Maurice Denham Movies

Ten years ago Oxford archaeology professor Robert Rylands suddenly and mysteriously left the college and the town to embark upon a long journey. His sudden return creates quite a stir, and most of this English-language Spanish drama, based on a novel by Javier Marias, centers on the effect it has upon those who know and love him. As soon as he arrives, Rylands heads straight for the police department and sits down to tell a policeman and good friend about his adventure. The plot then moves to Alfred, a fellow lecturer who lives with Jill, his sister and her daughter, Sue. Juan, a Spanish guest lecturer is also staying with them. Jill is worried about Alfred who has been suffering from a bizarre illness that causes him to faint and makes it difficult for him to use his left hand. She finds Rylands' sudden reappearance most distracting. Somehow the lives of Rylands, Jill and Alfred are connected, and both Sue and Juan decide to find out how. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Based on a novel by Graham Greene, Alec Guinness stars as the title character, a descendent of Don Quixote. After he is appointed monsignor, he sets off with a leftist politician (played by Leo McKern) on an adventure reminiscent of the Cervantes novel. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

Based on a novel by Catherine Heath, the four-part British miniseries Behaving Badly starred Judi Dench as Bridget, a typically dutiful upper middle-class wife and mother. Upon learning that her husband is a philanderer, Bridget is shocked but willing to forgive. But when hubby walks out, she decides to kick over the traces and have some fun of her own, which -- in time-honored "double standard" fashion -- thoroughly scandalizes her family and friends. Behaving Badly first aired in 1988 over Britain's Channel 4. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Helene Hanff's book 84 Charing Cross Road had previously been a TV program and a stage play before it was converted into this 1986 film. The scene is New York, 1949: Anne Bancroft plays a struggling writer and passionate bibliophile, who answers an advertisement from a rare-volumes bookshop at 84 Charing Cross Road in London. Thus begins a two-decade romance by correspondence between Bancroft and Briton Anthony Hopkins, the man in charge of the overseas department of Marks and Company. Though several meetings are arranged, Bancroft and Hopkins never come face to face thanks to mitigating circumstances. But Anne finally makes it to London, and finds that much has changed. 84 Charing Cross Road was produced by Mel Brooks, the husband of star Anne Bancroft. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Chain is linked by a series of moves. As one couple moves out of their current residence to live in posher quarters, another moves in, and so it goes all the way up to the lavish mansioned owned by self-made millionaire Leo McKern. The cycle starts all over again when McKern, wishing to be closer to his roots, returns to the working-class neighborhood whence he came. Each move is wryly commented upon by the team of professional movers headed by Warren Mitchell. The enormously gifted British cast includes Billie Whitelaw, Nigel Hawthorne, Maurice Denham, Denis Lawson, Phyllis Logan, and David Troughton. This multistoried seriocomedy is at its best a fond throwback to the Ealing films of the 1950s. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Another Man Who Loved Women with a slightly different plot, this routine story opens with the funeral of a local projectionist and gardener, Donald Lovelace (Barry Jackson). His widow and daughter are surprised at the number of women who turn out to mourn Donald's passing. Soon the truth about his peccadillos with a string of women ranging from the usherette at the movie theater to an aspiring singer are told in flashbacks, revealing a life that his aloof wife and resentful daughter knew nothing about. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Colin Baker -- green shoes, orange spats, striped trousers, and all -- steps into the role of the newly regenerated Doctor in the four-part adventure "The Twin Dilemma." In order to accustom himself to his new body, the Doctor hopes to take a brief sabbatical. This, alas, is not to be, as both the Doctor and his companion, Peri (Nicola Bryant) find themselves at the mercy of yet another dangerous adversary. Written by Antony Steven, Doctor Who: The Twin Dilemma, Episode 1 was originally telecast on March 22, 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the third episode of the four-part story "The Twin Dilemma," the Doctor (Colin Baker) and Peri (Nicola Bryant) have been abducted by the giant slug Mestor (Edwin Richfield), who has also kidnapped twin mathematicians Romulus and Remus Sylvest (Gavin and Andrew Conrad). Mestor intends to force the twins to help him unleash millions of deadly Gastropod eggs upon the Universe -- and, of course, the Doctor and Peri must be killed in the process. Written by Antony Steven, Doctor Who: The Twin Dilemma, Episode 3 was originally telecast on March 29, 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The film traces the lifelong relationship between playwright Lillian Hellman and Julia, a wealthy girl who turns her back on her upbringing to follow her ideals. In the 1930s, while the adult Hellman (Jane Fonda) struggles to establish herself as a playwright with the help of her lover, Dashiell Hammett (Jason Robards), Julia (Vanessa Redgrave) battles the exigencies of the Nazi regime. Visiting Julia in Germany, Lillian realizes how much her friend's idealism has cost her, both physically and financially. Lillian is asked by Julia's friend Johann (Maximilian Schell) to smuggle a large sum of money from Paris to Germany, the better to combat the Nazis from within. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and four acting awards, Julia won for Alvin Sargent's screenplay and Robards' and Redgrave's performances, leading to Redgrave's infamous "Zionist hoodlums" acceptance speech. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Adapted for the screen by Edward Anhalt from the play by John Osborne, Luther stars Stacy Keach as religious leader and "heretic" Martin Luther. In minimalist fashion, the film traces Luther's disillusionment with the Catholic Church, and his eventual spearheading of the Reformation movement. Over the course of the film, Keach ages from an ingenuous seminarian to a disgruntled, middle-aged firebrand. Director Guy Green does little to cinematize the material, instead favoring a theatrical approach and thus allowing the rich dialogue to be better appreciated. Luther was a production of the American Film Theatre. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Polish actress Ingrid Pitt became a cult figure for her portrayal of the notorious Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory in this Hammer horror film. Bathory finds that bathing in the blood of virgins restores her youthful beauty, and she enlists her servant (Nigel Green in a standout performance) to kidnap her own daughter, Ilona (Lesley-Anne Down). Bathory assumes Ilona's identity to seduce a young man (Sandor Eles), but without a supply of blood, she turns old in a hurry. The real Bathory had no such problems, reportedly slaughtering over 600 young girls before being sealed alive in her room. Pitt and Green are excellent, although director Peter Sasdy -- who helped adapt this story from Valentine Penrose's book The Bloody Countess -- moves the story along at a rather leisurely pace. Still, the performances and typically sumptuous "Hammer look" should make this film appealing to fans of historical horror. Maurice Denham, Patience Collier, and Nike Arrighi co-star. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Nicholas and Alexandra covers the rise and fall of the last of the Russian Romanovs. We first meet Czar Nicholas (Michael Jayston) and his German bride Alexandra (Janet Suzman) at their 1894 wedding. Though Nicholas is devoted to Alexandra, the Russian populace is less politely inclined to having a "foreigner" as their Czarina. Alexandra gains favor when she gives birth to the much-loved Prince Alexis (Roderick Noble). Alas, Alexis suffers from hemophilia, a disease which strikes every second generation of Alexandra's family. When all conventional medical ministrations fail, Alexandra puts the fate of her son in the hands of mystical holy man Rasputin (Tom Baker, later famous for his portrayal of Doctor Who). As Rasputin's influence and power grows, the Russian peasantry becomes more restless and disgruntled. They are now willing to listen to the speeches of such rabble-rousers as Lenin (Michael Bryant) and Trotsky (Brian Cox), who sow the seeds of revolution. Even after the murder of Rasputin, the Bolsheviks are unsatisfied: The revolution finally comes to pass in October of 1917. At first, the moderate Kerensky (John McEnery) pleads with his followers to allow the Romanovs safe passage out of Russia. But the radicals seize control, and on July 16, 1918, the royal family is summarily executed. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Detective Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond is called on to investigate the activities of his arch enemy Carl Peterson (James Villiers). Carl tries to stop the British from testing a new and improved fighter plane. Drummond travels to Morocco to check into rumors of attempted tampering and espionage by Carl and his henchmen. Comedy relief is provided by Robert Morley as the cooking instructor Miss Mary. Sydne Rome play the delectable double agent whom Drummond is attracted to but whom he also suspects is up to no good. Carl gathers together a bunch of mini-skirted gun-toting mod girls to do his evil bidding in this lightweight spy saga. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi