Sylvester McCoy Movies

With episode one of the four-part "Battlefield," Doctor Who launched its 26th (and thus far final) season. The Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) travel to the England of the not-too-distant future, arriving on the battlefield where King Arthur once battled Mordred over possession of the sword Excalibur. He soon discovers that this ancient war is far from over and that a UNIT convoy headed by stalwart Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney) is in danger of being destroyed -- not only by a group of extra-dimensional villains, but also by galloping inflation. Jean Marsh of Upstairs, Downstairs fame, who previously appeared in the 1965 Doctor Who adventure "The Dalek Masterplan," is here cast as the sorceress Morgaine. Originally telecast on September 6, 1989, "Battlefield, Episode 1" was written by Ben Aaronovitch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "Battlefield," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy), armed with the powers of Merlin, squares off against the minions of Mordred (Christopher Bowen) on the same battlefield where the battle for possession of the sword Excalibur was fought centuries before. Meanwhile, the Doctor's friend, Ace (Sophie Aldred), and extra-dimensional warrior Shou Yuing (Ling Tai) are trapped in a hotel room, faced with dangers ranging from the rampaging sorceress Morgaine (Jean Marsh) to an all-out nuclear holocaust. Originally telecast on September 20, 1989, "Battlefield, Episode 3" was written by Ben Aaronovitch. ~ Hal Erickson, 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 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

Four years after its "official" demise as a weekly series, Doctor Who briefly resurfaced in the form of a two-part, 14-minute special. Created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the series' birth, Part One of "Dimensions in Time" was shown as a segment of the BBC's Children in Need Telethon. The plot proper pitted five of the Doctor's seven incarnations -- played by surviving series stars Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy -- against renegade Time Lady Rani (Kate O'Mara), who hoped to determine the outcome of the universe's evolution. This cliffhanger was resolved on November 27, 1993 with Part Two of "Dimensions in Time," shown as a six-minute component of the series' Noel's House Party. It was truly an "interactive" effort, with the home viewers calling in their suggestions for the outcome. Also appearing were several cast members of the popular British soap opera Eastenders (one of whom was selected by popular vote to "save" the Doctor). Written by John Nathan-Turner and David Roden, "Dimensions in Time" represented the Doctor's last TV appearance until the 1996 two-hour "revival" film. ~ 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 first episode of the three-part Doctor Who adventure "Ghost Light," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) accompanies Ace (Sophie Aldred) on a visit to her home town of Perivale. Arriving during the Victorian era, the time travelers try to determine the source of a terrifying experience in Ace's childhood -- one which has given her nightmares ever since. Written by Marc Platt, "Ghost Light, Episode 1" originally aired on October 4, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the three-part story "Ghost Light," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) have arrived at Ace's ancestral home, Gabriel Chase, in 1883. Hoping to discover the source of Ace's nightmares, the Doctor at first concludes that the house is haunted by traditional ghosts. He quickly changes his mind when he is confronted with a spectral light, a pantry full of radioactive silverware, a Neanderthal house servant -- and a spaceship in the cellar. Written by Marc Platt, "Ghost Light, Episode 2" originally aired on October 18, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "Paradise Towers," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Mel (Bonnie Langford) have discovered that a once-prestigious apartment complex is now in control of several disreputable factions, among them the Kangs and the Caretakers. Hoping to protect the sublimely indifferent "Rezzies" (or permanent residents) of the Complex, the Doctor must also contend with the alarming mortality rate of the Kangs, not to mention the crossbows of the well-armed Kangs. Written by Stephen Wyatt, "Paradise Towers, Episode 2" first aired on October 12, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "Paradise Towers," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Mel (Bonnie Langford) remain at the mercy of the Great Architect Kroagnon, the literal "brains" behind all the crime and carnage at the once-magnificent Paradise Towers apartment complex. Unfortunately, there seems to be no escape from Kroagnon's murderous henchman, the Chief Caretaker (Richard Briers). The Doctor's only hope is to unite the complex's various warring factions -- the Rezzies, the Kangs -- against the villains. Written by Stephen Wyatt, "Paradise Towers, Episode 4" first aired on October 26, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "Remembrance of the Daleks," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) have arrived in 1963 London, in search of a stellar manipulator known as the Hand of Omega. Impressed by the pop-cultural trappings of her new surroundings, Ace is blissfully unaware that her movements are being monitored by the two armies in a Dalek civil war -- both of whom are willing to wipe out all mankind to get their mitts on the Hand of Omega before the Doctor does. First telecast October 12, 1988, "Remembrance of the Daleks, Episode 2" was written by Ben Aaronovitch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Totter's Land Junkyard site that had figured so prominently in many an earlier episode of Doctor Who is again given a good workout in the four-episode adventure "Remembrance of the Daleks." Having reprogrammed the Hand of Ortega, a remote stellar manipulator, the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) hands the device over to one of two warring Dalek factions. It is the Doctor's fervent hope that the device will end up destroying not only both Dalek armies, but also their home planet Skaro. But what effect will all this destruction have on poor London? First telecast October 26, 1988, "Remembrance of the Daleks, Episode 4" was written by Ben Aaronovitch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide