Douglas Adams Movies

Douglas Adams' oft-adapted tale of an normal guy making his way through the universe (it's already been presented as a novel, a radio serial, a television series, and a comic book) finally makes its way to the big screen in this endearingly goofy sci-fi comedy. Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) is a very ordinary man who is having a truly unusual day -- after discovering that one of his best friends, Ford Prefect (Mos Def), is actually an alien, Ford tells him that the planet Earth is going to be destroyed so that otherworldly forces can make room for construction of a hyperspace bypass. Since Arthur accidentally saved Ford's life years ago, Ford does him a favor -- he first gets him a ride on a spaceship passing by, and then presents him with a guidebook that will tell a beginner everything he needs to know as he hitchhikes through outer space. Along the way, Arthur encounters such interstellar notables as sleazy Galaxy president Zaphod Beebelbrox (Sam Rockwell), the girl of his dreams Tricia McMillan (Zooey Deschanel), perpetually glum robot Marvin (voice of Alan Rickman), interplanetary construction magnate Slartibartfast (Bill Nighy), and cult leader Humma Kavula (John Malkovich). The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was the first feature film for Garth Jennings, previously best known for his work in television commercials and music videos; he was recommended to the producers by director Spike Jonze after Jonze had to turn down an offer to head up the project. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy began as a 1978 BBC radio series by Douglas Adams, who adapted the material into a bestselling novel in 1979. This six-part BBC television miniseries - a witty and farcical science-fiction send-up -- stars Simon Jones as gormless Arthur Dent, who wakes up one morning to discover that a demolition crew is preparing to destroy his house and put in a new highway bypass. Saddened by this news, Arthur accepts the offer of his buddy Ford Prefect to head down to the local pub for a drink, but is soon greeted by Ford's wild revelation that he is in fact not a human but a space alien from a small planet just outside of Betelgeuse, who has spent many years on the planet Earth in the guise of a human actor, doing background research for a book called 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.' Before Arthur can fully digest this news, a Vogon spaceship appears in the sky and blasts out the message that the entire Earth will soon be destroyed to put in an intergalactic superhighway. At the last moment, Arthur and Ford manage to board the spaceship to escape obliteration themselves. Arthur is soon ensconced in a strange space vessel festooned with all manner of confusing hardware, and jets through a series of increasingly off-the-wall adventures, where he meets such wild characters as three-armed galaxy president Zaphod Beeblebrox; Trillian, the latter's girlfriend; neurotic robot Marvin; and Veet Voojagig, a graduate student with a ballpoint pen fixation. Like Dr. Who and other BBC productions, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy took its US bow on PBS affiliate stations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A star-studded supporting cast enhances the enjoyment of the four-episode Doctor Who adventure "City of Death." On holiday in modern-day Paris, the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Lalla Ward) experience what turns out to be a "crack in time." Before long, they have joined forces with a private eye named Duggan (Tom Chadbon) in thwarting the villain of the piece: Count Scarlioni (Julian Glover), who plans to steal the Mona Lisa -- but for reasons that go far beyond financial gain. First telecast September 29, 1979, "City of Death, Episode 1" was written by Douglas Adams and Graham Williams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "City of Death," the Doctor (Tom Baker) discovers that Count Scarlioni (Julian Glover) has been stealing and selling valuable works of art in order to raise funds for his time-travel experiments. But there is a more pressing matter at hand: Romana (Lalla Ward) and detective Duggan (Tom Chadbon) are in immediate danger of losing their lives at the Count's hands. Catherine Schell co-stars as Countess Scarlioni. First telecast October 13, 1979, "City of Death, Episode 3" was written by Douglas Adams and Graham Williams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "The Pirate Planet," the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Mary Tamm) have traced the second segment of the Key to Time to the planet Calufrax. Unfortunately, the planet is under the control of a band of pirates who use their awesome (and mysterious) powers to rob other worlds of their life forces. Written by Douglas Adams, "The Pirate Planet, Episode 2" first aired on October 7, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Pirate Planet," the Doctor (Tom Baker) tries to free the planet Calufrax from the grip of a band of space pirates, who are using their own planet to suck the life-forces from other world. Unless the Doctor succeeds, the second segment of the Key to Time will be forever lost -- and with it, the universal balance between Good and Evil. But in rescuing Calufrax, the Doctor may also be destroying his ability to locate the Key's remaining elements. Written by Douglas Adams, "The Pirate Planet, Episode 3" first aired on October 14, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Originally broadcast December 5, 1974, "Party Political Broadcast" was the final episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus. The broadcast in question features the "Worst Family in Britain" finals, with the grotesque Garibaldis placing third despite strong support from the Liberal Party. An Icelandic Honey Seller explains why he is selling something that can't be found in Iceland. A doctor promises to save his patient's life in exchange for history-quiz answers. Mrs. Long-Name learns how to finish her sentences, enabling her to host a program starring Richard Attenborough. A camera crew literally chases after the Walking Trees of Dahomey, while the dreaded Batsmen of the Kalahari do battle against the Warwickshire team. And Neil Innes plays the "Liberty Bell March" on the one-handed guitar. Joining the regular Pythonites on their TV-series swan song are Carol Cleveland, Bob E. Raymond and Peter Brett. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide