Sylvester McCoy Movies

Though much of the acting was good, it can hardly be said that the enormously popular British sci-fi television series Doctor Who suffered from a budget surfeit. For all the handicaps under which the show labored in its early years (threatened constantly by cancellation, strangled by budget overruns, almost toppled in the stylistic left turn involved when it went immediately from being an educational program to being an adventure series) it turned out remarkably well overall.
Doctor Who: The Hartnell Years is a fascinating tape because it manages, over its course, to provide insights into the beginnings of the show -- aside from Sylvester McCoy's sometimes blunt narration, there is the original recording of the pilot show, "An Unearthly Child." Rejected for being too harsh, with the Doctor portrayed almost as a villain, the original pilot is an intriguing curiosity for its differences. Originally, the producers were quite specific about the time and place from which the Doctor and his granddaughter hailed -- this was finally abandoned in favor of making the characters as mysterious as possible to the humans who stumbled into their lives, and the viewers who watched the show. The tape also includes a snippet from a show dubbed into Arabic -- while from a highly dramatic show, the mix of Hartnell's overdone acting and the frenetic Arabic dubbing is nothing short of hilarious. Also available for the curious are a couple of orphaned episodes, including the lone survivor from "The Crusades." Overall, an entertaining and fascinating release. ~ Steven E. McDonald, All Movie Guide

In the late '70s, Frank Langella starred in the hit Broadway play Dracula, written by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston. Langella's charisma and the surreal, black-and-white sets designed by cartoonist Edward Gorey were the chief outstanding features of the play, which was otherwise undistinguished. While this film production of the play boasts performances by stage veterans Lord Laurence Olivier and Donald Pleasance, as well as Frank Langella as the suavest of counts, it was neither a critical nor a box-office success, doubtlessly because expectations ran too high. One highlight of this production is its skillful use of special effects. The standard story of Bram Stoker's original novel is re-created here: the undead count arranges to move from his home in Transylvania to Whitby, and once there, a reign of terror begins. He is opposed by the canny Doctor Van Helsing (Laurence Olivier), who eventually triumphs. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

Winning a trip to the Disneyland of 1959, the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Melanie (Bonnie Langford) collide en route with a satellite. The would-be vacationers end up in a Welsh holiday camp called the Shangri-La -- which is presently under siege by the Bannermen, a pair of genocidal assassins who have targeted another vacationer, Chimeron princess Delta (Belinda Mayne). American funnyman Stubby Kaye guest stars as Mr. Weismuller, while British TV game show host Ken Dodd appears briefly as the Tollmaster. Written by Malcolm Kohll, the three-episode "Delta and the Bannermen" began its original BBC run on November 2, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "Paradise Towers," the residents of the titular apartment complex continue to be held in thrall by a malevolent -- and murderous -- superbrain known as the Great Architect Kroagnon, who, appalled at the untidiness of his customers, has dispatched the villainous Chief Caretaker (Richard Briers) on a killing rampage. Caught in the middle between the complex's helpless residents and the various and sundry threats to their safety, the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Mel (Bonnie Langford) must figure out a way of staying alive -- or at the very least, of avoiding the bureaucratic red tape which has tied the other characters in knots. Written by Stephen Wyatt, "Paradise Towers, Episode 3" first aired on October 19, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Melanie (Bonnie Langford) decide to use the swimming pool at the Paradise Towers luxury-apartment complex. Unfortunately, the formerly award-winning complex has degenerated into a breeding ground for crime and vice -- and the current residents seem to be totally unaware of the danger surrounding them. Comic actor Richard Briers does an about-face as the villainous Chief Caretaker. Written by Stephen Wyatt, Episode 1 of the four-part adventure "Paradise Towers" first aired on October 5, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the three-part story "Dragonfire," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and con artist Glitz (Tony Selby) have both been drawn to the frigid trading colony Iceworld. Here both men face death at the hands of the elusive exiled criminal Kane (Edward Peel), who now reluctantly rules the colony. Items essential to the action are a herd of surly dragons and a lost umbrella. Written by Chris Clough, "Iceworld, Episode 2" first aired on November 30, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the three-part story "Delta and the Bannermen," the Bannerman Warfleet steps up its efforts to assassinate Princess Delta of Chimeron (Belinda Mayne), as well as the infant heir apparent to the throne. In trying to prevent this, the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Mel (Bonnie Langford) learn to their surprise that the Chimeron infant doesn't really need any help. Watch for the Doctor's eyeglasses in the climactic chase scene (though quite nearsighted, actor McCoy was determined to drive a motorcycle without the assistance of a stunt man). Written by Malcolm Kohll, "Delta and the Bannermen, Episode 3" originally aired on November 16, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "Time and the Rani," the newly regenerated Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) must deal with the renegade Time Lady known as the Rani (Kate O'Mara). Hoping to create her own time manipulator by brain-draining the Doctor and other intergalactic geniuses, the Rani has chosen as her headquarters the peaceful planet Lakertya -- thereby breaking the peace in the process. Originally shown on September 14, 1987, "Time and the Rani, Episode 2" was written by Pip and Jane Baker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "Time and the Rani," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) frees the reptilian residents of the planet Lakertya, then prepares himself for a final showdown with the Rani (Kate O'Mara), whose time-manipulating device could result in the end of the planet, if not the entire universe. The explosive climax takes place on an asteroid hovering high over Lakertya, a triumph of "making a lot out of a little" for the series' artistic designer Geoff Powell. Originally shown on September 28, 1987, "Time and the Rani, Episode 4" was written by Pip and Jane Baker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Season 25 of Doctor Who got under way on October 5, 1988, with episode one of the four-part "Remembrance of the Daleks." Accompanied by his new friend, Ace (Sophie Aldred), the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) shows up in 1963 London in search of something he inadvertently left behind during his last visit. That "something" is a remote stellar manipulator -- desperately needed by two warring Dalek factions. "Remembrance of the Daleks, Episode 1" was written by Ben Aaronovitch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "Remembrance of the Daleks," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) tries to prevent a civil war between two Dalek factions in 1963 London. To that end, he reprograms the Hand of Ortega, a remote interstellar device, intending to hand it over to the "right" Dalek faction. This action would seem to suggest that the Doctor has taken leave of his senses: Why surrender a device capable of destroying not only both Dalek armies, but also all of Mankind? First telecast October 19, 1988, "Remembrance of the Daleks, Episode 3" was written by Ben Aaronovitch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "The Greatest Show in the Galaxy," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) are attacked by a "killer clown" while attending the Psychic Circus on the planet Segonax. As it turns out, the two time travelers are remarkably fortunate: most of the Circus' previous "customers" were summarily executed by a trio of evil demigods from Ragnarok. But why? Written by Stephen Wyatt, "The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, Episode 2" first aired on December 21, 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide