Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead

Ember's analysis

Pacing

Brisk

Intensity

Moderate

Complexity

Easy to follow

Violence

Mild

• witty
• adventurous
• playful
• science fiction marathon
• television special viewing

What sets it apart

May contain story progression spoilers

• A London bus is diverted from Earth to a desert-like alien planet, turning everyday travel into an interplanetary survival scenario.

• The Doctor is paired with jewel thief Lady Christina, whose criminal skills and adventurous temperament complicate the rescue mission.

• The stranded bus and its passengers confront a vast desert-like planet dominated by the deadly Swarm.

• The special moves from banter aboard a London bus to increasingly urgent attempts to survive an alien threat.

Films like Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead, and why

• Doctor Who: The Christmas Invasion

  shared science fiction adventure, eccentric time-traveling hero, alien peril, and playful British tone

• Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars

  shared science fiction mystery, stranded travelers, hostile extraterrestrial environment, and brisk episodic adventure

• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

  shared fish out of water comedy, colorful science fiction spectacle, and ensemble survival against alien threats

Movie Details

Director

James Strong

Release Date

2009-04-11

Runtime

59 min

Rating

7.5 / 10 (227)

Cast

• David Tennant
• Michelle Ryan
• Lee Evans
• Noma Dumezweni
• Adam James
• Glenn Doherty
• Victoria Alcock
• Daniel Kaluuya
• Ellen Thomas
• David Ames

Common questions

What is Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead about?

A routine London bus ride becomes an exuberant interplanetary rescue adventure when the Doctor and a daring jewel thief face a deadly alien swarm.

What is Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead as mild.

Which films are like Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead?

Films with a similar feel include Doctor Who: The Christmas Invasion, Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

How long is Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead?

Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead runs 59 minutes.

In Ember's collections

• Sci-Fi Odyssey

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