Lesley Dunlop Movies

The second British TV miniseries based on the semi-autobiographical stories of H.E. Bates, My Uncle Silas 2 was, like its predecessor, built around the exploits of a cantankerous, imbibing, and slightly libidinous farm laborer of the early 1900s. The series was told from the viewpoint of young Edward (Joe Prospero), who had recently come to live with his roguish Uncle Silas (Albert Finney) in England's North Country. In the tradition of the original Uncle Silas, this series was inspired by five separate Bates short stories. In "Shandy Lil," Silas tried to pair off the titular Lil (Sandy McDade) with the shy Pikey (Tony Maudsley); in "The Race," Silas challenged archrival Goffy Windsor (Tim Preece) to a five-mile foot race; in "A Funny Thing," Silas' efforts to match wits with his worldly cousin Cosmo (Oliver Ford Davies) found him posing for an exceedingly amorous female sculptor; in "Finger Wet, Finger Dry," our hero was enmeshed in a compromising situation with the wife (Lesley Dunlop) of the local police constable (Gary Wheelan); and in "A Happy Man," it's Silas vs. old campaigner Walter (Bryan Pringle) at the annual flower show. Originally telecast by Yorkshire Television in 2001, My Uncle Silas 2 premiered as a component of the American PBS anthology Masterpiece Theatre on January 12, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

One of the most popular British TV soap operas of the late 20th-early 21st century, Where the Heart Is was set in the fictional community of Skelthwaite. Originally, the stories focused on two nurses, Peggy Snow (Pam Ferris) and Ruth Goddard (Sarah Lancashire), and their extended families. Eventually and inevitably, the plot lines branched out to virtually every resident of Skelthwaite, especially the younger and prettier citizens. The first 54-minute episode of Where the Heart Is was broadcast in 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Previously adapted for British television in 1976, Edith Nesbit's 1904 children's novel The Phoenix and the Carpet was again brought to the small screen by the BBC beginning November 16, 1997. The plot remained the same, with five Victorian-era children coming into possession of an enchanted carpet and a magical egg, which hatched into a garrulous Phoenix. David Suchet of Poirot fame was heard as the Phoenix's voice this time out. Dramatized by Helen Creswell, this version of The Phoenix and the Carpet ran for six 30-minute episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the second episode of the three-part story "The Happiness Patrol," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) have arrived on Terra, a planet governed by the Happiness Patrol, who punish those not expressing eternal joy by killing them on the spot. Since both the Doctor and Ace have been designated as "Killjoys," they are targeted for extinction by the robotic Kandyman (David John Pope). The only hope for the time-travelers is to foment a rebellion against the smiley-faced dictator, Helen A (Sheila Hancock). Written by Graeme Curry, "The Happiness Patrol, Episode 2" first aired on November 9, 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Jaclyn Smith is a curious choice to play the title character in the made-for-TV biopic Florence Nightingale. This fact, however, never enters into the consciousness of the viewer, thanks to Smith's excellent performance. Some liberties are taken with the details of the life of "The Lady with the Lamp," notably the addition of a largely speculative romance between Florence and her young swain (Timothy Dalton). The best scenes--and the most accurate--occur during the Crimean War sequences and during Nightingale's strenuous efforts to form the Red Cross. Co-produced by Tony Richmond, Jaclyn Smith's husband, Florence Nightingale debuted April 7, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The TARDIS travels to the distant future, only to be apparently destroyed in a crash-landing. Surviving the ordeal, the Doctor (Peter Davison), Tegan (Janet Fielding), and Turlough (Mark Strickson) discover that they have landed on the planet Frontios -- which has been selected as the new home of a group of colonists from the nuclear-devastated planet Earth. Not unexpectedly, there are several dangers lurking behind each corner in the four-episode adventure "Frontios"; written by Christopher H. Bidmead, the first episode originally aired on January 26, 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the third episode of the four-part story "Frontios," the titular planet has become the new home for the crew of the TARDIS, as well as a group of survivors from a nuclear holocaust on planet earth. But all is not tranquil for the new arrivals, thanks to the presence of a hyperintelligent insectoid race called the Tractators. Having burrowed beneath the planet's surface, the Tractators intend to convert Frontios into their own private space vessel -- which of course will spell the doom for everyone else in the vicinity, including the Doctor (Peter Davison). Originally telecast on February 2, 1984, "Frontios, Episode 3" was written by Christopher H. Bidmead. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

On the verge of closing their doors in the mid-1980s, Britain's Hammer studios produced this passable supernatural thriller, which received its debut on American cable television. Hammer regular Stephanie Beacham stars as a woman vacationing with her photographer husband (David Carradine) at a lush seaside hotel, where she is tormented nightly by the anguished cries of a man apparently re-enacting his own murder (Carradine again). Or is the tragic specter actually a ghostly echo from the future, foreshadowing ominous events yet to come? Interesting but ultimately predictable, the film benefits from good performances, and Carradine is quite effective in a double role. Also known as Dying Truth. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

John Hurt stars as John Merrick, the hideously deformed 19th century Londoner known as "The Elephant Man". Treated as a sideshow freak, Merrick is assumed to be retarded as well as misshapen because of his inability to speak coherently. In fact, he is highly intelligent and sensitive, a fact made public when one Dr. Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins) rescues Merrick from a carnival and brings him to a hospital for analysis. Alas, even after being recognized as a man of advanced intellect, Merrick is still treated like a freak; no matter his station in life, he will forever be a prisoner of his own malformed body. Unable to secure rights for the famous stage play The Elephant Man, producer Mel Brooks based his film on the memoirs of Frederick Treves and a much later account of Merrick's life by Ashley Montagu. The film is lensed in black and white by British master cinematographer Freddie Francis. Though nominated for eight Academy Awards, the film was ultimately shut out in every category. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Beginning its several incarnations as an Ingmar Bergman film named Smiles of a Summer Night, the story was adapted by composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim into a successful Broadway musical directed by Harold Prince. This film, also directed by Prince, is adapted from the stage musical. In the movie, in the early 1900s, a group of friends bound together by complicated romantic entanglements, have come together for an elegant dinner at a country estate. The men present are the current, previous, or prospective lovers of the beautiful actress, Desiree (Elizabeth Taylor), and the other women are all united by their jealousy of her. Sadly, Desiree herself wants to simplify things and settle down -- she envies the wives. The adapted score later won an Oscar. The musical's well-known songs include Every Day a Little Death, A Weekend in the Country, and You Must Meet My Wife. The most famous song from the musical, Send in the Clowns, is sung here by Elizabeth Taylor. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Produced for British television, Haunted: The Ferryman is based on a story by Kingsley Amis. Jeremy Brett plays a novelist whose work begins permeating his consciousness day and night. The writer is haunted by visions of the characters he has created and will create. Foremost among these phantoms is a sinister ferryman, the traditional literary symbol for the Angel of Death. Natasha Parry and Lesley Dunlop also appear in this tantalizingly brief mood piece. Haunted: The Ferryman was adapted for TV by Julian Bond. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi