Donald Sumpter Movies

In the fifth episode of the six-part story "The Wheel in Space," the battle between the Cybermen and the Earthlings continues to rage on the Space Wheel defense station. Just when it seems as if things cannot get much worse, the Wheel is bombarded by a meteor storm. Scripted by David Whitaker from a story by Kit Parker, "The Wheel in Space, Part 5" first aired on May 25, 1968; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the six-part story "The Wheel in Space," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) tries to help the crew of the Space Wheel defense station fend off attacks from the Cybermen, while Jamie (Frazer Hines) and Zoe (Wendy Padbury) embark upon a dangerous mission to retrieve an important TARDIS component. Things take a disastrous turn when the Cybermats, the well-armed advance guard of the Cybermen, arrive on the deck of the Wheel. Scripted by David Whitaker from a story by Kit Parker, "The Wheel in Space, Part 3" first aired on May 11, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Scripted by David Whitaker from a story by Kit Parker, the six-episode Doctor Who adventure "The Wheel in Space" begins with the TARDIS materializing inside a drifting rocket called the Silver Carrier. The Doctor (Patrick Troughton) quickly determines that the derelict rocket is within the orbit of a huge wheel-shaped space station. But this information does him little good when he and Jamie (Frazer Hines) are attacked by mysterious assailants. "The Wheel in Space, Episode 1" first aired on April 27, 1968; apparently, this episode no longer exists, except for a brief flash shot of the Space Wheel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A serial killer is keeping Chief Inspector Rowan (Gilbert Wynne) busy late at night, much to the frustration of his young wife, Jenny (Linda Marlowe). After being picked at random in a police lineup, self-styled lothario Pete Laver (Donald Sumpter) is arrogant and disdainful to Rowan, and he even makes crude remarks about Jenny when she stops by her husband's office. Pete is released for lack of evidence, and that evening, Jenny is slashed to death by the killer while showering. Choked with rage, Rowan shadows Pete relentlessly, hounding him night and day until he can catch him in a mistake. The maniac strikes again, murdering a prostitute, and Pete is stuck without an alibi, so it appears that the crime has been solved. Judge Lomax (Jack May), long known to be tough on crime and social decay, presides over the case, but in the preceding weeks, his wife and colleagues have noticed a change in his behavior. His temper is short, his demeanor is cold, and he sometimes appears disoriented. Soon it becomes apparent that the judge has been the culprit all along, donning a black leather suit and an ill-fitting wig to commit his crimes. Stoked on pornography and willing to resort to transvestism to elude capture, the judge falls completely under the spell of his dementia and is confronted by the police on the waterfront, pleading for help and waving a pistol. Also available under the titles He Kills Night After Night After Night, Night After Night, and Night Slasher. ~ Fred Beldin, All Movie Guide

Based on a novel by Winston Graham, The Walking Stick stars Samantha Eggar as Deborah, a polio-stricken woman courted by charming artist Leigh Hartley (David Hemmings). She moves in with Leigh, who immediately suggests that she help him rob the antique store where she works. Her common sense clouded by love, Deborah agrees. She is laboring under the misapprehension that Leigh will use the stolen loot to open up their own antique shop. He of course has no such intention, having orchestrated the whole romance for his own greedy gain. Both Samantha Eggar and David Hemmings are too talented for the sluggish goings-on in The Walking Stick, but actors do have to eat once in a while. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Mike Leigh began his career as one of Britain's most interesting directors with this realistic drama about a woman looking for respite from an unsatisfying life. Sylvia (Anne Raitt) is a slightly overweight woman who works as a secretary and hasn't had much luck in romance. She shares her home with her retarded sister, whom she looks after, and has been dating Peter (Eric Allen), a schoolteacher whom she hopes will ask her to marry him. However, one evening they have a date that doesn't go especially well, and Sylvia discovers that Peter is impotent; he breaks up with her shortly afterward. The only other interesting relationship in her life is with Norman (Mike Bradwell), a hippie who rents out Sylvia's garage as a workspace for his underground newspaper and plays songs on his guitar for her sister. Bleak Moments was adapted from a play written by Leigh; as is his habit, the story was created in collaboration with the actors who originated the roles. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the six-part story "The Sea Devils," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Jo (Katy Manning) have been called in to investigate the disappearances of several military vessels on the high seas. It isn't long before both of the time travelers are attacked by the Sea Devils, a race of bipedal earth reptiles who have been summoned from the depths by the Master (Roger Delgado) in his latest bid to destroy the human race. Much of this episode was filmed on location, with full cooperation from the Royal Navy. Originally shown on March 11, 1972, "The Sea Devils, Episode 3" was written by Malcolm Hulke. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Peter Brook, one of the pioneers of the experimental theatre movement of the 1950s and 1960s, was the director of Meetings with Remarkable Men. Brook tells the story of Asian mystic G. I. Gurdijeff, here played by Dragan Maksimovic. Gurdijeff devotes his entire existence, from youth to old age, in quest of the meaning of life. He eventually develops a form of meditation incorporating modern dance. Terence Stamp, who in Meetings with Remarkable Men plays Prince Lubovedsky, himself briefly retreated from his career after this picture, in favor of Eastern meditation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Tom (Donald Sumpter), a computer technician who is beginning to wonder about the meaning of life, especially his life, is caught between the dictates of a mechanical robot-maid and the drudgery of his regimented, bureaucratic existence. Is there no way out of this kind of entrapment? Tom considers his limited options, as the mechanical clock ticks out mechanical time into an increasingly mechanical future. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Donald Sumpter stars in this heavy-breathing British TV drama as Frank, a millionaire rock promoter. Saddled with a miserable domestic life, Frank enters into a torrid affair with the wife of a vicar. Jeremy Clyde, formerly of the rock group Chad and Jeremy, plays a key supporting role. Aimee was telecast by the BBC in 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Richard Loncraine takes Shakespeare's classic tale of treachery, Richard III, and transplants it to the 1930s. Ian McKellen is Richard who, as the film opens, begins plotting against his brother Edward, who has just ascended to the throne after a bloody civil war. Richard begins by seducing and wedding Lady Anne (Kristin Scott Thomas), whom he made a widow during the war. With the help of some loyal henchmen, Richard succeeds in murdering his older brother Clarence (Nigel Hawthorne), which so upsets Edward that he dies. Eventually, the crown falls to the young Prince of Wales (Marc Williamson). Richard is assigned to be the young king's protector, but instead, he has the boy and his brother jailed in the Tower of London. Richard seizes control over the country, but his ruthless quest for power eventually makes him powerful enemies, led by Henry Richman (Dominic West), who attempt to stop him. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide