Mark McManus Movies
Scottish actor Mark McManus is perhaps best remembered for playing the craggy title character, Glasgow police detective Taggert in a gritty television show that ran from the mid-'80s through the early '90s as a sequence of periodic three-part miniseries. Sold to over 40 countries, episodes were sometimes bundled and edited down into feature-length movies such as Cold Blood (1987). In the early '70s, McManus starred as a coal miner in the series Sam. McManus became an actor after moving to Australia in the 1960s. He gained experience in touring productions and made his feature film debut in 2000 Weeks (1969). In 1970, he starred opposite Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger in Ned Kelly. The following year, he returned to the U.K. and joined the Royal Court Theatre and the National Theatre. McManus first played the role of Taggart in Killer (1983). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1987
- R
A maverick Big Apple cop sets off on a deadly pursuit of his two murderous brothers after they bomb a series of banks. He must hurry, for they are threatening to explode more banks if they aren't paid a fortune in ransom. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Fairbairn, Kerrie Keane, (more)
- 1986
This production of the Bard of Avalon's famous stage comedy is based on a successful Australian stage production from the mid-1980s. It is a story of love, shipwreck, disguises and mistaken identities, and relies for much of its wit (and believability) on the willing suspension of disbelief. This is, by all accounts, much more easily achieved in the live theater than on film, which is such an intensely visual and "realistic" medium. Thus, the mistaken identify of the twins Viola and Sebastian, the crux of the plot, becomes somewhat difficult to credit when the role is played by the impeccably feminine Gillian Jones -- despite which, Ms. Jones won great praise from the critics for her acting. Aside from that small complaint, this is a spirited and lively production which is set in a present-day never-never land, performed by some of the keenest thespians on any side of the globe. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gillian Jones, Jacqy Phillips, (more)
- 1970
Also known as Return of the Boomerang, Adam's Woman is set in the rough-and-tumble Australia of the 1840s. Beau Bridges plays Adam, convicted of a crime he didn't commit and shipped off to the penal colony "Down Under". Enduring brutal treatment, he escapes, only to be captured again. Thanks to the intervention of a reform-minded warden John Mills, Adam is offered a fresh start in life. An unexpectedly vicious climax finds Adam and his new wife (Jane Merrow) fending off a group of scurrilous ex-prisoners headed by Adam's onetime cellmate (James Booth). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Beau Bridges, Jane Merrow, (more)
Ned Kelly (Mick Jagger) is the legendary outlaw of the Australian outback sought by authorities for stealing horses. At age 20, Ned has already served a three-year prison term at hard labor. When Ned's mother (Clarissa Kaye) is arrested and jailed on a bogus murder charge, Ned offers to surrender in exchange for his mother's freedom. When the authorities refuse, the Kelly brothers go on a robbing rampage. Cornered by the law in a saloon, Ned's brothers commit suicide rather than be taken alive. Shel Silverstein wrote the music performed by Waylon Jennings, Jagger and Glen Tomasetti. Australian folk songs are also included in this story taken from a popular 19th-century ballad. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Allan, Claire Balmford, (more)
- 1969
Australian Mark McManus thinks that his relationship with girlfriend Jeannie Drynan is fairly solid. Indeed it is-until mutual friend David Turnbull spills the beans to McManus' wife Eileen Chapman. The resulting emotional turmoil makes McManus realize that he's more in love with Drynan than ever. As for Turnbull, he gets beaten up for his troubles. Director Tim Burstall cowrote the verbose screenplay of 2000 Weeks with the film's producer, Patrick Ryan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark McManus, Jeanie Drynan, (more)
