Nigel Davenport Movies
A character player even in youth, British actor Nigel Davenport has spent nearly forty years in briskly businesslike stage, screen and TV roles. He made his film debut as the police sergeant in Michael Powell's notorious Peeping Tom (1959). Among his many colorful screen characterizations were the Duke of Norfolk in A Man For All Seasons (1966), Bothwell in Mary Queen of Scots (1971), Van Helsing in the 1973 Frank Langella version of Dracula and Lord Birkenbed in the Oscar-winning Chariots of Fire. Nigel Davenport's TV credits include the miniseries Prince Regent (1979, as King George III), and Masada (1981). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie GuideIn this comedy, two soldiers stationed in Singapore set off in pursuit of the fairer sex instead of carrying out their orders. Soon after their arrival on the exotic island, the two visit a local brothel and there encounter a pair of lusty nurses who have also come in for a bit of erotic R&R. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robin Askwith, Nigel Davenport, (more)
This dark drama, based on a classic Spanish novel, chronicles the troubled life of an unhappily married woman living in a village of indifferent or prejudiced neighbors. The poor woman suffers even more when the town Casanova begins to pursue her as does the local representative for the Spanish Inquisition. AKA La Regenta. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Emma Penella, Keith Baxter, (more)
This Dan Curtis made-for-TV effort was the seventh screen version of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. This time, newcomer Shane Bryant plays the debauched 19th-century nobleman who makes an unholy pact permitting him eternal youth and good looks. His multitudinous sins--and his actual age--are reflected in his portrait, which Gray keeps locked up in his attic. Nigel Davenport co-stars as Gray's elegantly corrupt mentor Sir Harry Wotton, while future Lou Grant star Linda Kelsey plays Dorian's unwitting sweetheart Beatrice Hallward, niece of the man who painted the cursed portrait. Originally videotaped and then transferred to film, the two-part Picture of Dorian Gray was first telecast April 23 and 24, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Saul Bass had a fascinating career as an animator and as designer of title sequences for a number of notable films, including Psycho, Vertigo, Anatomy Of A Murder and Seconds. However, Phase IV was his only credit as director of a feature film. A visually inventive science-fiction story, Phase IV concerns a group of research scientists working in the Arizona desert who find themselves confronted by an Army of super-intelligent mutant ants. The results are more intelligent than the description would lead you to believe, and Nigel Davenport and Michael Murphy turn in good performances as the embattled men of science. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nigel Davenport, Michael Murphy, (more)
This TV-movie adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel of the "undead" was adapted by Richard Matheson and photographed by Oswald Morris. As the titular count, Jack Palance is a reluctant victim of an unwelcome fate, rather than a grinning bloodsucker. Nigel Davenport co-stars as Van Helsing, vampire-hunter deluxe, who pursues the count with his bagful of hammers and stakes. Much of the Stoker novel that had been eliminated in earlier versions has been restored by Matheson. Originally slated for telecast in October of 1973, Dracula was reshuffled to February 8, 1974, due to the late-breaking vice-presidential nomination of Gerald Ford. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this western two misfits, a black man AWOL from the union army, and a crippled Indian hide in a Mexican church following the murder of two people. A bounty hunter is hot on their trail. Violence ensues when he catches up to them. The one that killed the people is stoned to death. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
In this sequel to the international success Born Free, George and Joy Adamson (Nigel Davenport and Susan Hampshire) are a pair of married conservationists who years ago rescued a lion cub named Elsa and -- after raising her to adulthood as a pet -- were able to successfully return her to the wild. Years later, the Adamsons discover that Elsa has died, leaving three cubs of her own to fend for themselves. George and Joy once again take the young lions under their wing to see that they safely grow to maturity, but the Adamsons also face the challenge of reacclimating the three cats to their natural environment so that they can live in freedom, as nature intended. Like its predecessor, Living Free was filmed on location in Kenya and features beautiful photography of the unspoiled African plains by Wolfgang Suschitzky and Jack C. Couffer (the latter also served as director). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nigel Davenport, Susan Hampshire, (more)
This melodramatic crime drama tells the story of homosexual gang leader Vic Dakin (Richard Burton), who likes a bit of rough sex with his petty criminal pal Wolfe (Ian McShane). Aside from payroll robberies, his gang is not above blackmailing sexually deviant members of Parliament. A Scotland Yard Police Inspector, played by Nigel Davenport, has been after his gang for years and does everything in his power to close it down. When one of the gang members, Frank (Joss Ackland), winds up hospitalized for an ulcer and looks likely to spill the beans to the police, some complicated shenanigans take place. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Burton, Ian McShane, (more)
Vanessa Redgrave stars as Mary Stuart of Scotland, with Glenda Jackson co-starring as Queen Elizabeth I. As with the earlier Maxwell Anderson play Mary of Scotland, the film sympathizes with Mary, and there are two fictionalized face-to-face confrontations between the two queens (who never met in real life). With this film, old-line Hollywood producer Hal Wallis continued his trademark of showcasing dynamic stars within a period milieu; the film is literally swamped with lavish Tudor decor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson, (more)
Noted novelist and sometime film director James Clavell, wrote, directed, and produced this adaptation of J.B. Pick's novel, set during the Thirty Years' War of 1618-1648. During the chaotic confrontations and shifting alliances of the war, a hidden valley protected from the outside world becomes an oasis of peace. Vogel (Omar Sharif), a one-time school teacher now on the run, travels into the peaceful valley. Following Vogel a short time later is a rag-tag and exhausted army, led by The Captain (Michael Caine). Utilizing Vogel as a mediator, the Captain arranges a truce with the valley population -- pledging to protect the people of the valley from invasion in return for food and shelter during the cold winter months. At the end of the season, the army leaves to fight another battle, Vogel is asked to depart from the hidden valley, and the valley and its population continues on and endures. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Caine, Omar Sharif, (more)
The Mind of Mr. Soames can be described as a melodramatic Charly. John Soames (Terence Stamp) is a hospital patient who has been in a coma for 30 years. Doctor Bergen (Robert Vaughn) attempts to revitalize Soames by transplanting an infant's brain in the patient's head. When Soames awakens, he has the mental capacity of a baby, but Dr. Bergen is certain that he can accelerate the maturation process, which he does in a matter of weeks. But the pressure on Soames' emotional stability is such that he tragically snaps during a live TV broadcast. Adapted from a novel by Charles Eric Maine, The Mind of Mr. Soames raises more questions than it can possibly answer, but works well on the level of solid science fiction. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Terence Stamp, Robert Vaughn, (more)
Based on a best-selling novel by John Christopher, this combination horror-movie, cautionary tale warns against the dangers of pollution. The tale is set in a futuristic Britain that has been decimated by the sudden onset of a terrible plague caused by environmental damage. Most of the devastation occurs in London. One family flees to the sanctuary of a friend's farm. The journey is treacherous and the clan must fight insane biker gangs and deal with their own personal problems, but eventually, they make it to the farm. Unfortunately, though they were especially invited, the owner's ruthless brother refuses to let them enter and so the desperate head of the family leads a brutal attack. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nigel Davenport, Jean Wallace, (more)
Despite the security implicit in its name, the Ministry of Top Secret Information is the site of a brutal murder. This leads Steed and Tara to the inescapable conclusion that the Ministry harbors a traitor in its bosom. There's only one problem: The most logical suspect is a man whom Steed killed several years earlier. Written by Brian Clemens, "Split!" was first telecast in America on April 10, 1968; its British TV debut was delayed until October 23 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Macnee, Linda Thorson, (more)
Captain Douglas (Michael Caine) is the British army leader who is ordered to lead a band of mercenaries into the desert. Their mission is to knock out an enemy fuel reserve. The inexperienced captain contends with a veteran Colonel (Nigel Green) who is enamored with using old history books to fight modern battles. Cyril Leech (Nigel Davenport) is the experienced mercenary hired by Brigadier Blore (Harry Andrews) to help guide Douglas and his group through the dangerous plot. Leech and Douglas have differences of opinion on how to successfully carry out the mission. As if the trouble with the Nazi wasn't enough, Brigadier Blore sells them out by tipping off the enemy through a spy. Douglas and the few men he has left must survive the sweltering heat and the enemy gunfire in order to insure their survival. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Caine, Nigel Davenport, (more)
Davey Haggart (John Hurt) wishes to follow his father's footsteps and become a highway robber. He also wishes to avoid his father's fate -- which was death by hanging at the tender age of 21 after a botched robbery of the Duke of Argyle (Robert Morley). Davey commits a daring robbery in broad daylight with the help of two henchmen (Ronald Fraser and Fidelma Murphy) and heads for the highlands of Scotland to hide out. The local Constable (Nigel Davenport) warns young Davey he will end up just like his father but helps him escape the fate of dancing on the end of a rope. Annie (Pamela Franklin) is the kind-hearted farm girl who tries to make sweet Davey give up a life of crime and settle down. This comedy was taken from the autobiographical diary"The Life Of David Haggart." ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Hurt, Pamela Franklin, (more)
Historical accuracy is cast aside in the film version of Peter Shaffer's play. Fueled by promises of gold, Pizarro (Robert Shaw) and his explorers make a third trip across the treacherous Andes Mountains to Peru. There they meet King Atahuallpa (Christopher Plummer), considered to be a god by his faithful followers. The two leaders overcome their initial mistrust and suspicion, garnering admiration for each other. When the King is sentenced to die, Pizarro tries unsuccessfully to prevent the monarch's death at the hands of gold-hungry explorers. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Shaw, Christopher Plummer, (more)
This situation comedy finds rookie soldiers of the British Army trying to cope with military life while stationed in Malaya. Brigg (Hywel Bennett) is a young clerk who falls for the local school teacher Phillipa (Lynn Redgrave), the daughter of Royal Sergeant Major Raskin (Nigel Patrick). Brigg loses his virginal status in an encounter with the prostitute Juicy Lucy (Tsai Chin), while Phillipa also becomes sexually active for the first time. The film strikes a nice balance between comedy and serious drama as the soldiers are put to the test when a train wreck necessitates their involvement, and later several soldiers try to get sick leave by requesting circumcisions. Brigg and Phillipa finally get together when a bombing raid puts them in close proximity in this engaging military comedy. The Kinks' Ray Davies wrote the title track. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lynn Redgrave, Hywel Bennett, (more)
The Strange Affair is a fragmentary "'60s" interpretation of a straightforward Bernard Toms novel. Michael York plays a rookie London policeman, appalled at the corruption surrounding him. He does not find comfort in the fact that his own superior (Jeremy Kemp) is just as crooked as the crooks. Susan George is the obligatory "mod" girl with whom York conducts a brief affair. Like many British films of its period, it seems more concerned with inducing pop-art headaches than simply telling its story. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael York, Jeremy Kemp, (more)
Sebastian (Dirk Bogarde) is an undisciplined mathematics genius who works in the "cipher bureau" of the British government. While cracking enemy codes, Sebastian finds time to romance co-worker Susannah York. The film dwells upon Sebastian's rather lax morals (even by 1968 standards), culminating in his refusal to commit himself to York once he's rendered her pregnant. This aspect of the story is frankly more fascinating than the main espionage plotline. Keep an eye out for Canadian actor Donald Sutherland in a bit as an American. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dirk Bogarde, Nigel Davenport, (more)
Why are a group of otherwise reserved middle-aged military officers suddenly behaving like teenaged delinquents and performing dangerous stunts which invariably result in death? Steed wants to find out, and to do so, he rejoins his regiment. Ultimately, Steed is himself targeted for death, forcing Emma to undergo a bizarre and deadly ritual to rescue her partner. Written by Roger Marshall and directed by the versatile Charles Crichton, "The Danger Makers" first aired in England on February 12, 1966; perhaps significantly, it was seen in America on July 4 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Rigg
Adapted by Robert Bolt and Constance Willis from Bolt's hit stage play, A Man for All Seasons stars Paul Scofield, triumphantly repeating his stage role as Sir Thomas More. The crux of the film is the staunchly Catholic More's refusal to acknowledge King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw)'s break from the church to divorce his first wife and marry Anne Boleyn (an unbilled Vanessa Redgrave). Sir Thomas willingly goes to the chopping block rather than sacrifice his ideals. Director Fred Zinnemann retains the play's verbosity without sacrificing the film's strong sense of visuals. The impeccably chosen cast includes Wendy Hiller as Sir Thomas' likably contentious wife Alice, John Hurt as the deceitful Richard Rich (More's put-downs of this despicable character provide some of the film's biggest laughs), Orson Welles as a dour Cardinal Woolsey, Leo McKern as the ambitious Thomas Cromwell, and Susannah York as More's daughter Margaret. The "Common Man," an important bridging-the-scenes character in the original play, is removed from the film version, which does just fine without him. A Man for All Seasons won six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, as well as seven British Film Academy awards. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, (more)
Stranded in the African wilds by a plane crash, a disparate group of passengers' worst enemy isn't weather or wild animals but a fellow traveler. A delayed flight causes several South African travelers to charter a small plane from unctuous pilot Sturdevan (Nigel Davenport). Among the group: Dr. Bondrachai (Theodore Bikel), divorcee Grace Munkton (Susannah York), the crooked Brian O'Brien (Stuart Whitman), the elderly German Grimmelman (Harry Andrews), and mining engineer Mike Bain (Stanley Baker). O'Brien bribes Sturdevan to reroute the flight, so when the plane is brought down in the vast Kalahari by an encounter with a cloud of locusts, no rescue can be expected. A struggle for control begins. After Studevan attacks Grace sexually, he is exiled, and Brian takes over. He attempts to banish Bondrachai and Grimmelman, but the latter objects, and Brian kills him. Only Grace and Mike are left to deal with Brian, but when they think they've got the best of him, he manages to stay alive and stalk them to plot his revenge. Vicious local baboons have a surprise for the increasingly deranged Brian, however-they are hunting the hunter. The film re-teams star/co-producer Baker with his Zulu (1964) writer/director Cy Endfield. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stuart Whitman, Stanley Baker, (more)





















