Kevin Stoney Movies

Based on the novel by Agatha Christie and set in the late 1950s, this unevenly told film starts when Dr. Arthur Calgary (Donald Sutherland) comes back to England after two years on an Antarctic expedition and discovers that the man he is searching for has been executed for murder. At the beginning of his expedition he had given a ride one night to a hitchhiker and accidentally ended up with his address book. To his horror, the hitchhiker's mother was killed on that night, and he had been the alibi that would have saved him from execution. Spurred on by his sense of shock and guilt, Calgary makes contact with the family and is put off by their disinterest in finding the real killer. It seems that the mother had many enemies among her close family members: her husband was having an affair, there was a blackmail scheme in the works, and many felt that she had already excluded them from any inheritance. Although the acting is uneven and the plot may seem predictable or contrived to non-Christie readers, the story retains interest, and Dave Brubeck's jazz score adds a special dimension to the proceedings. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

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

Vincentio (Kenneth Colley), Duke of Vienna, is a good and kindly ruler, but his leniency has allowed vice to thrive. So he decides to leave town temporarily, putting in charge his stern chief deputy, Angelo (Tim Piggott-Smith). Immediately, Angelo condemns the young nobleman, Claudio (Christopher Strauli), to death for getting his sweetheart, Juliet (Jacqueline Pearce), pregnant. Isabella (Kate Nelligan), an aspiring nun who is Claudio's sister, is disgusted by Angelo's suggestion that she "lay down the treasures" of her body to save her brother's life. Meanwhile, the Duke returns to town in the guise of a friar to see how his domain is faring in his absence. When he spies around, he learns of Claudio's imprisonment, and he overhears the dilemma that Angelo has created for Isabella. The helpful ''friar'' then suggests to Isabella that Mariana (Jacqueline Pearce), who was once betrothed to Angelo, take her place in the darkness of Angelo's bedroom. Mariana agrees, and the scheme goes according to plan. However, Angelo reneges on his promise because he fears Claudio will seek revenge if he is released, and instead he orders Claudio's immediate execution. However, Duke Vincentio, still disguised as a friar, persuades the prison warden to spare Claudio and to trick Angelo into thinking Claudio is dead. When Duke Vincentio doffs his disguise and reappears as himself, Angelo, realizing the game is up, asks to be executed to avoid a degrading trial. But Mariana, steadfast in her love for Angelo, pleads for his life. Mercy and a happy ending triumph. Claudio returns from the dead to wed Juliet. Angelo is spared and marries Mariana. The Duke then begs the hand of Isabella. He tells her, ''Dear Isabel, I have a motion much imports your good; whereto if you'll a willing ear incline, what's mine is yours and what is yours is mine.'' ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide

Blackballed by his peers, crackpot conservationist Zacardi (Vladek Sheybal) intends to get even with his highly trained birds, which swoop down and kill on his orders. Steed (Patrick MacNee), Purdey (Joanna Lumley) and Gambit (Gareth Hunt) endeavor to stop Zacardi in his plan to take over the world with his feathered friends. The climax of this episode (the top-rated installment of The New Avengers' first season) finds Purdey in perilous predicament that would even make Alfred Hitchcock nervous. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "Revenge of the Cybermen," the Doctor has learned of a plot to destroy Voga, the newest moon of the planet Jupiter. It seems that Voga is made of solid gold -- and gold is one of the few substances capable of wiping out the dreaded Cybermen. Before this story has run its course, the Doctor and his friends have made yet another quantum leap in time, way back to the 1970s. Written by Gerry Davis, "Revenge of the Cybermen, Episode 2" first aired on April 26, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Secret of Boyne Castle stars Kurt Russell as an American exchange student in Ireland. Russell and his Irish friend Patrick Dawson find themselves waist-deep in intrigue when they get involved with a defecting Iron Curtain scientist. After a wild chase through the Hibernian countryside, Russell and Dawson are trapped by enemy agents, who hope to hoodwink the boys into revealing the location of a secret message in their possession. The Secret of Boyne Castle was first shown in British theatres as the feature-length Guns in the Heather. It was then converted into a three-part installment of TV's Wonderful World of Disney, which was telecast in the US on February 9, 16, and 23 1969. A few years later, the project was rebroadcast under the title Spy Busters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the eight-part story "The Invasion," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and his companions have landed in the England of 1975, which has been all but conquered by the sinister corporation Intenational Electromatics. Investigating a bizarre conspiracy theory, the Doctor and Jamie (Frazer Hines) become the reluctant guests of all-powerful CEO Tobias Vaughan (Kevin Stoney). Originally shown on November 9, 1968, "The Invasion, Episode 2" apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the eight-part story "The Invasion," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and his friends continue to battle against the world-domination plans of evil electronics wizard Tobias Vaughn (Kevin Stoney) and the Cybermen. When Vaughn turns against the Cybermen, it appears as if at least one aspect of the crisis is over. But even this turn of events might prove to be too little, too late if the Doctor is unable to stop the detonation of the Cybermen's bomb, which is capable of wiping out all life forms on Earth. Originally shown on December 21, 1968, "The Invasion, Episode 8" apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the fifth episode of the eight-part story "The Invasion," megalomanic electronics executive Tobias Vaughn (Kevin Stoney) plots to double-cross his powerful allies, the Cybermen. Meanwhile, the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and the agents of U.N.I.T. try to prevent the Cybermen from carrying out their plans for world domination. On another front, the Doctor's companions, Jamie (Frazer Hines) and Zoe (Wendy Padbury), are trapped along with photographer Isobel Watkins (Sally Faulkner) in the London sewer system. Originally shown on November 30, 1968, "The Invasion, Episode 5" apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the seventh episode of the eight-part story "The Invasion," villainous electronics executive Tobias Vaughn (Kevin Stoney) has crippled London's computer system, leaving the city defenseless as the Cyberman prepare their final assault. Even without any computers at their disposal, the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney) hope to alert the rest of the world of London's plight. And what of the Doctor's companions, Jamie (Frazer Hines) and Zoe (Wendy Padbury)? Originally shown on December 14, 1968, "The Invasion, Episode 7" apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this episode of the cult-favorite TV series The Prisoner, Number 6 (Patrick McGoohan) appears to be developing an artistic side when he begins work on a series of sculptures for an art exhibit. What his captors do not realize is that they can be assembled into a boat, and Number 6 uses them to sail away from the Village. In time, Number Six reaches England, where he returns to the offices of the espionage organization from which he attempted to resign, only to discover he's fallen into a trap. Leo McKern plays Village leader Number Two in this episode, while Finlay Currie and Nadia Gray highlight the supporting cast. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this drama, based on an Edgar Wallace story, a thief is doing time in prison after a major heist goes awry. Meanwhile, the ringleader, wanting to know where the thief stashed the loot, conspires to spring him. Unfortunately, the thief refuses to be sprung until the mastermind abducts his girl. He then agrees, but then both are captured en route to the loot. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide