Sort by IMDb Rating - Highest Rated Movies and TV Shows With Alec Sabin

1. The Roads of Exile (1978 TV Movie)

169 min | Biography, Drama

French philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau (François Simon) lives in 18th-century exile with his mistress (Dominique Labourier).

Director: Claude Goretta | Stars: François Simon, Dominique Labourier, Corinne Coderey, Monique Mélinand

Votes: 16

2. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979)

TV-14 | 45 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller

In the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced out of semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6's echelons.

Stars: Alec Guinness, Michael Jayston, Anthony Bate, George Sewell

Votes: 9,619

3. Doctor Who (1963–1989)

TV-PG | 25 min | Adventure, Drama, Family

The adventures in time and space of the Doctor, a Time Lord who changes appearance and personality by regenerating when near death, and is joined by companions in battles against aliens and other megalomaniacs.

Stars: William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker

Votes: 39,515

4. When the Boat Comes In (1976–1981)

50 min | Drama, History

Set in Gallowshields on Tyneside between the 2 World Wars, this story follows the life of ex-sergeant Jack Ford and the Seaton family as they deal with the aftermath of the Great War, the Great 1920s Depression and trade union activists.

Stars: James Bolam, James Garbutt, Jean Heywood, John Nightingale

Votes: 486

5. When the Boat Comes In (1976–1981)
Episode: A Land Fit for Heroes and Idiots (1976)

52 min | Drama, History

In 1919, Jack Ford returns to Gallowshields on Tyneside after service in the Great War. He becomes friendly with the Seaton family - parents Bella and Bill, and their children: Jessie, a ... See full summary »

Director: Ronald Wilson | Stars: James Bolam, Susan Jameson, James Garbutt, Jean Heywood

Votes: 26

6. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979)
Episode: Flushing Out the Mole (1979)

TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Smiley springs his trap and catches the spy. He later interrogates the spy and learns about how and why it happened, and the answers he gets robs him of any sense of victory.

Director: John Irvin | Stars: Alec Guinness, Michael Jayston, Anthony Bate, George Sewell

Votes: 270

7. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979)
Episode: Smiley Sets a Trap (1979)

TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Smiley confronts one of his suspects and gives him the results of his investigations, which could prove a considerable embarrassment to those concerned.

Director: John Irvin | Stars: Alec Guinness, Ian Bannen, Joss Ackland, Bernard Hepton

Votes: 265

8. Doctor Who (1963–1989)
Episode: Earthshock: Part Three (1982)

TV-PG | 24 min | Adventure, Drama, Family

Aboard the freighter, the Doctor and Adric are taken prisoner by Captain Briggs. The Doctor looks on in fear as his old foe, the Cybermen, begin to take over the ship in large numbers.

Director: Peter Grimwade | Stars: Peter Davison, Beryl Reid, James Warwick, Clare Clifford

Votes: 601

9. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979)
Episode: How It All Fits Together (1979)

TV-14 | 50 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller

While Guillam and Tarr come under pressure, Smiley recounts his one meeting with the Soviet master spy Karla, who is undoubtedly running the spy inside MI6.

Director: John Irvin | Stars: Alec Guinness, Michael Jayston, Warren Clarke, George Sewell

Votes: 279

10. The Fourth Arm (1983– )

50 min | Drama, War

SOE agents are sent on a mission to destroy a V1 flying bomb facility, situated in an underground bunker un Northern France. Ordinary people are recruited and subjected to highly demanding ... See full summary »

Stars: Paul Shelley, Neil Stacy, Susan Kyd, Roy Boyd

Votes: 57

11. Play for Today (1970–1984)
Episode: One Day at a Time (1977)

73 min | Comedy, Drama

"People coming to their first AA meeting, prosperous people, sometimes, accustomed to the best. They look round the places where we meet, and you can see them thinking: what am I doing here? I owe my life to these rooms!"

Director: Ronald Wilson | Stars: Benjamin Whitrow, Josie Kidd, Lionel Murton, Stephanie Cole

Votes: 10

12. Doctor Who (1963–1989)
Episode: Earthshock: Part Two (1982)

TV-PG | 24 min | Adventure, Drama, Family

Disposing of the androids, the Doctor and Adric must deactivate a bomb that they unknowingly triggered. Setting off in the Tardis to find the culprits, they arrive aboard a freighter ship while the Cybermen watch their old enemy from afar.

Director: Peter Grimwade | Stars: Peter Davison, Beryl Reid, James Warwick, Clare Clifford

Votes: 606

13. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979)
Episode: Return to the Circus (1979)

TV-14 | 49 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Retired espionage veteran George Smiley is called out on a top secret mission: to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6's echelons.

Director: John Irvin | Stars: Alec Guinness, Bernard Hepton, Terence Rigby, Michael Aldridge

Votes: 354

14. Village Hall (1974–1975)
Episode: Friendly Encounter (1974)

Comedy, Drama

A departure for Londoner George Cole, as he plays an officious Northern football referee whose military precision threatens to take all the fun out of the game. But when the referee arrives, will he meet his match?

Director: Alan Grint | Stars: George Cole, Norman Jones, Tom Watson, Alec Sabin

Votes: 8

15. Silent Witness (1996– )

TV-14 | 120 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

A team of exceptional forensic pathologists and scientists investigate heinous crimes and use their skills to catch the people responsible.

Stars: Emilia Fox, David Caves, William Gaminara, Tom Ward

Votes: 12,711

16. Play for Today (1970–1984)

75 min | Comedy, Drama

A British television anthology drama series that aired on BBC1 between 1970 and 1984.

Stars: Alison Steadman, Nigel Hawthorne, Tony Caunter, David Daker

Votes: 392

17. Village Hall (1974–1975)

60 min | Comedy, Drama

Anthology series with each episode a different story set in a village hall.

Stars: Reginald Barratt, Priscilla Morgan, Frank Crompton, Stella Moray

Votes: 31

18. Eh Brian! It's a Whopper (1984– )

Comedy, Drama

Add a Plot

Stars: Brenda Fricker, Roy Holder, Brian Miller, Edward Burnham

Votes: 19

19. Collision Course (1979 TV Movie)

120 min | Drama

Dramatisation of the events leading to the Zagreb air disaster and the subsequent trial of the air-traffic controllers.

Director: Leslie Woodhead | Stars: Antony Sher, David de Keyser, Nick Brimble, David Beames

Votes: 19

20. Maybury (1981– )

50 min | Drama

Dr. Edward Roebuck, a psychiatric consultant at Maybury General Hospital, deals with numerous difficult cases.

Stars: Patrick Stewart, Stuart Fox, Yvonne Brewster, Michael Melia

Votes: 38

21. Murder Most English: A Flaxborough Chronicle (1977)
Episode: The Flaxborough Crab: Part 2 (1977)

Crime, Drama, Mystery

Purbright traces the drug affecting the male senior citizens in Flaxborough to either a herb supplement or an experimental prescription drug.

Director: Ronald Wilson | Stars: Anton Rodgers, Christopher Timothy, Brenda Bruce, John Comer

Votes: 18

22. Billy Liar (1973–1974)

30 min | Comedy

Billy is an idealistic young man who is trapped in a boring life. He works in a tedious job in an undertaker's office with a permanently uptight employer, dates a soppy girl who fails to ... See full summary »

Stars: Jeff Rawle, George A. Cooper, Pamela Vezey, May Warden

Votes: 69

23. Murder Most English: A Flaxborough Chronicle (1977)

50 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Flaxborough, near the sea, near the countryside, seems such a nice town, so quiet, so charming. But underneath its placid surface, all kinds of scandalous things go on.

Stars: Anton Rodgers, Christopher Timothy, John Comer, Moray Watson

Votes: 113

24. BBC Play of the Month (1965–1983)
Episode: King Lear (1975)

Drama

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 ... See full summary »

Director: Jonathan Miller | Stars: Michael Hordern, Sarah Badel, Penelope Wilton, Angela Down

Votes: 32

25. Call Me Mister (1986)

50 min | Crime, Drama

Australian ex-cop Bartholomew (Bisley) goes to Britain when he discovers he is heir to a family title, not really getting on with his newly discovered family he starts working as a private Detective.

Stars: Steve Bisley, Dulice Liecier, David Bamber, Dermot Crowley

Votes: 42

26. Silent Witness (1996– )
Episode: Brothers in Arms: Part 2 (1998)

TV-14 | 47 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Sam looks for connections between Ian Neal and a killing in Northern Ireland in 1985.

Director: Ian Knox | Stars: Amanda Burton, Mark Letheren, Phil McKee, Nick Reding

Votes: 143

27. Bergerac (1981–1991)
Episode: The Messenger Boy (1990)

TV-14 | 50 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

It's a different kind of case for Jim as he goes to London on a private investigation into the kidnap of his ex-wife, Debbie, at the request of his father-in-law Charlie Hungerford.

Director: Tristan de Vere Cole | Stars: John Nettles, Terence Alexander, Deborah Grant, Bruce Payne

Votes: 37

28. Silent Witness (1996– )
Episode: Brothers in Arms: Part 1 (1998)

TV-14 | 120 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

When Philip Nelson is killed in a farm accident, the pathologists conclude they have a straightforward case of man vs. machine and the machine won. Sam makes an error however and soon finds... See full summary »

Director: Ian Knox | Stars: Ben Daniels, Phil McKee, Kevin McGuire, Stuart McQuarrie

Votes: 162

29. Birds of a Feather (1989–2020)
Episode: You Pays Yer Money (1990)

TV-14 | 29 min | Comedy

It's the local by-elections and Tracey isn't sure who to vote for. Sharon isn't registered and wants to use Darryl's voting card, but Darryl wants £300 for it.

Director: Charlie Hanson | Stars: Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson, Lesley Joseph, Alun Lewis

Votes: 31

30. Bergerac (1981–1991)

TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Recovering alcoholic and divorced father of a young daughter, DS Jim Bergerac is a true maverick who prefers doing things his own way, and consequently doesn't always carry out his investigations the way his boss would like.

Stars: John Nettles, Terence Alexander, Sean Arnold, Mela White

Votes: 2,224

31. BBC Play of the Month (1965–1983)

120 min | Drama

Monthly anthology series featuring televised versions of plays.

Stars: Charles Gray, Eric Porter, Jeremy Brett, Lally Bowers

Votes: 178

32. ITV Playhouse (1967–1982)

Comedy, Drama

Anthology series of dramatic works.

Stars: Michael Bryant, William Simons, Katherine Barker, Geoffrey Palmer

Votes: 87

33. BBC2 Playhouse (1973–1983)

60 min | Drama

BBC2 Playhouse was a British one-hour episode anthology television series produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Stars: Ralph G. Morse, Gawn Grainger, John Bluthal, Trevor Laird

Votes: 137

34. Nelly's Version (1983 TV Movie)

98 min | Drama

She remembers nothing before standing at a hotel reception and signing the first, and only, name that comes into her head - Nelly Dean (Dame Eileen Atkins). Then in her room, our mystery ... See full summary »

Director: Maurice Hatton | Stars: Eileen Atkins, Anthony Bate, Barbara Jefford, Nicholas Ball

Votes: 16

35. French Fields (1989–1991)
Episode: Who's Been Eating My Porridge? (1989)

25 min | Comedy

Hester insists on having William's new boss and his wife over for dinner--and on serving some real English cheese for the occasion. William's efforts to oblige bring about his first brush with the law.

Stars: Julia McKenzie, Anton Rodgers, Pamela Salem, Sally Baxter

Votes: 15

36. Play for Today (1970–1984)
Episode: Instant Enlightenment Including VAT (1980)

81 min | Comedy, Drama

A weekend seminar for 17 people is held in a London hotel room. Each day runs from 9am till midnight. No one may leave for any reason.

Director: John Bruce | Stars: Simon Callow, Deborah Norton, Alec Sabin, Dianne Moore

Votes: 12

37. ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969–1974)

78 min | Drama

Anthology series of dramatic works.

Stars: Michael Balfour, Madoline Thomas, Diane Cilento, Jim Dale

Votes: 98

38. French Fields (1989–1991)

30 min | Comedy

The British family from "Fresh Fields" (1984) move to France. The episodes revolve around their adjustment to and difficulties dealing with French culture. Much humour is also derived from ... See full summary »

Stars: Julia McKenzie, Anton Rodgers, Pamela Salem, Valerie Lush

Votes: 222

39. French Fields (1989–1991)
Episode: Make for the Hills! (1991)

25 min | Comedy

Emma's in-laws arrive unexpectedly for a visit, and the Fields look for any excuse to get out of town. They go on a camping trip and somehow end up in Paris. Once there, William and Hester realize they shouldn't have bothered.

Director: Mark Stuart | Stars: Julia McKenzie, Anton Rodgers, Philip McGough, Pamela Salem

Votes: 11

40. Antony & Cleopatra (1981 TV Movie)

170 min | Drama, History, Romance

After the murder of her lover Julius Caesar, Egypt's queen Cleopatra needs a new ally. She seduces his probable successor Mark Antony. This develops into real love and slowly leads to a war with the other possible successor, Octavius.

Director: Jonathan Miller | Stars: John Paul, Jonathan Adams, Jane Lapotaire, Colin Blakely

Votes: 157

41. The Capone Investment (1974– )

30 min | Thriller

A brutal murder triggers an investigation revealing that $4m of legendary Chicago gangster, Al Capone's, ill-gotten gains may be located on 1970's England.

Stars: Glyn Owen, Peter Sallis, Isobel Black, John Thaw

Votes: 78

42. Nightingale's Boys (1975)

60 min | Drama

Seven-part drama series about a group of friends, reunited by their 6th form teacher Mr. Nightingale 25 years after leaving school.

Stars: Derek Farr, Terry Gilligan, Stephen Truelove, Pauline Yates

Votes: 8

43. Birds of a Feather (1989–2020)

Not Rated | 75 min | Comedy

Comedy series following the lives of sisters Tracey and Sharon who are left to fend for themselves after their husbands are arrested for armed robbery.

Stars: Linda Robson, Lesley Joseph, Pauline Quirke, Alun Lewis

Votes: 2,478

44. S.O.S. Titanic (1979 TV Movie)

Not Rated | 194 min | Drama, History

On her maiden voyage in April 1912, the supposedly unsinkable R.M.S. Titanic strikes an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean.

Director: William Hale | Stars: David Janssen, Cloris Leachman, Harry Andrews, David Battley

Votes: 1,503

45. La 7ème compagnie au clair de lune (1977)

75 min | Comedy

1942 in an occupied area. After being demobilized, Tassin, Pithivier and Staff Sergeant Chaudard returned to their previous lives.

Director: Robert Lamoureux | Stars: Jean Lefebvre, Pierre Mondy, Henri Guybet, Patricia Karim

Votes: 1,580

46. The Capone Investment (1974– )
Episode: A Murder Missing (1974)

Thriller

Inspector Reaygo is put under a lot of pressure by his superior, and is forced to share his investigative findings with the mysterious Mr. Wheatfield.

Director: Alan Gibson | Stars: Glyn Owen, Peter Sallis, Isobel Black, John Thaw

Votes: 9

47. Coronation Street (1960– )

TV-PG | 30 min | Drama, Romance

The world's longest-running television soap, Coronation Street focuses on the everyday lives of working-class people in Manchester, England.

Stars: William Roache, Helen Worth, Barbara Knox, Sally Dynevor

Votes: 6,018

48. L'étincelle (1986)

108 min | Comedy

A beautiful DJ starts a romantic relationship with an older antiquarian. The only problem: she's pregnant and already hitched.

Director: Michel Lang | Stars: Roger Hanin, Clio Goldsmith, Simon Ward, John Moulder-Brown

Votes: 50

49. You're on Your Own (1975–1976)

50 min | Crime

Denis Quilley is John Ryder a former senior police officer who resigned from the force under a cloud due to conflict with his senior officer. Setting up as a consultant operating out of ... See full summary »

Stars: Denis Quilley, June Ritchie, Nick Brimble, Andrew Keir

50. Salt on a Snake's Tail (1983 TV Movie)

30 min | Drama

A nagging Asian father thinks he is always right, but maybe he could actually learn something from his much more thoughtful son.

Director: Franco Rosso | Stars: Zia Mohyeddin, Dharminder Gill, Devon Graham, Andrew Johnson