It’s amazing how movies, much like music, can transport you back to different times in your life whenever you watch (or, in the case of music, listen to) them. For example, I vividly remember seeing “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” in 1982. I was 15 years old and attended the movie with my brother at the Loews Harmon Cove in Secaucus, NJ. It feels like just yesterday that I bought a “Star Trek II” movie program before the film started and how I cried when Mr. Spock died in the movie. Little did I know that decades later, I would have the honor to interview the film’s director, Nicholas Meyer, on my podcast, “Hollywood Obsessed.”
To celebrate our incredible chat, I’ve put together this fun blog post highlighting some of Nicholas Meyer’s most memorable films. I hope it inspires you to recall your own experiences of watching some of his fantastic films. Enjoy!
THE SEVEN-PER-CENT SOLUTION (1976)
This Oscar-nominated mystery film was directed by Herbert Ross and written by Nicholas Meyer. It is based on Meyer's 1974 novel of the same name and features a star-studded cast, including Nicol Williamson, Robert Duvall, Alan Arkin, and Laurence Olivier.
In this unique adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective stories, Sherlock Holmes, portrayed by Nicol Williamson, suffers from vivid hallucinations due to his cocaine addiction. Concerned for his friend's personal and professional well-being, the loyal Dr. Watson, played by Robert Duvall, hires Sigmund Freud, portrayed by Alan Arkin, to analyze Holmes' drug-affected mind. At the same time, Holmes investigates the mysterious kidnapping of Lola Devereaux, played by Vanessa Redgrave.
For his work in adapting the novel, Nicholas Meyer was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 49th Academy Awards. You can stream "The Seven-Per-Cent Solution" on Sling TV.
TIME AFTER TIME (1979)
"Time After Time" is a science fiction film written and directed by Nicholas Meyer, featuring Malcolm McDowell, David Warner, and Mary Steenburgen. This film marks Meyer’s directorial debut, and its screenplay is based on a premise from Karl Alexander's unfinished novel "Time After Time", as well as a story by Alexander and Steve Hayes.
The plot follows British author H.G. Wells as he uses his time machine to pursue Jack the Ripper into the 20th century. The film offers a fun and exciting adventure from beginning to end.
Interestingly, the on-screen romance between McDowell and Steenburgen developed into a real relationship on set, leading to their marriage the following year. They remained together for a decade and had two children. "Time After Time" can be rent it on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Microsoft Store online
STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN (1982)
"Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" is a science fiction film directed by Nicholas Meyer, based on the television series "Star Trek." It is the second film in the Star Trek film series and serves as a sequel to the 1967 television episode "Space Seed."
The plot centers around Admiral James T. Kirk (played by William Shatner) and the crew of the starship USS Enterprise as they confront the genetically engineered tyrant Khan Noonien Singh (portrayed by Ricardo Montalbán). After escaping from a 15-year exile, Khan seeks revenge on Kirk, prompting the Enterprise crew to prevent him from obtaining a powerful terraforming device known as Genesis.
"The Wrath of Khan" is widely regarded as the best film in the Star Trek series and is often credited with revitalizing significant interest in the franchise. You don't have to be a Star Trek fan to enjoy this spectacular film. If you appreciate adventure films in general, do yourself a favor and watch this classic—you won’t regret it! You can watch "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" on MGM Plus, fuboTV, and Paramount Plus.
THE DAY AFTER (1983)
After "Khan," Nicholas Meyer directed the television film "The Day After", which premiered on ABC on November 20, 1983. Starring Jason Robards, JoBeth Williams, and John Lithgow, it drew over 100 million viewers from nearly 39 million households, becoming the highest-rated television film in U.S. history.
The film explores the consequences of a nuclear attack on the United States, focusing on the residents of Lawrence, Kansas, Kansas City, Missouri, and several family farms near American missile silos. Initially, Meyer had decided against working in television, but he changed his mind after reading the script by Edward Hume.
For his work on "The Day After", Meyer received an Emmy Award nomination for Best Director. I recently watched it again, and I have to say it’s still just as impactful with its messaging as it was when I first saw it in 1983. "The Day After" is available to stream on YouTube, Prime Video, iTunes, and Google Play.
VOLUNTEERS (1985)
"Volunteers" is a comedy film directed by Nicholas Meyer, featuring Tom Hanks and John Candy. After graduating from Yale in 1962, womanizing Lawrence (played by Tom Hanks) escapes a gambling debt that his wealthy father refuses to pay. He takes his roommate's place as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Thai Golden Triangle, joining two other volunteers.
This film marks the reunion of Hanks and Candy, who previously starred together in "Splash." It also marks the film where Hanks reconnected with his future wife, Rita Wilson, whom he had met while working on an episode of "Bosom Buddies." You can watch “Volunteers” on Prime Video.
THE DECEIVERS (1988)
"The Deceivers" is an adventure film directed by Nicholas Meyer and stars Pierce Brosnan, Shashi Kapoor, and Saeed Jaffrey. The film is based on the 1952 novel by John Masters, which tells the story of the murderous Thuggee cult in India and the man who exposed them during British rule in 1825.
In the film, India is being ravaged by the Thugees, also known as "The Deceivers," who engage in robbery and ritualistic murder. Appalled by their actions, English Captain William Savage takes on a dangerous mission: he will disguise himself to infiltrate their ranks. Throughout this endeavor, he faces constant risks of betrayal and vengeance, undergoing a disturbing psychological transformation as he witnesses the cult's bloodlust firsthand.
Interestingly, Brosnan initially missed the opportunity to portray James Bond due to his commitments to "Remington Steele". However, in 1994, he was announced as the fifth actor to take on the iconic role, ultimately playing Bond in four films. You can watch "The Deceivers" on platforms like Tube, YouTube, Prime Video, and Apple TV.
COMPANY BUSINESS (1991)
Nicholas Meyer wrote and directed the spy comedy "Company Business," which stars Gene Hackman and Mikhail Baryshnikov as aging American and Russian secret agents. Released in 1991, the film follows the story of Sam Boyd (Gene Hackman), a former CIA operative who is reactivated to escort Pyotr Ivanovich Grushenko (Mikhail Baryshnikov), a captured KGB mole, to a prisoner exchange in recently reunified Berlin.
In his autobiography, 'The View From the Bridge: Memories of Star Trek and a Life in Hollywood' (2009), Nicholas Meyer described his experience on this film as a catastrophe, citing an unfinished script and his battles with Gene Hackman. You can watch "Company Business" on Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.
STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY (1991)
Although he had vowed not to work on another Star Trek project, Nicholas Meyer co-wrote the screenplay for the fourth Star Trek film, "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," alongside producer Harve Bennett. He later returned to co-write and direct "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," which was the final film featuring the entire main cast of the original television series. In this film, the marvelous Christopher Plummer portrays the villainous Chang, a one-eyed Klingon general who opposes peace with the Federation. Meyer specifically wrote this role for Plummer, who was initially hesitant to accept it.
After a rough cut screening, Meyer met with Gene Roddenberry to fulfill his role as creative consultant. At the time, Roddenberry was in failing health, confined to a wheelchair and connected to an oxygen tank. Despite his frailty, Roddenberry insisted on certain cuts to the film and, according to Meyer, they engaged in a heated argument. Regrettably, Roddenberry passed away several days after their meeting, and Meyer has expressed deep remorse over his behavior, unaware of just how ill Roddenberry truly was at that time. Watch “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country” on Paramount+, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and Apple TV.
VENDETTA (1999)
"Vendetta" is a crime drama television film directed by Nicholas Meyer and written by Timothy Prager. It stars Christopher Walken, Luke Askew, Clancy Brown, Alessandro Colla, Andrew Connolly, and Bruce Davison. The film is based on the 1977 non-fiction book of the same name by Richard Gambino. It depicts the assassination of New Orleans police chief David Hennessy and the subsequent lynching of eleven Italian Americans on March 14, 1891. This event marked one of the largest mass lynchings of Americans in U.S. history. The film originally aired on HBO. Watch “Vendetta” online at MAX.com. Stream on any device any time.
Some facts are taken from IMDB & Wikipedia.
Be sure to check out my fantastic podcast interview with author, screenwriter, and director Nicholas Meyer. During our conversation, he shared some entertaining behind-the-scenes stories from his many films, including "Time After Time," "The Day After," and the blockbuster "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." He also offered many insightful stories from his remarkable career. Click the links below to listen now. Enjoy!
Episode 87 - HERE
Episode 88 - HERE
