Actor Ian Bannen (1928)

Braveheart (1995) is an epic historical drama set in late-13th century Scotland. Directed and produced by Mel Gibson, the film follows Sir William Wallace, a brave Scottish warrior who leads his people in the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England. After the Scots’ king dies without an heir, Edward I, also known as ‘Longshanks’, conquers Scotland in 1280. Witnessing the brutal execution of several Scottish nobles by Longshanks, young William Wallace loses both his father and brother when they resist the English. He then goes to live with his uncle, Argyll. As years pass, ...

The British spy film Eye of the Needle (1981), directed by Richard Marquand, follows Henry Faber, a German sleeper agent nicknamed ‘the Needle’ for his preferred method of killing with a stiletto. While in England, he obtains crucial information about the Allies’ plans to invade Normandy instead of Pas de Calais as expected by Nazi Germany High Command. However, due to circumstances beyond his control, he is unable to transmit this information. MI5 is aware that Faber’s knowledge could jeopardize D-Day and closely monitors his actions. In an attempt to rendezvous with a U-boat in Scotland, Faber ...

The BBC’s seven-part spy drama, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979), is an adaptation of John le Carré’s novel of the same name. Directed by John Irvin and produced by Jonathan Powell, the series follows George Smiley, a retired deputy from the British Secret Intelligence Service. Smiley was forced into retirement after a failed mission in Czechoslovakia known as Operation Testify. The operation, orchestrated by the head of the Circus (the British Secret Intelligence Service), resulted in the capture and torture of ...

Jesus of Nazareth (1977) is an epic film and television drama serial. Directed by Franco Zeffirelli and co-written by Anthony Burgess and Suso Cecchi d’Amico, it tells the story of Jesus’s birth, life, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. In the screenplay writing process, additional scenes were added for a more concise and dramatic presentation. Some characters, like Zerah, were also included for the same reason. Notably, Judas Iscariot is portrayed as initially well-intentioned but later manipulated by ...

The film The Mackintosh Man (1973), directed by John Huston and written by Walter Hill, is a Cold War espionage tale based on Desmond Bagley’s book The Freedom Trap. Joseph Rearden, a former criminal now working for British intelligence, meets with MI5 agent Mackintosh and his assistant Mrs. Smith in London. They reveal a plan for Rearden to steal diamonds being transported through the postal service to avoid detection. Rearden successfully executes the heist by attacking a postman and escaping with the ...