Dr. Who and the Daleks

A fun adventure film that, while it may be too dated for today's youngsters, still has a certain sparkle that is perfect fare for a rainy Saturday.

While fans of the BBC series "Doctor Who" (1963), upon which the film is based, may be distracted by the film's use of creative licence (the characterizations are very different from those of their television counterparts,) if not taken too seriously, this is a quite enjoyable trek across an alien landscape and a classic battle of good vs. evil.

The character of Ian is played comically by Roy Castle though he is heroic where the situation demands. Jennie Linden's Barbara is a bit different from other females of the genre as she holds her own when things get tough, rarely dissolving into screams. Roberta Tovey is delightful as Susan, and kids will love her. Peter Cushing really shines, wisely not trying too hard to emulate his television counterpart William Hartnell, and makes the character his own.

All-in-all, an exciting romp.

When visiting his girlfriend Barbara, Ian is given a tour of the TARDIS by Dr Who. However he accidentally activates it and sends them to an unknown planet. Keen to explore they find themselves prisoners in a city controlled by the Daleks. The Daleks seek to rule the whole planet and get rid of the peace loving natives. When Dr Who et al accidentally help the Daleks to achieve this, they have no choice but to work with the natives to stop the Daleks.

Made to cash in on the huge popularity mid-sixties of both Dr Who and the Daleks, this film version has much higher values than the TV show, but doesn't mean it's better. The story is weak – like an introduction to the Doctor. It's very basic and provides little opportunity for thrills – right up until the final battle. It's not that bad, but for a film you'd expect more.

The Daleks themselves are good but the film uses them badly – we see them as things trapped in a city with little power outside of their own walls. To make matters worse them seem very vulnerable and easy to beat – all you have to do is push them very hard! They also don't `do' dialogue very well – they are used several times for long scenes where they talk to each other and explain the plot to the audience, these scenes are poor as their delivery mixed with the dialogue is terrible!

Cushing makes a good doctor and is better than many of the TV incarnations. Record breaking Roy Castle is quite good as Ian, but his comedy clowning doesn't really fit in with the tone of the film. The female lead is vapid but Susan (played by Tovey) is actually pretty good.

Overall this is TV standard – fans will enjoy it but anyone looking for thrills or good plotting will be disappointed. Check out Dalek Invasion Earth – that is a much better use of these tin-can bad guys.

First of all, I've seen several episodes of the Dr. Who series, but I don't follow it. It has its fan base and that's fine. If you are looking for a good Dalek adventure without getting into the whole Dalek "genesis," then this movie works well. You don't have to know all about Who-ville as a prerequisite.

There are some visual elements that needed more budget or something - miniature exteriors of the city, the burnt forest set, and the make-up on the humanoids don't quite make the grade. But the Daleks themselves inside their metal city are something to see (be sure to look for the lava lights). The Dalek robot mechanisms are very convincing, and they are very menacing as they roll around with their modulated voices trying to exterminate anything with two legs. The camera work is good - it looks like the director tried to add some interesting angles and follow shots when others maybe wouldn't bother. The cast plays well in their roles, and the story is simple and straight-forward. This is no "2001 A Space Odessey," but then again, you don't have to think too hard about what the ending really means.

This movie will probably disappoint most loyal Dr. Who followers, but it will entertain sci-fi fans who enjoy some light fare and aren't too attached to the series.

The eccentric doctor Who (the always watchable Peter Cushing) takes his familiars , a little girl (Tovey) and a young woman (Jennie Linden , Women in love) along with her fiancé (Roy Castle) on a trip throughout space and time . They're transported to another world and end up on a planet inhabited by strange and peace-loving people fighting the mutants named Daleks . These are robot-like and belong to kind of war-mongering mutant creatures who have hidden their brittle bodies in armour shells . The planet has been devastated by an atomic war and they must help the humans facing the Daleks , living various adventures with creepy landscapes , spooky monsters and deep cliffs . Finally , they're wrongfully transported to Roman empire .

This is an enjoyable cinematic adaptation about the interminable British television series . The ever popular Peter Cushing is magnificent reviving his classic interpretation as Dr. Who , furthermore a beautiful Jennie Linden and a sympathetic Roy Castle . The film displays a a rare electronic music and colorful and glimmer cinematography by John Wilcox , Hammer's usual . It's followed by ¨Daleks , invasion Earth 2150 AD¨ about title mutants who are trying to take over Earth . Others Dr. Who for television in the long-running serial are Tom Baker , Paul McGann and Christopher Eccleston . The motion picture is professionally directed by Gordon Fleming . He's a fine director such as ¨The split¨ about a blaxploitation heist and ¨Philby , Burgues and McLean , spy scandal of the century¨ , a chilling tale about tree of Britain's most notorious spies and ¨Daleks 2150¨ . The flick will appeal to Sci-Fi fans and juvenile public.

When Dr. Who (Peter Cushing) shows his time machine TARDIS to the clumsy Ian (Roy Castle), who is boyfriend of his granddaughter Barbara (Jennie Linden), he accidentally transport them and Dr. Who´s granddaughter Susan (Roberta Tovey) to somewhere in space and time. They explore the spot and see a city; Dr. Who fakes a leak in the fluid and they go to the city to seek mercury to refill the component. They are captured by the Daleks and soon they learn that a war between Daleks and Thals has destroyed the planet. Further they are exposed to radiation and only the Thals have the antidote. The Daleks send Susan to find the cure and she meets the Thal Alydon (Barrie Ingham) that has the antidote and wants to negotiate with the Daleks to exchange for food. But the cruel Daleks want to destroy the Thals to rule the world.

The naïve "Dr. Who and the Daleks" is a funny entertainment for children and for adults in a Saturday afternoon. The art direction is very poor, the plot is silly but in the 60´s we had "National Kid", "Lost in Space" among other films and "Dr. Who and the Daleks" is in the same level. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Dr. Who e a Guerra dos Daleks" ("Dr. Who and the War of the Daleks")