Miles Anderson Movies

This made-for-TV film was adapted from the 1992 book Diana: Her True Story, which in turn was based on secret correspondence between Britain's Princess Diana and London Daily Mail reporter Andrew Morton (here played by Paul McGann). With the myth of her "storybook romance" with husband Prince Charles weighing heavily upon her, Diana wants to tell the world the true story of her miserable existence, but she is unable to penetrate the protective wall built up by the Royal Family and by those journalists sympathetic to Queen Elizabeth (an amalgam of such journalists is portrayed in this film by Faye Dunaway). Meanwhile, Andrew Morton, the author of several celebrity biographies, is poised to write a book about Marilyn Monroe. Miraculously, Di manages to get in touch with Morton, who reluctantly agrees to listen to her tale of woe. Throughout 1991 and 1992, the Princess and the journalist trade notes via secret courier (usually a pizza delivery man), and the result is the first true and fully informed "tell all" tome about Di's life in Buckingham Palace. Even so, the story may never be made public, thanks to the minions of the Royals and the intricacies of Britain's libel laws. Although this film opens itself up to criticism as being exploitational (it was timed for release around the fifth anniversary of Diana's death), much care is taken not to stray too far from the bounds of good taste and decorum; for example, Diana's face is never shown, and her voice is only heard in snippets via taped recordings. Reportedly filmed in 2000, The Biographer: The Secret Life of Princess Di made its CBS network bow on September 1, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Shot against the barren sand dunes of Africa's Namib Desert, The King Is Alive is the fourth film to adhere to the stripped-down aesthetic of the Dogma 95 movement, and the first to bear the directorial stamp of the manifesto's co-author Kristian Levring. The improvised, shot-on-digital video production concerns the exploits of almost a dozen tourists who find themselves stranded when their bus breaks down miles from civilization. A thespian amongst the group, Henry (David Bradley), is the first to suggest that their situation may be more dire than it seems. His doubts send the rest of the folks -- including American travelers Ray (Bruce Davison), Liz (Janet McTeer), Ashley (Brion James), and Gina (Jennifer Jason Leigh), and a high-minded Parisian, Catherine (Romane Bohringer) -- into fits of fear and dread. To get their minds off the heat, hunger, and dehydration, the castaways stage an impromptu reading of Shakespeare's King Lear, which they can only fitfully remember. As their situations worsen, the tourists begin to take out their personal aggressions on one another. The King Is Alive was shown as part of the 2000 Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide

Stewart Sugg made his directorial debut with this low-budget British comedy-drama. Returning home to London after a long absence, Benny (Douglas Henshall) can't find the proper footing in an ever-changing world. He's in contact with phone-sex talker Letitia (Emily Woof), meets her, and learns she's actually his childhood sweetheart, Claudia, daughter of the local shop owner. Chaos reigns when Benny's buddies look for loot hidden in the shop by a gangster (Miles Anderson). Shown at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

The topic of this comedy-drama, originally made for British television, is date rape and it is presented from both the alleged victim's and the attacker's viewpoints. The trouble begins when a lusty med-school student agrees to go out on a date with a young woman who has a big crush upon him. As the date progresses, their conversation is intercut with snippets from their inner thoughts. She has her doubts about sleeping with him and opts for friendship, while he is primarily interested in getting a little action. But as time passes, the girl becomes unsure and sends him decidedly mixed messages. The next morning, the girl claims she was raped and starts prosecution proceedings. Both the plaintiff and the defendant give the jury different explanations of the circumstances and it is only after a verdict is reached that the truth about the evening is shown. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The directorial debut of Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Mikael Salomon (The Abyss), A Far Off Place is based on a pair of books by novelist Laurens Van der Post. Reese Witherspoon stars as Nonnie Parker, a young girl living on an African game preserve with her parents. Ethan Embry is Harry Winslow, the snooty son of a visiting dignitary. When Nonnie and Harry witness the murder of their parents at the hands of ruthless poachers, they suddenly find themselves braving the harsh Kalahari Desert in an attempt to escape the gang. Along the way, the pair encounters a bushman called Xhabbo (Sarel Bok) who shows them how to survive in the barren desert. Forced to work together to survive, Nonnie and Harry learn to overcome their differences and become friends. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

Peter Davison stars as bespectacled, aristocratic private detective Albert Campion in this two-part adaptation of Margery Allingham's novel Mystery Mile. An American judge named Crowdy Lobbett (Brian Greene) has been targetted for extermination by a criminal organization known as "Simister" (clearly the villains are dangerous but illiterate). Heading from the US to England, Lobbett crosses the path of Campion, who offers his services. Before this case has reached its conclusion, our hero has been confronted with not one but two sudden and mysterious disappearances. In America, "ystery Mile" was telecast November 22 and 29, 1990, as part of the PBS anthology Mystery! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Set during the last days of the old west, this zany adventure follows the exploits of a pair of cow-poke bankrobbers her are captured and then given the choice between going to jail or going overseas to fight WW I. They choose the latter and end up in France where they eventually join a squadron of British pilots. The fliers have been assigned to gun down a well-protected, gigantic German zeppelin that has been causing many headaches for the Allies. Unfortunately, the attempts take a heavy toll on the planes and slightly addled British plane mechanic Fritz is having increasing difficulties piecing the planes back together. Tables turn for the better when the two unwilling soldiers learn to fly the planes themselves. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide