Basil 1998  R, 110 min.
Genre: Drama / Romance
Director: Radha Bharadwaj
Cast: Christian Slater, Jared Leto, Claire Forlani, Jack Wild, Derek Jacobi, Crispin Bonham-Carter, Christopher Owen, Stephanie Bagshaw, Jenny Downham, Claire Forlani, Ann Louise Grimshaw, Carli Harris, Joanna John, Georgiana Johnson, Jackson Leach
Basil (Jared Leto) is a young, British aristocrat around 1900 who has spent his short life being chastised by an overbearing father and coddled by his doting mother. Now an Oxford student, Basil meets a commoner, John Mannion (Christian Slater), who introduces him to the beautiful, but selfish, Julia Sherwin (Claire Forlani). Trouble looms.
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The Body 2001  PG-13, 100 min.
Genre: Drama / Thriller / Romance
Director: Jonas McCord
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Olivia Williams, John Shrapnel, Derek Jacobi, Jason Flemyng, John Wood, Makram Khoury, Vernon Dobtcheff, Ian McNeice, Mohammed Bakri, Lillian Lux, Yoav Dekelbaum, Sami Samir, Jordan Licht, Livor Goldstein
When Israeli archaeologist Sharon Golban (Olivia Williams) finds a crucified body from the First Century A.D., the Vatican sends a New Testament researcher, Father Matt Gutierrez (Antonio Banderas) to Jerusalem to investigate. Could it be the body of Christ? Tensions mount, and trouble spreads in the aftermath.
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The Day of the Jackal 1973  PG, 144 min.
Genre: Drama / Thriller
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Cast: Edward Fox, Terence Alexander, Alan Badel, Michel Auclair, Tony Britton, Adrien Cayla-Legrand, Cyril Cusack, Maurice Denham, David(2) Swift, Denis Carey, Vernon Dobtcheff, Michael Lonsdale, Olga Georges-Picot, Derek Jacobi, Raymond Gerome
Conspiring French generals hire the Jackal (Edward Fox) to assassinate President Charles de Gaulle (Adrien Cayla-Legrand) in the early 1960s. The French Security Force is suspicious when the French generals who hired the Jackal have gone into hiding. They kidnap the generals' errand boy, and when questioned he reveals the assassins name. The Security Force hires ace detective Lebel (Michel Lonsdale) to track down the Jackal before he kills DeGaulle. The Jackal now assumes a new identity that will make it even more difficult for Lebel to catch him before he completes the assassination. And the mystery deepens.
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Dead Again 1991  R, 107 min.
Genre: Drama / Comedy / Mystery / Thriller
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Derek Jacobi, Andy Garcia, Robin Williams, Lois Hall, Wayne Knight, Christine Ebersole, Raymond Cruz, Hanna Schygulla, Campbell Scott, Jo Anderson, Richard Easton, Patrick Montes, Patrick Doyle
Los Angeles detective Mike Church (Kenneth Branagh) comes to the aid of amnesia victim Grace (Emma Thompson) who is suffering from nightmares about the murder of pianist Margaret Strauss (also played by Thompson). In an attempt to help Grace regain her identity, Mike takes her to hypnotist Franklyn Madson (Derek Jacobi) who runs an antique shop. While Grace is under hypnosis, surprises concerning both Mike and Grace that link them to the murder of Margaret 40 years ago are revealed.
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The Diaries of Vaslav Nijinsky 2002  N/R, 95 min.
Genre: Documentary
aka: Nijinsky
Director: Paul Cox
Cast: Derek Jacobi, Delia Silvan, Chris Haywood, Kevin Lucas, Hans Sonneveld, Oliver Streeton, Jillian Smith, David Gallasch, Aanya Whitehead, Gabriella Joy Smart
The collected letters of famed Polish dancer, Vaslav Nijinsky, are read by Derek Jacobi. They chronicle the passionate man's inner thoughts, which would later–rightly or wrongly–send him into an insane asylum.
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The Gathering Storm 2002 TV, 100 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Richard Loncraine
Cast: Albert Finney, Vanessa Redgrave, Jim Broadbent, Linus Roache, Lena Headey, Derek Jacobi, Tom Wilkinson, Ronnie Barker, Hugh Bonneville, Celia Imrie, Tom Hiddleston, Edward Hardwicke, John Gottfried, Anthony Brophy, Tim Bentinck
Albert Finney is excellent in his role as Winston Churchill, winning a golden Globe Award for his efforts in this BBC production. It covers the period from the early 1930s when Churchill was a lone voice in warning the nation of the threat posed by the Nazis to his position as Prime Minister. But the centerpiece of the biography is the story of his personal life with his wife, Clementine (Vanessa Redgrave).
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Gladiator 2000 R, 150 min.
Genre: Action / Adventure / Drama
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, Richard Harris, David Schofield, John Shrapnel, Tomas Arana, Ralf Moeller, Sven-Ole Thorsen, Spencer Treat Clark, David Hemmings, Tommy Flanagan
Set in 180 A.D., this action film uses real historical events and people as background for its tale of greed and corruption versus loyalty and truth. After Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) murders his father, the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), he forces trusted general Narcissus Maximus (Russell Crowe) into exile. Rescued by slaves, Maximus is sold as a gladiator and ends up fighting in the Colosseum under the alias of "The Spaniard." The film won five Academy Awards: Best Picture, Actor (Crowe), Costume Design, Sound, and Visual Effects. It also received seven other nominations, including Best Director.
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The Golden Compass 2007 PG-13, 114 min.
Genre: Adventure / Drama / Fantasy / Thriller
Director: Chris Weitz
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Dakota Blue Richards, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott, Eva Green, Christopher Lee, Tom Courtenay, Derek Jacobi, Ben Walker, Freddie Highmore, Ian McKellen, Ian McShane, Kristin Scott Thomas, Kathy Bates, Jim Carter
Her uncle, Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig) has made it possible for orphaned, young Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards) to be raised at Jordan University. As an explorer, Asriel is often away, and he returns this time from the Arctic Circle with evidence that "Dust," which has properties that could unite the universe, exists. Asriel goes back on another expedition, and the evil Mrs. Coulter (Nicole Kidman) takes Lyra under her wing. But, when Lyra's best friend Roger (Ben Walker) is kidnapped, Lyra acquires a golden compass that, when in the right hands, will reveal truth. Now, Lyra sets off into the frozen north to rescue Roger and other children who have been kidnapped by child-stealing "Gobblers." And adventures ensue. The film received an Academy Award for Best Visueal Effects and received one additional nomination.
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Gosford Park 2001 R, 137 min.
Genre: Mystery
Director: Robert Altman
Cast: Michael Gambon, Kristin Scott Thomas, Emily Watson, Maggie Smith, Charles Dance, Derek Jacobi, Jeremy Northam, Richard E. Grant, Helen Mirren, Alan Bates
Set in England during the early 1930s, this mystery centers on a weekend social gathering at the country estate of Sir William McCordle (Michael Gambon) and his wife, Lady Sylvia (Kristen Scott Thomas). When McCordle is murdered, the question becomes: "Who did not have a motive?" Seven Academy award nominations were received, including Best Director and two for Best Supporting Actress (Helen Mirren and Maggie Smith). An Oscar was received for Best Original Screenplay.
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Hamlet 1996 PG-13, 238 min.
Genre: Drama / Romance / Thriller
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Julie Christie, Kate Winslet, Charlton Heston, Robin Williams, Jack Lemmon, Billy Crystal, Gerard Depardieu, John Gielgud, Richard Briers, Nicholas Farrell, Michael Maloney, Brian Blessed, Judi Dench
"Hamlet," the melancholy Dane, is directed by and stars Kenneth Branagh in this–indeed unique–innovative presentation of Shakespeare's classic. Branagh uses Shakespeare's entire text to uncover the layers behind the Bard of Avon's words in his play about Hamlet (Branagh) seeking revenge for his father the king's murder. Julie Christie plays Gertrude, Hamlet's mother who marries her brother-in-law Claudius (Derek Jacobi) soon after her husband's murder. His father's ghost (Brian Blessed) appears and tells Hamlet to be kind to Gertrude but to kill Claudius who had murdered him. Now, insanity takes over resulting in homicide and suicide.
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Henry V 1989 PG, 135 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Derek Jacobi, Robert Stephens, Simon Shepherd, James Larkin, Brian Blessed, Ian Holm, James Simmons, Judi Dench, Charles Kay, Alec McGowan, Jay Villiers
This version of "Henry V" is every bit as good as Laurence Olivier's 1944 production. Kenneth Branagh comes across the big screen as a heroic Henry who follows his Bishops' advice and leads his soldiers against France at the Battle of Agincourt. Academy Award nominations were received for Best Actor and Director, and the film won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design.
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The Hunchback of Notre Dame 1982 TV, 150 min.
Genre: Drama / Horror / Romance
aka: Hunchback
Director: Michael Tuchner
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Derek Jacobi, Lesley-Anne Down, Robert Powell, John Gielgud, David Suchet, Gerry Sundquist, Tim Pigott-Smith, Alan Webb, Roland Culver, Nigel Hawthorne, Rosalie Crutchley, David Kelly, Joseph Batchley, Dave Hill
This made-for-TV miniseries stars Anthony Hopkins as the hunchback Quasimodo who is the bell ringer at Notre Dame Cathedral. Quasimodo leaves the bell tower and attends a festival during which, through a series of unfortunate events, he ends up the victim of a flogging. The sensuous gypsy Esmeralda (Lesley-Anne Down) consoles him by bringing him water, and Quasimodo falls in love with her. Later, after she is falsely accused of murder, Quasimodo rescues Esmeralda and brings her to the safety of the cathedral. But, his love for Esmeralda is doomed because she is in love with handsome soldier Phoebus (Robert Powell). This film features an outstanding supporting cast to provide an enthralling version of Victor Hugo's novel.
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Jason and the Argonauts 2000 TV, 180 min.
Genre: Adventure / Fantasy
Director: Nick Willing
Cast: Jason London, Jolene Blalock, Dennis Hopper, Frank Langella, Natasha Henstridge, Derek Jacobi, Brian Thompson, Mark Lewis Jones, Diana Kent, Tom Harper, Olivia Williams, Angus Macfadyen, Adrian Lester, Ciaran Hinds
Jason (Jason London), an exiled prince, learns of his true identity and sets out to reclaim his birthright, but his treacherous uncle, Pelias (Dennis Hopper), has usurped the throne and threatens to kill Jason. Jason is very clever and makes a deal to deliver the Golden Fleece to Pelias. Thus the adventure begins as Jason sails off on his quest.
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Little Dorrit 1988 G, 360 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Christine Edzard
Cast: Derek Jacobi, Sarah Pickering, Alec Guinness, Joan Greenwood, Cyril Cusack, Amelda Brown, Paul Rhys, Miriam Margolyes, Robert Morley, Michael Elphick, Max Wall, Patricia Hayes, Luke Duckett, Daniel Chatto, Bill Fraser
Charles Dickens' novel is told in two parts revealing perspectives of both cold businessman Arthur Clennam (Derek Jacobi) and the innocent Amy Dorrit (Sarah Pickering). Part I is told through the eyes of Clennam who returns home to London after a 20-year absence and becomes interested in William Dorrit (Alec Guinness) who is serving time in debtor's prison. Dorrit's daughter Amy is a seamstress working for Clennam's mother (Joan Greenwood), and Clennam sets out to help the Dorrits reclaim a fortune. In Part II, Amy's side of the story is told as her life crosses that of Clennam. This six-hour film is a well-acted adaptation of Dickens' tale and received Academy Award nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Guinness) and Best Writing.
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Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon 1998 R, 90 min.
Genre: Drama
aka: Love Is the Devil
Director: John Maybury
Cast: Derek Jacobi, Daniel Craig, Tilda Swinton, Anne Lambton, Adrian Scarborough, Karl Johnson, Annabel Brooks, Richard Newbould, Andy Linden, Tallulah, David Kennedy, Ariel de Ravenel, Gary Hume, Antony Cotton, Damian Dibben
This biography of the British painter Francis Bacon (Derek Jacobi) focuses on his life from the fateful night in 1964 when he encounters a burglar, George Dyer (Daniel Craig), who he invites into his bed. George soon becomes not only Francis' lover but the model for his paintings. But, George is not without demons, including a death wish, and as Francis gains international status as a painter, George's life begins to unravel.
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Nanny McPhee 2005 PG, 98 min.
Genre: Family / Comedy / Fantasy
Director: Kirk Jones
Cast: Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Kelly Macdonald, Celia Imrie, Imelda Staunton, Thomas Sangster, Angela Lansbury, Derek Jacobi, Patrick Barlow, Eliza Bennett, Phyllida Law, Adam Godley, Jennifer Rae Daykin, Raphael Coleman, Samuel Honywood
Nanny McPhee's (Emma Thompson) special powers are just what Cedric Brown (Colin Firth) needs. His wife has died, his seven children are uncontrollable brats, and his wife's Aunt Adelaide (Angela Lansbury) has given the ultimatum: find a new wife before month's end or she will stop the needed financial assistance. In the nick of time, Nanny McPhee appears at the door and attempts to bring order to the household.
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The Odessa File 1974 PG, 128 min.
Genre: Drama / Thriller
Director: Ronald Neame
Cast: Jon Voight, Maximilian Schell, Maria Schell, Mary Tamm, Derek Jacobi, Peter Jeffrey, Noel Willman, Klaus Lowitsch, Kurt Meisel, Hannes Messemer, Garfield Morgan, Shmuel Rodensky, Ernest Schroder, Gunter Strack, Martin Brandt
Based on Frederick Forsyth's novel, this is the story of journalist Peter Miller (Jon Voight) who, after reading the diary of a Holocast survivor who committed suicide, is obsessed with bringing Nazi war criminal SS Major Roschmann to justice. The plot follows the trail as Miller assumes a new identity and infiltrates the Odessa underground.
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Othello 1965 N/R, 166 min.
Genre: Drama / Romance
Director: Stuart Burge, John Dexter
Cast: Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith, Frank Finlay, Derek Jacobi, Joyce Redman, Robert Lang, Anthony Nicholls, Roy Holder, Sheila Reid, Peter Cellier, Kenneth MacKintosh, Malcolm Terris, Harry Lomax, Michael Turner, Terence Knapp
Laurence Olivier gives a great performance as the Moor, Othello, whose appointment of Cassio (Derek Jacobi) to lieutenant over another soldier, Iago (Frank Finlay), upsets Iago. Iago convinces Othello that his innocent wife, Desdemona (Maggie Smith), has been unfaithful with Cassio, and when Othello sees Desdemona talking to Cassio, his jealousy takes over, and tragedy lies ahead. Oscar nominations went to Olivier (Best Actor), Finlay (Best Supporting Actor), and Joyce Redman and Maggie Smith (Best Supporting Actress).
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Revelation 2001  R, 111 min.
Genre: Adventure / Drama / Fantasy / Thriller
Director: Stuart Urban
Cast: Terence Stamp, James D'Arcy, Natasha Wightman, Udo Kier, Liam Cunningham, Derek Jacobi, Celia Imrie, Ron Moody, Heathcote Williams, Charlotte Weston, Vernon Dobtcheff, Manuel Cauchi, Alan Talbot, Pip Torrens, Diran Meghreblian
Dating from the time of Jesus Christ, a box called "Loculus" was fought over for centuries. Originally, there were two images on its panels, but through history more were added. Many tried to unlock the secret of the box throughout the years, but without success. After missing for hundreds of years, it has surfaced, and the battle is on to get it and again attempt to unlock its secrets. But, the demonic protector of the box (Udo Kier) unleashes his fury on anyone attempting to get the Loculus.
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Revengers Tragedy 2002 N/R, 109 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Alex Cox
Cast: Christopher Eccleston, Eddie Izzard, Derek Jacobi, Diana Quick, Andrew Schofield, Anthony Booth, Margi Clarke, Alex Cox, Marc Warren, Fraser Ayres
This nearly unintelligible comedy/drama is based on Thomas Middleton's 17th-century play and uses dialog from that era with modern settings. Years after the poisoning of his fiancee by the Duke (Derek Jacobi), unstable Vindici (Christopher Eccleston) makes plans to extract revenge on not only the Duke but his entire aristocratic family. A dark and violent tale.
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The Secret Garden 1987 PG, 100 min.
Genre: Family / Comedy / Drama
Director: Alan Grint
Cast: Gennie James, Barret Oliver, Jadrien Steele, Michael Hordern, Billie Whitelaw, Derek Jacobi, Lucy Gutteridge, Colin Firth, Julian Glover, Margaret Whiting, Carmel McSharry, Sophie Thursfield, Irina Brook, Edward Tudor-Pole, Stephen Dillane
Due largely to the good cast, this is an enjoyable made-for-TV retelling of Frances Hodgson Burnett's story that is set in the 19th century during a cholera epidemic. After orphaned and spoiled Mary (Gennie James) arrives at her Uncle Archibald Craven's (Derek Jacobi) dank, dark mansion, life changes for everyone.
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The Secret of NIMH 1982 G, 82 min.
Genre: Animation / Family / Adventure / Drama / Fantasy
Director: Don Bluth
Cast: Elizabeth Hartman, Dom DeLuise, Peter Strauss, Derek Jacobi, Hermione Baddeley, John Carradine, Arthur Malet, Paul Shenar, Aldo Ray, Wil Wheaton, Shannen Doherty, Jodi Hicks, Ian Fried, Lucille Bliss, Tom Hatten
This feature-length animated film tells a delightful story about a mouse, Mrs. Brisby (voice of Elizabeth Hartman), who goes out to look for a way to save her home and children from a farmer who is preparing to plow his field. With help from a crow, Jeremy (voice of Dom DeLuise), Mrs. Brisby discovers the secret society of NIMH. They are lab rats who have escaped from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) laboratory, and they just might have the solution to Mrs. Brisby's dilemma.
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Three Sisters 1970 PG, 157 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Laurence Olivier, John Sichel
Cast: Jeanne Watts, Joan Plowright, Louise Purnell, Derek Jacobi, Laurence Olivier, Alan Bates, Ronald Pickup, Sheila Reid, Kenneth MacKintosh, Daphne Heard, Harry Lomax, Judy Wilson, Mary Griffiths, Frank Wylie, Richard Kay
This filmed rendition of Chekhov's play involves three impoverished sisters–Olga, Masha, and Irina Prozoroff (Jeanne Watts, Joan Plowright, and Louise Purnell)–who are unhappy with their family life. Their father has died, and now their sister-in-law Natasha (Sheila Reid) has moved in and taken over the family home. Frustrated with their lives, the sisters now decide to leave their small town and make Moscow their home.
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Underworld: Evolution 2006 R, 105 min.
Genre: Action / Horror / Thriller / Fantasy
Director: Len Wiseman
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Tony Curran, Derek Jacobi, Bill Nighy, Steven Mackintosh, Shane Brolly, Michael Sheen, Scott McElroy, Brian Steele, Zita Gorog, John Mann, Sophia Myles, Richard Cetrone, Mike Mukatis
In this sequel to 2003's "Underworld," vampire Selene (Kate Beckinsale) and Lycan warrior Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman) look into the onset of the war between the Death Dealers (vampires) and the Lycans (werewolves) in an effort to uncover the secrets of their bloodlines. Fans of "Underworld" will enjoy this one.
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Up at the Villa 2000 PG-13, 115 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Philip Haas
Cast: Kristin Scott Thomas, Sean Penn, Anne Bancroft, James Fox, Jeremy Davies, Derek Jacobi, Massimo Ghini, Dudley Sutton, Lorenza Indovina, Clive Merrison, Roger Hammond, Linda Spurrier, Ben Aris, Anne Ridler, Ann Bell
Based on W. Somerset Maugham's romantic thriller set in Italy during the 1930s, this film features Kristin Scott Thomas in the role of the beautiful young widow, Mary Panton, who is currently residing in a villa. Intrigue evolves from Mary's one-night affair with an illegal immigrant, Karl Richter (Jeremy Davies), while she is also being courted by both playboy Rowley Flint (Sean Penn) and the very respectable Sir Edgar Swift (James Fox).
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| 1. Basil (1998)
2. The Body (2001)
3. The Day of the Jackal (1973)
4. Dead Again (1991)
5. The Diaries of Vaslav Nijinsky (2002)
aka: Nijinsky
6. Enigma (1982)
7. The Gathering Storm (2002)
8. Gladiator (2000)
9. The Golden Compass (2007)
10. Gosford Park (2001)
11. Hamlet (1996)
12. Henry V (1989)
13. The Human Factor (1980)
14. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982)
aka: Hunchback
15. Jason and the Argonauts (2000)
16. Little Dorrit (1988)
17. Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon (1998)
aka: Love Is the Devil
18. Nanny McPhee (2005)
19. The Odessa File (1974)
20. Othello (1965)
21. Revelation (2001)
22. Revengers Tragedy (2002)
23. The Secret Garden (1987)
24. The Secret of NIMH (1982)
25. Three Sisters (1970)
26. Underworld: Evolution (2006)
27. Up at the Villa (2000)
In The News
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