Walter Carr Movies
- 1985
- PG13
Alan (John Gordon-Sinclair), a young British photographer, would like to break off his relationship with live-in girlfriend Mary (Irina Brook). Even as this little domestic drama is played out, Alan's assistant, Ken (David McKay), would like to launch a relationship with the young woman. Trouble is, he has no idea who or where the girl is -- he knows her only by her photograph. The various amorous intrigues are eventually resolved, but the results are surprising for both the characters onscreen and the viewers in the audience. Otherwise, the plot revels in its own predictability. Leading lady Irina Brook is the daughter of famed British theatrical director Peter Brook. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Irina Brook, David McKay, (more)
A righteous police officer investigating the disappearance of a young girl comes into conflict with the unusual residents of a secluded Scottish isle in this unsettling, intelligent chiller. Brought to the island of Summerisle by an anonymous letter, Edward Woodward's constable is surprised to discover that the island's population suspiciously denies the missing girl's very existence. Even more shocking, at least to the traditionally pious law office, the island is ruled by a libertarian society organized around pagan rituals. Repelled by the open acceptance of sexuality, nature worship, and even witchcraft, the officer takes an antagonistic attitude towards the people and their leader, an eccentric but charming English lord (Christopher Lee). The officer's unease intensifies as he continues his investigation, slowly coming to fear that the girl's disappearance may be linked in a particularly horrifying manner to an upcoming public festival. Anthony Shaffer's meticulously crafted screenplay creates a thoroughly convincing alternative society, building tension through slow discovery and indirect suggestion and making the terrifying climax all the more effective. Performances are also perfectly tuned, with Woodward suitably priggish as the investigator and horror icon Lee delivering one of his most accomplished performances as Lord Summerisle. Little noticed during its original theatrical run due to studio edits and a limited release, the film's intelligence and uncanny tone has since attracted a devoted cult following. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland, (more)
- 1966
Created by humorist Neil Munro, Scottish barge captain Para Handy and his crew were featured in a number of popular British TV sitcoms, including BBC1's 1966 offering The Vital Spark (the title referred to Capt. Handy's dilapidated boat). Originating as a one-off on the Comedy Playhouse anthology, this incarnation of Handy and company lasted 12 episodes, which aired from 1966 to 1967. The star of the series Roddy McMillan, revived his Para Handy characterization when The Vital Spark resurfaced on BBC1 in 1973, yielding six more half-hour episodes, and one hour-long special. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roddy McMillan, John Grieve, (more)
