While they may not be as popular as the TV show,Doctor Who’s movies are still interesting to watch. SinceDoctor Who’s first broadcast in 1963, three films from the franchise have also been released, each of which features an iconic villain.
While these titles aren’t necessarilythe greatestDoctor Whostories of all time, they are still appealing to avid watchers of the iconic sci-fi series. They are each a product of their time, but they also offer things that the upcomingDoctor Whoseason 15could learn from, too.
Dr. Who and the Daleks
Cast
Dr. Who and the Daleks is a science fiction film directed by Gordon Flemyng, featuring a time-traveling adventure as Doctor Who, his granddaughters, and a friend are transported to the planet Skaro. There, they encounter the peaceful Thals, who are threatened by the robotic mutant Daleks.
Dr. Who and The Daleksis the first everDoctor Whomovie, and it’s impressive that it even exists, considering that it was released just two years after the show began.Peter Cushing’sDoctor Whomovies aren’t technically canon, but if anything, they feel more like a dedicated fan reinterpretation of the show.There are some major changes to the Doctor and his companions,which is strange, considering the film is an adaptation of theclassicDoctor Who’s Dalek story, “The Daleks.”
Peter Cushing’s Doctor Who movies aren’t technically canon, but if anything, they feel more like a dedicated fan reinterpretation of the show.
To start,Cushing’s Doctor is human.This is a massive difference from the show, and one ofDoctor Who’s biggest selling points is that its titular character is from another world. While Susan, Ian, and Barbara all feature, they’re unrecognizable in comparison to their TV counterparts.The Doctor’s granddaughter, Susan,is a literal child, and Ian and Barbara are already a couple.
“No Decision Was Taken Lightly”: The Daleks Colorization Choices Defended By Doctor Who Editor
Editor Benjamin Cook defends the creative decisions behind color choices in the upcoming colorization of the classic Doctor Who story “The Daleks”.
The Doctor’s ship is referred to as “TARDIS” rather than “the TARDIS,” and it is revealed early on that it is his invention. InDoctor Who, the ships are a design of the Time Lords. The Daleks are only Daleks in physical appearance. They speak ridiculously slowly, shoot steam, and are seemingly less intelligent than in the show.
Hilariously, they are mainly stopped by being thrown into walls at various points. While it feels light years away fromDoctor Who, some elements of it do resemble the show. The Doctor shows his mischievous side by lying about the fluid link so that he can explore the alien city, for example.Dr. Who and The Daleksisn’t exactly the best title in the world ofDoctor Who. However,as a standalone film, it’s definitely a feel-good, cheesy sci-fi ‘60s watch.
Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.seesCushing’s Doctor return to screensin an adaptation of theclassicDoctor Whoeraserial “The Dalek Invasion of Earth.” The only returning companion is child Susan, and new characters Louise and Tom are introduced. Tom Campbell is portrayed by futureDoctor Whocompanion Bernard Cribbins, who is now better known as Wilfred Mott.
Louise is somehow both the Doctor’s niece and Barbara’s cousin,although it’s never explained if the titular character and his first companion are also related. The quality ofDaleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.isn’t perfect, but it’s much better than its predecessor.The visual effects, especially the Daleks’ ship in the sky, are decent for the 1960s.
Even the characterizations are stronger. Tom is far better as a companion than the movie version of Ian, and Cribbins brilliantly balances his serious performance with plenty of slapstick comedy. Cushing’s Doctor is also a lot more adventurous, and he feels more like the actual Doctor. However, Louise is wasted as a character, and Barbara is a much better leading lady.
It’s worth noting thatthe alien side of things is significantly improvedinDaleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.The TARDIS actually resembles the legendary ship, and it doesn’t look like a storage closet for school science projects as it did in the previous film. The logic of destroyingDoctor Who’s Daleksis still nonsensical, much like the show, but they aren’t as out of place.
Doctor Who
Doctor Who, directed by Geoffrey Sax, follows the transition of the Seventh Doctor to the Eighth Doctor. Set in San Francisco, the Doctor teams up with Grace Holloway to thwart the schemes of his longstanding adversary, the Master.
The 1996Doctor Whomovie starringPaul McGann as the Eighth Doctorfollows the show’s lore significantly more, but in all fairness, it does have over three decades' worth of canon to use.Doctor Whohad been off the air for close to seven years upon its release, andthe Doctor’s New Year’s adventure reintroduces generations of audiences to the Time Lord.
While viewers don’t need to have seenDoctor Whoto understand what’s fully happening, it does help, especially as its opening scenes show Sylvester McCoy’s Seventh Doctor regenerating.The Daleks don’t appear in theDoctor Whomovie, and instead, the Master makes a return as the main villain.
New companion Grace Holloway is also introduced, a cardiologist who tries to save the Seventh Doctor’s life and later assists the Eighth in closing the TARDIS' Eye of Harmony. Unlike Cushing’sDoctor Whomovies,this title is an original story and doesn’t take inspiration from one of the show’s serials.While there is room for improvement with its story, the cat-and-mouse chase between the Doctor and the Master is a classicDoctor Whonarrative.
Why Doctor Who Was Cancelled In The 1980s
Before the modern incarnation came into being, Doctor Who was a struggling British sci-fi series cancelled in the 1980s. But why was the Doctor axed?
TheDoctor Whomovie is considered a failure, even though it’s a better watch than the 1960s films.The Doctor is half-human in theDoctor Whomovie, although this is thankfully retconned in the show’s post-2005 reboot. Although this is undoubtedly a controversial decision, at least it tries to be ambitious. Grace Holloway isn’t to the same standards as some of the Doctor’s other companions, but she is more layered than the movie version of Ian or Louise.
The Eighth Doctor offers a charm that is unique to his predecessors, but he is also eccentric enough that audiences know he is the titular character.
Paul McGann provides a solid performance as the Doctor,considering the circumstances. The Eighth Doctor offers a charm that is unique to his predecessors, but he is also eccentric enough that audiences know he is the titular character.Doctor Whoalways presents the Doctor as a passionate individual, and McGann demonstrates this brilliantly.
Doctor Who: Doctor Who is a British sci-fi television series debuting in 1963, following The Doctor, a time-traveling alien Time Lord. The Doctor explores the universe in the TARDIS, accompanied by companions, confronting various adversaries and striving to save civilizations while addressing injustices.
