Michael Attwell Movies

Produced for British television, Daniel Deronda was adapted from George Eliot's final novel, written in 1874 (and first filmed in 1921). As was her habit, Eliot laid bare the hypocrisy and venality of Victorian-era "class culture," at the same time admitting that a certain amount of conformity was necessary if one hoped to survive in a world where nonconformity was not only looked down upon but actively suppressed. Essentially, both the novel and the TV presentation are comprised of two separate stories, linked together by the titular Daniel Deronda (Hugh Dancy), a young man of Jewish heritage. In the main narrative, Daniel is attracted to the spoiled, headstrong Gwendolen Harleth (Romola Garai), who is reluctantly poised to enter into a marriage of convenience with the wealthy, snobbish, and intensely anti-Semitic Henleigh Grancourt (Hugh Bonneville). This romantic intrigue is played against the curious relationship between Daniel and the Zionist visionary Mordecai (Daniel Evans), who tirelessly proselytizes in favor of a permanent homeland for the Jewish people. Things come to a head when Daniel finds himself falling in love with Mordecai's sister Mirah (Jodhi May). Originally telecast in three parts on the BBC beginning December 7, 2002, Daniel Deronda was re-edited as a two-parter for the PBS anthology Masterpiece Theatre, where it first aired on March 30, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this historical drama produced for British television, the Poldark family faces the many crises of the moment as Great Britain struggles through the dark days of 1810. Ross Poldark (John Bowe) is a Member of Parliament as England wages war against France and the throne is held by a King who has gone mad; Ross joins the Army on the field of battle, while his wife Demelza (Mel Martin) and his children Jeremy (Ioan Gruffudd) and Clowance (Kelly Reilly) all pray for his safe return. While the family's feud with George Warleggen (Michael Attwell) smolders in Ross's absence, Jeremy falls into an alliance with Stephen Cravenson (Nicholas Gleaves), a noted smuggler and ne'er-do-well; Clowance also finds herself tied to Cravenson as they become romantically involved. This version of Poldark followed the popular mini-series of the same name that was produced in 1975. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Created by Tony Charles and Joanna Willet, the British drama series Westbeach was set in the fictional coastal town of the title. In a quasi-anthology fashion, each of the six episodes focused on a different resident. The main concentration was, however, on two sets of families, the Cromers and the Prestons. The series debuted April 10, 1993, over the BBC. After its original run, Westbeach was rebroadcast on British cable television. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

On August 8, 1963, the Royal Mail train, on its nighttime run from London to Glasgow, was robbed by 15 men who got away with 2.6 million pounds (today the equivalent of $35 million). Buster tells the story of one of the junior robbers, Buster Edwards (played by pop singer Phil Collins), in a crime that came to be known as the Great Train Robbery. The film details the planning of the famous heist, but its main concern is Buster's relationship with his family and his devotion to his wife June (Julie Walters). The Edwards are like a British Kramden family, trying to make ends meet from day-to-day in their rental apartment, but instead of a bus driver, Buster is a two-bit thief who has the fine luck of hardly ever getting caught. After the Royal mail train robbery, the heat intensifies, since the Conservative Government, already smarting from the Profumo scandal, latches onto the train robbery as a means to deflect attention from the scandal by bringing the train robbers quickly to justice. Buster and June go into hiding and have a series of close calls before finally escaping to Mexico. Finally in paradise, the Edwards find their money quickly being eaten up and discover that they cannot adapt to the Mexico milieu. June, for her part, is homesick, and Buster, always ready to keep her happy, makes the grand gesture -- to return to England and turn himself in to the police. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

The second British miniseries adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist aired over the BBC in 1985. Ben Rodska essays the title character, a much-maligned orphan boy who, unbeknownst to himself, is heir to a vast fortune. Before finding this out, Oliver falls into the clutches of the delightfully wicked pickpocket Fagin (Eric Porter) and the wholly evil outlaw Bill Sikes (Michael Attwell). Other familiar characters include the insouciant street urchin Artful Dodger (David Garlick), the tragic Nancy Sykes (Amanda Harris), benevolent Mr. Brownlow (Frank Middlemass), and the aptly named Bumble the Beadle (Godfrey James). Running for six half-hour episodes, Oliver Twist was later shown in the U.S. as part of the PBS anthology Wonderworks. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

"Attack of the Cybermen," Doctor Who's 22nd-season opener, began its two-episode run on January 5, 1985. Having already captured a time vessel, the dreaded Cybermen also snatch the TARDIS. This action prevents the Doctor (Colin Baker) and his new allies, the alien Cryons, from thwarting the Cybermen's plans to harness the power of Halley's Comet to destroy the Earth. Once again, the sewers of London are turned into a battleground as the Doctor tries to square off against his perennial enemies. Written by Paula Woolsey, "Attack of the Cybermen" was originally telecast in two 45-minute installments; for American consumption, the adventure was re-edited as a four-part cliffhanger. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the third episode of the six-part story "The Ice Warriors," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) is forced to revive the comrades and recover the spaceship of hostile Martian Ice Warrior Varga (Patrick Troughton). Meanwhile, Dr. Clent (Peter Barkworth), leader of a team of 31st century scientists dedicated to preventing the world from being totally enveloped in ice, appears to have a solution to the Doctor's dilemma. But for reasons best known to himself, Clent refuses to reveal what he knows. Written by Brian Hayles, "The Ice Warriors, Episode 3" originally aired on November 25, 1967; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the fifth episode of the six-part story "The Ice Warriors," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) realizes that the computer he hoped to use to defeat Varga (Bernard Bresslaw) and the Martian Ice Warriors is useless. As an alternate plan, the Doctor intends to deploy a powerful ionizer against the villains. But this also proves impossible, inasmuch as the Doctor and a team of Earth Scientists need the Ice Warriors' space ship to survive. Set during the "New Ice Age" of the 31st century, "The Ice Warriors, Episode 5" was written by Brian Hayles, and originally aired on December 9, 1967; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi