Doctor Who: The Sensorites
Doctor Who: The Sensorites

Movie spotlight

Doctor Who: The Sensorites

1964
Movie
150 min
English

The Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Susan arrive in the TARDIS on board a spaceship. Their initial concern is for the ship's human crew, who are suffering from telepathic interference from the Sensorites, but Susan communicates with the Sensorites and finds the aliens fear an attack by the humans and are just defending themselves. Travelling to the Sense Sphere (the Sensorites' planet) the Doctor seeks to cure an illness to which the Sensorites and Ian have succumbed, but finds it has been caused by deliberate poisoning. The political manoeuvring of the Sensorite City Administrator poses another threat to the TARDIS crew as he seeks to discredit and implicate them.

Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Director: Mervyn PinfieldGenres: Science Fiction, Adventure

Plot Summary

The First Doctor, Susan, Ian, and Barbara travel to the planet Senxor, where they encounter the Sensorites, a mysterious alien race that can move through solid objects and communicate telepathically. The crew discovers that the Sensorites are deliberately preventing their star from reaching the planet, causing a deadly famine. The Doctor and his companions must uncover the truth behind the Sensorites' actions and find a way to help them overcome their disease.

Critical Reception

As an early serial in Doctor Who's history, 'The Sensorites' is often viewed as a somewhat slower-paced and less action-packed adventure compared to later installments. However, it is praised for its unique alien concept, its exploration of themes like disease and societal control, and its atmospheric tension. The serial is considered a significant early example of the show's ability to create complex alien societies and moral dilemmas.

What Reviewers Say

  • Appreciated for its innovative alien design and telepathic abilities.

  • Noted for its slower pacing but praised for its exploration of complex themes.

  • Seen as a solid, albeit less action-oriented, early Doctor Who adventure.

Google audience: N/A

Fun Fact

The Sensorites' ability to pass through solid objects was achieved through a combination of clever camera tricks and acting, with the actors often crawling on the floor behind the set to give the illusion of passing through walls.

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CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

The occupants of the TARDIS are a bit puzzled when it stops but keeps moving at the same time! Maybe they are in something, or on something? Well that's what it turns out to be - they are on a ship that seems to be on auto-pilot with two de...