Roy Boyd Movies

The made-for-TV Duel of Hearts is based on a novel by Barbara Cartland. It is difficult to believe that there's a Gothic-romance TV movie in existence that isn't based on a Cartland novel. Alison Doody plays gorgeous debutante Lady Caroline Faye, who falls for dashing nobleman Genuse Warlingham (Michael York). To be near the love of her life, Lady Caroline poses as a humble servant. The top-drawer British supporting cast includes Geraldine Chaplin, Billie Whitelaw, Virginia McKenna, Richard Johnson, Jeremy Kemp and Beryl Reed. Duel of Hearts made its American TV bow over the TNT Cable service on February 24, 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Hazard of Hearts was adapted for television from a 1948 bodice-ripper by Barbara Cartland. Set (where else?) in 1810 England, the film stars Helena Bonham Carter as the obligatory innocent young lass with a dynamite figure. Falling in love with a Rochester-like Marquis (Marcus Gilbert), Helena is whisked off to the mysterious Castle Mandrake ("played" by England's Belvoir Castle and Burghley House). Here, our heroine is menaced by Diana Rigg, the Marquis' evil, possessive mother. First broadcast December 27, 1987, Hazard of Hearts was buried in the ratings by NBC's repeat showing of Terms of Endearment (1983) and ABC's telecast of Stir Crazy (1980). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Produced for cable TV by The Disney Channel, The Black Arrow is based on the classic Robert Louis Stevenson adventure tale. Stephen Chase plays the title character, a dogooding swashbuckler who tries to avenge his father's murder during the War of the Roses. Though Chase carries the bulk of the action, top billing is bestowed upon the film's villains, Oliver Reed (as Sir Daniel Brackley) and Fernando Rey (as the Earl of Warwick). The Stevenson original was previously adapted for the screen in 1948, with Louis Hayward in the lead. Black Arrow made its TV debut on January 6, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In order to produce an antidote for the Federation's mind-controlling drugs, Avon must forge an alliance within a group of anti-Federation warlords. One of these leaders is Zukan (Roy Boyd), who has a pretty daughter named Zeeona (Bobbie Brown). When it turns out that Zukan is in league with Federation president Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce), the fate of the crew may hinge upon Zeeona's growing fondness for Tarrant (Steven Pacey). This penultimate Blakes 7 episode first aired on December 14, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square was the original title of this British caper film. David Niven does his suave 'n' blase bit as a criminal mastermind planning a giant bank heist. Richard Jordan co-stars as an American ex-con tapped to oversee the operation. Gloria Grahame, in one of her last roles, masticates the scenery as Jordan's rude-and-crude mom. The Big Scam picked up a third title when it was released to video as The Mayfair Bank Caper. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the second episode of the four-part story "The Hand of Fear," the fossilized hand which was found by Sarah (Elisabeth Sladen) turns out to be that of Eldrad, a Kastrian criminal executed nearly 150,000,000 years earlier. Reactivated by a nuclear explosion, the hand regenerates the rest of its body, step one in an overall scheme to conquer the world, though the Doctor (Tom Baker) doesn't know this yet. Written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin, "The Hand of Fear, Episode 2" originally aired on October 9, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A righteous police officer investigating the disappearance of a young girl comes into conflict with the unusual residents of a secluded Scottish isle in this unsettling, intelligent chiller. Brought to the island of Summerisle by an anonymous letter, Edward Woodward's constable is surprised to discover that the island's population suspiciously denies the missing girl's very existence. Even more shocking, at least to the traditionally pious law office, the island is ruled by a libertarian society organized around pagan rituals. Repelled by the open acceptance of sexuality, nature worship, and even witchcraft, the officer takes an antagonistic attitude towards the people and their leader, an eccentric but charming English lord (Christopher Lee). The officer's unease intensifies as he continues his investigation, slowly coming to fear that the girl's disappearance may be linked in a particularly horrifying manner to an upcoming public festival. Anthony Shaffer's meticulously crafted screenplay creates a thoroughly convincing alternative society, building tension through slow discovery and indirect suggestion and making the terrifying climax all the more effective. Performances are also perfectly tuned, with Woodward suitably priggish as the investigator and horror icon Lee delivering one of his most accomplished performances as Lord Summerisle. Little noticed during its original theatrical run due to studio edits and a limited release, the film's intelligence and uncanny tone has since attracted a devoted cult following. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi