Michael Jayston
Also Known As: Michael James
Biography: Michael James (born 29 October 1935), known professionally as Michael Jayston, was an English actor. He played Nicholas II of Russia in the film Nicholas and Alexandra (1971). He has also made many television appearances, which have included playing the Valeyard in all fourteen episodes of the Doctor Who serial The Trial of a Time Lord (1986) and appearing in the Only Fools and Horses episode "Time on Our Hands" (1996) as Raquel's father, James.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, UK
Adult: No
Birthday: October 29, 1935
Age: 89 years old
Gender: Male
Deathday: February 05, 2024
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Known For:
From a Far Country
Overview: This heroic story follows the life of Karol Wojtyla, a Polish Roman catholic who ascends the throne of St. Peter as Pope John Paul II. As a young boy, Karol is a bright and talented student. Archbishop Sapieha recognizes the very special, moving qualities Karol possesses and encourages him to consider the priesthood. Although determined to study Polish literature, Karol turns to the church; he is ordained and studies in Italy, France, and Belgium. Torn by fear and repression in post-Stalin Eastern Europe, Karol becomes a poisonous thorn in the communists' side. His deer reverence and commitment return him to Poland as Pope John Paul II.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-09-15
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20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Overview: In the 19th century, an expert marine biologist is hired by the government to determine what's sinking ships all over the ocean. His daughter follows him. They are intercepted by a mysterious captain Nemo and his incredible submarine.
Genres: Adventure Action Science Fiction TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1997-03-23
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Highlander III: The Sorcerer
Overview: Starts off in the 15th century, with Connor McLeod training with another immortal swordsman, the Japanese sorcerer Nakano. When an evil immortal named Kane kills the old wizard, the resulting battle leaves him buried in an underground cave. When Kane resurfaces in the 20th century to create havoc, it's up to McLeod to stop him.
Genres: Fantasy Action Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1994-11-29
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Cromwell
Overview: Disgusted with the policies of King Charles I, Oliver Cromwell plans to take his family to the New World. But on the eve of their departure, Cromwell is drawn into the tangled web of religion and politics that will result in the English Civil War.
Genres: Drama History War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-07-16
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Somewhere to Run
Overview: Teenagers Sarah and Debbie run away from home and find themselves on the streets of London.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1989-07-11
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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Overview: An all-star cast highlights this vibrant musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's immortal tale. One day, plucky young Alice follows a white rabbit down a hole and discovers a world of bizarre characters.
Genres: Family Fantasy Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-11-20
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Tales That Witness Madness
Overview: Dr. Tremayne is an enigmatic psychiatrist running an asylum that houses four very special cases. Visited by his colleague Nicholas, Tremayne explains his amazing and controversial theories as to why each of the four patients went mad.
Genres: Horror Comedy Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-10-31
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Nicholas and Alexandra
Overview: Tsar Nicholas II, the inept last monarch of Russia, insensitive to the needs of his people, is overthrown and exiled to Siberia with his family.
Genres: Drama War History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-11-29
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The Internecine Project
Overview: Offered a job as a presidential adviser, a professor is forced to dispose of those who knew him when he was a spy.
Genres: Thriller Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-07-24
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Follow Me!
Overview: A strait-laced British banker hires an eccentric private detective to follow his free-spirited American wife, whom he suspects is cheating on him.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-07-15
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Craze
Overview: A demented art dealer and antique shop owner performs nightly rituals in honour of the African god Chuku, whom he believes will reward him with unimaginable wealth and power if he merely offers up human sacrifice.
Genres: Horror Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-05-16
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The Homecoming
Overview: In a dreary North London flat, the site of perpetual psychological warfare, a philosophy professor visits his family after a nine-year absence and introduces the four men - father, uncle and two brothers - to his wife.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-10-29
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Element of Doubt
Overview: A woman has doubts about the intentions of her husband, even to the point where she thinks he might kill her.
Genres: Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1996-12-30
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Dominique
Overview: The wife of a greedy man comes back to haunt him after he scares her to death.
Genres: Drama Horror Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-03-06
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Peter O'Toole: Along the Sky Road to Aqaba
Overview: Reflecting Peter O'Toole's theatrical legacy, this feature documentary is structured into four acts, each introduced by a quote about O'Toole that encapsulates his life during a specific period.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2022-11-26
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The Merchant of Venice
Overview: An Edwardian take on the Shakespeare play starring Laurence Olivier.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-10-07
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A Midsummer Night's Dream
Overview: Peter Hall's film adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy, filmed in and around an English country house and starring actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Genres: Comedy Fantasy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-09-30
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Still Crazy Like a Fox
Overview: Jack Warden is back as quirky detective Harry Fox, who becomes a suspect in a murder case while on holiday in England.
Genres: Drama Thriller TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-04-05
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Macbeth
Overview: Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-11-04
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King Lear
Overview: King Lear, old and tired, divides his kingdom among his daughters, giving great importance to their protestations of love for him. When Cordelia, youngest and most honest, refuses to idly flatter the old man in return for favor, he banishes her and turns for support to his remaining daughters. But Goneril and Regan have no love for him and instead plot to take all his power from him. In a parallel, Lear's loyal courtier Gloucester favors his illegitimate son Edmund after being told lies about his faithful son Edgar. Madness and tragedy befall both ill-starred fathers.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-03-23
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Love's Labour's Lost
Overview: A scholarly king and his three companions swear off the society of women for three years, only to have a diplomatic visit from a French princess and her three ladies-in-waiting thwart their intentions.
Genres: Drama Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1965-05-06
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She Fell Among Thieves
Overview: While on a Pyrenees vacation in 1922, upright English gentleman Richard Chandos (Malcolm McDowell, A Clockwork Orange, Heroes) encounters the villainous Vanity Fair (Eileen Atkins, Cold Mountain). Mistress of the turreted Chateau Jezreel and leader of a motley band of criminals, she will inherit millions if she can force her stepdaughter to marry. Pitting his wits against this formidable adversary, Chandos determines to rescue the beautiful young woman. But Vanity Fair keeps one step ahead of him, a trick forever up her sleeve and murder in her heart.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-03-01
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Bequest to the Nation
Overview: Set before the Battle of Trafalgar, this is the story of relationship between Admiral Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton during the Napoleonic Wars.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-04-18
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The Hero of My Life
Overview: The rise of Charles Dickens, from poverty to prosperity, traced and reflected in his writings.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-06-09
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The Doctors: The Colin Baker Years
Overview: This is the definitive set of interviews with the team who brought the Colin Baker era of Doctor Who to life! This documentary includes the best in-depth interviews with Colin Baker (the Sixth Doctor), Nicola Bryant (Peri), Bonnie Langford (Mel), Michael Jayston (The Valeyard), John Nathan-Turner (Producer) and Eric Saward (Script Editor) ever undertaken!
Genres: Documentary Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2019-09-01
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Zulu Dawn
Overview: In 1879, the British suffer a great loss at the Battle of Isandlwana due to incompetent leadership.
Genres: Adventure Drama History War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-05-14
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Gossip from the Forest
Overview: The events around the signing of The Armistice at the end of the First World War.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-07-28
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Mad Jack
Overview: Play dealing with the life of British Army lieutenant Siegfried Sassoon, and his protests against the inhumanity of the First World War
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-02-04
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The Importance of Being Earnest
Overview: Adaptation of the play by Oscar Wilde.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-02-17
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Albert's Memorial
Overview: One-off comedy drama that follows the story of three World War II veterans: Harry, Frank and Albert. It is October 2000 and, at the age of 76, Albert's dying wish is to be buried on the little hill outside Hinderburg in Germany where he watched the Russians take position in the closing stages of the Battle for Berlin. The notion of Harry and Frank transporting Albert's body after his death is a crazy one, but life is short, friendship precious and, after all, the trio have known each other for more than half a century.
Genres: Drama Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2009-12-13
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The Man Who Left His Soul on Film
Overview: Documentary about Nagisa Oshima. It includes interviews with Oshima, Donald Richie, Roger Pulvers and Paul Mayersberg
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1983-02-02
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From This Day Forward
Overview: Sheila Hancock stars as Ellie; a woman gathering her strength on the morning of the hardest day of her life. Unwaveringly, she prepares to perform her last act of love. As she navigates her feelings and the very practical considerations of getting this done, she finds that another big decision is to be made.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
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Finisterre
Overview: London has always been a source of influence, inspiration and curiosity - Finisterre tries to identify the dreams that London holds for so many. Presented and scored by Saint Etienne, the film enraptures with a journey through the ultimate city of possibilities - from John Nash and Berthold Lubetkin to Hendon FC and Hampstead Heath via the New Piccadilly cafe. A genuinely moving meditation on the capital in all its tawdry glory, with extra features and deluxe booklet
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2003-05-22
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Competition
Overview: An out of work man must take his son to a school poetry competition while accompanied by his friendly neighbours, of which, he's not too secretly been having an affair with the wife.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-10-05
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A Coffin for the Bride
Overview: Mark Walker is in the lucrative business of marrying wealthy older women and murdering them after the honeymoon. That all changes when he falls for cool blonde Stella McKenzie. He considers giving up his life of crime and finally marrying for love. The only obstacles in his way are a lawyer who suspects the truth, and temptation in the form of the perfect target for one more kill...
Genres: TV Movie Thriller Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-05-31
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The Making of The Trial of a Time Lord
Overview: The Making of The Trial of a Time Lord was the umbrella title for a series of four 2|entertain documentaries. Each covered a different story within the larger fourteen-part serial The Trial of a Time Lord. An instalment of the series was found on each DVD of the The Trial of a Time Lord box set.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2008-09-30
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Doctor Who: The Mysterious Planet
Overview: The Doctor is summoned before the High Council of Time Lords to stand trial for the charges of harmful interference to the course of events during his travels which have threatened the sanctity of the universe. Indignant at these accusations, the Doctor pleads his case to the Inquisitor with the hope that she will see him as a source of hope and goodwill for existence. However, his prosecuting attorney, a sinister Time Lord known simply as the Valeyard, begins a crusade against the Doctor with the motive of framing him as a villainous renegade.
Genres: Science Fiction Drama Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-09-27
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Doctor Who: Terror of the Vervoids
Overview: As evidence for the defense at his ongoing trial, the Doctor presents an adventure from his future when he is travelling with a computer programmer named Mel. Answering a mysterious distress call from the space liner Hyperion III, they find that the passengers aboard include unscrupulous scientists, secret agents, saboteurs, thieves and a murderer. And lurking in the shadows are the Vervoids, the product of sinister botanical experiments, who will stop at nothing to destroy all non-plant life.
Genres: Drama Science Fiction Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-11-22
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Doctor Who: The Ultimate Foe
Overview: Charged with genocide by the treacherous Valeyard at his trial, the Doctor receives help from an unlikely source to turn the tide of the High Council's rulings in his favour and reveal the Valeyard as a wrongdoer: the Master. For the Valeyard's own crimes are so atrocious, even the Doctor's archenemy will help him to ensure that the villain won't see the light of day again. Cornered, the Valeyard flees to the Matrix, where he can be the Doctor's judge, jury and executioner...
Genres: Drama Action Adventure Science Fiction TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-12-06
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Doctor Who: Mindwarp
Overview: As the Doctor's trial continues, evidence is presented showing his most recent adventure, one where he faces an old adversary, Sil. As a scientist conducts his unethical experiments to prolong the life of Sil's boss Kiv, the Doctor's memories of the events begins to return and an unpleasant surprise awaits him.
Genres: Science Fiction Drama Action Adventure TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-10-25
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Ring Once for Death
Overview: Recently widowed Laura Vallance returns home to England after many years living abroad. She knows few people in England, but she desires rest and seclusion in her time of grief. However, she is more alone than she bargained for when she hires Roger Masters as her butler. With small doses of poison, the ruthless butler plans to keeps his wealthy employer incapacitated... permanently.
Genres: Crime Drama Fantasy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-12-06
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UFO From Earth to the Moon
Overview: Interviewing cast and crew behind the scenes on UFO, this documentary lifts the lid on Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's first venture into live action science fiction.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-11-14
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Alec Guinness: A Class Act
Overview: The story of one of Britain's most celebrated actors of the 20th century, told by those who knew and admired him.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2024-09-03
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