Stratford Johns Movies

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

Produced for British television, this multipart adaptation of Dickens' Great Expectations stars Anthony Hopkins as the mysterious convict Magwich, who secretly finances the education and entree into society of young Pip. With 6 hours at its disposal, this version is able to cover the length and breadth of the Dickens original, without resorting to the heavy cutting and telescoping inherent in previous film versions. The most piquant bit of casting in the 1989 Great Expectations is that of Jean Simmons. In the 1946 film version, Ms. Simmons played the fickle Estrella as a child. Here, she essays the meatier role of the reclusive, half-balmy Miss Havisham, she of the rotting wedding cake. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Ken Russell's Lair of the White Worm uses Dracula author Bram Stoker's final novel as the basic springboard into a surreal and dark-humored tale concerning a bizarre cult and a series of sacrificial murders in honor of an ancient pagan god. When archeologist Angus Flint (Peter Capaladi) discovers the mysterious scull of an undiscovered beast, further investigation reveals a bizarre myth concerning a medieval knight slaying a fearsome dragon. Soon making the acquaintance of Lord James D'Ampton (Hugh Grant), the conquering knight's descendant, Flint begins to learn of local lore surrounding the creature and soon discovers that, throughout the years, many unexplained disappearances have haunted the local populace. With all trails leading back to the elegant mansion of mysterious recluse Lady Sylvia Marsh (Amanda Donohoe), Lord D'Ampton makes Marsh's acquaintance amidst growing speculation that the strangely seductive siren may have something to do with a rash of recent disappearances. As Flint and D'Ampton's stories begin to strangely intersect, a surreal and horrific journey into the lair of an ancient god may hold they key to an age-old mystery. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

In this comedy, Julie Walters and Ian Charleson play a married couple, Jacqueline and Gerald, who somehow endure a fractious relationship that would have sent others running to divorce court in a second. One point of contention is Gerald's new Jaguar, a car he would take over Jacqueline any day. When she is trapped inside the new car with an amorous salesman in a compromising clinch, the police have to cut up the Jag in order to get them out. From that point onward, Gerald has murderous designs on his wife, and the comedy thins out even more. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Laurence Olivier trots out his late-career German accent once again, playing Rudolf Hess in this sequel to Wild Geese. Richard Burton was set to star in the film, but when he died, Edward Fox was brought in as a replacement, playing Burton's younger brother. (the film is dedicated to Burton). The story concerns John Haddad (Scott Glenn), who is hired by a television company to engineer the kidnapping of Rudolf Hess from Spandau prison. Helping him with his assignment are the brother and sister team of Kathy (Barbara Carrera) and Michael Lukas (John Terry). The mercenaries hopes to force Hess to divulge hidden Nazis secrets left unrevealed since World War II. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Another of the many Sidney Sheldon novels given the TV-miniseries treatment in the 1970s and '80s, Master of the Game yielded a three-part, nine-hour extravaganza, with enough corporate and romantic intrigue to fill an entire television season. Covering nearly 100 years, the story (which remained astonishingly faithful to the book) begins in the late 19th century, when ruthless young Scottish entrepreneur Jamie McGregor (Ian Charleson) emigrates to South Africa, in hopes of accumulating enough wealth and power to get even with his longtime enemy, Dutch merchant Van der Merwe (Donald Pleasence). Thanks to an extremely prolific diamond mine, the money comes quickly -- as does vengeance, when McGregor deflowers Van der Merwe's convent-educated daughter, Margaret (Cherie Lunghi). The result of this indiscretion is a daughter named Kate (Dyan Cannon), who turns out to be the "Master" of the title. Upon attaining adulthood, Kate assumes control of her father's vast financial empire, ruling her inherited international conglomerate, and her husband, David Blackwell (David Birney), with an iron fist. The story continues into the next several generations, with Kate's lily-livered son, Tony (Harry Hamlin), giving birth to twin daughters, Eve and Alexandra (both played by Liane Langland). One is good, the other evil; the evil twin threatens threaten to destroy everything that Kate has so painstakingly built up. Eventually, they both become the victims of a sneering, malevolent gigolo (Fernando Allende) with a penchant for beating young women senseless. Told in flashback, the narrative comes to a head during Kate's 90th birthday celebration, an event tainted by the efforts of a mysterious killer to wipe the domineering matriarch and her family from the face of the earth. Largely filmed on location, Master of the Game was telecast by CBS from February 19 to 22, 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "Four to Doomsday," the Doctor (Peter Davison) is still imprisoned on an Urbankan space vessel, still at the mercy of two frog-like aliens who hope to conquer the world. Hoping to prevent this catastrophe, the Doctor enlists the aid of four earthling passengers, each from a different race and time period. Unfortunately, this foursome is not quite what they appear to be. First telecast January 25, 1982, "Four to Doomsday, Episode 3" was written by Terence Dudley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Doctor (Peter Davison) and his companions materialize on a huge Urbankan space vessel. They soon learn that their frog-like "hosts" intend to attack and plunder the earth -- but at first, the Doctor does not know how this is going to be accomplished. Beginning its four-episode run on January 18 1982, "Four to Doomsday" was the first adventure to feature Peter Davison as the fifth Doctor, but was telecast second, after the season-opening "Castrovalva." It was written by Terence Dudley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Saint and the Brave Goose was culled from the revived Saint TV series of the late 1970s. Ian Ogilvy takes over from Roger Moore in the role of international adventurer Simon Templar, aka "The Saint." In this one, Templar comes to the aid of an imperiled young widow, played by Gale Hunnicutt. Stratford Johns is also in the cast, but you'll have to see for yourself which side he's on. Released theatrically in US, The Saint and the Brave Goose found its true home on the Late, Late Show. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Dickens' oft-filmed novel Great Expectations has been adapted several times for British television. This version was offered as a two-parter in 1980, then distributed to the U.S. in 1981. Gerry Sundquist stars as Pip, a young boy of humble means whose subsequent career in London is subsidized by a mysterious benefactor. Joan Hickson co-stars as the formidable Miss Havisham, who may be Pip's mysterious sponsor, while Stratford Johns also appears in a pivotal role. Running 300 minutes, Great Expectations is currently available as a 2-cassette videotape set. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

George and Mildred originated as a spin-off of the popular British sitcom Man About the House. Thus, the feature-length version of George and Mildred can be labelled a spin-off of a spin-off. Brian Murphy plays George, landlord of an apartment building chock-full of lechers and satyrs. Yootha Joyce (who died shortly before the release of this film) plays Mildred, George's sexless, humorless spouse. We must have a plot, so George finds himself mistaken for a notorious assassin. The American equivalent of George and Mildred was The Ropers....a spin-off of Three's Company....which was the American equivalent of Man About the House. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

John Cleese co-wrote and stars in this satiric comedy as the less-than-spectacular progeny of the world's greatest detective. A mysterious super-villain announces across the globe that the world will come to an end in five days unless their demands are met. Research reveals that the fiend in question is descended from the infamous evil-doer Dr. Moriarty, so Scotland Yard takes the logical approach and contacts Arthur Sherlock Holmes (John Cleese), the grandson of the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes who ferreted out Moriarty so many times in the past. However, Arthur soon reveals himself to be dim-witted, inept, and not in especially good control of his drug habit, while his sidekick William Watson (Arthur Lowe) is even more pathetic, despite his dependence on his electronically altered testicles. Realizing he needs help, Arthur calls upon the world's best known detectives to come to his aid, though by bringing them all to one place, he's also created an irresistible target for the young Moriarty. The Strange Case Of The End Of Civilization As We Know It also features guest appearances by Denholm Elliott, Ron Moody, Connie Booth, and Bert Kwouk. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide