Rhoda Lewis Movies
- 1996
- PG
Anthony Hopkins made his directorial debut with this adaptation of Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, recasting the action in Hopkins' homeland of Wales. Ieuan Davies (Anthony Hopkins) has devoted most of his life to managing the estate of Professor Blathwaite (Leslie Phillips); while he's generally been content with his lot in life, lately Ieuan feels he's thrown away his existence and wishes he'd done something with himself. The Professor spends only the summer at his estate, and brings along his second wife, Helen (Kate Burton), whom Ieuan has long loved from afar; his frustrated love for her leads him to drink heavily and contemplate murder and suicide. Family friend Dr. Lloyd (Gawn Grainger) is also attracted to Helen, much to the dismay of Ieuan's niece, a plain woman in love with the good Doctor. In addition to directing and starring in August, Hopkins also composed the musical score. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Hopkins, Kate Burton, (more)
- 1980
Still roaming about in E-Space, the Doctor (Tom Baker), Romana (Lalla Ward), and Adric (Matthew Waterhouse) land on a mysterious planet governed by a sinister trio known as the Three Who Rule. Though the planet is outwardly primitive, the Doctor cannot help but notice that the aura of high intelligence still lingers in the air. He will soon learn that he is closer to his own Time Lord world of Gallifrey than he suspects. Beginning its four-episode run on November 22, 1980, "State of Decay" was written by Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Lalla Ward, (more)
- 1980
In the second episode of the four-part story "State of Decay," the Doctor (Tom Baker), Romana (Lalla Ward), and Adric (Matthew Waterhouse), still lost in E-Space, have landed on a feudalistic planet run by three mysterious, highly intelligent Lords. The Doctor eventually discovers that the rulers are from Earth and that it was on this planet that his own race, the Time Lords, first developed their aversion to violence. If this is true, why does it appear that the Lords keep themselves alive by feeding on the other residents of the planet? First shown on November 29, 1980, "State of Decay, Episode 2" was written by Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Lalla Ward, (more)
- 1973
- R
In The Offence, Sean Connery plays Johnson, a normally unflappable British police inspector who is emotionally shaken by a case of child molestation. For reasons he cannot explain, he is driven to kill the suspect while interrogating him and is suspended from the force. The incident leads to a nervous breakdown -- and the implication that Johnson had beaten the molester to death to purge himself of his own hidden pederastic tendencies. Based on John Hopkins' stage play This Story of Yours, The Offence made little headway at the box office, but United Artists was compelled to release the film to assure Connery's participation in UA's next James Bond movie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sean Connery, Trevor Howard, (more)
This film is a faithful rendition of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas' last major poem, Under Milk Wood. It affectionately examines the day-to-day life of the inhabitants of a small Welsh fishing village. The poem is narrated by Richard Burton, himself a Welshman and a great aficionado of Thomas' work. The narrative framework comes through the character of Captain Cat (Peter O'Toole), a retired seaman who, though blind, knows the village and its inhabitants so well, it is as if he could see. The colorful characters of the village are delineated in short vignettes by a host of very distinguished British actors. Elizabeth Taylor, Burton's wife at the time, makes a brief appearance as Rosie Probert. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, (more)
- 1962
While snapping photographs at an amusement park, Steed's erstwhile associate Venus Smith (Julie Stevens) photographs a British cypher expert. Unfortunately, the man is a traitor, and with the help of his wife, he has previously faked his own suicide. In order to cover his tracks, the traitor must murder Venus -- but not if Steed has anything to say about it. Written by Geoffrey Orme, "Man in the Mirror" debuted on British TV on February 23, 1963; it was first seen in America on February 26, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
