Brian Blessed Movies

As one in a series of documentary releases to systematically review the history of global warfare, event by event, this program travels back in time to the mythical Dark Ages - the period sandwiched in between the Fall of Rome and the Medieval Renaissance. It was during this era, as the program reminds us, that the coastal residents of Britain began to spot Viking longships dotting the ocean skyline - longships that brought barbaric Norse raiders to the mainland, and thus became indicators of death, destruction, misery and terror. The program travels beyond the frequently-mythologized images of these raiders to examine their approaches to battle; in so doing, it makes frequent use of maps, computerized graphics, recreations of battle scenes, and scenes of actors playing eyewitnesses, filmed against the backdrop of Lindesfarne. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

As one installment in a series of ambitious documentary release canvassing the history of global warfare, this outing hearkens back to the fateful year of 55 A.D., when legendary Roman emperor Julius Caesar set his mind and his heart on seizing control of Britain. Unsurprisingly, the Romans encountered little resistance, but their movements spelled the end of a period of prosperity for the British Isles, whose Celtic tribal inhabitants fell prey to the massive thrust and force of the Roman war apparatus. This program systematically reviews those events, making full and frequent use of pseudo-eyewitness accounts (using actors), dramatically reconstructed scenes and sophisticated CG graphics. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

This historical documentary takes a look at the series of dynastic civil wars known as the War of the Roses, which eventually determined the course of history for the British Isles, placing the Tudor family on the throne, making way for such legendary monarchs as Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide

A 16th Century Spanish sheriff presiding over a provincial city attempts to solve a gruesome series of murders in this period thriller starring Christopher Lambert. When a number of high-ranking nobles are found viciously slaughtered with large letters carved into their chests, it's up to haggard-but-honest lawman Ruy de Mendoza (Lambert) to crack the case. As he gets ever closer to the elusive killer, however, it soon becomes obvious that there is much more at stake than Mendoza originally thought, and that his relentless quest for the truth could very well cost him his life if he's not careful. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

In this holiday drama for the family, an out-of-work single mom finds herself and her family homeless when their van (which they'd been living in after she lost her job) blows up. With nowhere else to turn, the family finds a secret hiding place inside a large and luxurious department store. Compared to their previous grim circumstances, the family feels like they're living on Easy Street, but it isn't long before the store's security chief is on to them and is determined to catch them making use of the store's facilities after hours. The cast includes Brian Blessed, Peter Capaldi, and Dervla Kirwan. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this TV miniseries based on the 1749 Henry Fielding novel, kindly Squire Allworthy (Benjamin Whitrow) adopts an infant boy left at his home after unmarried Jenny Jones (Camille Coduri) is paid by the real mother to admit that the child is hers. Having lost his own children in infancy, then his wife, Allworthy pours all his love on the little chap, names him Tom after himself and Jones after his supposed mother, and raises him on his vast estate in Somersetshire in Western England. By this time, Jenny Jones has left for another part of England without disclosing the name of the real mother, Allworthy's own sister, Bridget, who lives with the squire. Meanwhile, Bridget (Tessa Peake-Jones) marries money-hungry Captain Blifil (Con O'Neill), who dies of a stroke after Bridget gives birth to a child, William. William and Tom grow up together. A nasty wretch, William (James D'Arcy) despises Tom (Max Beesley) and constantly plots against him. Although Tom is good-hearted, he has a mischievous streak. However, whenever he gets into trouble, it is usually to help others. As young men, Tom and William vie for the affections of beautiful Sophia Western (Samantha Morton), daughter of wealthy landowner Squire Western (Brian Blessed). Although she loves Tom, her father wants her to marry Allworthy's nephew, Blifil, to unite the Western and Allworthy estates. After Tom has a fling with a gamekeeper's daughter, Molly Seagrim (Rachel Scorgie), she becomes pregnant and Tom dutifully accepts responsibility for fathering the child. Later, though, he discovers that Molly has had many lovers. But it's too late. Tom's misadventures -- as well as Blifel's machinations against him -- convince Squire Allworthy to disinherit him and cast him out. Tom strikes out for the seacoast. Sophia later follows him. While encountering many adventures during his travels, Tom learns the truth about himself from a schoolteacher who had employed Jenny Jones as a servant. Eventually, Sophia goes to London, and all of the principal characters -- learning of her presence there -- also end up there. The climax reveals the ultimate fate of Tom and Sophia and the heir of the Allworthy estate. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide

Marvin J. Chomsky's sweeping historical drama, Catherine the Great, features Catherine Zeta-Jones as the title character. The film traces how the leader was able to skillfully manipulate both the societal institutions of the day as well as the powerful men who surrounded her in order to gain control over all of Russia. The cast includes such notable performers as Omar Sharif, Jeanne Moreau, and Mel Ferrer. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Filmmaker Colin Nears examines the life and career of Italian opera composer Gioacchino Rossini in this documentary that ponders, among other things, the reasons why the prolific author of such beloved comic operas as The Barber of Seville suddenly gave up writing at the age of thirty-seven. By placing the writer's career against the backdrop of historical events that were unfolding in Italy at the time and using extensive performance excerpts from both popular and lesser-known works, Nears offers a comprehensive portrait of the artist who seemed to have plenty of good years ahead when he suddenly retired. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

In this first American film to be shot entirely in Moscow, young vacationing American Archer Sloan (Frank Whaley) gets involved in the theft of a rare religious icon. The "hot-potatoed" icon lands in Sloan's possession and one of the underworld bad guys involved in the theft is murdered. Sloan becomes a suspect and is forced into fleeing the Moscow police while trying to locate the people who can vindicate him. This Glasnost-era film will probably be better remembered for its glimpse into a molting Soviet Union, than for intrigue as an actioner. Included in the cast is Polish producer Roman Polanski. ~ All Movie Guide

In this adventure for children aged five to twelve, Gerry and his family move to the Greek island of Corfu. While his family makes human friends, Gerry meets several animal companions. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide

In the seventh episode of the season-long continuity "The Trial of a Time Lord," videotaped evidence presented by the Valeyard (Michael Jayston) would seem to prove that the Doctor (Colin Baker) is not only guilty of violating the Laws of Time, but was also responsible for various acts of treachery on the planet Thoros Beta. Certainly, the evidence suggests an evil alliance between the Doctor and the infamous Sil (Nabil Shaban). Making matters worse, Peri (Nicola Bryant), the only person able to clear the Doctor of the charges against him, is nowhere to be found. Written by Philip Martin and originally telecast on October 18, 1986, "Mindwarp, Episode 3" is listed in most sources as Doctor Who: The Trial of a Time Lord, Episode 7. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Subtitled "Mindwarp," the second story arc of the 14-week Doctor Who continuity "The Trial of a Time Lord" began on October 4, 1986. In the first of the arc's four episodes, the Valeyard (Michael Jayston), still bent on condemning the Doctor (Colin Baker) for breaking the Laws of Time, offers videotaped evidence between the Doctor and the infamous Sil (Nabil Shaban) on the latter's home planet, Thoros Beta. Written by Philip Martin, "Mindwarp, Episode 1" is listed in most sources as Doctor Who: The Trial of a Time Lord, Episode 5. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Here's another spin-off adventure from the classic Treasure Island story. Volume 3 contains two episodes: "Manhunt" and "The Crow's Nest." ~ All Movie Guide