Martin Jarvis

Ian Sharp's Mrs. Caldicot's Cabbage War concerns itself with Thelma Caldicot (Pauline Collins), whose life changes radically after the death of her husband. After her spouse dies, thanks to an errant cricket ball, Thelma is taken out of her home by her son Derek (Peter Capaldi) and her daughter-in-law Veronica (Anna Wilson-Jones). She is admitted to the Twilight Years Rest Home, which is run by Hawthorne (John Alderton). Upset with the care she and the other patients receive, Thelma leads a revolt. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Filmed in London and Wales, this two-part adaptation of the oft-dramatized R.D. Blackmore novel Lorna Doone was praised for its realism, though one or two nitpickers pointed out that the costumes were not all "in period" for 17th century Scotland. This time around, Amelia Warner starred as the titular Lorna, whose romance with young John Ridd (Richard Coyle) was imperiled by the bloody, long-standing feud between the Doones and the Ridds. The show was stolen by Martin Clunes in the flashy role of the redoubtable Jeremy Stickles. Lorna Doone aired over BBC1 on December 24 and 26, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Adapted by David Hare from his own play (the last in Hare's "political trilogy"), this British TV movie stars John Thaw as politician George Jones. Going against the grain of his bosses during a tough political contest, Jones finds himself campaigning against his own party. Though the ending is ironic, it is hardly surprising -- especially since the story was based on the real-life defeat of the Labour Party in the 1992 election. The Absence of War aired over BBC2 in 1995; an earlier videotape of the original 1993 stage play, which also starred John Thaw, is available at Britain's National Film Archive. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Published in 1830, Stendhal's landmark historical novel Le Rouge et le Noir has long been required reading in college literature courses, but has generally defied most attempts at adaptation to other mediums. Noteworthy exceptions include the 1954 theatrical-film version by director Claude Autant-Lara, and this four-part British miniseries, titled Scarlet & Black. Set in France in the immediate post-Napoleonic era, the series chronicled the exploits of Julian Sorel (Ewan McGregor), a humble carpenter's son who hoped to scale the heights of European society and affluence. Sorel realized his goal faster than he expected through a series of beneficial romantic liaisons, but in the end there was a terrible price to pay. In addition to star Ewan McGregor, the series was a major boost to the career of young actress Rachel Weisz (cast as Mathilde), as well as another feather in the cap for established leading lady Alice Krige (as Mme. de Renal). Scarlet & Black was seen over BBC2 from October 31 to November 4, 1993. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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, All Movie Guide

In dire need of the valuable mineral Zyton-7, the Doctor (Colin Baker) and Peri (Nicola Bryant) journey to Varos, a onetime prison colony. Here they discover that the population is held in mental bondage by a network of video screens, which offer a 24-hour diet of televised tortures. Who - or what -- is behind this electronic outrage? Written by Philip Martin, the two-part "Vengeance on Varos" was originally telecast on January 19 and January 26, 1985; the two 45-minute episodes have since been recut into a four-part cliffhanger for American television. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Murder in the Family stars Martin Jarvis as British detective Sam Harvey. Intending to give up police work to become a writer, Harvey returns to the fold to track down the murderer of his own parents. During his investigation, he learns some facts he'd sooner not know about his father. A gang of drug smugglers figures into the story's climax. Originally a three-part British TV miniseries, Murder in the Family was telecast in the US over the A&E Cable Network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the fifth episode of the six-part story "Invasion of the Dinosaurs," Sarah (Elisabeth Sladen) is kidnapped by the people responsible for the dinosaur attack on London. The villains are a group of environmentalists who hope to thrust the world back into the Prehistoric Era. Can the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and his UNIT colleagues save both Sarah and humankind before it's too late? Written by Malcolm Hulke, "Invasion of the Dinosaurs, Episode 5" was first telecast on February 9, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The 1974 BBC adaptation of David Copperfield -Charles Dickens's 1850 bildungsroman about a young Brit's coming of age in mid-nineteenth century London - sports David Yelland in the title role, alongside such luminaries as Arthur Lowe (O' Lucky Man, Sweet William) as Wilkins Macawber, Anthony Andrews (Brideshead Revisited, Under the Volcano) as James Steerforth), and Patricia Routledge (Keeping Up Appearances) as Mrs. Micawber. The story sees Copperfield working through hardship after hardship, including a sadistic boarding school, an abusive stepfather, and estrangement from the warmth of his mother, to fulfill his destiny and be all that he can. Julian Aymes directs this acclaimed five-and-a-half hour miniseries, from a script by William Trevor. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the six-part story "Invasion of the Dinosaurs," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) discovers the reason that London has been overwhelmed by a herd of huge, hostile dinosaurs. It seems that the "thunder lizards" are the vanguard of a master plan, concocted by a group of zealous environmentalists, to hurl the world back to the prehistoric (and pre-pollution) era. Unfortunately, events conspire to prevent the Doctor and Sarah (Elisabeth Sladen) from making this knowledge public. Written by Malcolm Hulke, "Invasion of the Dinosaurs, Episode 3" was first telecast on January 26, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

One of the more accomplished entries in Hammer's Dracula series (which would soon lapse into creative anemia during the 1970s), this fourth installment finds Christopher Lee in top form as the Count, who returns to menacing life after three middle-aged swingers decide to dabble in black magic to bolster their sagging sex lives. Dracula is reborn when the trio's blood-drinking rituals lead to the destruction of his devil-worshipping colleague Lord Courtley (Ralph Bates), whereupon the Count unleashes his deadly wrath on those responsible, even involving members of their families in his scheme of revenge, which culminates in a dramatic finale in a recently reconstructed cathedral. Fine direction from Hammer regular Peter Sasdy enlivens a middling script, and an early appearance from the lovely Linda Hayden (later to star in the eerie Blood on Satan's Claw) is a definite plus. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

In the fifth episode of the six-part story "The Web Planet," the Doctor (William Hartnell) is unsuccessful in his efforts to immobilize the Animus, the spider-ish parasite that controls the planet Vortis. Meanwhile, the butterfly-like Menoptra invade the planet, hoping to topple the ant-like Zarbi ruling class (who are themselves the slaves of the Vortis). To say that the Menoptra's efforts are doomed to failure would be putting it mildly. Written by Bill Strutton, "Invasion" first aired on March 13, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide