Terrance Dicks Movies

The second British miniseries adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist aired over the BBC in 1985. Ben Rodska essays the title character, a much-maligned orphan boy who, unbeknownst to himself, is heir to a vast fortune. Before finding this out, Oliver falls into the clutches of the delightfully wicked pickpocket Fagin (Eric Porter) and the wholly evil outlaw Bill Sikes (Michael Attwell). Other familiar characters include the insouciant street urchin Artful Dodger (David Garlick), the tragic Nancy Sykes (Amanda Harris), benevolent Mr. Brownlow (Frank Middlemass), and the aptly named Bumble the Beadle (Godfrey James). Running for six half-hour episodes, Oliver Twist was later shown in the U.S. as part of the PBS anthology Wonderworks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Doctor Who celebrated its 20th anniversary with the 90-minute special "The Five Doctors." The life of the present Doctor (Peter Davison) is jeopardized when his four previous incarnations -- played by William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, and Tom Baker -- are taken out of time by an illegal Time Scoop. Even worse, the five doctors are confronted by a seemingly endless series of past enemies, included Daleks, Cybermen, and Yetis. The climax takes place in the Forbidden Zone on Gallifrey, where the instigator of the aforementioned time-scooping forces the five doctors to engage in the potentially deadly Game of Rassilon. Can any of the doctors save themselves -- and if not, will robot dog K-9 come galloping to the rescue? The late William Hartnell appeared only in clips from the second-season episode "Invasion of Earth: Flashpoint"; he was replaced in the body of the 20th anniversary special by Richard Hurndall. Written by Terrance Dicks, "The Five Doctors" was first presented in America on November 23, 1983, two days before its British TV debut. Since that time, it has been reedited into a four-part cliffhanger for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "State of Decay," the Doctor (Tom Baker), Romana (Lalla Ward), and Adric (Matthew Waterhouse), still lost in E-Space, have landed on a feudalistic planet run by three mysterious, highly intelligent Lords. The Doctor eventually discovers that the rulers are from Earth and that it was on this planet that his own race, the Time Lords, first developed their aversion to violence. If this is true, why does it appear that the Lords keep themselves alive by feeding on the other residents of the planet? First shown on November 29, 1980, "State of Decay, Episode 2" was written by Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "State of Decay," the Doctor (Tom Baker) discovers that the planet on which he is stranded is ruled by the minions of the Great Vampire, who was exiled after a bloody war with the Time Lords. Bound to an ancient edict, the Doctor must destroy the Vampires' henchmen. How can he do this while simultaneously bound to the edict that no Time Lord should ever resort to violence? First shown on December 6, 1980, "State of Decay, Episode 3" was written by Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Doctor (Tom Baker) and Leela (Louise Jameson) materialize near the lighthouse of Fang Rock, a small English seacoast town in the early 20th century. The two time travelers quickly make friends with lighthouse keepers Reuben (Colin Douglas), Vince (John Abbott), and Ben (Ralph Watson), who are humorously contending with that newfangled invention known as electricity. But the fun comes to an abrupt end when Ben suddenly and mysteriously disappears. Written by Terrance Dicks, the four-part "The Horror of Fang Rock" launched Doctor Who's 15th season on September 3, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "The Brain of Morbius," the Sisterhood of Karn are convinced that the Doctor (Tom Baker) intends to steal the precious elixir which keeps them alive. Thus, the Doctor is captured and sentenced to be burned at the stake -- something of a setback for mad doctor Solon (Philip Madoc), who intends to use the Doctor's body as the new home for the brain of infamous Time Lord criminal Morbius. Meanwhile, Sarah (Elisabeth Sladen) finds herself with the unusual responsibly of rescuing the Doctor, thereby reversing the usual procedure. Originally telecast on January 18, 1976, "The Brain of Morbius, Episode 3" was written by Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

On the planet Karn, mad doctor Mehendri Solon (Philip Madoc) is keeping alive the brain of Morbius, the most evil of the Time Lord criminals. Fortunately, the Doctor (Tom Baker) arrives on Karn, and immediately sets about to destroy the brain. Unfortunately, he may well end up housing the brain himself, if Karn, and a mystic cult known as the Sisterhood, have any say in the matter. Beginning its four-episode run on January 3, 1976, "The Brain of Morbius" was written by Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "Robot," the Doctor (Tom Baker) tries to help the Brigadier (Nicholas Courtney) solve a series of crimes, all related to the disappearance of a new disintegrator gun. The Doctor's companion, Sarah (Elisabeth Sladen), believes that a robot is responsible for the crime wave -- and this insight may prove fatal to her. First telecast on January 4, 1975, "Robot, Episode 2" was written by Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "Robot," the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Sarah (Elisabeth Sladen) has discovered that the robot which stole a new disintegrator gun had been programmed to do so by Hilda Winters (Patricia Maynard), director of the research organization Think Tank. It was the organization's intention to use the gun, and the robot, to start a nuclear war, and then emerge as conquerors of the devastated world. Will the Doctor be able to thwart this scheme -- and will Sarah be able to escape death at the hands of the robot? First telecast on January 11, 1975, "Robot, Episode 2" was written by Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The longest and (in retrospect) most significant of the sixth-season Doctor Who adventures, "The War Games" began its ten-week run on April 9, 1969. The TARDIS materializes on a planet that bears a remarkable resemblance to Earth. But there are a few differences: For one thing, the landscape seems to be festooned with battlefields; for another, the combatants are garbed in costumes from a vast and dizzying array of countries and centuries. But the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) hasn't the time to find this out in episode one: He's too busy trying to rescue himself and his companions Jamie (Frazer Hines) and Zoe (Wendy Padbury from their mysterious assailants. "The War Games" was written by Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the ten-part story "The War Games," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton), Jamie (Frazer Hines), and Zoe (Wendy Padbury) manage to escape their uniformed captors and make their getaway across a charred and bloodied battlefield. As they continue their flight, with their pursuers hot on their heels, the TARDIS crew is confronted with all manner of soldiers from a variety of armies -- and different centuries. Who, or what, is behind all this confusion? Written by Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks, "The War Games, Episode 3" first aired on May 3, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the fifth episode of the ten-part story "The War Games," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and his companions, still trapped on an Earth-like planet where the combatants from different wars and different armies are hypnotically locked into eternal combat, have joined up with a Resistance movement dedicated to ending the hostilities. The plot thickens when Zoe (Wendy Padbury) is captured by the minions of the all-powerful Alien Control, with the Doctor unable to intercede. Meanwhile, Jamie (Frazer Hines) joins the Resistance in hopes of rescuing his comrades. Written by Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks, "The War Games, Episode 5" first aired on May 17, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the seventh episode of the ten-part story "The War Games," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton), Jamie (Frazer Hines), and Zoe (Wendy Padbury) are still trapped on an Earth-like planet where the world's most famous battles are being bloodily re-enacted. Eluding the minions of Alien Control, the Doctor and his companions are hunted from one "time zone" to the next. The chase comes to an abrupt end when the TARDIS crew is captured by one of the Doctor's oldest and most formidable enemies. Philip Madoc makes his first appearance as the War Lord. Written by Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks, "The War Games, Episode 7" first aired on May 31, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide