John Hawkesworth Movies
- 1992
Anthony Shaw directs his mother, Angela Lansbury of Murder She Wrote, in this lighthearted made-for-television adventure. Set in the 1950's, Lansbury stars as Mrs. Harris, a common British woman so intent on owning a Dior gown, that she slaves and scrimps for years. However, upon travelling to Paris to make the purchase, Mrs. Harris encounters a series of unexpected characters and events that stand between her and the coveted gown. Originally broadcast in 1992, the film also features supporting performances by Diana Rigg, Lothaire Bluteau, and Omar Sharif. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Sherlock Holmes fans are divided as to who was the best on-camera interpreter of "The Master": Basil Rathbone or Jeremy Brett. Partisans of Brett should get their fill, and more, from the Casebook of Sherlock Holmes TV series. Produced in Britain in the '80s and '90s, these irresistible 60-minute Conan Doyle dramatizations are just as popular in videocassette form as they were when first telecast. In "The Boscombe Valley Mystery," a farmer's son is accused of murdering his father. The circumstantial evidence is all against the boy, but Holmes and Watson (Edward Hardwicke) are seldom inclined to accept matters at face value. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeremy Brett
- 1990
Peter Davison stars as bespectacled, aristocratic private detective Albert Campion in this two-part adaptation of Margery Allingham's novel Mystery Mile. An American judge named Crowdy Lobbett (Brian Greene) has been targetted for extermination by a criminal organization known as "Simister" (clearly the villains are dangerous but illiterate). Heading from the US to England, Lobbett crosses the path of Campion, who offers his services. Before this case has reached its conclusion, our hero has been confronted with not one but two sudden and mysterious disappearances. In America, "ystery Mile" was telecast November 22 and 29, 1990, as part of the PBS anthology Mystery! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Davison, Brian Glover, (more)
- 1990
Peter Davison stars as bespectacled, aristocratic private detective Albert Campion in this two-part adaptation of Margery Allingham's novel Sweet Danger. On this occasion, Campion endeavors to prove that Britain's Fitton family are the rightful heirs to a Balkan throne. Disguising himself as the king of the monarchy in question, Campion sets about to locate the monarch's missing crown, which of course will verify the Fittons' right to ascension. His search leads to a sinister scheme involving newly discovered oil deposits. In America, "weet Danger" was telecast November 15, 1990, as a single two-hour episode of the PBS anthology Mystery! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Davison, Brian Glover, (more)
- 1989
In "The Red-Headed League," an episode of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (an excellent adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle produced in the Britain for Granada), Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) reprises his excellent portrayal of the famed detective aided by his companion Dr. Watson (David Burke). In this episode, Holmes investigates the suspicious actions of a club where all the members have red hair. This well-done episode, which is impeccably faithful to the original story, will please both fans of Holmes and mystery fans everywhere. Thirteen of the Holmes short stories were adapted in this series, which was followed by The Return of Sherlock Holmes and The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, as well as several TV movie adaptations. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeremy Brett, David Burke, (more)
- 1988
There is certainly nothing wrong with this remake of the Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing mystery of 1939. The question, however, is why one would want to substitute others when the original was so superlative. Jeremy Brett, however, does a fine job as Sherlock Holms as he investigates strange happenings at the Baskerville Hall--all of which seem to prove that the family is being haunted by the ghost of a dog. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeremy Brett
- 1988
Jeremy Brett stars as Sherlock Holmes and David Burke plays his assistant Dr. Watson in this episode of the acclaimed British television series The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. After a valuable race horse named Silver Blaze is stolen, Holmes is called in to find the steed, and the great detective enlists the help of several friends from the animal kingdom to find it. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeremy Brett, David Burke, (more)
- 1987
Directed by Peter Hammond and based on one of the short stories originally penned by mystery legend Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, "The Sign of Four" follows Holmes and Watson (Jeremy Brett and David Burke) as they struggle not only to find the reason why the beautiful Miss Morstan's father disappeared some years ago, but also to solve why, since that date, has she been receiving a single pearl each year. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeremy Brett
- 1986
Believed to be dead at the end of the previous installment of this series, England's stealthiest sleuth returns to team up with the stunned Watson to solve a bizarre series of murders going on in London. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeremy Brett, David Burke, (more)
- 1985
"The Final Problem" is the last episode of the television series The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, an excellent adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes mystery stories produced in Britain for Granada TV. In this episode directed by Alan Grint, Jeremy Brett portrays the famed detective aided by his companion Dr. Watson (David Burke) as they fight to the finish with Holmes' nemesis Professor James Moriarity (Eric Porter). This episode was written by John Hawkesworth and is one of the most famous of the Holmes stories; it was intended by Doyle to be his final Holmes publication. It is an excellent adaptation of the original story first printed in the Strand Magazine during the late 19th century. This series was followed by several sequels, as well as four feature-length TV movie adaptations. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeremy Brett, David Burke, (more)
Based on an autobiographical novel by Elspeth Huxley, this 1981 film tells the story of the Grant family -- little Elspeth (Holly Aird) and her parents, Robin (David Robb) and Tilly (Hayley Mills) -- after they arrive in Kenya to start a coffee plantation. The episodic production begins when a lion greets the horse-drawn carriage transporting Tilly and Elspeth to the site of the plantation. Tilly stares the lion down with the help of a poised shotgun, demonstrating her resolve to make a go of it in the rugged new land. After the Grants construct a home with the help of Kikuyu natives, they hold a housewarming attended by neighbors Hereward (Nicholas Jones) and Lettice Palmer (Sharon Maughan), fellow Brits who have also settled in Kenya. Meanwhile, 11-year-old Elspeth revels in the land, the wildlife, and her new Kenyan friends. While her parents are away, Elspeth stays with Mrs. Nimmo (Carol MacReady), a Scotswoman who corrects the little girl's manners and makes her dress formally for dinner. During the day, Elspeth travels back and forth to her home on a pony to feed her pet deer and pet chameleons. On one trip, she meets and makes friends with Englishman Ian Crawfurd (Ben Cross), a newcomer. After her parents return and host the Palmers and Crawfurd at a get-together, Crawfurd and Lettice Palmer, who is bored with her husband, Hereward, and Africa, fall in love and begin an affair. A leopard carries off a dog Lettice cherishes, and everyone joins in a hunt for the animal, including wily Boer huntsman Mr. Roos (William Morgan Sheppard). On the hunt, Lettice and Ian Crawfurd, whose affair has become obvious to all, provoke Hereward. Ian and Hereward brawl. A native whom Hereward insults with a racist remark stabs Hereward, but he survives. When the first World War begins, Robin and Ian both do service. Will they come back? That is the question that gnaws at Elspeth and her mom -- and Lettice -- while life goes on at Thika. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hayley Mills, David Robb, (more)
- 1975
Spring, 1923: Still searching for some meaning in life, James Bellamy (Simon Williams) has a romantic fling with his former sweetheart Diana Newbury (Celia Bannerman) -- who happens to be the wife of his best friend. By the time James comes to his senses, the Newburys are on the verge of splitting up, and he is poised to be named as co-respondent. Originally written by Elizabeth Jane Howard, "An Old Flame" was completely revised by John Hawkesworth, who received solo screen credit. First telecast in England on October 12, 1975, the episode debuted in America on February 20, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Spring, 1922: With Virginia's son William in boarding school and her daughter Alice (Anne Yarker) in the hands of the new governess, the Bellamys embark upon a vacation abroad. Unfortunately, the governess, a behemoth named Miss Treadwell (Shirley Cain), holds not only Alice but the rest of the household in terrified thrall. The climax comes when Miss Treadwell demands that the little girl get rid of her pet puppy, forcing the other servants to rally round the poor child. Written by John Hawkesworth, "Wanted -- A Good Home" was originally seen in England on October 5, 1975; its American debut, courtesy of PBS, occurred on February 13, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Summer, 1929: Georgina (Lesley-Anne Down has fallen in love with a handsome young marquis named Robert Stockbridge (Anthony Andrews). Despite her own lofty social standing, Georgina is looked down upon as "inferior" by Robert's aristocratic family. Meanwhile, the "downstairs" staff is again saddled with a troublesome new maid (Elaine Donnelly). Written by John Hawkesworth, "Noblesse Oblige" first aired in England on December 7, 1975, then in America on April 17, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
After five seasons and 68 hour-long episodes (only 55 of which were aired in the United States), the saga of Upstairs, Downstairs ended on a doleful note with the final episode, "Whither Shall I Wander?" In the summer of 1930, James Bellamy (Simon Williams) is dead, and the rest of the Bellamy household has been financially devastated by the Wall Street crash of 1929. To pay off James' creditors, it becomes necessary to sell 165 Eaton Place. Though most of the residents are philosophical about their reversal of fortune, Georgina (Lesley-Anne Down) faces an uncertain future, still wondering if she should marry the handsome Marquis of Stockbridge ($Anthony Andrews). The final scene finds Rose (Jean Marsh) standing alone in the empty house, quietly and stoically reviewing the past 30 years in her mind. Written by John Hawkesworth, "Whither Shall I Wander" was originally telecast in England on December 21, 1975; most American PBS viewers first saw the episode on May 1, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
