Roy Marsden Movies

This four-hour cable miniseries adaptation of H. Rider Haggard's classic adventure novel King Solomon's Mines dispenses with much of the original story in favor of a standard Indiana Jones-esque melodrama, complete with claim-jumping villains, snarling Russian soldiers, an ancient and deadly curse, and a damsel perpetually in distress. As played by Patrick Swayze, Haggard's hero, celebrated British safari hunter Allan Quartermain, is a born-again conservationist who returns to his former trade only to raise enough money to retain custody of his beloved son. Quatermaine accepts the assignment given him by toothsome Elizabeth Maitland (Alison Doody), to head into darkest Africa in order to rescue Elizabeth's father (John Standing), who had disappeared while searching for the fabled lost gold mines of King Solomon. This time around, the mines harbor another elusive treasure: the mysterious Stone of Power, which functions in much the same manner as the Ark of the Covenant the Indiana Jones pictures. Along for the ride are Quatermain's trusted friend Sir Henry (Ian Roberts), and loyal African guide Umbopa (Sideda Onylulo), who has traditionally been the story's most likeable and admirable character in all previous film and TV adaptations of the novel. The main villain, largely spun from whole cloth for the purposes of the miniseries, is Quatermain's greedy ex-partner Gavin Hood (Bruce McNabb). Debuting June 6, 2004, the two-part King Solomon's Mines posted some of the Hallmark channel's best-ever ratings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

P.D. James: Original Sin is another murder mystery featuring Scotland Yard investigator Adam Dalgliesh. A respected author summons Dalgliesh to Peverell Publishing in order to investigate a disturbing series of threatening letters that have been sent to various people who work there. When deaths start occurring among this circle of people, Dalgliesh must figure out which of them know the truth. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

When a mutilated corpse is discovered floating at sea in an abandoned dinghy, Scotland Yard commander Adam Dalgliesh (Roy Marsden) is certain that the cause of death is not natural in this elaborate whodunit that was originally seen on the acclaimed PBS series Mystery! As the murder case continues to take an ominous downward spiral, Commander Dalgliesh soon discovers that the case has a strange tie to a multi-million-dollar currency scam. With no shortage of suspects and no end to their rock-solid alibis, the difficult case soon begins to affect Commander Dalgliesh's personal life, and it's not long before he finds himself stalked by a mysterious assailant with murderous intent. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Based on the P.D. James novels, this mystery miniseries follows the investigations of Commander Adam Dalgliesh (Roy Marsden). Also starring Penny Downie and Wendy Hiller. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Roy Marsden returns as ace detective Commander Adam Dalgliesh in this made-for-TV mystery based on the novel by P.D. James. It comes as no great surprise when a notorious drug dealer is found murdered, but more than a few eyebrows are raised when his body is discovered in an exclusive London book club. Dalgliesh is brought in to investigate, and discovers the only witness is a servant who many already believe is guilty of the crime. Cover Her Face also features Rupert Frazer and Mel Martin. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Roy Marsden stars as Commander Adam Dalgliesh in this made-for-television adaptation of the novel by P.D. James. Edwin Lorrimer (Geoffrey Palmer) is a noted forensic scientist who is often called upon to testify in court proceedings as an expert witness, and when he dies as a result of foul play, Dalgliesh is called in to investigate. Lorrimer was killed inside the building where he worked, and given the tight security of his offices, initial police research assumes that someone who worked alongside Lorrimer is the most likely culprit. However, the longer Dalgliesh looks into the murder, the more he's convinced the answer lies elsewhere. Originally aired as a three-part miniseries, Death of an Expert Witness also features John Vine, Barry Foster, and Brenda Blethyn. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In exchange for providing valuable information to the government, a convict is set free. But no sooner has the prisoner set foot on the "outside" than he is mowed down by enemy gunfire. The New Avengers try to find out what he was going to tell, and why he was killed--with a tattered paperback copy of a Western novel as their only clue. Ingredients essential to the outcome of this story are a marathon cross-country chase and a deadly game of cards. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Previously adapted for British television in 1957, William Makepeace Thackeray's satirical novel Vanity Fair underwent the miniseries treatment for a second time in 1967 as the first BBC drama filmed in color. Susan Hampshire headed the cast as the vixenish Becky Sharp, a poor farm girl who rose to the upper ranks of British aristocracy during the Napoleonic wars. Alas, Becky's manipulative way with her friends and especially the men in her life eventually brought about her downfall, though she managed to "see the light" in her declining years. Originally telecast in four 50-minute segments, Vanity Fair was reedited as a five-parter when it aired in America as part of PBS Masterpiece Theatre anthology beginning October 1, 1972. This telecast earned Susan Hampshire a belated Emmy award for best actress. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide