Stewart Bevan Movies
The classic adventure novel by Sir Walter Scott, which covers the same ground as the various Robin Hood legends, becomes this impressive television production, boasting a well-heeled British cast, a robust pace, and solid production values. Wilfred of Ivanhoe (Anthony Andrews) is a young Saxon knight of 12th century England. Returning home from fighting in the Crusades alongside King Richard the Lionheart (Julian Glover), Ivanhoe finds that the nation is now under the dictatorial thumb of the king's brother, Prince John (Ronald Pickup) and the prince's thuggish Norman cohorts. He is also dismayed to learn that his longtime love, Lady Rowena (Lysette Anthony), has been betrothed to another man. Determined to restore throne and country to Richard, the courageous Ivanhoe has soon run afoul of those in power, though a few rebellious types like Robin Hood (David Robb) are on his side. Ivanhoe also finds love again, with the lovely Jewish girl Rebecca (Olivia Hussey), though she and her wise father Isaac of York (James Mason) face Norman persecution for their religious faith. Ivanhoe also finds a deadly rival in the cynically twisted knight Brian de Bois-Guilbert (Sam Neill). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Mason, Anthony Andrews, (more)
- 1980
Tarrant (Steven Pacey) is appalled to discover that his brother, Deeta (also Steven Pacey), is to fight a duel to determine the outcome of an interplanetary field. Even more disturbing is the fact that the evil Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce) has set herself up as a neutral "judge," the better to foment peace rather than war. Deeta is killed at the hands of Servalan's hand-picked opponent (actually an android), whereupon Tarrant swears to avenge his brother's death -- a vow that will result in unbearable pain amongst the citizens of both warring worlds. "Death-Watch" was originally telecast on March 24, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Keating, Paul Darrow, (more)
England's Tigon studios produced fairly sophisticated period horror films in the 1970s, including this drawing-room horror-mystery directed by Hammer stalwart Freddie Francis. Peter Cushing stars as a former priest who harbors a dark and horrible secret in his attic. The locked room serves as a prison cell for his crazed, cannibalistic adult son, who acquired his savage tastes in India during his father's missionary work there. Cushing fears that his son will escape to prey upon the effete guests at his rural English estate during a cross-country auto race... though there may be more to fear from one of his guests than from his monstrous son. Far too stuffy to generate any real suspense until the violent, blood-soaked climax, this is definitely one of Tigon's lesser efforts, benefiting mainly from the presence of Cushing and John Hurt as an unbalanced young gardener. Not to be confused with the 1933 horror classic of the same name. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Cushing, John Hurt, (more)
This offbeat John Wayne vehicle casts the Duke as Detective Jim Brannigan, an Irish-American detective at large in London. After the requisite culture-clash routines, it's down to business as Brannigan teams with Scotland Yard official Commander Swann (Richard Attenborough) to corral a crook who has absconded to England to avoid extradition. Judy Geeson co-stars as Jennifer Thatcher, a cute lady constable who spends most over her time fending off Brannigan's inbred chauvinism. Brannigan was co-written by Christopher Trumbo, the son of former blacklistee Dalton Trumbo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Wayne, Richard Attenborough, (more)
- 1973
In the conclusion of the six-part story "The Green Death," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) continues his efforts to fend off an invasion by a pollution-generated species of huge, radioactive maggots. Salvation comes unexpectedly, as the fungus discovered by the Doctor's companion Jo Grant proves to be a most effective maggot deterrent. But there's still a plot twist or two before the final fadeout. This episode represented the series farewell of Katy Manning (Jo Grant, who left Doctor Who to marry actor Stewart Beven, here cast as Jo's latest heartthrob, ecologist Prof. Clifford Jones). Written by Robert Sloman, "The Green Death, Episode 6" originally aired on June 23, 1973, bringing the tenth season of Doctor Who to a rousing conclusion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1973
In the fourth episode of the six-part story "The Green Death," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) has learned that the environment-unfriendly Global Chemical Planet is controlled by a huge computer named BOSS. Intending to take over the world, BOSS has linked itself with every other computer in existence. Aiding and abetting the electronic villain's scheme is a deadly new species of huge, infectious maggots, the spawn of Global's toxic waste. First telecast on June 9, 1973, "The Green Death, Episode 4" was written by Robert Sloman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1973
In the fifth episode of the six-part story "The Green Death," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) must prevent the takeover of the world by the malevolent super-computer BOSS. He manages to break the computer's hypnotic hold on Stevens (Jerome Willis), the head of the eco-unfriendly Globe Chemical Plant. But how will the Good Guys be able to prevent an invasion of giant, infectious maggots? First telecast on June 16, 1973, "The Green Death, Episode 5" was written by Robert Sloman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1973
In the second episode of the six-part story "The Green Death," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee), Jo (Katy Manning), and the UNIT members investigate several mysterious deaths near the new Global Chemical Plant in Llanfairfach, Wales. Sensing that the deaths are linked to pollution, the Doctor joins local ecologist Prof. Clifford Jones (Stewart Bevan) in trying to persuade Global to clean up its act, so to speak. Meanwhile, Jo discovers a strange new form of fungus, a comparatively benign discovery in light of the horrors to come. First telecast on May 26, 1973, "The Green Death, Episode 2" was written by Robert Sloman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1973
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
- 1973
The six-episode Doctor Who adventure "The Green Death" is set in Wales in the near future. After paying a visit to Metebelis 3, the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Jo (Katy Manning) arrive in the Welsh village of Llanfairfach to investigate several mysterious deaths near the Global Chemical Plant. It is suspected that the deaths have been caused by chemical pollution of the local coal mines -- but no one yet knows the horrible extent of that pollution, nor its devastating long-range consequences. First telecast on May 19, 1973, "The Green Death, Episode 1" was written by Robert Sloman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning, (more)
Roger Corman's New World Pictures took a stab at the tale of the nefarious real-life graverobbers -- and filled it with the studio's usual quota of nudity, softcore sex and tacky humor. The result is pretty much as one would expect -- nothing to rival the excellent Flesh and the Fiends, or even Tod Slaughter's campy The Greed of William Hart. Harry Andrews plays the unscrupulous Dr. Knox, who enlists the aid of grave-plundering dirtbags Derren Nesbitt and Glynn Edwards in obtaining fresh cadavers for the medical academy. When the demand increases and local cemeteries begin to run dry, the industrious pair turn to the living to keep the doctor supplied. This time out, Burke and Hare are particularly randy fellows, who spend more time carousing in Edinburgh whorehouses than stalking their prey. Despite the macabre subject matter, the producers opted for sexploitation over gruesome horror, but the end result is decidedly dull. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
Sidney Poitier, who in 1955 played a student in a tough inner-city high school, portrays a teacher assigned to a similar institution in To Sir, With Love. Unable to find work as an engineer, Poitier accepts a teaching post in London's East End slums. To reach his sullen, rebellious students, Poitier throws away his textbooks and endeavors to reach them as human beings--and as the adults they're going to become. It's an uphill climb, but gradually the students are won over. They begin referring to Poitier as "Sir," not out of blind obedience but as a gesture of genuine affection. Not that there aren't obstacles to overcome: in addition to trying to get through to hardcase student Christian Roberts, Poitier must face down the resistance and hostility of his fellow teachers. The sweetly sentimental finale amply displays the vocal talents of Lulu, who trills the title song. Based on the novel by E. R. Brainwaite, To Sir, With Love was one of the biggest moneyspinners of 1967 (with this film, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and In the Heat of the Night, Sidney Poitier had quite a year). In 1996, a belated made-for-TV sequel was produced, briefly reuniting To Sir with Love co-stars Sidney Poiter, Lulu and Judy Geason, none of whom looked a day older. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sidney Poitier, Christian Roberts, (more)