The quarrel between Hazel (Meg Wynn Owen) and Lady Prudence (Joan Benham) has been smoothed over, and the ladies proceed with their tea party for wounded officers. Though Hazel is still anxious over her husband James (Simon Williams), who is in France participating in the "Big Push," she cannot help but be attracted to a pleasant young pilot named Lt. Jack Dyson (Andrew Ray). Meanwhile, Daisy (Jacqueline Tong) and Rose (Jean Marsh) await news about their soldier sweethearts Edward (Christopher Beeney) and Gregory (Keith Barron). Written by John Hawkesworth, "If You Were the Only Girl in the World" was first telecast in England on October 26, 1974, then in America on February 15, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
The third season of Upstairs, Downstairs came to an end with the episode titled "The Sudden Storm." In 1914, as the clouds of war gather over England and Europe, the residents of Eaton Place -- master and servant alike -- try to forget their troubles, and the world's, with a seaside holiday. But all is not rosy in the Bellamy household, certainly not for Mrs. Bridges the cook (Angela Badderly), whose burgeoning romance with the local fishmonger is causing friction amongst the "downstairs" people. Meanwhile, Daisy (Jacqueline Tong) and Georgina (Lesley-Anne Down) are rapidly falling love with Edward (Christopher Beeney) and Billy Lynton (Paul Alexander), respectively, as the already tottering marriage between Hazel (Meg Wynn Owen)and James (Simon Williams) seems poised to plunge into the abyss. Written by John Hawkesworth, "The Sudden Storm" earned an Emmy nomination for its director, Bill Bain. The episode first aired in England on January 19, 1974, and in America on January 26, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
While on leave from the western front, James Bellamy (Simon Williams) complains that his comrades are dropping like flies due to a severe shortage in weaponry and ammunition. When James' comments are leaked to the press, he is severely reprimanded by his superior officers for revealing "war secrets." Also home from the trenches is the Bellamy's footman Edward (Christopher Beeney), who intends to propose to Daisy (Jacqueline Tong) before being shipped off again. Written by John Hawkesworth, "News From the Front" was originally seen in England on September 21, 1974, then aired in the United States on January 11, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Virginia Hamilton (Hannah Gordon), a young woman who previously had an unpleasant run-in with Richard Bellamy (David Langton), has since become a close friend of Richard's daughter-in-law Hazel (Meg Wynn Owen). Hoping to make up for his previous brusque behavior, Richard offers to help Mrs. Hamilton's Navy-lieutenant son Michael (Richard Reeves) when the lad faces a court-martial for cowardice. Meanwhile, Edward (Christopher Beeney), still not over his shell shock, cracks under fire and goes AWOL. Written by John Hawkesworth, "Facing Fearful Odds" was first shown in England on November 30, 1974, then in the United States on March 21, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
The outrageously high "death duties" on her father's estate threaten to drive Lady Marjorie Bellamy (Rachel Gurney) into bankruptcy. Assuming his wife's responsibilities, Richard Bellamy (David Langton) agrees to sell several family holdings -- including 165 Eaton Place. Can Elizabeth's contentious and socially "unacceptable" friend Julius Karekin (Donald Burton) save the day? And will the pride-driven Bellamys accept Karekin's assistance? Written by John Hawkesworth, "The Fruits of Love" first aired in England on January 5, 1973, and in the United States on March 17, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
James Bellamy (Simon Williams), accompanied by his new wife Hazel (Meg Wynn Owen) and his servants Rose (Jean Marsh) and Edward (Christopher Beeney), head for a country estate for a fox-hunting weekend. Once there, James is persuaded to participate in a rather cruel practical joke, an outdated country-house tradition. As a result, James nearly loses both his wife and his social position, while the servants can only bemoan the foolishness of their "betters." Written by John Hawkesworth, "The Bolter" was first seen in England on December 15, 1973, and in the United States on December 12, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Winter, 1908: The impulsive Elizabeth Bellamy (Nicola Pagett) has fallen under the influence of radical leader Evelyn Larkin (Georgia Brown). Against the wishes of her parents (not to mention the "downstairs" staff), Elizabeth insists upon throwing a party for Larkin's bohemian companions -- among them the handsome poet Lawrence Kirbridge (Ian Ogilvy, in his first series appearance). Written by John Hawkesworth and Alfred Shaughnessy (and, uncredited, Fay Weldon), "The Key of the Door" made its first BBC appearance on February 27, 1972. It was one of 13 Upstairs, Downstairs episodes withheld from American release until 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
With Upstairs, Downstairs a proven success, the BBC commissioned an additional seven episodes, bringing the series' first-season total to 13. Episode seven, "Magic Casements," first aired on January 23, 1972. In the summer of 1906, James Bellamy (Simon Williams) has invited his friend, handsome Army captain Charles Hammond (David Kernan), to enjoy the hospitality of 165 Eaton Place. Hammond returns the compliment by attempting to inaugurate a clandestine affair with James' mother, Lady Marjorie (Rachel Gurney). Written by John Hawkesworth, "Magic Casements" did not air in the U.S. until 1988, at which time it was telecast out of chronological sequence, reversed with the following week's episode, "I Dies From Love." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
