Terry Downes Movies
British actor Terry Downes was usually cast as a thug or pugnacious fellow on stage, screen and television. For Downes, a former middleweight fighter, they were familiar roles. Much later in his career, he became a fight manager and arranger of bets. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi- 1986
- R
Writer/director Derek Jarman injects his patented iconoclasm in this biography of Renaissance artist Michelangelo Merisa da Caravaggio. Nigel Terry plays the title role, whom (according to Jarman) essentially told his own life story in his paintings. Caravaggio travelled among thieves and prostitutes, many of whom were his models. He once killed a man, kept a deaf/mute child as a virtual slave, and squandered every penny he ever made. That we should care anything about so miserable and obscure a personality is a tribute to Jarman's filmmaking savvy--and the number of elements from his own well-publicized life that he injects into the film. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Nigel Terry, Sean Bean, (more)
- 1969
Before settling on a career as a photojournalist (which apparently cost him his life in 1970), Errol Flynn's son Sean enjoyed a brief career in international espionage films. The best of this lot was Stop Train 349 (64), though the subsequent Five Ashore in Singapore also had its pleasurable moments. In the latter film, Flynn plays a CIA agent, in search of five American marines who have disappeared while on leave in Singapore. Also known as Singapore, Singapore, Five Ashore in Singapore was based on a novel by Jean Bruce. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1967
- Add The Fearless Vampire Killers, or Pardon Me but Your Teeth Are in My Neck to QueueAdd The Fearless Vampire Killers, or Pardon Me but Your Teeth Are in My Neck to top of Queue
A pair of bumbling vampire-hunters attempts to destroy an undead nobleman and his cronies and rescue a buxom maiden in actor/director Roman Polanski's playful update of the venerable vampire genre. Bat expert and vampire obsessive Professor Abronsius (Jack MacGowran) barely survives his journey through the Alps into snowy Slovenia to continue his oft-maligned research into the undead. Thawed out by his hapless assistant, Alfred (Polanski), and the frisky local innkeeper, Shagal (Alfie Bass), Abronsius quickly notices the overabundance of raw garlic as a decorating motif in the inn and its environs. Too ineffectual to save Shagal from having his blood sucked, the professor and Alfred miss the boat again when the mysterious Count Von Krolock (Ferdinand Mayne) kidnaps Shagal's built, beautiful daughter, Sarah (Sharon Tate). The itinerant vampire hunters must travel through the icy wilderness to Von Krolock's abode and evade his manservant and his effete son Herbert (Iain Quarrier) before Sarah joins the ranks of the ghouls. They soon learn, however, that the luxury-starved lass actually enjoys her captors' lavish attentions. The action climaxes during a costume ball attended by a phalanx of blood-suckers, although the laughs and surprises continue until the very end. Sixteen minutes of unauthorized cuts have been restored in some video editions of The Fearless Vampire Hunters, although the animated credits sequence that replaced them is also retained. The film marks the feature debut of Tate, who replaced Polanski's original choice, Jill St. John, on the advice of producer Martin Ransohoff. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roman Polanski, Jack MacGowran, (more)
- 1967
When a U.S. marine is reported missing, five CIA operatives are sent to Hong Kong to investigate the soldier's disappearance in this spy actioner. Art Sean Flynn leads the group into a nightclub where they tear the place apart looking for clues that will lead them to the missing man. The group is kidnapped and drugged before being introduced to a Harvard-educated madman. The scientist freezes his victims before brainwashing them and hopes to sell his process to an enemy of the United States. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Starring:
- Sean Flynn, Marika Green, (more)
- 1966
In A Study in Terror the ever popular Sherlock Holmes and his companion Dr. Watson search for the Victorian serial killerJack the Ripper in this well-made and exciting mystery produced, written and directed by James Hill. In this adaptation of the popular character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Holmes (John Neville) aided by Dr. Watson (Donald Houston) and his brother Mycroft (Robert Morley) are called in to help catch the crazed killer of prostitutes. This film combines all the elements beloved by fans of Sherlock Holmes resulting in a satisfying and well-acted mystery. John Neville is good as the cool, logical Holmes and Robert Morley adds a nice dash of humor to liven up the story. A Study in Terror is highly recommended for fans of Sherlock Holmes and should be enjoyed by any viewer who loves vintage mysteries. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi
- Starring:
- John Neville, Donald Houston, (more)
