Tom Baker Movies

British actor Tom Baker narrates Oscar-winning animator Bruce Petty's thoughtful meditation on colonialism, capitalism, and the longstanding tensions between Islam and the Western world. Input from such noted thinkers as Gore Vidal, Noam Chomsky, Robert Frisk, and George Monbiat help to highlight precisely how mankind's greed has sent the planet spiraling into self-destructive tailspin. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

A plucky little girl and her dog join their magical pals to save the world in the computer-animated comedy-adventure for the whole family. The Enchanted Village is a happy place ruled by the good-natured wizard Zebedee where young Florence and her dog, Doogal, come to play with their friends, including opera-singing cow Ermintrude, beatnik rabbit Dylan, and Brian the Snail, a sloppy sort who has a crush on Ermintrude. However, life in the Enchanted Village takes a turn for the worse when Zebedee's evil brother, Zeebad, arrives, freezing the town under a layer of ice and bringing the magic merry-go-round to a halt. Zeebad is searching for three magical jewels that will give him the power to freeze the whole world and rule the Earth, but Zebedee is able to thaw out himself, Florence, and her friends, and they join forces aboard the Magic Train in a bid to stop the villain before it's too late. Doogal is based on The Magic Roundabout, a children's television series from the 1960s in which a handful of wooden stop-motion figures enjoyed whimsical adventures; produced in France, the program enjoyed massive popularity in Great Britain, where actor Eric Thompson provided narration, voiced all the characters, and invented new stories to fit the action. (The film was also called The Magic Roundabout for its U.K. release.) In the film's British release, Kylie Minogue provided the voice of Florence, Ian McKellen voiced Zebedee, Robbie Williams spoke for Doogal, Joanna Lumley read Ermintrude, Bill Nighy voiced Dylan, and Jim Broadbent contributed the voice of Brian. Several characters were given new voices for the film's American release, with Whoopi Goldberg taking over as Ermintrude, William H. Macy as Brian, Jimmy Fallon as Dylan, and Jon Stewart as Zeebad. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

The imaginary world of the world's most popular fantasy role-playing game comes to life in this special-effects laden adventure. In the Empire of Izmer, magic is the key to power in both the supernatural and political realms. The Mages are a sect who know the secrets of magic and use it to hold sway over the masses. The youthful Empress Savina (Thora Birch) wants to use her powers to bring justice and prosperity to all, but Profion (Jeremy Irons) is an evil Mage who wants to use his knowledge of magic to overthrow Savina and establish his own despotic rule. Through deceitful means, Profion wins away the special scepter that allows him to control the nation's Golden Dragons; Savina's only hope to recover the scepter and the rule of Izmer is to obtain the Rod of Savrille, a talisman that will give her powers over the Red Dragons, even more powerful than their golden counterparts. As Savina sets out to gain control of the Red Dragons, she gains a number of unlikely allies, including a pair of thieves, Snails (Marlon Wayans) and Ridely (Justin Whalin); a powerful dwarf, Elwood (Lee Arenberg); and Norda (Kristen Wilson), an elf with a gift for finding lost objects. Dungeons & Dragons also features Zoe McLellan, Bruce Payne, and Richard O'Brien, the latter of whom is best known as the writer and co-star of the perennial cult item The Rocky Horror Picture Show. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This video is one of a six-part series that looks at inventions and innovations that have shaped the way we live in the modern world. The series is aimed at the young adult audience, to make them more aware of the many developments that they take for granted, many of which did not exist even a few decades ago. In this episode, narrator Tom Baker takes the viewer on a tour of the world of plastics. Viewers look at how plastics were discovered and made practical for everyday use, as well as their myriad applications. There is also a survey of plastic's many byproducts, such as vinyl, polyester, lycra, nylon, rayon, and teflon. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

This film is one of a six-part series that showcases the technological achievements that have defined the modern age. No invention has had a greater impact on modern society than that of electricity. But just 100 years ago, houses lit by electricity were an anomaly, and the debate raged between Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison about the virtues of alternating current as opposed to direct current. The two scientists parted company over it; today Tesla's invention of alternating current is taken for granted, and most people do not even know his name. This film is aimed at the young adult audience, striving to make them aware of such issues as the fascinating world of electricity. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

With narrator Tom Baker, this series of films looks at innovations and inventions that have changed our lives. The series is designed for the young audience, to make them aware of the tremendous changes that have taken place since the advent of the age of technology. This episode focuses on developments in the field of military warfare. These advancements have radically altered the way wars are fought. There is also an interesting look at inventions that are in everyday use that once had combat implications. These include razor blades, laundry detergent, aerosol sprays, and the wristwatch. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

Four years after its "official" demise as a weekly series, Doctor Who briefly resurfaced in the form of a two-part, off-length special. Created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the series' birth, "Dimensions in Time" was shown as a component of two other TV programs. Part One aired November 26, 1993, as an eight-minute segment of the BBC's Children in Need Telethon. In this installment, five of the Doctor's seven incarnations -- played by surviving series stars Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy -- were pitted against renegade Time Lady Rani (Kate O'Mara, likewise repeating her Doctor Who role), who hoped to determine the outcome of the universe's evolution. This cliffhanger would be resolved the following evening on the series' Noel's House Party. Featured in the cast were several of the Doctor's former "companions," including Nicola Bryant (Peri), Sarah Sutton (Nyssa), Sophie Aldred (Ace), Carole Ann Ford (Susan), Elisabeth Sladen (Sara), and Bonnie Langford (Mel). "Dimensions in Time" was written by John Nathan-Turner and David Roden. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A mission of mercy sends two children to a magical world in another dimension in this made-for-TV fantasy adventure for the family. Eustace (David Thwaites) and Jill (Camilla Power) are two misfit schoolchildren who discover that a garden shed on the school's grounds is actually a gateway to the magical land of Narnia. Eustance had visited Narnia years before, and is troubled to discover King Caspian (Geoffrey Russell) has aged considerably. Caspian is troubled by the disappearance of his son, Prince Rilian (Richard Henders), who had been kidnapped years earlier. With the help of the King's helper Puddlegum (Tom Baker) and the enchanted lion Aslan (voice of Alisa Berk), Eustace and Jill set out to find the lost prince and reunite him with his father. Produced by the BBC (where it originally aired as a mini-series), The Silver Chair was based on The Chronicles Of Narnia stories by C.S. Lewis. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this made-for-TV spoof, Robin Hood (George Segal) and his merry men must attempt to gather together the necessary ransom money to free King Richard from a nasty Duke. ~ Iotis Erlewine, 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 "The Keeper of Traken," the title character (Denis Carey) must quickly transfer his power to another, and elicits the aid of the Doctor (Tom Baker) in finding a worthy successor. Unfortunately, a sinister figure from the Doctor's past intends to become the new Keeper, the better to spread evil throughout the Universe. Written by Johnny Byrne, "The Keeper of Traken, Episode 2" originally aired on February 7, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Keeper of Traken," the Melkur (Anthony Ainley) has revealed himself to be the Doctor's perennial nemesis, the renegade Time Lord, the Master. The Doctor (Tom Baker) and Adric (Matthew Waterhouse) must prevent the Master from becoming the new Keeper of the Union of Traken, a contingency that would result in disaster and devastation throughout the universe. Sarah Sutton joins the cast as the Doctor's new companion, Nyssa. Written by Johnny Byrne, "The Keeper of Traken, Episode 4" originally aired on February 21, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "Logopolis," the Doctor (Tom Baker) tries to repair the TARDIS' chameleon circuit by traveling to the planet Logopolis, a world ruled by mathematicians. Unfortunately, his calculations are sabotaged, and as result, both he and the TARDIS begin to shrink into nothingness -- the first stage in what turns out to be the total breakdown of the Universe's structure. First telecast March 7, 1981, "Logopolis, Episode 2" was written by Christopher H. Bidmead. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide