Peter Childs Movies

In the conclusion of the Doctor Who adventure "The Mark of the Rani," the title character, a despotic exiled Time Lady (played by Kate O'Mara), has materialized in 19th century England, where she is systematically draining the intelligences of the men behind the Industrial Revolution. In attempting to thwart the Rani, the Doctor (Colin Baker) must also contend with his old enemy the Master (Anthony Ainley), who is pursuing an agenda which could (as usual) spell the end of Civilization As We Know It. Written by Pip and Jane Baker, and largely filmed at Blists Hill, an open-air museum in Britain's Ironbridge Gorge, "The Mark of the Rani" was originally shown in two parts, the second of which aired on February 9, 1985; for American television, the two 45-minute episodes were subdivided into four 22-minute chapters. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The seven-hour TV miniseries Ellis Island was adapted from a novel by Fred Mustard Stewart. Per its title, the film is a mosaic of subplots involving several European immigrants who passed through New York's Ellis Island before taking up residence in the Big Apple. Most of the characters are based on real people, notably the Irving Berlin-like musician played by Peter Riegert. Co-stars Faye Dunaway, Richard Burton (in his last film role) and Ann Jillian were honored with Emmy nominations. Ironically, this essentially American saga was largely filmed in London. Originally telecast November 11, 13, and 14, 1984, Ellis Island was re-edited and re-telecast in the summer of 1986, just in time for the Statue of Liberty Centennial. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Blake (Gareth Thomas) and his fellow escapees pilot the Liberator to the prison planet Cygnus Alpha. Here he frees several convicts who agree to join Blake in his ongoing battle against the Federation. Unfortunately, several of these new insurgents fall ill to a deadly virus. The only serum capable of curing the fallen warriors is possessed by religious fanatic Vargas (Brian Blessed) -- and he is none too sympathetic to Blake's noble cause. "Cygnus Alpha" was originally telecast on January 16, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

One man's dreams of success take him on a Byzantine journey through the various stations of the British class system in this politically charged black comedy from director Lindsay Anderson. Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell) is an ambitious young man who is looking to get his foot on the first rung of the ladder of success by landing a job as a salesman. After the death of Imperial Coffee's leading drummer in the North, Travis' charm and enthusiasm so impresses manager Mr. Duff (Arthur Lowe) that he's given the job, and after some coaching from Gloria Rowe (Rachel Roberts), Travis sets out to find his fortune in the coffee trade. Travis' desire for success quickly sets him on a curious odyssey in which he happens upon a secret sex club for businessmen, finds himself the subject of random seductions by lonely women, is captured and tortured by military intelligence agents, submits to medical experiments at a bizarre private clinic, hitches a ride with a traveling rock band led by former Animals keyboardist Alan Price, falls in love with a beautiful young bohemian named Patricia (Helen Mirren), goes to work for her father (Ralph Richardson), who happens to be a singularly corrupt political figure, and eventually lands in prison after he's implicated in a deal to sell chemical weapons to the Third World. As Mick's strange tale progresses, we periodically visit Price and his band in the recording studio or rehearsal hall, as they work on songs which serve as both mirror and counterpoint for Travis' progress. O Lucky Man! was the second film in which Malcolm McDowell would portray Mick Travis for director Lindsay Anderson, following If..., and preceding Britannia Hospital; the film's surreal undercurrent was reinforced by the casting, in which nearly all of the principal actors play two or three roles. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi