumes the throne at the Vatican, he orders the construction of St. Peter's Basilica. To pay the costs, an ambitious monk, Johann Tetzel (Alfred Molina), was sent out to sell indulgences to both the wealthy and the poor, leaving his audiences with little doubt of the eternal consequences that awaited those who did not empty their purses. An infuriated Luther wrote an angry essay on the corruption of the church entitled "95 Theses," and thanks to the recent invention of the printing press, Luther's words were soon circulated throughout Europe, leading to an angry conflict with Catholic officials which threatened to tear the church in two. Luther also features supporting performances from Claire Cox as Katharina von Bora and Jonathan Firth as Girolamo Aleandro. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

This video provides an in-depth look at the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Christian who felt compelled to take part in the little-known efforts of the German resistance movement. Bonhoeffer worked with others to try and put a stop to Hitler's cruel regime. He was a highly respected Lutheran minister and author who could have easily saved his own life had he not felt a duty to help those Hitler was determined to destroy. Actor Ulrich Tukur stars as Bonhoeffer in this program that won the top honor at the February 2000 Monte Carlo TV Festival. Director Eric Till filmed in the Czech Republic, Berlin, and Canada. ~ Elizabeth Smith, Rovi

Gabriel Hogan, Richard Donat, and Ben Rose-Davis star in this drama about a young boy growing up in a coal mining community in Nova Scotia near the dawn of the 20th century. The boy learns many valuable lessons when he makes a new friend -- a wild horse captured and trained to work in the mines. The supporting cast includes Denny Doherty, best remembered as a member of the singing group The Mamas and the Papas. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

A woman is hunted by a killer in this made-for-TV drama. Jennie Garth stars as Meg Crane, a beautiful and strong woman who escapes a serial killer (Costas Mandylor). Neither are through with each other yet though -- she is determined to catch him and he is determined to finish the job. Peter Outerbridge stars as her boyfriend and Billy Dee Williams is the city-slick cop. Garth also served as a creative producer. ~ Bernadette McCallion, Rovi

A nurse suffering from multiple-personality syndrome dies, leaving her sister to team up with police to figure out why. At first the sister suspects murder, but further investigation reveals an even more painful truth. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Under the helm of an experienced merchant seaman, a bunch of inexperienced Canadian sailors are called to serve in their country's navy during WWII. Their assignment was to escort a merchant ship to and from Europe. Along the way, they demonstrated amazing courage and skill when they found themselves engaged in naval history's longest sea battle. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

This made-for-TV movie was produced in Canada and focuses on the research leading to the development of insulin in the 1920s. Based on Michael Bliss' The Discovery of Insulin, this movie depicts the discovery, from the initial rivalry of the four researchers who are hunting for a treatment for diabetes, through the eventual Nobel Prizes awarded for the discovery. ~ Tana Hobart, Rovi

A young man who fantasizes about an older woman discovers his daydreams may be turning into realities in this coming-of-age comedy-drama. Eric (Corey Haim) and Donald (Andrew Miller) are two teenage boys growing up in a small farming community in Canada in the mid-1950's. Eric and Donald are at the uncomfortable age where their interest in women far outstrips their knowledge of how to get women interested in them. Eric is also still recovering from the death of his mother, while he struggles to come to terms with the remarriage of his father, Thorvald (Kier Dullea), to Eva (Genevieve Bujold). As local gas jockey Mr. Todd (Robbie Coltrane) offers Eric and Donald advice on courting the fairer sex, Eric discovers Vera (Barbara Williams), the attractive wife of the farmer living next door, enjoys skinny-dipping with her daughters, and Eric digs a makeshift "hideout" where he can watch her undetected. Eric begins to strike up a friendship with Vera, while unknown to him, Vera becomes increasingly unhappy in her marriage. One day, Vera catches Eric as he watches her swimming, but rather than reacting with anger, she reaches out to the inexperienced youth. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

In this children's movie a 12-year old girl impersonates a boy so she can join "The Challengers," an all-male club devoted to mountain bikes and rock'n roll music. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

A woman finds herself torn between her career and love in this Canadian made-for-television movie. Sheila McCarthy stars as Anna, a professor who takes a temporary position at a Western Canadian university. When her tenure is up and she must look elsewhere for work, she has to choose between pursing her career or staying with the colleague she has fallen in love with (Barry MacGregor). ~ Bernadette McCallion, Rovi

As the Jones family celebrates Christmas Eve, so does another part of their household: the playroom, where the toys come to life in excited anticipation of the new toys to come the next morning. Though Balthazar the bear encourages the toys to welcome the new additions with open arms, Rugby the tiger plots to make sure he remains the Jones' favorite Christmas toy. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Turning to Stone is a Canadian drama set in a women's prison, but you'll find no Linda Blair excesses this time around. Nicky Guadagni stars as a pretty and pleasant young woman who becomes involved in the drug culture. Busted for smuggling, Guadagni is tossed into the slammer. While Judith Thompson's script is unsparing in depicting the bleakness and degradation of prison life, this is no mindless, torn-blouse exploitation film. Turning to Stone is in the same league as the landmark women's-prison picture Caged in chronicling the depersonalization process inherent in life behind bars. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi