Geoff Hinsliff Movies

In the third episode of the four-part story "Nightmare of Eden," the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Lalla Ward) brave the horrors of Eden, a hyperspace "virtual reality" world created by the fusion of two space cruisers. It is hard to determine which is the greater threat: the rampaging Mandrels, animals which have escaped from an electronic menagerie, or two warring gangs of drug smugglers -- one of whom was indirectly responsible for causing the fusion in the first place. Originally telecast December 8, 1979, "Nightmare of Eden, Episode 3" was written by Bob Baker and codirected by Alan Bromly and (uncredited) Graham Williams. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the second episode of the four-part story "Image of the Fendahl," the Doctor (Tom Baker) is among those scrutinizing a recently excavated, 12-million-year-old skull. It doesn't take long for the Doctor to recognize the skull as an artifact of the Fendahl, a malevolent mythological figure from his home world of Gallifrey. What he doesn't yet realize is that the Fendahl is very much alive, and has infested itself in the body and soul of innocent Thea Ransome (Wanda Ventham). Written by Chris Boucher, "Image of the Fendahl, Episode 2" first aired on November 5, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the third episode of the four-part story "Image of the Fendahl," the title character, a malevolent figure of Gallifreyan mythology, assumes its original form after 12 million years of dormancy, using the hapless Thea Ransome (Wanda Ventham) as its medium. Knowing only too well the destructive potential of the Fendahl, the Doctor (Tom Baker) must stop this evil entity from regaining its power -- a process already well under way, thanks to a group of black arts practitioners led by Maximillian Staehl (Scott Fredericks). Written by Chris Boucher, "Image of the Fendahl, Episode 3" first aired on November 12, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

One man's dreams of success take him on a Byzantine journey through the various stations of the British class system in this politically charged black comedy from director Lindsay Anderson. Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell) is an ambitious young man who is looking to get his foot on the first rung of the ladder of success by landing a job as a salesman. After the death of Imperial Coffee's leading drummer in the North, Travis' charm and enthusiasm so impresses manager Mr. Duff (Arthur Lowe) that he's given the job, and after some coaching from Gloria Rowe (Rachel Roberts), Travis sets out to find his fortune in the coffee trade. Travis' desire for success quickly sets him on a curious odyssey in which he happens upon a secret sex club for businessmen, finds himself the subject of random seductions by lonely women, is captured and tortured by military intelligence agents, submits to medical experiments at a bizarre private clinic, hitches a ride with a traveling rock band led by former Animals keyboardist Alan Price, falls in love with a beautiful young bohemian named Patricia (Helen Mirren), goes to work for her father (Ralph Richardson), who happens to be a singularly corrupt political figure, and eventually lands in prison after he's implicated in a deal to sell chemical weapons to the Third World. As Mick's strange tale progresses, we periodically visit Price and his band in the recording studio or rehearsal hall, as they work on songs which serve as both mirror and counterpoint for Travis' progress. O Lucky Man! was the second film in which Malcolm McDowell would portray Mick Travis for director Lindsay Anderson, following If..., and preceding Britannia Hospital; the film's surreal undercurrent was reinforced by the casting, in which nearly all of the principal actors play two or three roles. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi