Christopher Barry Movies

When an alcoholic extraterrestrial living in a small Northern Ontario town finds God, his spiritual journey leads him on tour with a local bar in the feature debut of director Rob Stefaniuk. Soon after crash-landing in a remote Ontario town, innocent alien Phil strikes up a warm friendship with an open-minded young boy and a remarkably intelligent beaver. A stranger in a strange land, Phil eventually begins to fit in by drinking plenty of hard liquor and jumping in on jam sessions with the local bar band. Beneath the picturesque natural wonder of Niagara Falls, the General (John Kapelos) at the "Top Secret American UFO Base" plots to bring Phil to his base for a series of grisly medical experiments. Informed by his friend the beaver that there is a ship in Niagara Falls which he could use to get back home, the drunken Phil continues to spiral into alcoholism before attacking a cigarette machine and getting sent to prison. Having found Jesus during his stint behind bars, a rehabilitated Phil sets out on tour with the bar band while attempting to dodge the bullets of the General's feared assassin Madame Madame (Nicole deBoer). ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

After Earth is taken over by aliens, one man finally escapes and then fights along with rebels to win the planet back in these episodes from the British television sci-fi series. ~ Kristie Hassen, Rovi

In the third episode of the four-part story "The Creature From the Pit," the Doctor (Tom Baker) learns that the titular creature is actually an ambassador from the planet Tythonus, who has been imprisoned by the despotic Lady Adrasta (Myra Frances). The villainess hopes to drain the creature of the precious metals in its system, thereby strengthening her hold on the planet Chloris. Meanwhile, Romana (Lalla Ward) endeavors to rescue both the Doctor and the Creature, with Adrasta's henchmen hot on her heels. Written by David Fisher, "The Creature From the Pit, Episode 3" was originally telecast on November 10, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In episode one of the four-part story "The Creature From the Pit," the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Lalla Ward) answer a distress call from the planet Chloris. Upon their arrival, they discover that the planet's precious metal supply has been monopolized by the covetous, power-hungry Lady Adastra (Myra Frances), who keeps the inhabitants in line with the help of the sinister Huntsman (David Telfer) and his wolf weeds. Complicating matters are two other antagonists: bandit leader Torvin (John Bryans) and a huge, amorphous blob (hence the title of this adventure). Former Doctor Who director Morris Barry appears in a cameo role as Tollund. Written by David Fisher, "The Creature From the Pit, Episode 1" was originally telecast on October 27, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Nigel Havers (Chariots of Fire, Empire of the Sun) heads a five-star British cast including Kate Nicholls and Derek Godfrey, in the 1977 BBC miniseries Nicholas Nickleby, an adaptation of Charles Dickens' seminal 1838-1839 serial. The bittersweet story recounts the passing of Nickleby's (Havers) father, his subsequent impoverishment, and his guardianship under the aegis of the nasty Uncle Ralph, who shuttles Nicholas' mother off to labor in a dressmaking factory and Nicholas himself to a sadistic boarding school, run by the vile headmaster Wackford Squeers (Derek Francis). Nicholas Nickleby became one of Dickens' most beloved works, with its motley band of eccentric Brit characters, and the miniseries does its utmost to preserve the scathing satire of the original. Christopher Barry directs this five-and-a-half-hour presentation. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Brain of Morbius," Sarah (Elisabeth Sladen) manages to persuade the Sisterhood of Karn that the Doctor (Tom Baker) does not pose a dire threat to their existence. Spared from execution, the Doctor tries to prevent evil scientist Solon (Philip Madoc) from reviving the brain of infamous Time Lord criminal Morbius. Alas, he is too late, and the episode comes to a pulse-pounding conclusion as the Doctor matches wits -- and powers -- with the most dangerous and deadly Time Lord in all history. Originally telecast on January 25, 1976, "The Brain of Morbius, Episode 4" was written by Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the second episode of the four-part story "The Brain of Morbius," mad doctor Solon (Philip Madoc) intends to transplant the brain of evil Time Lord criminal Morbius into the body of the Doctor (Tom Baker). To do this, Solon must enlist the aid of the Sisterhood, the mystic cult currently in charge of the devastated planet Karn. Meanwhile, the members of the Sisterhood become convinced that the Doctor intends to end their existence. Originally telecast on January 10, 1976, "The Brain of Morbius, Episode 2" was written by Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the conclusion of the four-part story "Robot," the members of Think Tank have hidden themselves in a bunker, preparing for the nuclear holocaust which they themselves have planned. It falls to the Doctor (Tom Baker) to shatter Think Tank's dreams of world domination. But is the Doctor, now encased within a new body and endowed with a whole new personality, up to the present challenge? Ian Marter joins the regular cast in the role of Harry Sullivan. First telecast on January 11, 1975, "Robot, Episode 4" was written by Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the final episode of Doctor Who's 11th season, the Doctor endured a crisis of conscience, one so profound that he was forced into another of his periodic regenerations. In this way, Jon Pertwee was able to leave the series, to make way for the Fourth Doctor, who in turn was unveiled in the 12th-season opener, episode one of "Robot" (which was also the first of the series' story continuities to be shot completely on videotape, with no filmed sequences). Tom Baker took over the role of the Doctor, spending the bulk of the episode getting accustomed to his new body. While resting from his labors, the new Doctor falls asleep for a few minutes -- just enough time for a robot to steal the plans for a valuable disintegrator gun, thereby setting the plot proper in motion. First telecast on December 28, 1974, the first episode of the four-part "Robot" was written by Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the third episode of the six-part story "The Mutants," the efforts by the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) to help the Solonians to begin their evolutionary process are resisted by the despotic Marshal (Paul Whitsun-Jones) of the orbiting Earth Skybase. Equally intent upon crushing a resistance movement, the Marshal pins a murder on rebel leader Ky (Garrick Hagan). Now a fugitive, Ky takes the Doctor's companion, Jo (Katy Manning), hostage and returns to Solos, where the poisonous atmosphere prevents the human crew members of the Skybase from effecting a rescue. But, remember, the Doctor isn't human. Written by Bob Baker and David Martin, "The Mutants, Episode 3" first aired on April 22, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the fifth episode of the six-part story "The Mutants," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Jo (Katy Manning) have handed over the package of bio-readings that will enable the primitive inhabitants of the planet Solos to begin their evolutionary process. In so doing, the Doctor incurs the wrath of the Marshal (Paul Whitsun-Jones) of the orbiting Earth skybase. Determined to prevent the Solonions from declaring their independence, the Marshal forces the Doctor to work on a machine that will destroy Solos' poisonous atmosphere, thereby enabling the Skybase to launch an all-out invasion of the planet. Written by Bob Baker and David Martin, "The Mutants, Episode 5" first aired on May 6, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the first episode of the six-part story "The Mutants," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Jo (Katy Manning) are summoned to the 30th century, where they are ordered by the Time Lords to deliver a secret package to the planet Solos. The fact that the package contains some crucial bio-readings is but a prologue to the Doctor's latest assignment: To enable the primitive Solonians to begin their evolutionary process. But as can be gathered by the fact that there are more episodes to come, this will not be an easy task. Written by Bob Baker and David Martin, "The Mutants, Episode 1" first aired on April 8, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the fourth episode of the five-part story "The Daemons," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) realizes that the spirit of Azal, last of the Daemons, has been summoned by the heavily disguised Master (Roger Delgado), who wants to harness the Daemons' awesome powers for himself. Alas, the Doctor dare not intervene, lest Azal bring about the end of the world. It is up to the Doctor's companion, Jo (Katy Manning), to save the day -- but how? Written by Barry Letts and Robert Sloman, "The Daemons, Episode 4" originally aired on June 12, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi