Michael York Movies
Frequently portraying dashing heroes or upper-crust socialites, British actor Michael York appropriately got his start in the theater. He graduated from Oxford University and toured with the National Youth Theatre before his meeting with director Franco Zeffirelli for the 1965 staging of Much Ado About Nothing. Taking him into the world of feature films, Zeffirelli cast the young actor in the roles of Lucentio for the Taming of the Shrew and Tybalt for Romeo & Juliet. York remains best known for his film work of the late '60s, but he also developed a lengthy career in televised adaptations of literary classics. Over a 30-year span, he played key roles in Great Expectations, David Copperfield, Jesus of Nazareth, and several others. His small-screen work began with the role of Jolyon Forsyte on the BBC's 1967 series The Forsyte Saga. He had some of his most interesting roles throughout the '70s, including the swashbuckling D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers, Count Andrenyi in Murder on the Orient Express, and the title hero in the sci-fi Logan's Run. He also played the bisexual Konrad in Something for Everyone, the expatriate writer in England Made Me, and he brought it all together as bisexual expatriate writer Brian Roberts in Bob Fosse's Cabaret. After a brief stint as a producer, the '80s were a slow time for York's film career and he moved on to countless TV movies, after-school specials, and a reoccurring role on the soap opera Knots Landing. In the '90s, he returned to the stage for Broadway productions of The Little Prince, Bent, and The Crucible. He also authored his memoirs, released in the U.S. under the title Accidentally on Purpose. Younger audiences may recognize him from the Austin Powers movies as Basil Exposition, head of the British Intelligence Agency, or from the Omega Code movies. Since 2000, York has found work playing the headmaster in Borstal Boy, lended his voice to such History Channel productions as Alexander Hamilton, and resurrected his D'Artagnan character for the miniseries La Femme Musketeer. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide- 2008
As co-produced by The Vatican, this deeply reverent documentary takes a long and fond look back at the life and accomplishments of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, née Karol Jozef Wojtyla (1920-2005). Director Pawel Pitera's strategy involves filtering John Paul's papacy through the eyes of Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Wojtyla's right hand man and one of his closest friends. Michael York narrates; the title translates, literally, as "Birth Certificate." ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael York
- 2004
Wonder Woman's latest assignment is to prevent a war in the country of Kaznia between two hostile factions -- a battle fomented by the sinister Ares. In this pursuit, Wonder Woman finds herself with two unlikely allies: A pair of brothers, one warlike, the other a committed pacifist (their voices provided by former Wonder Years co-stars Fred Savage and Jason Harvey). "Hawk and Dove" was released together with two other Justice League Unlimited episodes, "Initation" and "Kid Stuff," in the 2005 DVD collection Justice League Unlimited: Saving the World. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael York, Fred Savage, (more)
- 2004
Both Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Emily (Kelly Bishop) are on the outs with Richard (Edward Herrmann), who is treating his ex-partner Jason (Christopher Eigeman) abominably. Later, Lorelai doesn't quite know how to react when Luke (Scott Patterson) tells her that his divorce is soon to be final. Elswehere, Lane (Keiko Agena) is convinced that she has been replaced in her mother's affections by a surrogate daughter -- namely, a Korean exchange student (Susane Lee). And Rory (Alexis Bledel) wonders if the unexpectedly high grade she has received from Professor Fleming (Michael York) has anything to do with the relationship between Fleming and Paris (Liza Weil). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Newly divorced, Luke (Scott Patterson) realizes with startling suddenness that there is only one woman in the world for him (guess who?) Elsewhere, Rory (Alexis Bledel) worries that she might be the cause of the disintegrating marriage of Dean and Lindsay. Luke's daffy sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) and her oafish beau T.J. (Michael DeLuise) decide to tie the knot in Stars Hollow. And when Professor Fleming (Michael York) is rushed to the E.R. with chest pains, Paris (Liza Weil) begins to question the wisdom of continuing her romance with him -- not so much because of the difference in ages, but because she appears to be the latest in a long line of casual campus affairs for the good professor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Paris (Liza Weil) launches a romance with the much older professor Fleming (Michael York), a fact that may adversely affect her future at the Yale Daily News; and later, the paper's editor Doyle (Danny Strong) goes ballistic without explanation. Back in Stars Hollow, Lorelai receives more information than she cares to deal with when she spends an evening with Jason (Christopher Eigeman) at his apartment. Luke (Scott Patterson) books Lane (Keiko Agena) and her band for a gig. And disaster reigns supreme when the imperious Michel (Yanic Truesdale) babysits for Sookie's son, Davey. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The legend of Jacques D'Artagnan (Michael York) gets a gender-bending update in this swashbuckling adventure from stuntman-turned-director Steve Boyum. Though legendary swordsman Jacques D'Artagnan's best days may be well behind him, he has schooled his daughter Valentine (Susie Amy) well in the way of the sword. Now it's time for Valentine to strike out on her own. With her father's sword and a letter of introduction to Commander Flint (Roy Dotrice), the eager young novice sets out to seek her fortune in Paris. Though a woman has never before been appointed the rank of swordsman, Valentine is determined to prove her worth by taking on a deadly mission to rescue the bride-to-be of King Louis XIV from a band of fearsome kidnappers, teaming with the sons of the legendary musketeers who rode with her father. There's more to the mission than meets the eye, however. After discovering that a mysterious stolen letter which could destroy the reputation of the king rests in the possession of the wicked Lady Bolton (Nastassja Kinski), Valentine is framed for murder and imprisoned by the venomous villain. Now it's more than a rescue mission, and in order to survive, Valentine must trust in the skills of her fellow musketeers to bring back the princess and bring Lady Bolton to justice. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gérard Depardieu, Michael York, (more)
- 2003
At a Yale-Harvard football tailgater , Emily (Kelly Bishop) is shocked by the revelation that her husband Richard (Edward Herrmann) has maintained a 30-year relationship with his former sweetheart Pennilyn Lott (Linda Gehringer), while Paris (Liza Weil) conducts a fateful interview with eminent professor/author Asher Fleming (Michael York, in his first series appearance). Meanwhile in Stars Hollow, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) finally accepts a dinner invitation from her father's young business partner Jason (Christopher Eigeman); and Rory reacts negatively to Luke's new waiter Brendon (Greg Cipes), whom she remembers for his "gross" behavior in high school. The real-life Yale Whiffenpoofs make a guest appearance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
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Coproduced by the DiC animation firm and PBS, Liberty's Kids was a half-hour historical cartoon series set during the American Revolution. The principal characters were Sarah Phillips and James Hiller, apprentices both to the multifaceted Benjamin Franklin. The fact that Sarah was loyal to the British and James was a 100-percent "Yankee Doodle" added to the cultural diversity of the series, as did the presence of James' friend Moses, a freed slave, and Henri, an eight-year-old French street urchin unofficially adopted by James and Moses. The series' real drawing card was its stellar cast of voice actors, portraying the many historical personages with whom Sarah, James, Moses, and Henri came into contact. For example, Ben Franklin was voiced by veteran newscaster Walter Cronkite (who even got to say "That's the way it is" on occasion); Michael Douglas was heard as Patrick Henry; Sylvester Stallone enacted Paul Revere; Dustin Hoffman interpreted notorious turncoat Benedict Arnold; and Arnold Schwarzenegger managed to sneak an "I'll be back" into his characterization of Baron Von Steuben. Geared for children aged seven to 12, Liberty's Kids joined the PBS daytime manifest on September 2, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Reo Jones, Christine Lundquist, (more)
A private eye gets a startling perspective on the sordid underbelly of the ad game in this thriller. Montaghe (David Carradine) is a billionaire business tycoon, and when his daughter disappears under mysterious circumstances, he hires Darrel Chisum (David Faustino), a hard- bitten but streetsmart detective, to find her. Chisum's investigation leads him to Dick Bunche (Michael York), the unscrupulous owner of a large and powerful advertising agency; certain Bunche knows more about Montaghe's daughter than he's telling, Chisum wants to get an inside perspective on what goes on at Bunche's agency, and persuades his friend Erik Denham (Chris Conrad), an out-of-work ad man, to infiltrate the organization. However, Denham and Chisum soon find that Bunche's secrets are deeper and more sinister than they ever imagined. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael York, David Faustino, (more)
- 2000
This film is part one of a four-part series that looks at the human dimension of the events of the American Revolution. With re-enactments of key events, and through period artwork, the personal stories of the founding fathers are told. Voices are provided by actors including Burt Reynolds, James Woods, Brian Dennehy, Hal Holbrook, Michael York, Peter Coyote, and Beau Bridges. In this episode, the various taxes the British placed on their American subjects are the subject of discontent. These onerous taxes led to an unlikely alliance between two Bostonians: the failed businessman Samuel Adams and the wealthy, aristocratic John Hancock. Together, they staged the Boston Tea Party, and the Continental Congress was convened. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This is another volume in the four-part series from The History Channel on the stories of the architects of the American Revolution. The documentary puts real faces on the men Americans call the "founding fathers." With re-enactments and period art, their stories are brought to life, with voices provided by some of Hollywood's leading actors. The story in this episode begins in the year 1775. The colonies are balking at the oppressive measures of the British. Some, like John Hancock, fear the onerous taxes will destroy their wealth. Others, like Thomas Paine, see a chance to express the democratic ideal through oratory. The film gives the viewer the inside story on the motivations of the men who led the fight for freedom. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This film is an episode in the four-part series from the History Channel on the founding fathers. The documentary takes a distinctly humanistic approach to the subject. Rather than focusing on the events of the revolution, the film explores the personalities of the men behind them. The story takes up with the Continental Congress, and how these very different men -- from womanizer Ben Franklin to rich playboy John Hancock to the patrician Thomas Jefferson -- came to agree on a plan to resist the oppression of the British. These disparate personalities managed to forge the United States Constitution, a document that is admired and emulated around the world today. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This is the final episode in a four-part series on the story of the American Revolution and the men who made it happen. The film gets personal, providing insight into the background and character of each of the major players, from Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Jefferson to John Calhoun. They were men of sharply divergent backgrounds and temperaments; yet, they came together on the issue of freedom. This installment focuses on the momentous year, 1776, when the revolutionaries met, amidst cries of treason and fears of betrayal, to write the Declaration of Independence, declaring that the United States was a new nation, free of British domination. The film tells the story with re-enactments, period imagery, and the voices of well-known Hollywood actors. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
Brendan Behan's famous memoir about his troubled youth formed the basis of this drama. Brendan (Shawn Hatosy) is a 16-year-old boy from Ireland who loathes the British and is eager to do something about it. Brendan sails into Liverpool, but is discovered to be carrying the makings of a bomb; he's soon placed under arrest and thrown into a borstal (British reform school), where he finds himself surrounded by a collection of tough-as-nails English delinquents. While his political beliefs don't change, Brendan learns to become more tolerant of others as he makes friends with a few of his fellow inmates, including Charlie (Danny Dyer), who dreams of sailing away some day, and Scottish Jock (Robin Laing). Brendan also has to deal with the pains of first love when he becomes infatuated with Liz (Eva Birthistle), the daughter of the school's master (Michael York). Borstal Boy marked the film debut of stage director Peter Sheridan, the brother of noted Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shawn Hatosy, Danny Dyer, (more)
- 1999
From Twentieth Century FOX comes the animated video release of Mozart's classic opera, The Magic Flute. Directed by Ron Myrick and Marlene Robinson May , this child-oriented version of Mozart's timeless opera follows Prince Tamino as he searches for Pamina, the Queen of the Night's kidnapped daughter.
~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- 1998
In this animated adaptation of the beloved fairy tale, Gunther (Judge Reinhold) is an ordinary guy whose life changes when he gets an extraordinary pet -- a cat that can walk and talk like a man (Michael York). With some prodding from the kitty, Gunther tries to make his dream a reality and win the heart of the beautiful Princess (Vivian Schilling). But first Gunther has to prove himself worthy by defeating the horrible Ogre (Kevin Dorsey). Puss in Boots was the third animated feature directed by Phil Nibbelink, who previously worked as an animator for Disney and made his directorial debut with An American Tale: Fievel Goes West. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1998
In this romantic comedy, Rob Lowe plays an emissary of the Devil who is sent to Earth to corrupt the spirit of a sweet, well-meaning waitress (Alexandra Powers). However, the plan backfires when the imp finds that he's falling in love with his intended victim. One Hell of a Guy also stars Michael York and Lindsay Crouse. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rob Lowe, Alexandra Powers, (more)
- 1998
Having just moved to a new town, widow Elaine Freedman (Cheryl Ladd) and her teenage daughter, Justine (Jody Thompson) are greeted by the effusive, terribly nice Dr. Calvin Lawrence (Michael York). Sensing that Justine is bit testy and out of sorts (most kids her age tend to get that way, you know), Dr. Lawrence recommends that she begin taking a special vitamin which he manufactures in his own home. Before long, Justine is the model of perfection -- just like all the other teenagers in town. What no one realizes until it is almost too late is that the kindly Dr. Lawrence is the quintessential control freak, using mind-altering drugs and secret radio waves to create his own "perfect city," where everyone bends to his will. A TV movie variation on the theatrical feature Disturbing Behavior, Perfect Little Angels was based on a novel by Andrew Neiderman, and first aired November 14, 1998, on the Family Channel cable network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cheryl Ladd, Jody Thompson, (more)
Harley Jane Kozak, Paul Mercurio and Michael York star in this science fiction adventure. A Dark Planet can be found past the opening of an Interstellar Wormhole, and only one man, knows how to get his spacecraft to the planet and back again -- and his name is Hawke. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Mercurio, Harley Jane Kozak, (more)
This United States/Philippine co-production examines how the real-life closing of the U.S. naval base at Subic Bay profoundly effected both the local Filipino community and the Americans who had served there. As the base's operations slowly wind down and naval manpower begins to dwindle, Commander Hamilton (Wolfgang Bodison) relies on three Navy SEALs to help keep the base secure. William Hawk (John Haymes Newton), a longtime soldier nearing the end of a tour of duty, is involved with Lisa Velasquez (Nannette Medved), a representative of the Mayor's office in nearby Olongapo City. Lisa has to deal with the economic crisis that the base's closing will doubtlessly bring to her community, as well as her own personal problems brought on by William's imminent departure and the strained relationship of her mother Anna (Daria Ramirez) and stepfather Ed (James Brolin). Paul Bladon (Alexis Arquette), another SEAL with the Subic Bay base, is the son of a U.S. Senator (Michael York), who will be visiting Subic Bay for the base's closing ceremonies. Sen. Bladon is bringing along Paul's girlfriend Angela (Maureen Flannigan), though Paul has fallen in love with Emma (Alma Concepcion), a former prostitute who now plans to marry Paul. The third SEAL, John Stryzack (Corin Nemec), is furious over what he sees as America's betrayal of its responsibilities in the Philippines; he winds up behind bars after a violent incident, but he plans to escape to assassinate Sen. Bladon, whom he believes is responsible for the closing of the base. Rae Dawn Chong also appears as a U.S. military investigator. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
