Clive Exton Movies
Regarded for decades as one of the preeminent British scriptwriters, Clive Exton belonged to the generation that included Harold Pinter and Wilfred Owen, but distinguished himself with exemplary craftsmanship of brief plays on the British small screen. Exton's early efforts strove for realism; when he grew tired of that mode, he delved headfirst into ruthless, excoriating satire -- with such merciless bite that his primary target network, Associated British Corporation, rejected many an option -- only to watch silently as the BBC picked up the programs and turned them into runaway hits. In time, Exton segued into feature work, penning such critically lauded (and commercially lucrative) films as Entertaining Mr. Sloane (1970), 10 Rillington Place (1971), and The Bounty (1984). (A scriptwriting credit on the ludicrous Schwarzenegger vehicle Red Sonja represented a definitive, and wholly uncharacteristic, low point fir Exton.) In later years, Exton authored dozens of small-screen adaptations of Agatha Christie and P.G. Wodehouse novels for U.K. television. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
Agatha Christie's Belgian detective solves another case in the A&E mystery Poirot: Murder in Mesopotamia. Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) takes a trip to the Middle East to visit his old friend, Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser). While he is vacationing, Poirot is asked to investigate when an archeologist is suspected of killing his wife. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Suchet
- 2001
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In this tribute to the man considered by many to be the father of the science fiction genre, a reporter interviewing author H.G. Wells makes a startling revelation that could forever change mankind's relationship with the universe. Upon arriving at Wells' London home on a fog enshrouded evening in 1946, newspaper reporter Ellen McGillivray is regaled with tales of time travel dating back to Wells' days at London's Imperial College of Science. It seems that Wells and colleague Jane Robbins stumbled across a previously undiscovered rift in time during a series of midnight experiments, and though the pair swore to keep the discovery a secret, the experience forever bonded the adventurous scientists. When Ellen accepts Wells' outlandish tales at face value, his shock at her lack of disbelief is countered by the revelation that she is an underground government agent posing as a reporter in hopes of discovering the secrets of a crystal orb rumored to hold the secrets of the entire universe. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1995
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David Suchet once again takes on the role of Agatha Christie's super sleuth Herecule Poirot in Hercule Poirot's Christmas. Although he planned on an enjoyable holiday at home, Poirot accepts a job offer from a wealthy man after discovering his apartment will be without heat. Soon the detective must solve a murder and uncover some dark family secrets. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
David Suchet stars as the fastidious Belgian detective Hercule Poirot in this made-for-TV adaptation of the classic mystery by Agatha Christie. A killer is on the loose who is toying with the great sleuth by sending him a series of letters in which he announces when and where his next crime will occur. Can Poirot discover who is the criminal and determine his motive before he kills again? Poirot: The ABC Murders was originally aired in the U.S. on the PBS series Mystery! The supporting cast includes Philip Jackson as Inspector Japp and Hugh Frasier as Capt. Hastings. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Suchet, Hugh Frasier, (more)
Belgium's greatest export since the waffle, master detective Hercule Poirot is on the case once again in this made-for-TV feature adapted from the classic novel by Agatha Christie. A devious blackmailer is murdered in the middle of an airline flight, and it's all but impossible to separate the legitimate suspects from the innocent bystanders -- or at least it seems that way until it's discovered that Monsieur Poirot (David Suchet) is on board. Poirot: Death in the Clouds was aired in the U.S. as part of the PBS series Mystery!, and it reunites Suchet with Philip Jackson as Inspector Japp. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Suchet, Philip Jackson, (more)
- 1990
In a small Cornish town, a wife suspects her dentist husband of slowly poisoning her because he's got the hots for his young, blond assistant. When Poirot (David Suchet) steps in to investigate, he finds that the wife is partially correct, but solving the real mystery is more complicated than it first appeared. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Suchet
- 1990
Hastings is surprised when Poirot (David Suchet) announces his intention to retire and asks Hastings to accompany him on a trip to the seaside. En route, the two make the acquaintance of a young woman who discovers some valuable antiques missing from her possession. Hastings thinks that he's found the thief, but it's only after Poirot comes out of retirement that the case is solved. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Suchet
- 1990
In this whodunit based on a novel by Agatha Christie, Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) is delighted to be entertaining a lovely Belgian film star one evening, while Chief Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson) is hot on the trail of a master jewel thief. When the actress confesses she's been receiving threatening letters since she came into possession of a valuable diamond called "The Western Star," Poirot and Japp join forces to find the offending party, though they also have to keep a close eye on the actress, who intends to wear her prize diamond for a major social event. oirot: The Adventure Of The Western Star was produced by the British network Granada Television, and later aired in the United States as part of the PBS series Mystery!. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Suchet
Few detectives possess the style and charismatic flair to solve a crime as elegantly as Agatha Christie's superstar sleuth Poirot, and when Poirot makes the acquaintance of an accident-prone heiress while on holiday in Cornwall, there's sure to be some mystery and murder involved. Though a twisted ankle puts a brief damper on his vacation, misfortune for Poirot turns to good fortune for heiress Nick Buckly. It seems that Mrs. Buckley has had a few close calls as of late, and it doesn't take much to convince Poirot that foul play is afoot in the Buckly residence. When Poirot discovers a mysterious link between a local pilot who has gone missing, a group of local friends, and some distant relatives, it doesn't take long for him to realize that Buckly's life-threatening accidents have been all too intentional. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Following a jewelry heist, Poirot (David Suchet) is approached by an enigmatic veiled lady who requests his help in thwarting a blackmailer. His investigative tactics place him briefly on the wrong side of the law, and Poirot is thrilled to learn his fame as a detective has reached the criminal classes. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Suchet
- 1990
Belgium's most famous detective comes to the rescue of his adopted British homeland in this mystery based on the novel by Agatha Christie. The Prime Minister of England has arrived in France for a major international summit meeting when he's kidnapped. Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) is called in to help find the leader, with only 32 hours to spare before the conference is to begin. Following a lead that the PM's car was attacked en route to the ship, Poirot focuses his investigation in England, which puzzles and angers his superiors -- until the dapper Belgian cracks the case. Poirot: The Kidnapped Prime Minister was produced by the British network Granada Television, and later aired in the United States as part of the PBS series Mystery!. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Suchet
- 1989
When a theatrical impresario is murdered, the prime suspect is the young starlet he had taken under his wing, but Poirot suspects there is more to the case than meets the eye. ~ Mark Hockley, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Suchet
- 1989
Just as Poirot is feeling at a loose end because he has no case to work on, there is a killing in the very apartment building where he is staying and he is soon in the thick of another investigation. ~ Mark Hockley, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Suchet
- 1989
Poirot investigates a case that at first appears to be a suicide, but he soon begins to suspect foul play, although proving it is far from easy. ~ Mark Hockley, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Suchet
- 1989
A leading businessman consults Hercule Poirot when he begins to have terrifying nightmares and finds that they have a more tangible significance as far as his well-being is concerned. ~ Mark Hockley, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Agatha Christie's creation Hercule Poirot is called in to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a cook, but this is only the first of many strange events in a trail that ultimately leads to murder. ~ Mark Hockley, All Movie Guide
Brigitte Nielsen appears as warrior woman Sonja, who unites with a couple of other gladiator types (including Arnold Schwarzenegger) to overthrow the evil queen Gedren (Sandahl Bergman) and avenge the deaths of Sonja's family. This story descends from the writings of Robert E. Howard (author of Conan). ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brigitte Nielsen, Arnold Schwarzenegger, (more)
This fourth film dramatization of the 1789 mutiny aboard the H.M.S. Bounty is based not on the familiar Nordhoff and Hall book, but on Richard Hough's novel Captain Bligh and Mr. Christian. This time, the infamous Captain Bligh (Anthony Hopkins) is as strict a disciplinarian as ever. He is, however, no monster; faced with his crew's increasing laxity after an idyllic visit to Tahiti (the search for breadfruit takes second place to limitless sex with the island girls), Bligh is forced to resort to flogging and other such means to keep his men in line. Mr. Christian (Mel Gibson), formerly Bligh's friend, is of little use to the captain, having fallen in love with a native girl himself. Christian becomes the leader of the mutiny virtually in spite of himself; and when the mutineers try to seek refuge on Tahiti, they find that the local chief wants no part of them, which is why they settle for the nearly uninhabitable Pitcairn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, (more)
