Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken
Performance & Direction: Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken Review
Last updated: February 7, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken (1981) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this TV Movie.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any TV Movie is often anchored by its ensemble, and Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken features a noteworthy lineup led by Tom Baker . Supported by the likes of Matthew Waterhouse and Sarah Sutton , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken
Quick Plot Summary: Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken is a TV Movie, Adventure, Science Fiction film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken
Ending Breakdown: Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to tv movie resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the tv movie themes in a way that feels organic to the story.
The final moments of Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of TV Movies cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate well-executed genre storytelling
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Top Cast: Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken
All Cast & Crew →







Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken Parents Guide & Age Rating
1981 AdvisoryWondering about Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken is 100 minutes (1h 40m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.5/10, and global performance metrics, Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1981 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken worth watching?
Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken is definitely worth watching if you enjoy TV Movie movies. It has a verified rating of 7.5/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken?
The total duration of Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken is 100 minutes, which is approximately 1h 40m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken
How Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken
The "Doctor" (Tom Baker) and his new pal "Adric" (Matthew Waterhouse) are parked above the planet of "Traken" when it's throned and elderly keeper visits them in the TARDIS. He's a bit of a harbinger of doom, but still asks the time lord to come to the planet to help avert a bit of nastiness with the statuesque "Melkur". No sooner have they arrived, though, then they are suspected by the locals of being the epitome of evil, and it's clear that the scheming of "Melkur" is already well under way - and that he has a fifth columnists from amongst the hierarchy of councillors to help with his devious plan. As this four-part adventure continues, we see that the "Doctor" is going to have to come face-to-face with a rather decrepit version of his oldest nemesis for quite a duel of wits. I liked Waterhouse as an assistant. He brought a bit of science and different kind of enthusiasm to the role, and here he works well with Baker and a solid collection of character actors to deliver a simple story that is light on visual effects but actually quite menacing as it races to it's inconclusive conclusion. Not the best nor the most memorable, but still watchable.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.









