Russell Lewis Movies
The legendary Inspector Morse (John Thaw) has passed away, and in the wake of a family tragedy that sent his ex-partner Inspector Robert Lewis (Kevin Whatley) on a two-year assignment in the British Virgin Islands, Lewis returns to Oxford, England to investigate the death of an American college student. Along with his new partner Detective Sergeant James Hathaway (Laurence Fox), Inspector Lewis seeks out the assistance of troubled student Danny Griffon - a prominent heir to a wealthy but notoriously secretive family - in cracking the increasingly difficult case. Now, as Inspector Lewis peers deep into his own past while learning that Griffon was once inspected by none other than his deceased partner, he must enlist the aid of his old boss in order to make the connection and bring the guilty party to justice. Just as everything finally begins to come into focus, however, Inspector Lewis learns much to his dismay that Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent is planning to take him off of the front lines to take part in a special training session; a prospect that doesn't sit too well with the man who just wants to get back to work. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2000
The protagonist of this six-part British drama series was Detective Chief Jack Mowbray, played by Ross Kemp. When his district was invaded by an elusive serial killer, Mowbray was browbeaten by his boss, DCS Henderson (Kenneth Cranham), to catch the murderer yesterday, if not sooner. As the unknown villain continued to cut a bloody swath through the moors, the overworked Mowbray's personal life suffered mightily. Without Motive was originally broadcast from October 2 to November 5, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ross Kemp, Kenneth Cranham, (more)
Created by Russell Lewis, the four-episode British miniseries Monsignor Renard was set in the French town of St-Josse-des-Bois during the Nazi occupation of the 1940s. The title character, played by John Thaw of Inspector Morse fame, initially tried to keep himself above politics. Ultimately, however, Monsignor Renard became intimately involved with the French Resistance movement, rallying his fellow townsmen against their Nazi "hosts." Monsignor Renard was presented by Carlton Television from March 27 to April 17, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Thaw, Cheryl Campbell, (more)
The British miniseries Heat of the Sun was set in 1933. After several instances of insubordination, Scotland Yard supervisor Albert Tyburn (Trevor Eve) was discplined by being shipped off to the Nairobi, Kenya. While grappling with the resentment of his fellow expatriates, Tyburn endeavored to investigate the kidnappings and murders of several young people from a local mission. The detective's arrival coincided not only with a major annual ceremony, but also with an influx of suspicious-looking Germans, headed by one Max van der Vuurst (Joss Ackland). Telecast in three two-hour installments from January 28 to February 11, 1998, Heat of the Sun was a presentation of Carlton Television. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Byrne, Trevor Eve, (more)
- 1997
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The new parish priest of Shrewsbury, Father Ailnoth, proves to be most unpopular with his parishioners. After refusing to baptize the illegitimate baby of a prostitute, he's found dead in the river; unsurprisingly, there is no shortage of murder suspects. Cadfael's (Derek Jacobi) subsequent investigation fails to expose the murderer, but a new clue presents itself when he finds the priest's old skull cap on a nail underneath the bridge. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Brother Cadfael and his fellow 12th Century holy men at Shrewsbury Abbey return in this mystery based on the novel by Ellis Peters. The festivities of the annual Shrewsbury Fair are spoiled when a travelling merchant is murdered; his harsh personality earned him few friends among the local salespeople, but Brother Cadfael (Derek Jacobi) believes something more serious than an argument gone too far is involved -- especially after another merchant is killed. A young woman's life is put in danger by the crimes, and she's brought to the Abbey for her own safety; however, she's kidnapped shortly after the key suspect dies while trying to escape questioning. As Cadfael and his brothers attempt to find the girl, the former soldier finds himself challenged to a battle with swords by the man responsible for the killings. Brother Cadfael: St. Peter's Fair was produced for British television and first aired in America on the PBS series Mystery!. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Derek Jacobi
Derek Jacobi stars in this 12th century drama as Brother Cadfael, a former soldier in the Crusades who has become a monk but occasionally pauses in doing the Lord's work to solve the occasional mystery. In this story, Oswin, a novice under Cadfael, confesses to the rape and murder of a young nun whose body is found in a nearby stream. Convinced Oswin is innocent, Cadfael begins investigating the crime and discovers the foul activities of a group of rouge soldiers from the Crusades, as well as a young squire who might be his son. Brother Cadfael: Virgin in the Ice was produced for British television and was first shown in America as part of the PBS series Mystery! ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Derek Jacobi
Twelfth century warrior-turned-monk Brother Cadfael (Derek Jacobi) tackles another murder mystery in the 90-minute drama "The Sanctuary Sparrow." A prominent goldsmith is robbed and murdered during his son's wedding. Accused of the crime, traveling juggler Walter (Roy Barraclough) takes refuge in Shrewbury Abbey. Believing in the juggler's innocence, Cadfael uses his scientific know-how to scrutinize the clues at hand -- and comes to the unpleasant conclusion that the actual murderer is someone he knows all too well. Adapted by Russell Lewis from the novel by Ellis Peters, "The Sanctuary Sparrow" aired in England on June 5, 1994, then ran in the U.S. as part of the PBS anthology Mystery. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this chapter of author Bernard Cornwell's chronicles of the life and times of his fictional character Major Sharpe, the officer must somehow prepare his ceremonial unit of soldiers for the realities of war. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sean Bean, Daragh O'Malley, (more)
Adapted for television by Russell Lewis from the novel by Ellis Peters, "Monk's Hood" was the fourth in a series of 90-minute Cadfael mysteries. In 12th century Shrewsbury, a young man is murdered, apparently so that the killer can get his or her hands on the victim's inheritance. Investigating the case, warrior-turned-monk Brother Cadfael (Derek Jacobi) is enmeshed in the bureaucracy of conflicting Welsh and Norman Laws. Complicating matters is the fact that the dead man was killed by one of Cadfael's own poisonous concoctions -- and, even more intriguing, the victim's widow Aldith (Sophie Lawrence) was Cadfael's childhood sweetheart. First broadcast in England on June 19, 1994, "Monk's Hood" appeared in America a few months later as part of the PBS anthology Mystery. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Derek Jacobi
Based on the novel by Ellis Peters, "One Corpse Too Many" was the first of thirteen 90-minute Cadfael mysteries, focusing on the exploits of a murder-solving monk in 12th century Shrewsbury. While sifting through the bodies of rebels recently executed on the orders of King Stephan (Michael Grandage), Brother Cadfael (Derek Jacobi stumbles across a corpse that doesn't belong there. With the help of his unofficial assistant, landowner/sheriff Hugh Beringer (Sean Pertwee), Cadfael assembles the necessary evidence to uncover a murderer. Adapted for television by Paul Pendar, "One Corpse Too Many" originally aired in Britain on May 29, 1994, and shortly thereafter was seen in America as part of PBS' Mystery anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Derek Jacobi
- 1973
Offscreen husband and wife David Hemmings and Gayle Hunnicutt star in this average British shocker from director Kevin Billington. After their son drowns, the woman loses her mind and is committed to a mental hospital. Upon her release, the couple moves into a remote mansion in the country, where ghostly apparitions and terrifying visions threaten her fragile sanity. Billington's film (based on a Richard Lortz play) features a surprisingly effective ending, but its stately pace and drawing-room civility make it as uninspiring as most British horror films of the time. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Few theatre marquees could accommodate the title It's a 2'6" Above the Ground World, so most British exhibitors chose the film's alternate title, The Love Ban. Based on a potty-mouthed stage play by Kevin Laffan, this comedy concerns the tribulations of a devoutly Catholic couple, played by Nanette Newman and Hywel Bennett. When Newman decides she doesn't want to be burdened with children, she decides to take the pill--which, as we all know from those ubiquitous posters of the 1960s, was a "No No" so far as the Pope was concerned. What seemed racy and daring in 1973 is now almost as harmless as an episode of Barney and Friends. Best to forget the dated quality of the lines and revel in the performances of Newman, Bennett and Milo O'Shea. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
- R
Essentially a reworking of their earlier omnibus Asylum, this is another anthology of pulp horror tales from Amicus, this one helmed by the ever-reliable Freddie Francis. It features a quartet of eerie vignettes involving four patients in the care of psychiatrist Dr. Tremayne (Donald Pleasence), who is attempting to justify his strange theories to a colleague (Jack Hawkins, who died shortly after his scenes were filmed) by explaining the horrific events that drove the patients to their current state. The first tale centers on a young boy (Russell Lewis), whose parents' constant squabbling prompts him to conjure an imaginary tiger to devour them. The second involves a Victorian-era bicycle which allows its finder (Peter McEnery) to travel back in time and live as his own ancestor. The goofy third chapter pits a jealous wife (Joan Collins) against a strange rival for her husband's attention: a tree possessed by a human soul. The final segment stars Kim Novak (a last-minute replacement for Rita Hayworth) as a literary agent who must sacrifice her own daughter (Mary Tamm) to appease the restless spirit of her client's mother. Although certainly not the studio's best effort, this is still an amusing diversion, featuring the standard twist ending and a flamboyant approach suggestive of EC horror comics. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- 1972
This historical drama is an account of the early life of Winston Churchill (Simon Ward), including his childhood years, his time as a war correspondent in Africa, and culminating with his first election to Parliament. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Simon Ward, Robert Shaw, (more)
This British film examines the choices individuals must make when confronted with a romantic relationship which is rewarding but does not offer them everything they want. In this sympathetic and psychologically precise drama, Alexandra Greville (Glenda Jackson), "Alex" to her friends, has a younger man as her sometime lover, the young sculptor Bob Elkin (Murray Head). Elkin is completely open about the fact that he is also the lover of her acquaintance, Dr. Daniel Hirsch (Peter Finch). These relationships continue in some kind of equilibrium until Alex and Bob agree to house-sit the children of a couple known to the three of them. In their roles, neither Head nor Finch "swished," or otherwise catered to homosexual stereotypes, and theirs was considered to be a groundbreaking, sympathetic portrayal of this kind of relationship, not condescending in any way. One highlight of the film is a scene in which Dr. Hirsch attends the Bar Mitzvah of his nephew. This critically well-received movie was unexpectedly successful at the box office. The film's director and screenwriter, as well as Jackson and Finch, were nominated for Academy Awards. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Glenda Jackson, Peter Finch, (more)
In this Cold War espionage-thriller, adapted from the novel of John Le Carre, two veteran British intelligence operatives, Leclerc (Ralph Richardson) and Haldane (Paul Rogers), recruit a young Polish defector (Christopher Jones) to check on some missiles in East Germany. Avery (Anthony Hopkins) is the British agent assigned to help him to cross the East German border. Once behind the Iron Curtain, the recruit meets a sympathetic German girl (Pia Degermark) who tries to help him to evade the East German secret police and to complete his assignment. ~ Yuri German, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher Jones, Pia Degermark, (more)
- 1936
Dancing Pirate was the second feature-length production by Pioneer Pictures, whose earlier effort Becky Sharp was the first three-strip Technicolor feature. Pirate was likewise filmed in the three-strip process, but the film is currently available only in its black-and-white reissue version. London and Broadway musical comedy favorite Charles Collins stars as Jonathan Pride, a mild-mannered dance instructor in 1820 Boston. En route to visit relatives, Jonathan is shanghaied by a band of zany pirates and forced to work as a galley boy. When the pirate vessel arrives at the port of Las Palomas, Jonathan, clad in buccaneer's garb, makes his escape. Everyone in Las Palomas, including Governor Alcalde (Frank Morgan) and fetching senorita Serafina (Steffi Duna), assumes that Jonathan is the pirate chieftain, leading to a series of typical comic-opera complications. Featured in the cast are the Dancing Cansinos, whose daughter Rita Hayworth was just beginning her own screen career. The Rodgers & Hart score, like the film itself, is pretty lackluster, but Charles Collins is a pleasing screen personality who should have gone much farther in movies than he did. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Collins, Frank Morgan, (more)
Now famous as the first feature film produced in the three-strip Technicolor process, Becky Sharp is also an enjoyable effort in its own right. Adapted from William Makepeace Thackeray's Vanity Fair, the film stars Miriam Hopkins as Becky Sharp, a resourceful, totally self-involved young lady who manages to survive any number of setbacks and deprivations in the years following Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. In her efforts to advance herself, she manages to link up with a number of not altogether attractive gentlemen, including the Marquis of Steyne (Cedric Hardwicke), Joseph Sedley (Nigel Bruce), Rawdon Crawley (Alan Mowbray), and George Osborne (G. P. Huntley Jr.) She rises to the pinnacle of British society, only to tumble and fall into the humiliation of singing for her supper in a cheap back-alley beer hall, but, like her spiritual sister Scarlet O'Hara, Becky never stays down for long. The film ends on an ambiguous note, never hinting that Becky will eventually drop her current beau and settle down to a life of smug piety, as she does in the novel. Begun in 1934 with Lowell Sherman in the director's chair, Becky Sharp was forced to shut down production when Sherman died; he was replaced by Rouben Mamoulien, whose unerring eye for cinematic splendor exploited the new color process to the utmost, especially during the opening Brussels Ball sequence. Until its recent archival restoration, Becky Sharp was available only in a shortened, two-color version, which had the negative effect of diminishing the film's strong points and overemphasizing its weaknesses (This version is still available on the public-domain market). Becky Sharp is an enormous improvement over the low-budget 1932 version of Vanity Fair, which updated the story to the 20th century and cast dumb-blonde specialist Joyce Compton in the role of Becky. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Miriam Hopkins, Cedric Hardwicke, (more)
