Malcolm Heyworth Movies
- 1985
Based on a true story, the three-part British miniseries Operation Julie detailed a massive drug "sting" conducted by British authorities in the mid-'70s. Colin Blakely and David Swift headed the enormous cast as, respectively, Detective Inspector Richard Lee and Detective Superintendent Gosling. The target for the authorities was a covert operation specializing in the manufacturer and worldwide distribution of LSD. As a faithful retelling of the largest undercover drug investigation of its kind in the United Kingdom, the series garnered a huge audience in both England and Europe. After its initial British TV run from November 4 to 6, 1985 (courtesy of Tyne Tees Television), Operation Julie was re-edited and reissued as a 100-minute feature film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Not to be confused with the American quiz program of the same name, the British Treasure Hunt was a pioneering "reality" series in the form of a game show. Traveling all over England and the continent by helicopter, "skyrunner" Anneka Rice (fetchingly attired in a tight, sexy jumpsuit) sought out a series of clues, predetermined on a huge map back at the Channel 4 studios. Communicating with a pair of contestants via satellite radio, Rice relayed these clues in a cryptic fashion , whereupon it was up to the contestants to come up with a solution, locate a hidden "treasure," and win the game -- along with the obligatory 1,000-pound grand prize. Loosely based on Kit Williams' novel Masquerade, the series was created by Ann Meo, who doubled as one of the studio-bound "adjudicators" who determined whether or not the clues had been properly deciphered. First telecast in 1982, Treasure Hunt ran for a total of 88 45-minute episodes by the time it ended its run in 1989. During the final season, sports celebrity Annabel Croft replaced Anneka Rice as the "helicopter girl." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This internationally produced adaptation of Anna Sewell's Black Beauty is essentially a vehicle for Oliver star Mark Lester. The young Lester spends most of the film trying to reclaim his beautiful black horse, which passes through several hands over the course of 90 minutes. All the setpieces of the Sewell original are in attendance, including the showstopping "burning barn" sequence. Walter Slezak is the only truly recognizable actor in the film outside of Lester. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Lester, Uschi Glas, (more)
- 1970
After a plowboy accidentally unearths the skeletal remains of a demonic creature, a cult of teenage devil-worshippers emerges in a 17th-century Cornwall farming community, led by the gorgeous temptress Angel (Linda Hayden, who positively smolders). Together, the children begin performing blood sacrifices in order to bring the skeletal demon back to life. The film eventually steers into witch-hunt territory -- in the vein of Michael Reeves' Witchfinder General -- as the superstitious locals use inquisition-style practices to put a stop to Hayden's cult. This lush, moody horror piece is superbly written, though the plot becomes a bit dense at times; the film was originally intended as a three-part series, but was eventually edited down to one feature. Still, Piers Haggard's assured direction keeps the threads together and provides just enough shock value to keep viewers on their toes. Watch for Peter Ustinov's daughter Tamara as one of the children. The Blood on Satan's Claw was also released as Satan's Claw and Satan's Skin. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
