John Alkin Movies
- 1984
In the conclusion of the four-part story "Planet of Fire," Turlough (Mark Strickson) is reconciled with his past on the planet Trion, while the evil Master (Anthony Ainley) is again caught in one of his own traps. Now the Doctor (Peter Davison) must figure out a way to neutralize the pesky shape-shifting robot Kamelion -- with Kamelion's full permission. Nicola Bryant becomes a series regular as the Doctor's new American companion, Perpugilliam "Peri" Brown. Written by Peter Grimwade, "Planet of Fire, Episode 4" first aired on March 2, 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Peter Davison, Nicola Bryant, (more)
Screenwriter George Axelrod turns Alfred Hitchcock's classic comedy-thriller into a capering screwball comedy showcase for Cybill Shepherd and Elliot Gould in this style-less remake of The Lady Vanishes. On an express train traveling through pre-World War II Germany, Amanda Kelly (Cybill Shepherd) befriends a cute old nanny, Miss Froy (Angela Lansbury). But when Miss Froy disappears and the rest of the passengers profess no knowledge of the old woman, Amanda and Robert Condon (Elliot Gould -- the only person aboard who will believe her story about the missing woman -- search the train trying to find out what happened to Miss Froy. In the meantime, they uncover an insidious German plot and fall in love. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Starring:
- Elliott Gould, Cybill Shepherd, (more)
- 1978
- PG
The religious conversion of British actress Joan Winmill is chronicled in this bio-pic. Told via flashback her life up until that moment is chronicled from her miserable childhood, her mother's death, and a cousins death. Her bout with clinical depression resulting in suicidal tendencies is also chronicled. Apparently the problem was genetic as her grandmother also suffered a nervous breakdown related to the problem. Also depicted is her affair with Robert Kennedy. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Belinda Carroll, Roland Culver, (more)
- 1978
The Sweeney started out as a British TV detective program all about Scotland Yard's Flying Squad. Its popularity spawned a reasonably satisfying 1976 feature film, starring the TV series' Tom Thaw. In Sweeney 2, Thaw is called upon to solve a series of carefully orchestrated bank robberies, which turn out to be the handiwork of an elite team of crooks headquartered in a posh Maltese apartment complex. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- John Thaw, Dennis Waterman, (more)
- 1977
In this feature-film version of the popular British television cop show, Regan (John Thaw) and Carter (Dennis Waterman) are two British Scotland Yard detectives who find themselves involved with the exchange of oil resources on the political and economic fate of the world. Ian Bannen plays Baker, an alcoholic foreign minister involved in a scheme to manipulate a worldwide oil crisis to his benefit. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Starring:
- John Thaw, Dennis Waterman, (more)
- 1970
Not to be confused with the 1966 Diabolique rip-off Games, 1970's The Games is set during the Rome Olympics. The film zeroes in on four contestants in the 26-mile marathon race: Briton Michael Crawford, American Ryan O'Neal, Czech Charles Aznavour and Australian Athol Compton. Scenes of the grueling training sessions are placed in context with the personal dramas of the four men. Crawford is being driven to the breaking point by trainer Stanley Baker, O'Neal is suffering from a dangerous heart condition, Aznavour is past forty but obliged to compete by his government, and Compton is an Aborigine fighting a lifelong battle against prejudice. Eric Segal, himself an avid runner adapted the screenplay of The Games from the novel by Hugh Atkinson. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michael Crawford, Ryan O'Neal, (more)
