Michael Aitkens Movies
- 2000
Based on the children's novel by Alan Temperly, the British miniseries Harry and the Wrinklies got underway when young Harry (Nicholas Robinson) moved in with his elderly aunts, Bridget (Mona Bruce), and Florrie (Elsie Kelly), and Dot (Toni Palmer). Imagine his surprise when he discovers that his sweet old aunties were actually the brains of a clever gang of thieves. But since it was all for a good cause (the ladies stole from the undeserving rich to give to the deserving poor), Harry elected to join the gang himself. Featuring such flawless farceurs as Victor Spinetti and George Sewell, Harry and the Wrinklies was broadcast in four 25-minute installments by ITV from May 11 to June 1, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
The setting for this morbidly amusing British sitcom was Bayview Retirement Home, a sterile senior-citizen center. Upon his arrival at Bayview, randy oldster Tom Ballard (Graham Crowden) formed a curious bond with fellow inmate Diana Trent (Stephanie Cole), a relentless griper who claimed that she was anxious to die and have done with it all. Together, Tom and Diana contrived to make life miserable for Harvey Bains (Daniel Hill), the prissy, rule-bound manager of Bayview. Also appearing from time to time were Tom's son Geoffrey (Andrew Tourell), Jeffrey's snappish wife Marion (Sandra Payne), and irritatingly cheerful senior-center worker Jane Edwards (Janine Duvitski). Despite its geriatric cast, Waiting for God managed to stay on the air for five seasons and 47 episodes, from June 28, 1990 to October 27, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
This long-running, lighthearted British adventure series starred Dennis Waterman (who also sang the program's theme song) as Thomas Gynn, a cheeky ex-convict working in a Yorkshire neighborhood as a taxi driver. Hoping to mend a few fences, Gynn hooked up with his former girlfriend, Sally Hardcastle (Jan Francis), the owner of a local boat-rental service. Somehow or other, both Thomas and Sally managed to get mixed up in danger and intrigue on a weekly basis. The same situation held true after co-star Jan Francis left the series, obliging Thomas to team up with two other lovelies, museum curator Samantha (Susan George) and professional dancer Jo (Leslie Ash). Created by Geoff McQueen, Stay Lucky was seen over Yorkshire Television from 1990 to 1993, ringing in with 24 hour-long episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Outwardly respectable Australian wife and mother Carmen Duncan harbors a secret past. A former German terrorist, Duncan is sought by both the authorities and her former associates. One of these, IRA assassin Michael Aitkens, insists that Duncan share some of the loot she's squirreled away. She escapes Aitken's clutches, with both the money and her 15-year-old daughter Annie Jones in tow. Thus do the two female leads become the "moving targets" of the title--though unlike other targets, Duncan has the will and the wherewithal to fight back, and fight back hard. This tight little Australian chase thriller, which boasts a to-die-for rock music score, was based on When We Ran, a novel by Keith Leopold. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Laura Branigan stars as Kate Lawrence in this insipid and cliche-ridden romantic comedy. Kate is a singer who longs to be taken seriously as an actress. Despite the misgivings of her agent, she flies to Melbourne to read for a part in a play. Kate gets the part but is grilled by film critic Robert Landau (Michael Aitkens) at a press conference. Hate for Robert turns to love until he writes an unflattering review of her performance in the play. When Kate lands a job in a Broadway play, she leaves Australia hoping never to see Robert again. He hops a plane to New York to surprise her after her performance, waiting backstage to announce his love for her. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laura Branigan, Michael Aitkens, (more)
- 1985
Another effort from the prolific Australian firm of Crawford Productions, this weekly comedy-drama series focused on young Tam and Steve Henderson (Nadine Garner, Paul Smith) who (briefly) lived with their peripatetic foster father Walter Mullins (Michael Aitkens) in the town of Haven Bay. As Walter sought out a lucrative business in which to invest, the kids were left to their own devices, and their own circle of friends (and enemies). During the series' third season, the title was changed to The Henderson Kids II; having spent two years traveling all over Australia, the family again settled down, this time in the harbor town of Westport. Henderson Kids debuted in 1985, while Henderson Kids II first aired in 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nadine Garner, Paul L. Smith, (more)
- 1984
The action moves along quickly, jumping over holes in the script, in this made-for-television drama about Eve (Carmen Duncan), an ex-terrorist from Germany who is forced to escape to Australia with her teenage daughter Chrissie (Annie Jones) when she is sought by Riley (Michael Aitkens), a lover from 17 years in the past. In turn, the IRA has sent two members after Riley because he shot an IRA soldier and must pay the consequences. The two IRA operatives looking for Riley come across a really nasty biker who wants vengeance on Eve for setting his car on fire -- and the three men finally track her and Chrissie to the wine-growing country of Barossa Valley. The final denouement is about to explode, as Riley also arrives on the scene. With under-par acting and a patchy plot, this film was never released theatrically. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carmen Duncan, Michael Aitkens, (more)
- 1984
- R
The Australian Highest Honor is comparatively little-known outside its country of origin, which is a shame. Set during World War II, the film details the unusual relationship between an Australian army captain and his captor, a Japanese security officer. The war has made these kindred spirits "enemies," and we, like the protagonists, are never allowed to forget the seriousness of the world conflict. Still, we are shown how even the exigencies of war cannot completely snuff out such qualities as honor and decency. John Howard plays Captain Robert Page, while Astuo Nakamura co-stars as Winoyu Tamira. Highest Honor is based on a true story. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
An Australian couple sets off on a weekend to the coast in this psychological thriller. Peter (John Hargreaves) and Marcia (Briony Behets) are at each other's throats from the moment they pull out of the driveway, as Peter sneaks his dog along for the weekend and Marcia is harboring anger about a recent tragedy the couple faced. As day turns into night and they have yet to reach their destination, Peter hits a kangaroo while falling asleep at the wheel. This sets in motion a chain of mysterious events, which starts with them leaving the beaten path and appearing to go in circles through the darkened thickets of trees -- even though they've driven straight ahead for hours. Upon eventually reaching their destination, the strange happenings continue, with animals behaving in unusual ways, and a persistent cry of anguish floating over the water, which sounds almost human. Peter and Marcia are determined to prove they can rough it, even as they start to wonder if they've gotten in over their head. They doggedly remain camped, despite mounting evidence that they don't understand the feral Australian woods as well as they think. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Hargreaves, Briony Behets, (more)
- 1976
Two veterans of Vietnam special-forces (John Hargreaves, Grant Page) have retired to the relatively painless field of stuntwork. They return to active duty, however, when the Australian government hires them to retrieve documents and destroy the fortress of a Filipino overlord. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Hargreaves, Grant Page, (more)
- 1971
This futuristic political drama stars Joe James as the Australian minister of defense. In seeking a military alliance with Asia, James is thwarted by his antiwar son Gerard Maguire. The film's "generation gap" seems to be its sole raison d'etre, and as such the story seems terribly antiquated when seen today (and difficult to follow, thanks to the actors' thick regional accents). Still, The Demonstrator was an important stepping stone in the revitalization of the long-dormant Australian film industry. Scripter Kit Denton adapted the film from an original story by Elizabeth Campbell and Don Campbell. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
