Alan Bates – MRQE

The Caretaker

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Aston, a quiet, reserved man, lives alone in a top-floor cluttered room of a small abandoned house in a poor London district. He befriends and takes in Mac Davies, an old derelict who has been fired from a menial job in a café. In time Aston offers him a job as caretaker of the house. Aston’s brother, Mick – a taunting, quasi-sadist – harasses the derelict when his brother is away, countermanding his orders…

A Prayer for the Dying

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Jack Higgins’ straightforward thriller about a guilt-ridden IRA bomber forced into “one last job”

The Running Man

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

When pilot Rex Black destroys his plane in a crash the day after his insurance policy expires, the insurance company refuses to give him any money. To strike back at the agency, Rex fakes his death, changes his identity, and escapes to Spain, with 50,000 pounds in life insurance money. His wife joins him in Spain, but when an insurance investigator arrives unexpectedly, Rex’s paranoia causes him to flee again.

St. Patrick: The Irish Legend (TV)

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

A young Christian boy attends a druid worship that is attacked by invading Irish tribes. Taken captive, he is taken back to Ireland to become a slave. Enduring many hardships, he finds comfort and eventually salvation in his faith. After several years, he escapes back to England, where he joins a convent to prove his faith. His greatest desire is to return to Ireland to convert the Irish to Christianity. Years later, he is given the opportunity. Upon setting foot on the Irish soil, all snakes are aitomatically driven from the land. He then overcomes many obstacles, including disagreements with the British Cardinal (Malcolm McDowell), to fulfill his destiny and ultimately being given Sainthood.

“Love in a Cold Climate”

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Dramatization of Nancy Mitford’s novel about three aristocratic young girls’ adventures in love.

Pack of Lies (TV)

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

A couple learns that their friendly neighbours might be Russian spies.

A Voyage Round My Father (TV)

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

A successful lawyer struck with blindness in middle age continues his battles in the courtroom with the assistance of his family. As his son deals with bitter memories of their relationship, he also seeks his father’s respect and love and in the process learns to love in return.

Bertie and Elizabeth (TV)

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

The duke of York, nicknamed Bertie, was born as royal ‘spare heir’, younger brother to the prince of Wales, and thus expected to spend a relatively private life with his Scottish wife Elisabeth Bowes-Lyon and their daughters, in the shadow of their reigning father, George V, and next that of his elder brother who succeeded to the British throne as Edward VIII. However Edward decides to put his love for a divorced American, Wallis Simpson, above dynastic duty, and ends up abdicating the throne, which now falls to Bertie, who reigns as George VI.

Spartacus (TV)

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Sentenced to spend out the rest of his adult life laboring in the harsh deserts of Egypt, the Thracian slave Spartacus gets a new lease on life when he is purchased by the obese owner of a Roman gladiator school. Moved by the defiance of an Ethiopian warrior, Draba, Spartacus leads a slave uprising which threatens Rome’s status quo. As Spartacus gains sympathy within the Roman Senate, he also makes a powerful enemy in form of Marcus Lucinius Crassus, who makes it a matter of personal honor to crush the rebellion.

The Prince and the Pauper (TV)

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

An adaptation of the classic, “The Prince and the Pauper” is the retelling of Edward Tudor and young Thomas Canty, two amazing look-alikes caught up in imperial intrigue and scandal. In fleeing from his violent father, Tom stumbles into the palace courtyard, and is seen by young Prince Edward, who takes him in. Each desiring to see what the other’s life is like, the boys impulsively switch identities… little knowing what disaster lies ahead at this fault of thought. And soon Thomas becomes a pawn in the hands of Edward’s malicious and greedy uncle, who would have the kingdom for himself.