Robert Powell Movies
While a student at Manchester University, Robert Powell began his professional theatrical career in 1964. The best-known of Powell's hundreds of stage roles was Tristan Tzara in the long-running Travesties. In films from 1967, Powell played the title role in Ken Russell's Mahler (1974), and later essayed the lengthy cameo part of the ill-fated Captain Walker in Russell's Tommy (1975). Powell was a prolific performer on British television in the 1970s, notably as star of the popular series Doomwatch). Still, he was a relatively unknown quantity in the states, thus was billboarded as an "unknown" and "newcomer" by some when he starred as the Son of God in the expensive, internationally produced miniseries Jesus of Nazareth (1977). This Zeffirelli-directed effort was controversial enough without Powell making the smoking-fuse public statement "I hope Jesus Christ will be the last in my line of sensitive young men for quite a while." The furor eventually died down, and Powell continued playing such important film roles as reluctant-spy Hannay in the 1979 remake of 39 Steps (later spun off into a British miniseries) In 1982, Robert Powell won the Venice Film Festival "Best Actor" award for his performance in Interactive. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1977
A misguided attempt to dramatize the psychological triad formed by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (Erland Josephson), his Jewish friend Paul Rees (Robert Powell), and a Russian girl named Lou Von Salome (Dominique Sanda), this overbearing drama fails mightily. Nietzsche is portrayed as a jealous sociopath who drives Rees to suicide, and director Liliana Cavani cannot resist including a drug-hallucination ballet about Good and Evil which approaches the excesses of her controversial Il Portiere di Notte in its melodramatic sexual hysteria. Cavani's film is feverish where it should have been calculating and lurid where it should have been provocative. The result may be the first exploitation film aimed at philosophy students, and even deft supporting turns by Virna Lisi and Philippe Leroy cannot make the dialogue -- drawn hamfistedly from Nietzsche's own writings -- any less ridiculous. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dominique Sanda, Erland Josephson, (more)
The directorial debut of Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington, Antwone Fisher is an autobiographical drama written by the real-life Antwone Fisher. Played by newcomer Derek Luke, Antwone is a volatile young sailor in the Navy, getting into trouble for his constant fighting. When he gets appointed to see naval psychiatrist Dr. Jerome Davenport (Denzel Washington), he begins to reveal the emotional problems behind his rage. Through an introduction to anger management, Antwone is able to confront some secrets of his past and eventually search out his family for a confrontation. Also starring model-turned-actress Joy Bryant as Antwone's girlfriend, Cheryl, and Salli Richardson as Davenport's wife. Antwone Fisher's memoir, Finding Fish, was released to book stores right before the film's theatrical release. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Derek Luke, Joy Bryant, (more)
- 1972
Four short stories by master of macabre Robert Bloch are related by the inmates of a mental institution. In the first story, Richard Todd murders his wife and cuts her body into little pieces -- but that doesn't stop her from seeking revenge. In the second, Peter Cushing orders crooked tailor Barry Morse to weave a coat from a magic fabric in order to bring Cushing's son back from the dead (this one was previously dramatized on the TV series Thriller). The third story stars Charlotte Rampling as a schizophrenic whose "doppelganger" is manifested in the person of Britt Ekland. The final tale involves demented toymaker Herbert Lom and his army of killer robots. Robert Bloch himself adapted his original source material for the screen. Asylum was also known as House of Crazies. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Cushing, Britt Ekland, (more)
This was the third follow-up to Tim Burton's Batman (1989), the original revisionist look at the Gotham City legend, as well as the second in the Batman series directed by Joel Schumacher and the first featuring George Clooney as the Caped Crusader; it features not one but two super-villains, and a new heroine to fight crime alongside Bruce Wayne (aka Batman) and Dick Grayson (aka Robin) (Chris O'Donnell). The experiments of Dr. Victor Fries (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to preserve his late wife cryogenically have gone horribly wrong, turning him into the evil genius Mr. Freeze, who must keep his body at sub-zero temperature in order to say alive -- and he wants to put Gotham City on ice. Shy horticulturist Pamela Isley (Uma Thurman) goes a bit wild with a Venus Fly Trap-like creation she's been working on and mutates into Poison Ivy, who wants to kill all the people on Earth so plants can take over. Can Batman and Robin stop these fiends before their plans go too far? Meanwhile, Bruce and Dick's faithful butler Alfred (Michael Gough) isn't feeling well, so his niece Barbara (Alicia Silverstone) comes to pay a visit. When Barbara finds out what her uncle's employers do in their spare time, she decides she wants in on the action, and she joins the crime fighting twosome as Batgirl. Batman & Robin also features Jesse Ventura in a small role as a prison guard; it would be his last film role before becoming Governor of Minnesota in 1998. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Clooney, (more)
- 1999
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This film chronicles the decisive sea battle that ended Napoleon Bonaparte's quest to conquer England. The French were defeated by the British in the fight that took place off the southwestern coast of Spain. The French lost 20 ships; the British lost none. However, Admiral Nelson, Britain's most beloved naval hero, was killed by a French sniper when the battle ended. The film features an authentic reenactment of the battle and dramatized eyewitness accounts. 3-D graphics and imaging help to put the battle in context. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1992
In its centuries-long role as the premiere empire in the world, Britain had a long history of putting political expediency over what most would consider to be the demands of common humanity. In this wartime drama, the Wellington Regiment, composed entirely of empire subjects from New Zealand, is being used in suicide missions (along with other colonial regiments) during World War I in order to spare the lives of British soldiers. The battle this story focuses on takes place on a hill in Turkey named Chunuk Bair. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Powell, Kevin J. Wilson, (more)
In the mid-'90s, an Englishman by the name of Alan Conway (John Malkovich) conned many people into believing that he was the reclusive American director Stanley Kubrick, despite the fact that Conway was openly gay, bore no physical resemblance to Kubrick, and knew little about the director's work. Conway's story has been loosely adapted into the comedic feature Colour Me Kubrick. Anthony Frewin, who worked as Kubrick's personal assistance for many years, wrote the script, and Brian Cook, who served as Kubrick's assistant director on several films, including Barry Lyndon and Eyes Wide Shut, marks his directorial debut with the film. Colour Me Kubrick follows Conway on a number of adventures, wherein he cadges drinks, cash, sex, and more from unsuspecting victims, ranging from a heavy metal band to a wine bar owner (Richard E. Grant) to a British lounge singer (British television comic Jim Davidson making his feature-film debut), who are awestruck by his purported fame and fortune, and willing to overlook Conway's genuinely bizarre behavior in the hopes of impressing the great director. Conway's act reached its pinnacle when he temporarily pulled the wool over the eyes of then-New York Times theater critic Frank Rich (William Hootkins). Colour Me Kubrick features cameos by Ken Russell, Honor Blackman, Peter Sallis, and Marc Warren. The French production had its international premiere at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Malkovich, Jim Davidson, (more)
- 1987
During his lifetime, the noted Italian author Gabriele D'Annunzio was considered to be a genius, a daring adventurer, and a major Italian nationalist. During the Mussolini era, he was still considered to be a major figure in Italian literature, and many schoolchildren were required to study his tamer books. Several movies based on his life were made prior to this one, and they focused on his association with the Mussolini regime. Since then, his reputation has declined considerably, and this biographical drama certainly reflects his new status as a historically important but repugnant and artistically insignificant figure. In this story, the journalist-turned-author is a foolish-looking dandy who is just beginning to make his mark as a central figure in Italy's art-world. His little group would win the descriptive title of "the decadents." Here, he is shown as being the sort of man who would exploit the women he has affairs with to further his career. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Powell, Stefania Sandrelli, (more)
Harlequin is directed by Simon Wincer and tells a tale with echoes in 20th-century Russian history. Nick and Sandra Rast (David Hemmings and Carmen Duncan) have a little boy, Alex (Mark Spain), who is suffering from leukemia. Like normal parents they will do anything to help their son, especially Sandra. So when Gregory Wolfe (Robert Powell) comes along with his faith-healing techniques to treat Alex, Sandra is particularly impressed. What complicates matters is that Alex's father Nick will soon be running the government and his career depends a lot on Doc Wheelan (Broderick Crawford), his mentor. Trouble starts when Wheelan cannot abide the faith healer, causing the mysterious Wolfe to react in a most unexpected way. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Powell, Carmen Duncan, (more)
- 1974
Sister Mary is a fictional character in a popular British soap opera. When Sister Mary is killed off by the scriptwriters, a mentally unbalanced fan objects. The fan insinuates himself (or herself?) on the set of the program and begins bumping off the other actors. Jennie Linden plays the title character in this predictable thriller, while top-billed George Maharis tries to prevent further carnage. Videotaped in London, Death to Sister Mary debuted in America on May 21, 1974, as part of the late-night anthology ABC Wide World Mystery. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Based on a Solzhenitsyn book, this is the story of a Moscow official in Stalinist Russia whose future freedom depends on a technological break-through. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1985
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This performance video from Kultur is a collection of highlights from famous dance partners Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev. Clips include Le Corsaire, Les Sylphides, and Romeo and Juliet. Narrated by Robert Powell. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Powell
- 1982
Made for British television, this adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is doggedly faithful to its source. Dr. Frankenstein's synthetic monster speaks, aspires to intellectual achievements, and begins descending into insanity and murder against his will. As in the Shelley original, both Frankenstein and his creation are left to die on an Arctic ice flow, a fitting punishment for dabbling in God's domain. Robert Powell, Carrie Fisher, David Warner, and Sir John Gielgud are seen in the principal roles. Originally telecast in 1982, Frankenstein made the American cable-TV circuit two years later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
As part of the Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th Century series, this documentary examines the cases of Dr. John Bodkin and Dr. Buck Ruxton. Bodkin was charged with the murder of one of his patients after authorities became suspicious when they discovered that nearly one hundred of his deceased patients had bequeathed property to him before their deaths. Dr. Ruxton was tried and convicted for the murder and dismemberment of his wife and maid. Actor Robert Powell narrates. ~ Ed Atkinson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
As part of the Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th Century series, this video examines the cases murder cases of Butch Defeo and Graham Young. Both men were accused of murdering their families. Defeo was responsible for the "Amityville Murders", having killed six members of his family while they slept in their home. Graham Young became known as the "Teacup Poisoner", after poisoning his step-mother, father, sister and several co-workers. Actor Robert Powell narrates. ~ Ed Atkinson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
As part of the Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th Century series, this video explores the high profile assinations of Robert F. Kennedy and John Lennon. Using archival news clips and expert commentary, Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th Century: Famous Assinations attempts to show how and the reasons why Sirhan Sirhan and Mark Chapman took the lives of these revered men. Also explored are the legal proceedings that resulted in both killers being imprisoned. Actor Robert Powell narrates. ~ Ed Atkinson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
As part of the Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th Century series, this video details the troubles authorities had in proving that Judge Joseph Peel and Donald Hume commited murder. Using archival news footage and expert commentary, Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th Century: Great Forensic Cases explains how Judge Peel was convicted of murdering a fellow judge who was leading a corruption investigation against Peel, and how Hume survived two trials for murder, then after taking shelter beneath the double jeapordy clause, revealed that he had commited the crime. Actor Robert Powell narrates. ~ Ed Atkinson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
As part of the Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th Century series, this video explores the crimes and subsequent trials of Gaston Dominici and Henry Lee Lucas. Gaston Dominici, an illiterate farmer from the south of France, was charged in 1952 with the murder of famed scientist Sir Jack Drummond, his wife and daughter as they camped near Dominici's farm. Henry Lee Lucas, a habitual law breaker who spent most of his life in prison, has been called the most prolific mass murderer in American history, taking credit for over 300 murders. Actor Robert Powell narrates. ~ Ed Atkinson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Robert Powell narrates as Great Crimes & Trials of the 20th Century takes viewers inside the carnage of Malmedy and into the killing fields of Cambodia. Infamous Massacres is one in a series of riveting documentaries supported by the American Bar Association. The series brings to life 20 legendary crimes and trials that have made legal history around the world. Viewers will be fascinated by these shocking true stories told through archival reconstructions. Researched and assembled through access to worldwide picture libraries, syndicated sources, and over 250,000 hours of archive footage, this extraordinary collection contains an array of material never before seen on video. Each segment combines archival footage with new interviews and examines the individual crimes and motives, how each crime was committed, breakthroughs in investigations, and what happened at the trial. The series also includes famous assassinations, thrill killers, family killers, public enemies, and deadly doctors. ~ Scott Albright, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Examine one of the most talked about events in modern history, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Rare archival material tells the story of King's murder at the hands of James Earl Ray in 1968. The film reviews the history of the Ku Klux Klan, the racist organization founded to harass blacks following the Civil War. This video is available individually, or as part of a five-volume set exploring some of the world's most shocking crimes and trials. The set also includes: Murph the Surf and the Boston Brinks Robbery, Massacre of the Tsar and Stalin and Katyn, John Wayne Gacy and Richard Speck, and the Trial of Adolf Eichmann and Hitler and the Nuremberg Trials. ~ Sally Barber, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Part of the Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th Century ten-volume series, Public Enemies revisits "the stories that shocked the world." Supported by the American Bar Association, the series provides access to picture libraries, archive footage, and syndicated sources. Included in this installment is the case of Ma Barker, a woman shot down by the FBI in 1935 and said to have aided and masterminded the robberies and kidnappings carried out by her four outlaw sons. Later, historians and investigators wonder if the monster image of Ma Barker was more or less a cover-up for the mistakes of J. Edgar Hoover's FBI. Now, in this investigative documentary, experts ask if Ma Barker was a woman blindly devoted and protective of her sons, or a cold-blooded criminal. ~ Brooke Hodess, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Part of a series on 20th century crimes and trials that was endorsed by the American Bar Association, Questions of Doubt deals with famous trials that attracted worldwide attention and made history. Whether the defendant was found guilty or innocent, all the trials documented in this video leave some doubt as to whether the verdict was correct. The documentation is supported by excellent worldwide research, and contains archival footage from each crime, along with citations from syndicated sources and picture libraries made available by the involvement of the American Bar Association. ~ Michael McGrath, All Movie Guide
- 1996
As part of the Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th Century series, this video examines the disturbing cases of Gary Heidnek and the mysterious "Brighton Trunk Murders". Gary Heidnek was accused and convicted of kidnapping, imprisoning and torturing 7 women. Two of the imprisoned women died, and it was rumored that one of the dead was ground into meat and then fed to the remaining prisoners. Also investigated are the mysterious "Brighton Trunk Murders" where two dismembered female bodies were found stuffed in cargo trunks and left at railway stations near Brighton, England. Actor Robert Powell narrates. ~ Ed Atkinson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
As part of the Great Crimes and Trials of the 20th Century series, this video examines the crimes and subsequent trials of Leopold and Loeb and Leonard Lake and Charles Ng. Using archival news footage and expert testimony, the viewer is shown the details of how two bored and wealthy young men, Leopold and Loeb, attempted to liven up their days by planning and committing the kidnapping and murder of young Bobby Franks. Also explored is the bizarre case of Leonard Lake and Charles Ng, who were involved in a string of kidnappings, rapes and murders that left more than 25 people dead. Actor Robert Powell narrates. ~ Ed Atkinson, All Movie Guide
