James Lister Movies
Director Bruce Beresford has safely stayed within the domain of the Bible and not strayed into patches of Hollywood fiction in this routine version of the story of David (Richard Gere). For that reason, anyone unfamiliar with Biblical history might be puzzled by the episodic presentation of David's life. In the opening scenes, Samuel condemns Saul and anoints the young David as his heir, and in fairly quick succession David slays Goliath, incurs Saul's jealous wrath, leaves, and, much later, comes back to rule after Saul has died. Once David is on the throne, Bathsheba and then Absalom enter into the picture. Interspersed are brutal scenes of fighting, but not much in the way of motivation for David's complex behavior. Gaps in the narration or unclear motivation may be the result of trying to cover too many events in a 114-minute running time. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Richard Gere, Edward Woodward, (more)
- 1983
The seven-hour TV miniseries Ellis Island was adapted from a novel by Fred Mustard Stewart. Per its title, the film is a mosaic of subplots involving several European immigrants who passed through New York's Ellis Island before taking up residence in the Big Apple. Most of the characters are based on real people, notably the Irving Berlin-like musician played by Peter Riegert. Co-stars Faye Dunaway, Richard Burton (in his last film role) and Ann Jillian were honored with Emmy nominations. Ironically, this essentially American saga was largely filmed in London. Originally telecast November 11, 13, and 14, 1984, Ellis Island was re-edited and re-telecast in the summer of 1986, just in time for the Statue of Liberty Centennial. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1978
The victim of Servalan's (Jacqueline Pearce) latest double-cross, the son (Tony Caunter) of celebrated scientist Ensor lays dying. As he breathes his last, he tells Blake (Gareth Thomas) of the existence of Orac, a super-powered computer created by Ensor. Meanwhile, Avon (Paul Darrow) is given the opportunity to fulfill a prophecy from his own people, and Jenna (Sally Knyvette) is captured by hostile aliens on the planet Cephelon. "Deliverance" made its first TV appearance on March 20, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
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