Richard Beale Movies

This full-blooded TV adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island was written, produced and directed by Frasier Heston. His father, Charlton Heston plays Long John Silver. Eschewing the cuteness of Wallace Beery and the unadulterated ham of Robert Newton, Heston plays the character as written: a cold, crafty, cunning rogue, by turns charming and deadly, but never to be underestimated. The plot adheres with utter fidelity to the Stevenson novel, beginning with innkeeper's son Jim Hawkins (Christian Bale) finding himself in possession of a treasure map from the doomed Captain Billy Bones (Oliver Reed). In the company of Dr. Livesey (Julian Glover) and Squire Trelawny (Richard Johnson), Jim ships out on the Hispaniola, in search of gold doubloons and pieces of eight. Hand-picking the crew for this mission is the ship's one-legged cook Long John Silver, who fully intends to mutiny, kill the treasure hunters, and claim the gold for himself. Featured in the cast are Clive Woods as Captain Smollett, Christopher Lee as Blind Pew, and Nicholas Amer as addled hermit Ben Gunn. Treasure Island premiered January 22, 1990, over the TNT cable network. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Alexandre Dumas fis first dramatized his own novel La Dame aux Camelias in 1852. Before the century was out, the work had been transformed by Giuseppe Verdi into the opera La Traviata; before the next century was out, the Dumas book had been made into no fewer than 25 films. The 1984 TV-movie adaptation, titled Camille like most of the others (including the first film, way back in 1907), stars Greta Schacchi as Marguerite, the popular Parisian courtesan who is wooed by innocent young Armand (Colin Firth). She is willing to give up her libertine lifestyle for Armand, but is gently convinced by the boy's father (John Gielgud) that such a union would be impossible. She renounces Armand, but he returns to her side, just as she is dying of consumption. Blanche Hanalis' adaptation of the Dumas novel takes a franker approach to the subject matter than the more familiar 1937 filmization with that other Greta (Garbo), and also manages to insert a soupcon of feminism. Filmed in Paris, the 1984 Camille was originally offered as a Hallmark Hall of Fame special. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the thrall of a telepathic power stronger than her own, Cally (Jan Chappell) sabotages the controls of the Liberator, which ends up landing on an uncharted planet. Here Cally meets the wretched bioproducts of genetic experimentation on her own planet. Blake and the others attempt to escape, but the Liberator is ensnared in the titular "Web" -- and making matters worse, the hostile Decimas are preparing to attack. This episode of Blakes 7 was originally broadcast on January 30, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the third episode of the six-part story "The Green Death," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) runs up against a stone wall of corporate resistance in trying to persuade the Global Chemical Plant from polluting the nearby Welsh countryside. Adopting a disguise, he invades the company's executive offices, where he makes a startling discovery concerning Global's "CEO." Meanwhile, Jo (Katy Manning) has concluded that even greater dangers than mere toxic waste are lurking in the shadows. First telecast on June 2, 1973, "The Green Death, Episode 3" was written by Robert Sloman. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Macra Terror," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) escapes the Macra salt mines in hopes of rescuing the earth colonists from being used as the principal component in a gaseous mixture. Things come to a head when the Doctor finally comes face to face with the Controller (Graham Leaman), who may be responsible for the dirty work perpetrated by the crablike Macra. Written by Ian Stuart Black, "The Macra Terror, Episode 4" first aired on April 1, 1967. This episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the second episode of the four-part story "The Macra Terror," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) continues to seek out the source of unrest at a seemingly idyllic earth colony on a distant planet. It turns out that the colonists are slowly being enslaved the Macra, a crablike race who plan to use the earthlings for their own diabolical purposes. Before he can find out what those purposes are, the Doctor is betrayed by a "friend" and condemned to a lifetime of hard labor in the planet's salt mines. Written by Ian Stuart Black, "The Macra Terror, Episode 2" first aired on March 18, 1967; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the third episode of the four-part story "The Ark," the Doctor (William Hartnell) has managed to isolate the source of the plague that may wipe out all remaining life forms from the devastated planet Earth. Alas, his solution may have come too late; it appears as though the "space ark" upon which the Earth survivors are being transported to the planet Refusis II has been taken over by a race of formerly servile aliens called the Monoids. Written by Paul Erickson and Lesley Scott, "The Return" originally aired on March 19, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Gunfighters," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions Steven (Peter Purves) and Dodo (Jackie Lane) may very well meet their doom as the Earps and the Clantons shoot it out at the OK Corral in Tombstone, AZ. Complicating matters is Doc Holliday (Anthony Jacobs), who hasn't yet decided which side he will take in the climactic showdown. Written by Donald Cotton, "Johnny Ringo" was originally telecast on May 21, 1966. For the record, "The Gunfighters" was the last Doctor Who adventure to contain separately titled episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the third episode of the four-part story "The Gunfighters," the plot continues to thicken in the hours just prior to the gunfight at the OK Corral. Rescued from a lynch mob, Steven (Peter Purves) faces a new threat in the form of gunslinger Johnny Ringo (Laurence Payne). The Doctor (William Hartnell) is torn between rescuing Steven and coming to the aid of the still-imperiled Dodo (Jackie Lane). Written by Donald Cotton, "Johnny Ringo" was originally telecast on May 14, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi