Francesca Annis

[7] In the wake of Star Wars, all the Hollywood studios were scrambling to replicate its success with similar big-budget sci-fi/fantasy epics. Krull was Columbia Pictures’ effort, released the same summer as Return of the Jedi, and destined to box office failure in the formidable match-up. I think Krull is actually a pretty good movie in its own right, though — much more than a …

[3] Elizabeth Taylor plays the powerful and sexy Egyptian queen who fends off Roman conquest while falling in love with its leaders — first Rex Harrison’s Caesar, and then Richard Burton’s Antony. First I’ll be nice to Cleopatra. The sets are sprawling, opulent, and sometime jaw-dropping. Richard Burton gives a powerful, remorseful monologue near the end, and Roddy McDowall gives one of the best performances …

[8] Dino DeLaurentiis foots the bill for this gravely ambitious film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel about the messianic rise of an off-lander who rallies a reclusive desert civilization in a fight against galactic takeover. Hot off The Elephant Man, David Lynch was chosen as director — a bold but inspired choice. And in the end, it’s Lynch’s style and aesthetic taste that …