Brian Hall

Acting

Brian Hall

Born November 20, 1937 · Brighton, Sussex, England, UK

Died September 17, 1997 · aged 59

Brian Hall was a British actor best known for playing Terry in Fawlty Towers and for the films The Long Good Friday and McVicar.

Known For

The Long Good FridayThe Long Good Friday · 1980
The Long Good Friday
7.21980
MovieCrimeThriller
In the late 1970s, Cockney crime boss Harold Shand, a gangster trying to become a legitimate property mogul, has big plans to get the American Mafia to bankroll his transformation of a derelict area of London into the possible venue for a future Olympic Games. However, a series of bombings targets his empire on the very weekend the Americans are in town. Shand is convinced there is a traitor in his organization, and sets out to eliminate the rat in typically ruthless fashion.
The Grief TouristThe Grief Tourist · 2013
The Grief Tourist
4.72013
MovieThrillerDrama
JIM TAHANA doesn't leave much of an impression when he passes you by. But look closer and you'll sense his hunger - the deep hunger of an insatiable American soul - always scanning to devour something - anything that might fill the searing, unexplained void within him. Jim obsesses over the hobby that has been part of his DNA since he was a young boy: grief tourism - the act of traveling with the intent to visit places of tragedy or disaster. Every year his week-long vacations from work are spent going to grief tourist locations in the lives of different serial killers he is fascinated with. This years obsession is Carl Marznap, a mass murder from New Orleans, Louisiana. But this trip is no ordinary vacation as Jim's rancid sexual impulses and weakening grip on reality deteriorate into a violent despair that will ultimately unlock an unspeakable secret festering within him, bringing The Grief Tourist to it's brutal and shocking finale...
The Land That Time ForgotThe Land That Time Forgot · 1974
The Land That Time Forgot
5.71974
MovieScience FictionAction
During World War I, a German U-boat sinks a British passenger ship and takes the survivors aboard. After getting lost in fog, the submarine surfaces near the unknown island of Caprona, a lost world where they find dinosaurs and Neanderthals.
Confessions of a Window CleanerConfessions of a Window Cleaner · 1974
Confessions of a Window Cleaner
5.01974
MovieComedy
Young Timmy starts as a window cleaner in the little company of his brother. Soon he learns that some female customers expect additional service. Young and curious as he is, he reluctantly accepts the juicy duty. However his heart belongs to Liz, who demands the highest commitment until she lets him go all the way.
From Beyond the GraveFrom Beyond the Grave · 1974
From Beyond the Grave
6.51974
MovieFantasyHorror
Four customers purchase, or take, items from Temptations Limited, an antiques shop whose motto is “Offers You Cannot Resist.” A nasty fate awaits all of them; particularly those who cheat the shop's Proprietor.
The Vanishing ArmyThe Vanishing Army · 1978
The Vanishing Army
1978
MovieDramaTV Movie
"Why don't you keep that missus o' yours under control? She ain't exactly doin' you a packet o' good, is she? If she was mine I'd bloody put 'er right, I'll tell yer." The marriage of an introverted Scottish army sergeant and his loving, but independent wife is threatened by military life.
McVicarMcVicar · 1980
McVicar
6.61980
MovieCrimeDrama
John McVicar was a London Bad Boy. he graduated to armed bank robbery and was Britain's "Public Enemy No. 1". He was captured and put into a high security prison. Will even the highest security prison be able to hold him? This is the true story of his life, his criminal exploits and his eventual rehabilitation.
Sweeney 2Sweeney 2 · 1978
Sweeney 2
6.21978
MovieActionCrime
The plot is set on a group of bank robbers, who are both violent and successful, strangely getting away each time with an amount around the £60,000 mark, and often leaving behind cash in excess of this sum. The robbers are willing to kill their own team, to get away. As Jack Regan himself puts it after the first raid in the film: "I've never seen so many dead people". Armed with gold-plated Purdey shotguns, they evaded Regan and the Flying Squad for quite some time, before Regan finds encouragement from his Detective Chief Superintendent who was sent down for corruption because Jack wouldn't testify in court for him.

Movies

The Long Good FridayThe Long Good Friday · 1980
The Long Good Friday
7.21980
MovieCrimeThriller
In the late 1970s, Cockney crime boss Harold Shand, a gangster trying to become a legitimate property mogul, has big plans to get the American Mafia to bankroll his transformation of a derelict area of London into the possible venue for a future Olympic Games. However, a series of bombings targets his empire on the very weekend the Americans are in town. Shand is convinced there is a traitor in his organization, and sets out to eliminate the rat in typically ruthless fashion.
The Grief TouristThe Grief Tourist · 2013
The Grief Tourist
4.72013
MovieThrillerDrama
JIM TAHANA doesn't leave much of an impression when he passes you by. But look closer and you'll sense his hunger - the deep hunger of an insatiable American soul - always scanning to devour something - anything that might fill the searing, unexplained void within him. Jim obsesses over the hobby that has been part of his DNA since he was a young boy: grief tourism - the act of traveling with the intent to visit places of tragedy or disaster. Every year his week-long vacations from work are spent going to grief tourist locations in the lives of different serial killers he is fascinated with. This years obsession is Carl Marznap, a mass murder from New Orleans, Louisiana. But this trip is no ordinary vacation as Jim's rancid sexual impulses and weakening grip on reality deteriorate into a violent despair that will ultimately unlock an unspeakable secret festering within him, bringing The Grief Tourist to it's brutal and shocking finale...
The Land That Time ForgotThe Land That Time Forgot · 1974
The Land That Time Forgot
5.71974
MovieScience FictionAction
During World War I, a German U-boat sinks a British passenger ship and takes the survivors aboard. After getting lost in fog, the submarine surfaces near the unknown island of Caprona, a lost world where they find dinosaurs and Neanderthals.
Confessions of a Window CleanerConfessions of a Window Cleaner · 1974
Confessions of a Window Cleaner
5.01974
MovieComedy
Young Timmy starts as a window cleaner in the little company of his brother. Soon he learns that some female customers expect additional service. Young and curious as he is, he reluctantly accepts the juicy duty. However his heart belongs to Liz, who demands the highest commitment until she lets him go all the way.
From Beyond the GraveFrom Beyond the Grave · 1974
From Beyond the Grave
6.51974
MovieFantasyHorror
Four customers purchase, or take, items from Temptations Limited, an antiques shop whose motto is “Offers You Cannot Resist.” A nasty fate awaits all of them; particularly those who cheat the shop's Proprietor.
The Vanishing ArmyThe Vanishing Army · 1978
The Vanishing Army
1978
MovieDramaTV Movie
"Why don't you keep that missus o' yours under control? She ain't exactly doin' you a packet o' good, is she? If she was mine I'd bloody put 'er right, I'll tell yer." The marriage of an introverted Scottish army sergeant and his loving, but independent wife is threatened by military life.
McVicarMcVicar · 1980
McVicar
6.61980
MovieCrimeDrama
John McVicar was a London Bad Boy. he graduated to armed bank robbery and was Britain's "Public Enemy No. 1". He was captured and put into a high security prison. Will even the highest security prison be able to hold him? This is the true story of his life, his criminal exploits and his eventual rehabilitation.
Sweeney 2Sweeney 2 · 1978
Sweeney 2
6.21978
MovieActionCrime
The plot is set on a group of bank robbers, who are both violent and successful, strangely getting away each time with an amount around the £60,000 mark, and often leaving behind cash in excess of this sum. The robbers are willing to kill their own team, to get away. As Jack Regan himself puts it after the first raid in the film: "I've never seen so many dead people". Armed with gold-plated Purdey shotguns, they evaded Regan and the Flying Squad for quite some time, before Regan finds encouragement from his Detective Chief Superintendent who was sent down for corruption because Jack wouldn't testify in court for him.
TumbledownTumbledown · 1988
Tumbledown
5.71988
MovieTV MovieDrama
The film centers on the experiences of Robert Lawrence MC, an officer of the Scots Guards during the Falklands War of 1982. While fighting at the Battle of Mount Tumbledown, Lawrence is shot in the head by an Argentine sniper and left paralyzed on his left side. He then must learn to adjust to his new disability.
The Grass ArenaThe Grass Arena · 1992
The Grass Arena
8.51992
MovieDramaTV Movie
The Grass Arena is based on the autobiography of John Healy. Raised in an strongly religious family, with an abusive father, John soon learns that he has to defend himself. Growing into adulthood he takes up boxing, but soon falls victim to alcoholism. His boxing career over, John takes to the Grass Arena (the park) where he lives with other alcoholics. Prison time introduces him to a new and unexpected path.
Sweet WilliamSweet William · 1980
Sweet William
4.31980
MovieDrama
William is a dashing and eccentric Scotsman whose charms rapidly overwhelm the sweet and naïve Ann, but she nearly as quickly begins to comprehend that her new beau is anything but a one-woman man. In addition to his two ex-wives, with whom he remains remarkably close, William exhibits a disturbing attraction for nearly any female who crosses his path -- Ann's friends among them.
Adolf Hitler: My Part in His DownfallAdolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall · 1973
Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall
5.01973
MovieComedy
London, 1940. Aspiring jazz musician and future comedy legend Terence 'Spike' Milligan reluctantly obeys his call-up and joins the Royal Artillery regiment at Bexhill, where he begins training to take part in the War. But along the way Spike and his friends get involved in many amusing — and some not-so amusing — scrapes.
Trial by CombatTrial by Combat · 1976
Trial by Combat
7.81976
MovieActionComedy
A group called The Knights Of Avalon are unhappy with the justice system so are taking the law into their own hands by executing criminals using medieval methods such as jousting.
Yellow DogYellow Dog · 1973
Yellow Dog
4.91973
MovieCrimeAction
A Japanese cop is sent to join the London police force on a secret investigation.

TV Shows

Play for TodayPlay for Today · 1970
Play for Today
6.61970
SeriesDrama
Play for Today is a British television anthology drama series, produced by the BBC and transmitted on BBC1 from 1970 to 1984. During the run, more than three hundred programmes, featuring original television plays, and adaptations of stage plays and novels, were transmitted. The individual episodes were between fifty and a hundred minutes in duration.
MinderMinder · 1979
Minder
7.21979
SeriesComedyDrama
Roguish comedy drama following the misadventures of small-time crook Arthur Daley.
Screen TwoScreen Two · 1985
Screen Two
7.11985
SeriesDrama
Series of single made-for-television dramas.
The BillThe Bill · 1984
The Bill
6.81984
SeriesCrimeDrama
The daily lives of the men and women at Sun Hill Police Station as they fight crime on the streets of London. From bomb threats to armed robbery and drug raids to the routine demands of policing this ground-breaking series focuses as much on crime as it does on the personal lives of its characters.
BergeracBergerac · 1981
Bergerac
6.71981
SeriesDrama
Jim Bergerac is a detective sergeant in The Foreigners Office who likes to do things his own way. While dealing with his own personal demons Bergerac has a knack of finding trouble, and sometimes causing it.
The ProfessionalsThe Professionals · 1977
The Professionals
7.61977
SeriesCrime
The lives of Bodie and Doyle, top agents for Britain's CI5 (Criminal Intelligence 5), and their controller, George Cowley. The mandate of CI5 was to fight terrorism and similar high-profile crimes. Cowley, a hard ex-MI5 operative, hand-picked each of his men. Bodie is a cynical ex-SAS paratrooper and mercenary whose nature ran to controlled violence, while his partner, Doyle, comes to CI5 from the regular police force, and is more of an open minded liberal. Their relationship is often contentious, but they are the top men in their field, and the ones to whom Cowley always assigned to the toughest cases.
Birds of a FeatherBirds of a Feather · 1989
Birds of a Feather
6.31989
SeriesComedyDrama
Birds of a Feather is a British sitcom that was broadcast on BBC One from 1989 until 1998 and on ITV from 2013. Starring Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph, it was created by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, who also wrote some of the episodes along with many other writers. The first episode sees sisters Tracey Stubbs and Sharon Theodopolopodos brought together when their husbands are sent to prison for armed robbery. Sharon, who lived in an Edmonton council flat, moves into Tracey's expensive house in Chigwell, Essex. Their next-door neighbour, and later friend, Dorien Green is a middle-aged married woman who is constantly having affairs with younger men. In the later series the location is changed to Hainault. The series ended on Christmas Eve 1998 after a 9-year-run.
Rumpole of the BaileyRumpole of the Bailey · 1975
Rumpole of the Bailey
7.11975
SeriesDramaComedy
Rumpole of the Bailey is a British television series created and written by the British writer and barrister John Mortimer. It stars Leo McKern as Horace Rumpole, an aging London barrister who defends any and all clients, and has been spun off into a series of short stories, novels, and radio programmes.
The SweeneyThe Sweeney · 1975
The Sweeney
8.01975
SeriesDrama
Jack Regan, an unethical officer of the Flying Squad, uses unorthodox methods to pursue criminals with the help of his partner, George Carter.
The Upper HandThe Upper Hand · 1990
The Upper Hand
7.21990
SeriesComedy
The Upper Hand is a British television sitcom, produced by Central Independent Television and Columbia Pictures Television and broadcast by ITV from 1990 to 1996. The programme was adapted from the American sitcom Who's the Boss?. As in the former series, an affluent single woman, raising a son with the help of her mother, hires a housekeeper only to have a man apply for the job.
Worlds BeyondWorlds Beyond · 1986
Worlds Beyond
5.81986
SeriesDramaSci-Fi & Fantasy
Worlds Beyond is a British television anthology broadcast on ITV from 1986 to 1988, based on real-life supernatural experiences described in archival documents from the Society for Psychical Research. A book was also released to accompany the series.
Fawlty TowersFawlty Towers · 1975
Fawlty Towers
8.31975
SeriesComedy
Owner Basil Fawlty, his wife Sybil, a chambermaid Polly, and Spanish waiter Manuel attempt to run their hotel amidst farcical situations and an array of demanding guests.
The Main ChanceThe Main Chance · 1969
The Main Chance
8.31969
SeriesDrama
The Main Chance was a British television series which first aired on ITV between 1969,1970,1972 and 1975. A drama, it depicts the sudden transformation in the life of solicitor David Main who relocates from London to Leeds.
Terry and JuneTerry and June · 1979
Terry and June
6.51979
SeriesComedy
Middle-aged Terry and June Medford are beginning to find the trials of life more difficult as they try to succeed in their daily lives. The couple have just moved to Purley, south-east London... Aunt Lucy and the mynah bird have disappeared, as had the occasionally visiting daughters. Terry and June now mixed with friendly next door neighbour Beattie; Terry's chatty work colleague, Malcolm; and their gruff boss Sir Dennis Hodge. Otherwise, things were much as before, with Terry's pigheaded childishness causing no end of problems, usually thwarting June's attempts at leading a cosy life.
Softly Softly: Task ForceSoftly Softly: Task Force · 1969
Softly Softly: Task Force
6.01969
SeriesCrimeDrama
Softly, Softly: Task Force is a police based drama series which ran on BBC 1 from 1969 to 1976. It was a revamp of Softly, Softly, itself a spin-off from Z-Cars. The change was made partly to coincide with the coming of colour broadcasting to the BBC's main channel BBC1. The programme was due to be called simply Task Force, but reluctant to sacrifice a much-loved brand the BBC compromised this so it became Softly, Softly: Task Force.
New Scotland YardNew Scotland Yard · 1972
New Scotland Yard
6.31972
SeriesCrimeDrama
New Scotland Yard is a police drama series produced by London Weekend Television for ITV from 1972 and 1974. It features the activities of two officers from the Criminal Investigations Department in the Metropolitan Police force headquarters at New Scotland Yard, as they dealt with the assorted villains of the day.
Alfonso BonzoAlfonso Bonzo · 1990
Alfonso Bonzo
7.01990
SeriesFamilyComedy
Young Billy Webb likes to swap things with his schoolmates. He meets Alfonso Bonzo, an 'Italian exchange student' who also has a talent for swapping things (thus his self-description: he is an Italian student who exchanges things). Billy makes a series of magical but increasingly risky swaps with Alfonso, leading to unexpected and sometimes sinister consequences as Alfonso's true nature becomes questionable.
Crocodile ShoesCrocodile Shoes · 1994
Crocodile Shoes
7.31994
SeriesDrama
Crocodile Shoes is a British 7-part television series made by the BBC and screened on BBC One in 1994. The series was written by and starred Jimmy Nail as a factory worker who becomes a country and western singer. A sequel, Crocodile Shoes II followed in 1996 and the theme tune "Country Boy" was a hit for Nail too.
VillainsVillains · 1972
Villains
7.51972
SeriesCrimeDrama
Follows the linked fates of nine bank robbers, led by George. It begins with the nine men meeting in prison during their appeal and traces each individual after the group escape from custody.
Billy Webb's Amazing StoryBilly Webb's Amazing Story · 1991
Billy Webb's Amazing Story
1991
SeriesFamilyComedy
Billy Webb returns to recount strange happenings to journalist Trevor Trotman. Billy has been having trouble with certain items he acquires from a mystery man, including pancake mixture that gives his whole class hiccups, a flying bike, and a strange watch. Billy and Trevor soon discover the perpetrator is the same person, who appears every time Billy reads a certain book.
You Must Be The HusbandYou Must Be The Husband · 1987
You Must Be The Husband
6.71987
SeriesComedy
You Must Be the Husband is a British comedy television series starring Tim Brooke-Taylor in the title role of Tom Hammond, and Diane Keen as his wife, Alice Hammond, with Sheila Steafel as Alice's literary agent, Miranda Shaw. Tom and Alice Hammond are a happily married couple who become extremely wealthy when Alice suddenly becomes a best-selling author.
Up the Elephant and Round the CastleUp the Elephant and Round the Castle · 1983
Up the Elephant and Round the Castle
6.51983
SeriesComedy
Young lovable rogue Jim London becomes a man of property when a relative dies, leaving him a run-down Victorian property at 17 Railway Terrace in the Elephant and Castle area of south London. He gets into various problems with the police and spends most of his time getting drunk and chasing women.
Break in the SunBreak in the Sun · 1981
Break in the Sun
7.21981
SeriesDramaFamily
Break in the Sun is a British television drama serial created and written by Bernard Ashley. The six-part series stars Nicola Cowper as a young girl named Patsy Bligh, who runs away from her violent stepfather and tries to return to her mother's old home in Margate. Notably grittier and more controversial than standard BBC children's serial fare up until that time, it was well received by critics and audiences.