David Jackson Movies
- 1962
The incredibly durable cop show Z Cars (pronounced "Zed Cars") was one of the great guilty pleasures of British television -- a program which everyone watched, but no one would admit to watching. Created by Troy Kennedy Martin, the series focused on a "typical" crime-ridden Liverpool police precinct. The cars driven by the law-enforcement officers were all Ford Zephyrs, hence the series' title. Understandably, there was a huge cast turnover during the series' 16 years on the air, with some of the original regulars leaving early on to star in the spin-off show Softly Softly. Debuting in a weekly 25-minute slot in 1962, Z Cars had expanded to 50 minutes weekly by the time its run ended in 1978; 667 episodes were filmed in all -- an astronomical figure by anybody's standards, even American television. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stratford Johns, Frank Windsor, (more)
The swan song for director Seth Holt (who died shortly before filming was completed), this stylish Hammer production transcends its low budget thanks to lush photography, a stylish look, and fine performances from the leads. The plot, adapted from Bram Stoker's novel The Jewel of the Seven Stars, involves an expedition led by Professor Fuchs (Andrew Keir) to find the cursed tomb of an evil Egyptian princess. Upon discovery of her sarcophagus, Fuchs finds her perfectly preserved, still-bleeding severed hand -- which also sports a dazzling ruby ring. Several years later, Fuchs gives the pilfered ring to his voluptuous young daughter Margaret (Valerie Leon), whereupon she slowly begins to take on the malevolent traits of its original wearer, seeking revenge for the defilement of her tomb. Though Christopher Wicking's adaptation of Stoker's obscure novel is a bit uneven, it still provides ample suspense and the production has an overall richness that captures the flavor of Hammer's other mummy projects. Remade eight years later (with less effective results) as The Awakening; traces of the same story can also be found in Universal's 1999 mega-budget version The Mummy. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Andrew Keir, Valerie Leon, (more)
- 1971
10 Rillington Place is the true story of British mass murderer John Reginald Christie, played with chilling "normality" by Richard Attenborough. Throughout the late '40s, Christie lures middle-aged women to his London flat promising to cure their ailments with nitrous oxide, then kills them, assaults their dead bodies, and buries them. One of his victims is Beryl Evans (Judy Geeson), who misguidedly comes to Christie seeking an abortion -- and in the process, not only loses her own life, but sets in motion a horrid sequence of events that threatens to endanger her husband as well. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Attenborough, Judy Geeson, (more)
- 1971
Writer Giles Cooper's Unman, Wittering and Zigo was first presented as a BBC TV drama in the 1960s, which later was telecast in the US on NET Playhouse. David Hemmings plays the new teacher in a macabre classroom where the boys seem demonically recalcitrant. Just after calling roll (Unman, Wittering and Zigo are the last names on the tally), Hemmings is advised by his class that he'd better leave them alone to do as they wish. Hemmings' predecessor had not heeded this warning, and ended up dying a rather nasty death. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Hemmings, Carolyn Seymour, (more)
- 1978
With the guards on the prison transport ship turning into mindless vegetables thanks to the computerized power of a derelict space vessel, prisoner Roj Blake (Gareth Thomas) engineers an escape with a number of fellow convicts, among them embezzler Kerr Avon (Paul Darrow) and murderer Gan (David Jackson). Managing to evade evil transport officer Raiker (Leslie Schofield), Blake and four of his comrades take control of the vessel, which they have renamed the Liberator. But will the fugitives be able to fully escape the mind-controlling machinery of the Federation? "Space Fall" originally aired on January 9, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1978
Teenagers will go camping, they will have sex, and they will wander aimlessly around on lonely roads in the dead of night. If you liked this by-rote formula in Friday the 13th, chances are you'll like Killer's Moon. Nothing's really new about the main character, an escaped murderer who slashes only when the moon is full. The novelty comes in the awe-inspiring variety of methods he uses to slice and dice his victims. Though Killer's Moon is certainly full of screams, shocks and gushing blood, 92 minutes' worth of audience attention may be a bit too much to ask for. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
The highly regarded British science fiction series Blakes 7 was created by Terry Nation, one of the prime movers of Dr. Who. Gareth Thomas stars as Blake, an extraterrestrial do-gooder. With a seven-person crew comprised of criminals and insurgents, Blake wages an unending battle against "The Federation," the totalitarian regime which controls the Earth and hundreds of other populated planets. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, Blakes 7 has attained cult status in the U.S.; it was somewhat difficult to see until it fell into the hands of local PBS stations and such cable outlets as the Sci-Fi Channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
While attempting to destroy a Federation communications base on Saurion Major, Blake (Gareth Thomas), Vila (Michael Keating), and Avon (Paul Darrow) find a new ally in the form of Cally (Jan Chappell), a telepathic alien and sole survivor of a guerilla organization on her own planet. Meanwhile, back on the Liberator, Jenna (Sally Knyvette) and Gan (David Jackson) are faced with a long-dormant death squad, which is fiercely guarding an ancient genetics bank -- and is willing to kill anyone who crosses its path. This episode, which originally aired January 23, 1978, marked the series debut of Peter Tuddenham as the voice of master computer Zen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1978
Blake (Gareth Thomas) and his fellow escapees pilot the Liberator to the prison planet Cygnus Alpha. Here he frees several convicts who agree to join Blake in his ongoing battle against the Federation. Unfortunately, several of these new insurgents fall ill to a deadly virus. The only serum capable of curing the fallen warriors is possessed by religious fanatic Vargas (Brian Blessed) -- and he is none too sympathetic to Blake's noble cause. "Cygnus Alpha" was originally telecast on January 16, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1978
The crew pilots the Liberator to Centero, where they hope to locate a Federation decoding device. Meanwhile, Supreme Commander Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce, in her first series appearance) dispatches Blake's old enemy, Travis (Stephen Greif, likewise making his series bow), to destroy the resistance movement in any way he chooses. Travis' strategy is one of the oldest in the book: He captures Cally, using her as bait to flush out Blake.
"Seek-Locate-Destroy" originally aired on February 6, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
"Seek-Locate-Destroy" originally aired on February 6, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1978
In the thrall of a telepathic power stronger than her own, Cally (Jan Chappell) sabotages the controls of the Liberator, which ends up landing on an uncharted planet. Here Cally meets the wretched bioproducts of genetic experimentation on her own planet. Blake and the others attempt to escape, but the Liberator is ensnared in the titular "Web" -- and making matters worse, the hostile Decimas are preparing to attack. This episode of Blakes 7 was originally broadcast on January 30, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1978
With the Liberator's energy sources low, the crew is forced to lock into the orbit of a desolate planet. It soon turns out that this "dead" world is actually a gladiatorial arena for two hostile alien powers. Blake (Gareth Thomas) and Jenna (Sally Knyvette) are forced to square off against Travis (Stephen Greif) and his pilot in a grim duel to the death -- and woe betide Blake's crew if he happens to be the loser. A collaboration between two longtime Doctor Who associates (writer Terry Nation and director Pennant Roberts), "Duel" first aired on February 20, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1978
Briefly encountering another space vessel, Blake (Gareth Thomas) and his comrades awaken the ship's hibernating crew. When one person fails to emerge from his slumbers, it is clear that a murderer is onboard. As Avon (Paul Darrow) attempts to solve this little mystery (and to keep himself and his friends alive), Blake continues his current mission by piloting the Liberator into dangerous territory -- little realizing that he is headed for a deadly rendezvous with the murderer. "Mission to Destiny" was originally broadcast on February 13, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1978
The Limiter circuit implanted in the head of Gan (David Jackson) to halt his murderous impulses begins to malfunction. Now his life depends upon Professor Kayn (Julian Glover), the celebrated surgeon currently in residence at the XK72 space station. Alas, Kayn is sympathetic to the Federation, and is intent upon turning Gan's friends over to the authorities. Will Blake (Gareth Thomas) be obliged to forfeit Gan's life to save the others? "Breakdown" was first broadcast on February 20, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1978
Travis (Stephen Greif) uses captured female freedom fighter Avalon (Julia Vilder) to lure his longtime enemy, Blake (Gareth Thomas), into a trap. Curiously, Blake is permitted to complete his current mission, that of rescuing Avalon from Travis. The plot hinges on the fact that Avalon isn't really Avalon at all, but a well-crafted android clone -- a fact that both hero and villain intend to use to their advantage (though not, of course, at the same time). "Project Avalon" originally aired on February 27, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1978
The victim of Servalan's (Jacqueline Pearce) latest double-cross, the son (Tony Caunter) of celebrated scientist Ensor lays dying. As he breathes his last, he tells Blake (Gareth Thomas) of the existence of Orac, a super-powered computer created by Ensor. Meanwhile, Avon (Paul Darrow) is given the opportunity to fulfill a prophecy from his own people, and Jenna (Sally Knyvette) is captured by hostile aliens on the planet Cephelon. "Deliverance" made its first TV appearance on March 20, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1978
Blake (Gareth Thomas) and Cally (Jan Chappell) try to win the support of President Sarkoff (T.P. McKenna), exiled leader of Lindor, a planet dearly coveted by the Federation. In exchange, the two rebels promise to help Sarkoff return to power -- a promise that might have tricky long-range consequences. Meanwhile, Jenna's (Sally Knyvette) criminal past comes back to haunt her when her old cronies demand that she betray her current friends. "Bounty" was originally telecast on March 13, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1978
After rescuing Jenna (Sally Knyvette) from the hostile natives of Cephelon, Blake (Gareth Thomas) must evade Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce) long enough to deliver much-needed medical supplies to the scientist Ensor (Derek Farr) on the planet Aristo. Alas, Blake is too late: Ensor has died. Fortunately, Blake and his comrades have "inherited" Ensor's high-tech computer Orac, which -- less fortunately -- serves up a future vision showing the utter destruction of the Liberator and its crew. And on this "cliffhanger" note, the first season of Blakes 7 draws to a close. "Orac" originally aired on March 27, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1979
The second season of Blakes 7 begins on a tense note, as the crew loses control of the space vessel Liberator. It turns out that the ship is now being guided by the Altas, the female race that originally built it. With Blake (Gareth Thomas) and his comrades imprisoned, it is up to the supercomputer Orac to formulate a plan of escape. Literally picking up where the previous season left off, "Redemption" was originally telecast on January 9, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sally Knyvette
- 1979
Blake (Gareth Thomas) wants to get his hands on the stolen weapon Imipak, which is capable of dispensing destruction over great distances. Likewise anxious to gain control of Imipak, Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce) creates a clone of Blake as a means to her ends. Unfortunately for all concerned, the clone has his (or its) own agenda. Brian Croucher takes over from Stephen Greif in the role of Blake's perennial adversary, Travis. "Weapon" originally aired on January 23, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1979
At Space City, Blake (Gareth Thomas) must negotiate with the criminal organization Terra Nostra in order to destroy the Federation. Mob leader Largo (Derek Smith) doesn't take a shine to Blake, and as a result the crew is imprisoned. Back on the Liberator, Cally issues a threat to Largo, stating that she will destroy Space City if her comrades are not immediately released. Things become more complicated when the supercomputer Orac is subjected to a hostile takeover by an unknown power. "Shadow" was first broadcast on January 16, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1979
Blake (Gareth Thomas) sets forth to destroy the Federation's master computer on Earth. Unfortunately, the Federation has relocated the computer to Star One, which cannot be attacked without devastating consequences. Making matters worse, Travis (Brian Croucher) has shown up in hopes of eliminating Blake once and for all. Series regular David Jackson makes his last appearance as Gan in "Pressure Point," which originally aired on February 6, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1979
Blake (Gareth Thomas) and four of his crew members are captured by a hostile tribe on the planet Horizon and forced to work in the mines. Hoping to free his comrades -- and to flush out a hidden Federation Freighter -- Blake tries to convince Ro (Darien Angendi), leader of the tribe, that he is being used as a dupe by the villains. And back on the Liberator, Avon (Paul Darrow) is besieged by Federation pursuit ships. "Horizon" originally aired on January 30, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, (more)
- 1982
A music store proprietor helps a group of teenagers develop a rock band in this musical. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1984
Produced for British television, Breakout is a diverting children's tale with mildly melodramatic undertones. Young birdwatchers Simon Nash and John Hassler are pounced upon by a pair of escaped convicts (David Jackson, Ian Bartholomew). The crooks are looking for a cache of stolen money that they've hidden in the vicinity. At first terrified, the kids grow fond of the essentially harmless escapees. The boys help Jackson and Bartholomew locate the cash and elude the authorities. This 61-minute escapade is based on A Place to Hide, a novel by Bill Gillham. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Jackson, Ian Bartholomew, (more)
