Lionel Chetwynd

Writing

Lionel Chetwynd

Born

1940-01-29 (86)

Place of birth

London, England, UK

Known for

Writing

Credits

37 titles

Lionel Chetwynd is an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, director, and producer known for his extensive work in historical dramas and docudramas. Born in London and raised in Canada, he eventually became a naturalized U.S. citizen and a prominent conservative voice in Hollywood.

Known for

Joseph poster
8.3

Joseph, favored son of Jacob and great-grandson of Abraham, is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Rising to become prime minister of Egypt. Joseph governed the country during a seven year famine, during which his brothers visit Egypt seeking grain, only to encounter their brother, presumed long dead.

Joseph

1995

The Siege at Ruby Ridge poster
5.4

A mini-series dramatization of the controversial 1992 attack by federal agents on the Idaho home of Randy Weaver, a white seperatist. The ten-day siege, begun over a minor gun charge, resulted in the deaths of Weaver's son, wife and dog, and a U.S. Marshall. The incident caused major public outcry against the FBI and U.S. Marshals.

The Siege at Ruby Ridge

1996

Miracle on Ice poster
6.6

The story of the 1980 United States Olympic hockey players, a group of amateurs from around the country who were whipped into a cohesive unit by controversial coach Herb Brooks to win a gold medal at Lake Placid during the winter games.

Miracle on Ice

1981

Doomsday Gun poster
5.8

Dr Gerald Bull was a genius at designing and building superguns (very large long range guns capable of shooting at ranges more than 100 miles). When an operational plan by the CIA to export sanctioned arms to apartheid-South Africa through him was exposed, the CIA denied all knowledge and he went to jail. He was later released, and moved to Belgium to start a subsidiary, of which a major project was to help Saddam Hussein build a new supergun capable of firing over 500 miles.

Doomsday Gun

1994

Ike: Countdown to D-Day poster
6.5

The story of the senior-level preparations for the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944 from the time of Dwight D. Eisenhower's appointment as the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, to the establishment of the beachhead in Normandy.

Ike: Countdown to D-Day

2004

Jacob poster
6.7

Isaac's son Jacob deprives his brother Esau of his birthright and has to flee for his life. He finds shelter with his uncle Laban, but is himself deceived. Finally, Jacob has to face both his uncle and brother.

Jacob

1994

Film credits

Behind the camera

Joseph poster
8.3

Joseph, favored son of Jacob and great-grandson of Abraham, is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Rising to become prime minister of Egypt. Joseph governed the country during a seven year famine, during which his brothers visit Egypt seeking grain, only to encounter their brother, presumed long dead.

Joseph

1995

The Siege at Ruby Ridge poster
5.4

A mini-series dramatization of the controversial 1992 attack by federal agents on the Idaho home of Randy Weaver, a white seperatist. The ten-day siege, begun over a minor gun charge, resulted in the deaths of Weaver's son, wife and dog, and a U.S. Marshall. The incident caused major public outcry against the FBI and U.S. Marshals.

The Siege at Ruby Ridge

1996

Miracle on Ice poster
6.6

The story of the 1980 United States Olympic hockey players, a group of amateurs from around the country who were whipped into a cohesive unit by controversial coach Herb Brooks to win a gold medal at Lake Placid during the winter games.

Miracle on Ice

1981

Doomsday Gun poster
5.8

Dr Gerald Bull was a genius at designing and building superguns (very large long range guns capable of shooting at ranges more than 100 miles). When an operational plan by the CIA to export sanctioned arms to apartheid-South Africa through him was exposed, the CIA denied all knowledge and he went to jail. He was later released, and moved to Belgium to start a subsidiary, of which a major project was to help Saddam Hussein build a new supergun capable of firing over 500 miles.

Doomsday Gun

1994

Ike: Countdown to D-Day poster
6.5

The story of the senior-level preparations for the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944 from the time of Dwight D. Eisenhower's appointment as the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, to the establishment of the beachhead in Normandy.

Ike: Countdown to D-Day

2004

Jacob poster
6.7

Isaac's son Jacob deprives his brother Esau of his birthright and has to flee for his life. He finds shelter with his uncle Laban, but is himself deceived. Finally, Jacob has to face both his uncle and brother.

Jacob

1994

Jacob poster
6.7

Isaac's son Jacob deprives his brother Esau of his birthright and has to flee for his life. He finds shelter with his uncle Laban, but is himself deceived. Finally, Jacob has to face both his uncle and brother.

Jacob

1994

Lonesome Soldier poster
4.5

Based on a true American story, Lonesome Soldier immerses viewers in the captivating journey of Jackson Harlow, a young man hailing from the heart of Tennessee to the war-torn lands of Iraq. Haunted by the vivid memories of war, Jackson's homecoming proves to be a profound turning point in his life, as he discovers that the battle he faces is far from over—it’s just different. Lonesome Soldier vividly portrays the profound challenges and profound triumphs experienced by those who have bravely faced the crucible of war, only to return to a world that may never fully comprehend their struggles.

Lonesome Soldier

2023

The Heroes of Desert Storm poster
4.0

The first Iraq war saw many tragedies and acts of heroism. This is the story seen through the eyes of the men and women involved.

The Heroes of Desert Storm

1991

DC 9/11: Time of Crisis poster
6.5

This is the story of the days directly after 9/11, and the president's whereabouts. Scheduled to air shortly before the second anniversary of the September 11 attacks, DC 9/11 takes an inside look at the Bush Administration, beginning with the day of the attacks, and following the President's journey to Ground Zero, culminating with his now famous national address nine days after the attacks.

DC 9/11: Time of Crisis

2003

DC 9/11: Time of Crisis poster
6.5

This is the story of the days directly after 9/11, and the president's whereabouts. Scheduled to air shortly before the second anniversary of the September 11 attacks, DC 9/11 takes an inside look at the Bush Administration, beginning with the day of the attacks, and following the President's journey to Ground Zero, culminating with his now famous national address nine days after the attacks.

DC 9/11: Time of Crisis

2003

So Proudly We Hail poster
6.0

A white supremacist exploits the works of a college anthropologist and a teen who joins his group.

So Proudly We Hail

1990

So Proudly We Hail poster
6.0

A white supremacist exploits the works of a college anthropologist and a teen who joins his group.

So Proudly We Hail

1990

So Proudly We Hail poster
6.0

A white supremacist exploits the works of a college anthropologist and a teen who joins his group.

So Proudly We Hail

1990

P.T. Barnum poster
7.0

This series illustrates the life and career of P.T. Barnum, America's greatest showman and promoter. Starting as a young man who managed an old woman who was supposedly George Washington's nursemaid, we see his career as he finds success promoting curiosities and attractions with panache and a judicious mix of truth and creativity, whether it be promoting his museum or characters like the midget General Tom Thumb. Yet because the demands of his businesses, his family life is troubled and marred by tragedy. All the while, events lead to his greatest creation, the Ringling Brothers/Barnum & Bailey Circus.

P.T. Barnum

1999

It Happened One Christmas poster
4.7

It's Christmas Eve 1944 in the small town of Bedford Falls, New York. A despondent and suicidal Mary Bailey Hatch is praying for guidance on what to do about an incident no fault of her own which threatens her name and the community standing of her longtime family business, the Bailey Building and Loan, which she took over after the passing of her father. What Mary does not know is that most in town, including her husband George Hatch and their children, are also praying for her. All the prayers are heard by Joseph, God's gatekeeper of prayers. As there are no other angels available on such a busy day, Joseph assigns Clara Oddbody, angel second class (i.e. she has yet to receive her wings), to Mary's case, which he reluctantly does as Clara has never been assigned a case on her own in the two hundred years she's been in heaven for good reason.

It Happened One Christmas

1977

A Whale for the Killing poster
7.0

A conservationst, stranded with his family at a Newfoundland coastal resort, flies in the face of custom and fights an entire community to prevent a trapped whale's slaughter with only the support of his wife and one of the locals.

A Whale for the Killing

1981

Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye poster
5.5

Based on the best-selling book, this movie focuses on John F. Kennedy's first run for a congressional seat in 1946.

Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye

1977

Varian's War poster
6.4

Varian Fry rescues more than 2,000 artists from Nazi persecution during World War II.

Varian's War

2001

Varian's War poster
6.4

Varian Fry rescues more than 2,000 artists from Nazi persecution during World War II.

Varian's War

2001

American Valor poster
9.0

The stories behind many medal of honor winners, as told by their recipients, observers and the official records. The documentary features interviews and archive footage.

American Valor

2003

The Hanoi Hilton poster
5.3

Lionel Chetwynd's film documents the horrific struggles that faced American POWs held in the North Vietnamese prison Hoa Lo -- more infamously known as the Hanoi Hilton -- between 1964 and 1975. Williamson (Michael Moriarty) leads a group of American servicemen who are prisoners at the detention camp. He assumes command after Cathcart (Lawrence Pressman) is dragged off to be tortured.

The Hanoi Hilton

1987

The Hanoi Hilton poster
5.3

Lionel Chetwynd's film documents the horrific struggles that faced American POWs held in the North Vietnamese prison Hoa Lo -- more infamously known as the Hanoi Hilton -- between 1964 and 1975. Williamson (Michael Moriarty) leads a group of American servicemen who are prisoners at the detention camp. He assumes command after Cathcart (Lawrence Pressman) is dragged off to be tortured.

The Hanoi Hilton

1987

Kissinger and Nixon poster
7.9

A dramatization of the relationship between Henry Kissinger and Richard Nixon during the six-month period in 1972-73 when Kissinger was negotiating an end to the Vietnam War and Nixon was grandstanding politically.

Kissinger and Nixon

1995

The Hot Touch poster
4.8

A master art forger and his partner in crime, an art expert who can vouch for the authenticity of the forgeries, are making a bundle. An art dealer figures out their scheme but agrees to keep quiet if they forge some art lost in WWII.

The Hot Touch

1982

Two Solitudes poster
9.0

The story of the problems caused by what became known as the Conscripton Crisis in 1917 Canada, which threatened to divide the country.

Two Solitudes

1978

Two Solitudes poster
9.0

The story of the problems caused by what became known as the Conscripton Crisis in 1917 Canada, which threatened to divide the country.

Two Solitudes

1978

George Washington: We Fight to Be Free poster
NR

'We Fight to Be Free' vividly illustrates defining moments that made George Washington an indispensable leader. You'll see Washington take command of British forces during the French and Indian War, and later leading the Army across the icy Delaware River. Charming scenes show Washington's first encounter with the widow Martha Custis and his return home to Mount Vernon after resigning his military commission at the end of the war. Special features include George Washington Quiz and Mount Vernon Picture Gallery and bonus videos Saving Mount Vernon and a Mount Vernon overview.

George Washington: We Fight to Be Free

2006

Escape from Iran: The Canadian Caper poster
8.0

A dramatized account of how the staff of the Canadian Embassy helped a group of American diplomats escape from Iran during the Iranian Revolution.

Escape from Iran: The Canadian Caper

1981

To Heal a Nation poster
6.0

The true story of Jan Scruggs, an embittered Vietnam veteran who returns from the war a broken man. However, with the help of his loving wife Becky, he begins to find a new life for himself, and a personal goal when he agrees to begin a determined campaign to raise funds for a veteran's memorial.

To Heal a Nation

1988

Children in the Crossfire poster
7.0

For the children of Northern Ireland, violence and hatred are a way of life passed from one generation to the next. In "Children in the Crossfire" four children from both sides of the conflict come to America through a special project, and discover each other away from the ravages of their homeland.

Children in the Crossfire

1984

Goldenrod poster
9.0

A champion rodeo rider receives crippling injuries in the ring, resulting in the ending of his career. When his wife deserts him, he's left with the responsibility of raising two young sons with no job and no prospects.

Goldenrod

1976

Goldenrod poster
9.0

A champion rodeo rider receives crippling injuries in the ring, resulting in the ending of his career. When his wife deserts him, he's left with the responsibility of raising two young sons with no job and no prospects.

Goldenrod

1976

Human Bomb poster
4.5

An unhappy male takes a classroom of children and their teacher (Patsy Kensit) hostage with a set of explosives strapped to his body.

Human Bomb

1998

Color of Justice poster
5.2

Four young black men kill a white woman. Now the D.A. is very cautious how to pursue this case because it might start a riot. And adding fuel to the fire is a bombastic and vocal black community leader, who's saying that they will not have a fair trial and that they were justified in their actions because they were in fear for their lives

Color of Justice

1997

Color of Justice poster
5.2

Four young black men kill a white woman. Now the D.A. is very cautious how to pursue this case because it might start a riot. And adding fuel to the fire is a bombastic and vocal black community leader, who's saying that they will not have a fair trial and that they were justified in their actions because they were in fear for their lives

Color of Justice

1997