Malcolm Terris Movies
At the close of the last century, accomplished character actor Malcolm Terris received long-awaited good news: He would finally play the title character in a major production, a 2000 made-for-TV mystery to be filmed as part of the highly popular Agatha Christie series of films about Belgian super-sleuth Hercule Poirot. Unfortunately, the title of the film was The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. In other words, Terris got to star as a corpus delicti. No matter: He did his duty de rigueur (in this case, rigor mortis) as in all of his TV, film, and stage productions since the 1960s. Terris got to die in another major production, The Bounty (1984), in which he drank himself to death as the ship's surgeon while Fletcher Christian (Mel Gibson) imbibed an island girl and Captain Bligh (Anthony Hopkins) swilled sadism. Terris no doubt learned his talent for keeling over as a Shakespearean actor. As a senate officer in a 1965 production of Othello and a captain in a 1969 production of Hamlet, he observed the untimely keel-over deaths of practically all of the major characters. Terris' forte is TV, mostly series and miniseries, including appearances in such popular productions as Catherine Cookson's The Secret (2000), Family Affairs (1997), Our Friends in the North (1996), Vanity Fair (1987), Lord Mountbatten: The Last Viceroy (1986), Return to Treasure Island (1985), Reilly: The Ace of Spies (1983), and Dr. Who (1963). Before entering the acting profession, Terris was a reporter for a newspaper in Sunderland, England, where he was born in 1941. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi
Partly based on Charlie Chaplin's My Autobiography, this humorous and dramatic biopic features an all-star cast including Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr., Dan Aykroyd, Anthony Hopkins, Kevin Kline, Diane Lane, and Chaplin's real-life daughter, Geraldine Chaplin, who portrays his mentally ill mother. With the use of flashback, an elderly Chaplin discusses his autobiography with his editor (Hopkins), who urges him to be more vulnerable and emotionally honest with his memoirs while journeying through his poverty-stricken childhood, closest friendships, many marriages, merciless pursuit by J. Edgar Hoover (Kevin Dunn), and ingenious invention of "The Little Tramp." Highlighted works such as The Gold Rush (1925) and The Great Dictator (1940) illustrate significant turning points in Chaplin's prolific filmography. Director Richard Attenborough's film also explores the circumstances surrounding Chaplin's exile from America and his eventual return to receive an honorary Academy Award. ~ Lisa Kropiewnicki, Rovi
- Starring:
- Robert Downey, Jr., Dan Aykroyd, (more)
Director Bernard Rose and screenwriter David Yallop were inspired by the real-life Hulten/Jones murder case of 1944, famously known as The Cleft Chin Murder Case, after a London cabbie was found murdered. It was a sensation in England, where American soldier Karl Hulten and British showgirl Elizabeth Maud Jones became household names -- even beating out news of the war. In the film, Karl Hulten (Kiefer Sutherland), is an American GI who is stalking the black market of London after stealing an army truck and going AWOL. There he meets up with Betty Jones (Emily Lloyd), a stripper with a deluded fantasy world view formed by watching a steady stream of Hollywood film noir and gangster pictures. Seeing Karl, who claims he is Chicago Joe doing advance work in London for encroaching Chicago gangsters, Betty takes the opportunity to set her fantasies to life as she connives Karl into a crime spree of petty crimes. With luck on their side, the spree keeps escalating, until Betty urges Karl to commit the ultimate crime -- murder. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Starring:
- Emily Lloyd, Kiefer Sutherland, (more)
- 1989
- R
In 1963, the conservative British government was shaken to its foundations by the Profumo Scandal. The central character in this disastrous affair was John Profumo, Britain's minister of war, who had become sexually involved with call-girl Christine Keeler, whose "sponsor" was high-priced osteopath Dr. Stephen Ward. Fancying himself a dashing international adventurer, Ward had also offered Christine to alleged Soviet spy Eugene Ivanov. Another of Ward's stable, Mandy Rice-Davies, allegedly had slept with numerous British and American luminaries. The whole sordid story, which ended with Ward's suicide and Profumo's public disgrace, was recounted with relish in director Michael Caton-Jones's Scandal, which featured John Hurt as Stephen Ward, Joanne Whalley-Kilmer as Christine Keeler, Ian McKellan as Profumo, Bridget Fonda as Mandy Rice-Davies, and Jeroen Krabbe as Ivanov. In its original form, the film was ripe enough to court an X-rating; post-production trimming enabled it to squeak by with an R. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- John Hurt, Joanne Whalley, (more)
- 1986
Set in the 1830s, this historical drama stars Robin Soans as George Loveless, a Methodist minister whose flock is a group of working families in Tolpuddle, a small town in the British Southwest. Most of the workers in the community are under the thumb of Frampton (Robert Stephens), a ruthless land owner, and his overseer Clerk (Murray Melvin); Frampton and Clerk demand long hours from their workers and pay meager wages. Convinced that the workers deserve a better shake, Loveless, encouraged by organizer Mr. Pitt (Michael Hordern), forms the Society of Friends, an early labor union, and organizes the men to negotiate with Frampton for better pay. When their salaries are instead cut, Loveless and his men go on strike, which could cripple Frampton financially. However, Frampton is well-connected, and soon both the government and private militias are sent in to break the strike and punish the rebellious laborers. The supporting cast includes James Fox, Freddie Jones, and Vanessa Redgrave. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Robin Soans, William Gaminara, (more)
- 1985
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Lord Mountbatten: The Last Viceroy was a 6-part British miniseries, first telecast in the US on PBS' Masterpiece Theatre. The series covers the years 1946 through 1947, during which time the British government granted independence to India. War hero Lord Mountbatten (Nicol Williamson), although considered a political lightweight, is appointed the task of overseeing the transition of power. It is the sort of test that separates the Lords from the boys: Mountbatten must not only unite the squabbling factions within India, but also counteract the rhetoric of Winston Churchill (Malcolm Terris), who is dead set against losing the Empire's "jewel of the crown." Once independence is officially granted, Mountbatten is challenged with open combat between the Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, as well as territorial demands from Pakistan and the Kashmir. Also appearing in this epic production is Sam Dastor as Gandhi, Ian Richardson as Nehru, and Vladek Sheybal as Jinnah. Lord Mountbatten: The Last Viceroy was first seen on Masterpiece Theatre from January 26 through March 2, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Nicol Williamson, Malcolm Terris, (more)
- 1985
- PG
This period drama about the American Revolution has an overlay of rhetoric that thwarts the action, flattening out the story about a man and his loved ones caught up in the events of the time. Tom Dobb (Al Pacino) falls in love with Daisy McConnahay (Nastassja Kinski), an aristocrat who deserts her class to fight alongside the rebels. Tom teaches his son Ned (Dexter Fletcher) everything he needs to learn, though the growing rebellion consumes most of his attention. Eventually, the Redcoats are mowed down in large battle scenes, as the ragtag Colonialists go to war. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Al Pacino, Donald Sutherland, (more)
Sylvia Kristel adds her sexual allure to the story of Mata Hari (Margaretha Geertruida Zelle), executed by the French in 1917 at the age of 41 for being a double agent. In reality, "Mata Hari" had been married, had children, and performed as a dancer around Europe -- not the normal background for a spy. And according to the man who requested her execution, Captain Ladoux, she was a lousy spy indeed. But Kristel and director Curtis Harrington capture one aspect of Mata Hari that made her most infamous -- her willingness to bed down with just about any military man she found attractive, and none were not. As Kristel jumps into bed with both Germans and French, and others in-between, something of the spirit of Mata Hari may live on in this ostensible biography. Viewers may definitely want to compare versions with Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, or Jeanne Moreau in the lead. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Sylvia Kristel, Christopher Cazenove, (more)
This fourth film dramatization of the 1789 mutiny aboard the H.M.S. Bounty is based not on the familiar Nordhoff and Hall book, but on Richard Hough's novel Captain Bligh and Mr. Christian. This time, the infamous Captain Bligh (Anthony Hopkins) is as strict a disciplinarian as ever. He is, however, no monster; faced with his crew's increasing laxity after an idyllic visit to Tahiti (the search for breadfruit takes second place to limitless sex with the island girls), Bligh is forced to resort to flogging and other such means to keep his men in line. Mr. Christian (Mel Gibson), formerly Bligh's friend, is of little use to the captain, having fallen in love with a native girl himself. Christian becomes the leader of the mutiny virtually in spite of himself; and when the mutineers try to seek refuge on Tahiti, they find that the local chief wants no part of them, which is why they settle for the nearly uninhabitable Pitcairn. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, (more)
In this undistinguished crime drama, Peter Coyote plays a thief on the run after an attempt to rob an armored car in upstate New York ends in the death of a little girl. Her father sends a hitman (Philip Sayer) to avenge her death, and the rest of the film is a long series of near-misses as the hitman chases the thief, until the latter ends up in England at the home of a friend whose wife owns an amusement park. But in this jet age, an ocean does not offer much of a barrier, and the chase continues on British soil. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Peter Coyote, Mel Smith, (more)
Like Watership Down, Plague Dogs is an animated cartoon feature based on a novel by Richard Adams and produced by Martin Rosen. And also like Watership Down, it is more appropriate for an older audience. Two dogs escape from a British government research lab. As the authorities hunt down the canine fugitives, the two dogs search for their original master and for a place where they'll be free from the iniquities and cruelties of Mankind. Plague Dogs was completed in 1982, but was not released in the US until two years later. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- John Hurt, Christopher Benjamin, (more)
- 1980
- R
The autobiography of British prison-escapee John McVicar is given a no-frills screen treatment herein. Roger Daltrey, lead singer of the Who, plays McVicar, who after breaking out of prison reestablishes himself in London's seamy underworld. Another British singing star, Adam Faith, is second-billed as Probyn. Needless to say, McVicar contains quite a few songs--more than your usual gangster meller, anyway. In addition to starring, Roger Daltrey was one of the film's three producers. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roger Daltrey, Adam Faith, (more)
- 1980
In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Horns of Nimon," Romana discovers that the Nimon is a parasitic race, and that, far from intending to help the planet Skonnos restore its empire, the Nimon plan is to feed upon other races throughout the universe, utilizing radioactive crystals as a means of teleportation. It is up to the Doctor to nip the Nimon in the bud. Written by Anthony Read and originally telecast on January 11, 1980, "The Horns of Nimon" turned out to be the final Doctor Who episode of the series' 17th season, due to an unexpected BBC strike. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Lalla Ward, (more)
- 1980
In the third episode of the four-part story "The Horns of Nimon," both the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Lalla Ward) are captured by the Nimon, and prepared for human sacrifice. This pleases demented scientist Soldeed (Graham Crowden), who hopes that by serving the Nimon he can restore the past empiric glories of his home planet Skonnos. The Nimon has a slightly different agenda in mind. Written by Anthony Read, "The Horns of Nimon, Episode 3" first aired on January 4, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Lalla Ward, (more)
Not a remake of the landmark 1903 Edwin S. Porter film, The Great Train Robbery is a dramatization of the famous first hold-up of a moving train in 1855 England. The conspirators in this undertaking are Edward Pierce (Sean Connery), Agar (Donald Sutherland) and Clean Willy (Wayne Sleep). Pierce is the brains, Clean Willy the brawn, and safecracker Agar provides the finesse. The scheme involves stealing a shipment of gold bars intended to be used in the payroll for the Army in the Crimean War. Lesley Anne Down co-stars as Miriam, the woman on the outside who arranges Connery's getaway. When released in England, this film was titled The First Great Train Robbery, so as not to be confused with Britain's embarrassing 1963 railroad heist. Director Michael Crichton adapted the story from his own, more-clinical novel on the same subject. Filmed in Ireland, The Great Train Robbery was dedicated to the memory of its director of photography, Geoffrey Unsworth, who died shortly after the production wrapped. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Sean Connery, Donald Sutherland, (more)
- 1979
Written by Anthony Read, the four-part Doctor Who adventure "The Horns of Nimon" begins as the TARDIS is immobilized, and the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Lalla Ward) find themselves caught in a space whirlpool. Also trapped in this dilemma is a vessel from the planet Skonnos, bearing a truly strange and disturbing cargo. The catalyst for this adventure is Soldeed (Graham Crowden), the last surviving Skonnon scientist, who in hoping to restore his world to its past empiric glories, has entered into an unholy alliance with the Nimons, an alien race which sustains itself with radioactive crystals -- and bizarre sacrificial rites. "The Horns of Nimon, Episode 1" first aired on December 22, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Lalla Ward, (more)
- 1979
In the second episode of the four-part story "The Horns of Nimon," Romana is kidnapped and whisked away by a Skonnon spaceship. Demented scientist Soldeed (Graham Crowden) intends to deliver Romana and several other young captives as sacrifices to the Nimon. Normally, the Doctor (Tom Baker) would be speeding off to Romana's rescue, but he is still trapped in a space whirlpool. Written by Anthony Read, "The Horns of Nimon, Episode 2" first aired on December 29, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Lalla Ward, (more)
- 1976
Created by James Mitchell, the long-running British drama series When the Boat Comes In was set in the decades between the two World Wars. Disillusioned by his wartime experiences in France, ex-sergeant Jack Ford (James Bolam) arrived in the town of Gallowshields on Tyneside in search of a job -- any job. Unfortunately, what with the nationwide financial recession, virtually no one in town had any employment to offer. Aligning himself with the equally impoverished Seaton family, Jack set about to improve his fortunes -- and somewhere along the line, he wed the lovely Jessie Seaton (Susan Jameson). An entertaining capsule of the confusion and sociopolitical upheaval in Britain after WWI, When the Boat Comes In was almost painfully accurate in its period detail, right down to the contemporary-sounding theme tune, performed by Alex Glasgow. Debuting January 8, 1976, the series yielded 51 episodes before folding in 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- James Bolam, Susan Jameson, (more)
- 1973
Produced with the full cooperation of the Royal Navy, the long-running British drama series Warship was set aboard the HMS "Hero." Its action taking place during WWII, the series concentrated on the individual travails of the ship's officers and seamen. Several different commanders took the helm during the series' four-season, 45-episode run, played by such stage luminaries as David Savile and John Lee. Warship was originally telecast from 1973 to 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- David Savile, John Lee, (more)
The 1965 Othello is literally a photographed stage play: a filmed record of the National Theatre Production of 1964, as staged by John Dexter and starring Laurence Olivier. As the easily led, fatally jealous Moor of Venice, Olivier wears thick black-faced makeup and speaks in an uncharacteristically deep, bellow-like voice. Some considered his portrayal of Othello to be an unflattering stereotype; others regard Olivier's interpretation as one of the finest Shakespearean performances ever captured on film. Less flamboyant, but no less effective, are Frank Finlay as Iago, Maggie Smith as Desdemona, Derek Jacobi as Cassio, and Joyce Redman as Emilia. Oscar nominations went to Olivier, Finlay, Smith, and Redman. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Laurence Olivier, Frank Finlay, (more)
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