Peter Ustinov

[8] Peter Ustinov directs and co-stars in this adaptation of Herman Melville’s unfinished novel of the same name. Ustinov plays the captain of a British ship sailing to battle against France. His master-at-arms, John Claggart (The Wild Bunch‘s Robert Ryan), is a sadistic man who entraps the ship’s crew in criminal charges and lies about allegations. When a new, doe-eyed recruit named Billy Budd (Terence …

[6] This Disney flick may be a minor effort in comparison to the company’s more perrenial classics, but there’s a dated, folksy charm about this all-animal take on the classic Robin Hood legend. The simple story is populated with fairly memorable, endearing characters and a couple of catchy tunes. It’s one of the only Disney movies where even the bit parts shine, from the narrating …

[6] In order to make The Dark Crystal, Jim Henson and company first had to make the financiers a sequel to their successful Muppet Movie. And so The Great Muppet Caper was born. It’s not as epic or inspirational as the first film, and the songs are nowhere near as magical either, but the sequel isn’t too shabby in its own right. Kermit, Fozzy, and …

[8] Fans of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator might be surprised how much they will also enjoy (perhaps even prefer) its progenitor. Stanley Kubrick’s Spartacus is a briskly-paced epic, and uncharacteristically emotional compared to his other work. Kirk Douglas is iconic in the lead role, playing a slave forced to fight in the gladiatorial arena for the enjoyment of the aristocracy. Of course he falls in love …