TV Time: Doctor Who: The TV Movie (1996)

Alo Party Peoples.

Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor (1996)

Recently I've been doing reviews of the 21st century Doctor Who, and most fans are aware that it is a continuation of the classic series, but it wasn't the first attempt to bring the show back. In 1996 there was a joint project between Fox and the BBC to make a TV movie as a backdoor pilot to a full series in the case of high ratings. While ratings held up well in the UK, in the US it was dead on arrival, and the show didn't come back until the BBC did it in house in 2005.

I was aware of the movie when I started watching the show, but I had never actually seen it until someone uploaded it in parts on YouTube, and no I am not providing a link, that would be illegal and I try to support official releases whenever possible. However, since the movie is not on Netflix at the time I write this, and I couldn't find a Region One copy of it, YouTube is where I turned.

Sidenote-Only pirate if you have no other options.

How is it? Well... let's take a look.

Setup: The Doctor is taking the remains of the Master to Gallifrey when said remains screw with the interior workings of the TARDIS, forcing an emergency landing in San Francisco on New Years Eve 1999. There he gets shot and dies on the operating table forcing a regeneration with the added disadvantage of amnesia. The Master has taken over a paramedic and plans to take the doctors remaining lives. The Doctor now must work with the surgeon that killed him to stop the Master from opening the Eye of Harmony and destroying the Earth.

Presentation: One of this films saving graces is it's production values. Sets show much craftsmanship, and the bigger budget means they can really show off the "bigger on the inside" aspect of the TARDIS, just take a look at this set. ===>

Effects wise, it is dated, but for the time, on a TV budget, I'm sure it looked good at the time.

Overall, lavish production values look nice.

Cast: Although he has portrayed the character several times for audio play company Big Finish, this was Paul McGann's only onscreen appearance as the Doctor... until the 50th anniversary when he did a mini-episode which I can provide a link to because the BBC released it via YouTube. You can watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U3jrS-uhuo

He does a good job, bringing a kind of gleeful energy that I can't say has been present in any other portrayal that I have seen. Nine was the Angry Doctor, Six was the Mean Doctor, Ten was the Remorseful Doctor, and Eight was the Happy Doctor.

Eric Roberts as the Master on the other hand... he isn't terrible, but I can't call it a good performance. The rest of the cast does alright. Daphne Ashbrook is done well as the Doctor's companion, Yee Jee Tso as a street tough that aids the Master is alright, and it was nice of Sylvester McCoy to turn up for a regeneration scene and pass the torch to McGann as the Doctor.

In conclusion, lavish production values and Paul's performance aside, I can't call it a good movie, but I do think it is worth watching.


I leave you now with a dancing Ood.

We are the legion of the beast. The legion shall be many; and the legion shall be free. He has woven himself in the fabric of your life since the dawn of time. 

Have a nice day.
Greg.B