Colin Jeavons Movies

Based on the 1978 novel by Julian Symons, the two-part, four-hour British miniseries The Blackheath Poisonings was set during the Victorian era. When the head of a prominent household is poisoned, virtually everyone within a 50 mile radius falls under suspicion. As the plot thickens, more suspicious deaths occur, the final one proving to be a means of "escape" for the guilty party. Deftly exploring the sinister underpinnings of 19th century British gentility, The Blackheath Poisonings was broadcast by Central Television on December 7 and 9, 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

During a train ride, an anxiety attack leads middle-aged illustrator John into an identity crisis. As his marital problems merge and blur into his fantasy life with prostitutes and call girls, a long-dormant secret friend of his childhood surfaces in his delusions. Potter viewed John as "a victim of what he himself has created, a sexual fantasy that gets out of control. Fantasy should be one of the registered sexually transmitted diseases which in John's case, it is." Loosely based on British author and film director Dennis Potter's 1986 novel "Ticket to Ride", Secret Friends follows the life of John (Alan Bates), a middle-aged wildflower illustrator in the throes of an identity crisis. John, while on a train bound for London, tries to distinguish between illusion and reality, unsure of whether or not he actually murdered his wife Helen (Gina Bellman), or if that too was part of his many delusions. John (Bates), after a recent onslaught of marital strife, had delved into his own mind, creating an elaborate fantasy life filled with prostitutes and a menacing imaginary friend left over from childhood. Secret Friends also features performances from Frances Barber, Tony Doyle, and Joanna David. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide

The rise of teen culture in 1950s Britain provides the backdrop for Julien Temple's unconventional rock musical Absolute Beginners. The film centers on Colin, an 18-year-old with a talent for photography and a fondness for the neon nightlife of British jazz clubs. He also is in love with Crepe Suzette, an impulsive, ambitious young beauty who abandons him after attracting the attention of a powerful fashion designer. Depressed and aimless, Colin turns for help to a flashy ad executive (David Bowie) who promises to make him a star photographer. The former lovers take parallel paths to success, capitalizing on the youth mania gripping the nation. The film's nostalgic yet gently satirical look at teen culture is tempered by a recognition of the era's social tension, particularly a disturbing rise in racism. Despite these serious undertones, however, the film tells its story with a colorful vibrancy reminiscent of both MTV and old Hollywood musicals, filled with such show-stopping numbers as a memorable sequence in which Bowie dances on a giant typewriter. Critical reception was mixed, with some hailing the film's spectacular cinematography and ambitious scope, while others found the mixture of tones and style too inconsistent. The film also drew lukewarm response at the box office, with the memorable soundtrack receiving more attention than the film itself. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

In "The Norwood Builder," an episode of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (an excellent adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and produced in Britain for Granada), Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) reprises his excellent portrayal of the famed detective aided by his companion Dr. Watson (David Burke). In this episode, Holmes aids John Hector McFarland (Matthew Solon) who is accused of the murder of rich, eccentric Jonas Oldacre (Jonathan Adams) and helps him clear his name. This historically accurate series recreates the adventures of Conan Doyle's Victorian detective with impeccable faithfulness to the original story, sometimes to the extent of recreating the illustrations which accompanied the original story publication in Strand magazine during the late 19th century. Thirteen of the Holmes short stories were adapted in this series, which was followed by the sequels The Return of Sherlock Holmes and The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, as well as several feature-length TV movie adaptations. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide

The Island, a turgid action drama directed by Michael Ritchie, revolves around the adventures of Maynard (Michael Caine), a newspaper reporter who tries to solve the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. Maynard, and his son crash-land on a remote island ruled by a gang of pirates who kill anyone who intrudes there. From beginning to end, The Island is slow, uninvolving and very bloody. The terrible script by Peter Benchley, who also wrote Jaws, is jagged and the dialogue is cliched. The film was an economic disaster and is only of interest because of a good score by Ennio Morricone. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide

Frightmare director Pete Walker follows-up his 1976 shocker The Confessional with this grim tale of a beautiful figure skater who falls victim to a murderous stalker. Samantha Gray was just a young girl when her mother was murdered right before her eyes. Years later, Samantha (Lynne Frederick) has grown into a talented skating star. Samantha is engaged to the man of her dreams, but when their wedding announcement draws the attention of an obsessed fan her joy quickly fades to horror. Now Samantha can't leave the house without feeling like she's being followed. When her friends begin to fall prey to a mysterious killer, Samantha becomes convinced that the stalker is someone she knows and trusts. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Not to be confused with the 1966 Diabolique rip-off Games, 1970's The Games is set during the Rome Olympics. The film zeroes in on four contestants in the 26-mile marathon race: Briton Michael Crawford, American Ryan O'Neal, Czech Charles Aznavour and Australian Athol Compton. Scenes of the grueling training sessions are placed in context with the personal dramas of the four men. Crawford is being driven to the breaking point by trainer Stanley Baker, O'Neal is suffering from a dangerous heart condition, Aznavour is past forty but obliged to compete by his government, and Compton is an Aborigine fighting a lifelong battle against prejudice. Eric Segal, himself an avid runner adapted the screenplay of The Games from the novel by Hugh Atkinson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Created by Alison Prince, the British "storybook" children's series Joe was set in a truckling café. The establishment's owner was the father of the title character, an extremely mischievous youngster. The biggest laughs were generated whenever Joe went on a destructive rampage, to the delight of the kiddies and the horror of those adults who happened to tune in. Actress Joan Hickson was responsible for the series' colorful still-picture illustrations, while Colin Jeavons provided narration. Joe debuted in 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Underwater Menace," the mad Professor Zaroff (Joseph Furst) launches his scheme to empty the oceans and split the world right down the middle. With the help of a fishlike tribe, the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and his companions stage a counteroffensive, but time is quickly running out for mankind. Written by Geoffrey Orme, Doctor Who: The Underwater Menace, Episode 4 was first telecast on February 4, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "The Underwater Menace," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) learns that Professor Zaroff (Joseph Furst) intends to empty the oceans and split the world in twain. On a more positive note, the Doctor's companions, Ben (Michael Craze) and Jamie (Frazer Hines), make some friends in their new underwater surroundings. Written by Geoffrey Orme, Doctor Who: The Underwater Menace, Episode 2 was first telecast on January 21, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A series of elaborate practical jokes result in humilation for a number of top British and Iron Curtain officials. When one of the jokes turns deadly, Steed and Emma are called upon to investigate. It turns out that the cause of all the trouble is an exclusive organization known as the Hellfire Club, obliging Steed to join up while Emma provides support from the sidelines. Written by Brian Clemens, "A Touch of Brimstone" was originally telecast in England on February 9, 1966. The episode was never shown on American network television, due in great part to the very provocative outfits worn by Emma Peel when she poses as "The Queen of Sin." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this detective film, a Chinese detective breaks up a drug smuggling ring and tries to find the "Daffodil Killer." The drug smugglers had devised the ingenious method of smuggling heroin from Hong Kong in the stems of daffodils. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide