Clare Holman Movies

A young boy comes to fear that his blind mother may become the next victim of a serial killer in this complex psychological thriller. Unfolding at first as a traditional suspense tale, the film follows the terrified boy's attempts to determine the killer's identity, a task his policeman father has failed to achieve. Things take a more provocative and puzzling turn when the boy's penchant for fantasy is revealed, forcing the audience to question whether what has been shown has been real or merely a product of the boy's imagination. As a result, much of the anxiety in Afraid of the Dark emerges not from the violent shocks, but from the uncertain reality and the tantalizing, disturbing hints of the child's psychology. This purposeful ambiguity may strike some viewers as confusing and alienating, despite the film's assured performances and striking imagery. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

The story of a poor man who falls in love with a well-to-do woman is told in this British made-for-television movie. Owen Teale stars as John O'Brien, a turn-of-the-century working-class stiff who falls in love with Mary Llewellyn (Clare Holman), the educated daughter of a wealthy family. Despite the differences in class and upbringing, Mary steadfastly refuses to let their love be hampered by social pressures. This drama is based on the novel of the same name by Catherine Cookson. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide

The Derek Bentley Case has been an uneasy blight on the British legal system since the early 1950s. Two young, frightened boys were caught by police trying to break into to a building. One of the boys had a gun. When the policeman reached out to the youth to turn over the gun, his friend shouted "Let him have it," and the policeman was killed by a gun blast. Whether the boy understood "Let him have it" to mean he should turn over the gun or to kill the police officer has been debated ever since. But the result was the 19-year-old boy was executed for the crime -- only to be posthumously exonerated in 1953. In this dark and biting film by Peter Medak, the life of Derek Bentley (Chris Eccleston) that led up to the crime is recreated in pitiful detail, as well as the ensuing trial and execution. The story begins in 1952, when the likable Bentley is released from reform school. Bentley is an impressionable young man who returns home to his loving family -- his parents (Tom Courtenay and Eileen Atkins) and sister (Clare Holman) -- but becomes involved with a group of friends, led by the intimidating Chris (Paul Reynolds), who live in the poverty of post-World War II Britain and escape their bleak world by emulating the American gangster films they see at the local cinema. They play-act at being gansters, but with real guns ... and tragic results. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Woman in Black was originally made for British TV. It's a melodrama, as the title should make abundantly clear. Adrian Rawlins stars as a vacationing barrister. He becomes involved in bizarre activities at a seaside resort, predicated by an elusive mystery woman. Woman in Black was picked up for American exposure by the A&E cable network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide