Andrew Grieve Movies
- 2000
Poirot is reluctantly persuaded by an Australian mining magnate to investigate a French count who happens to be the latest suitor of the magnate's daughter. Together with Hastings, Poirot observes the count at tea with the young woman, and watches as the count shows her some bearer bonds he claims to be carrying for the Bank of Paris, his new employer. Following a fateful train trip, the case takes on the status of murder mystery, with the count as its prime suspect. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Suchet
- 2000
After Inspector Japp is called upon to investigate the strange disappearance of a wealthy banker, Poirot (David Suchet) makes a five-quid wager with Japp that he can solve the mystery without even leaving his flat. After Hastings is dispatched on a number of bizarre errands, Poirot figures out the solution to the case. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Suchet
- 1998
Adapted from the novel of British writer C.S. Forester, Hornblower is the story of a 17-year-old novice, Horatio Hornblower (Ioan Gruffudd), who becomes one of the most formidable figures in naval history once he is over his first experience of getting seasick while on a boat docked in a harbor. Little by little, Hornblower proves himself daring and inventive, until no battle or adventure is big enough for him. Presented as four two-hour episodes, Hornblower is an action, adventure drama that would find its best audience among teenage boys. Ioan Gruffudd received the FIPA d'Or (Golden FIPA) for "Best Actor" for his role as Hornblower at the Festival International de Programmes Audiovisuels (FIPA) 1999 in Biarritz, France. ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ioan Gruffudd, Robert Lindsay, (more)
P.D. James: Original Sin is another murder mystery featuring Scotland Yard investigator Adam Dalgliesh. A respected author summons Dalgliesh to Peverell Publishing in order to investigate a disturbing series of threatening letters that have been sent to various people who work there. When deaths start occurring among this circle of people, Dalgliesh must figure out which of them know the truth. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Marsden
- 1995
Anna and her father fled Estonia during WW II and moved to England. At the time, she believed that her mother was dead. In 1989, Anna's father dies and shortly thereafter she finds a bunch of old photographs and letters. Reading them, she begins to reassemble a clearer picture of her long-forgotten past as well as that of her father, who rarely spoke of himself. Most disturbingly, she believes that she has found evidence that her mother (whose story unfolds via flashback) may have survived. This drama chronicles Anna's return to tumultuous Estonia to learn the truth. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
A charming grifter who boldly feeds off the greed of others must straighten up before he loses everything in this British crime drama featuring House M.D. star Hugh Laurie. Leo Hopkins (Laurie) is the kind of con man who can sweet talk his way out of even the tightest of jams; he isn't afraid to take risks, and most of the time those risks pay off amicably. Eventually, Leo's nefarious ways catch up to him as his gambling addiction becomes a serious problem, his secretary seduces him, and his morally bankrupt boss gives him a troubling ultimatum. Now, as this unrepentant deceiver watches his life go up in flames, he'll be forced to make a decision that could alter the course of his entire life. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hugh Laurie, Bob Monkhouse, (more)
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)
- 1990
This British version of Lorna Doone is one of the more rewarding film adaptations of the venerable R. D. Blackmore novel. The plot remains as ever: Lorna (Polly Walker), a feisty 17th century Scots lass, falls in love with a much-despised landowner (Sean Bean). Lorna's father, a notorious brigand, foments a peasant rebellion against her lover. It turns out of course, that Lorna is actually a high-born heiress, kidnapped in infancy. Billie Whitelaw and Rachel Kempson costar in this made-for-television costume epic. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 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
- 1988
Filmed on location in Wales, On the Black Hill is adapted from the novel by Bruce Chatwin. This is the story of two Welsh brothers, identical twins. The film covers 80 years in the sibling's lives, touching upon their hopes, disappointments, romances and political entanglements. Rather than going the traditional split-screen route, two genuine twins are cast in the leads: Mike and Robert Gwilym. The stellar supporting cast includes Gemma Jones and Catherine Schell. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Gwilym, Robert Gwilym, (more)
Tony Richardson attempts to re-create the glory days of Tom Jones in this adaptation of the 1742 Henry Fielding novel. Peter Firth stars in this picaresque tale as Joseph Andrews, a young servant switched at birth who undergoes a series of romantic escapades. Joseph even has the fortune of becoming the personal footman to Lady Booby (Ann-Margaret). Joseph's romantic peccadilloes cause consternation among a collection of stuffy noblemen and women in 18th-century England. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ann-Margret, Peter Firth, (more)
Directed by Berry Gordy, Jr. as a vehicle for his star Diana Ross, Mahogany traces the life of a poor girl who makes it in the fashion world (first as a model, then designer) and deserts her boyfriend (Billy Dee Williams) in the meantime, hooking up instead with a photographer (Anthony Perkins). The song "Do You Know When You're Going To" (Gerry Goffin/Michael Masser) was Oscar-nominated. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, (more)
Based on a book by National Hunt jockey Dick Francis, the horseracing thriller Dead Cert was filmed in the village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K. When jockey Bill Davidson (Ian Hogg) is killed in a horseracing incident, his best friend Alan York (Scott B. Anthony) decides to investigate. He believes that Bill's death was not an accident, and he intends to expose the real killers. Judi Dench stars as Bill's wife, Laura Davidson, while her real-life husband Michael Williams appears as jockey Sandy Mason. Directed by Tony Richardson, Dead Cert received a U.K. theatrical release in 1974. In British slang, a "dead cert" means something that is definite. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Scott Antony, Judi Dench, (more)
A Delicate Balance is the 1973 film adaptation of Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Katharine Hepburn and Paul Scofield play an old married couple, Agnes and Tobias, who much prefer to be alone. Each time someone visits them, their "delicate balance" is threatened. The first intruder is Agnes' inebriated sister, Claire (Kate Reid). The next is their much-divorced daughter, Julia (Lee Remick). The limit is reached when well-meaning friends Harry (Joseph Cotten) and Edna (Betsy Blair) show up unexpectedly and threaten to stay forever. In keeping with the austerity of the other American Film Theatre presentations, director Tony Richardson eschews his usual cinematographic pyrotechnics here. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Ned Kelly (Mick Jagger) is the legendary outlaw of the Australian outback sought by authorities for stealing horses. At age 20, Ned has already served a three-year prison term at hard labor. When Ned's mother (Clarissa Kaye) is arrested and jailed on a bogus murder charge, Ned offers to surrender in exchange for his mother's freedom. When the authorities refuse, the Kelly brothers go on a robbing rampage. Cornered by the law in a saloon, Ned's brothers commit suicide rather than be taken alive. Shel Silverstein wrote the music performed by Waylon Jennings, Jagger and Glen Tomasetti. Australian folk songs are also included in this story taken from a popular 19th-century ballad. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Allan, Claire Balmford, (more)
- 1968
- G
Harold Pinter's theatrical piece The Birthday Party was committed to celluloid in 1968 by future Exorcist director William Friedkin. Robert Shaw plays a boarder in a sleazy British seaside-resort rooming house. The landlady (Dandy Nichols) holds a cheerless birthday party for Shaw, which is invaded by a couple of shady characters named Goldberg (Sidney Tafler) and McCann (Patrick Magee). No one knows why they're there except for Shaw, who after being repeatedly humiliated by the despicable duo is taken away by them to parts unknown. The Birthday Party ends with 30 seconds of a totally blank screen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Shaw, Patrick Magee, (more)
