Verdict:Doctor Who: The Talons of Weng-Chiang is a confirmed HIT based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 8.4/10, it has delivered a compelling experience for fans of the Action, Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction, TV Movie genre.
Answer: Yes, Doctor Who: The Talons of Weng-Chiang is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies.
It features a runtime of 150 minutes and offers a solid storyline that appeals to general audiences. Bottom Line: Highly recommended!
Last updated: January 10, 2026
Released in 1977, Doctor Who: The Talons of Weng-Chiang enters the Action genre with a narrative focused on Death stalks the fogbound streets of Victorian London: young women are going missing, horribly mutilated bodies are found floating in the Thames and criminal gangs terrorize the innocent. Under the direction of David Maloney, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
The film is anchored by performances from Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, Christopher Benjamin. The chemistry between the leads drives the emotional core of the movie, making the stakes feel genuine.
From a technical standpoint, Doctor Who: The Talons of Weng-Chiang offers a visually stunning presentation. The cinematography aligns well with the tone, though the pacing during its 150-minute runtime can feel deliberate.
As of January 2026, Doctor Who: The Talons of Weng-Chiang is available in theaters worldwide. For streaming audiences in the US and UK, look for availability on major platforms roughly 45 days after the theatrical release. Check your local listings for specific showtimes.
With an audience rating of 8.4/10, the reception has been acclaimed. For fans of Action, Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction, TV Movie, it serves as a worthy addition to the watchlist.
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 8.4/10, and global collection metrics, Doctor Who: The Talons of Weng-Chiang stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1977 cinematic year.
Doctor Who: The Talons of Weng-Chiang is considered a hit based on audience response and box office performance. With a rating of 8.4/10, it's highly recommended for fans of Action, Adventure, Drama movies.
Yes, Doctor Who: The Talons of Weng-Chiang is definitely worth watching! It's a must-watch hit for fans of Action, Adventure, Drama cinema.
Doctor Who: The Talons of Weng-Chiang is a Action, Adventure, Drama movie that Death stalks the fogbound streets of Victorian London: young women are going missing, horribly mutilated bodies are found floating in the Thames and c...
It's curious that the BBC never thought to bolt these six episodes together to makes a single feature? Quite a few of these Tom Baker "Dr. Who" stories might have made for quite decent stand-alone films. This is one of them as he and his prehistoric, knife-throwing, companion "Leela" (Louise Jameson) find themselves in Victorian London just as Chinese mystic "Li H'sen Chang" (John Bennett) is performing at the theatre of "Jago" (Christopher Benjamin) and young girls are going missing with alarming regularity. Our visiting Time Lord recognises the magician (after several hundred years!) and quickly realises that the malevolent deity "Weng Chiang" (Michael Spice) is probably nearby and desperate to reunite with his ancient time cabinet so he can rejuvenate and take his place once again at the head of humanity - snacking on distilled young virgins as he goes. Baker was at the top of his game with the role by now and he gelled well with the enthusiastic Jameson as the pair try to track down and thwart their new nemesis. The production uses the Victorian scenario to good effect with a solid supporting cast and some basic, but still quite effective (for 1977) visual effects that culminate in a lively denouement with a laser zapping ornamental lion in the hands of a menacing homunculus. I grew up watching this on Saturday evening television and find them still quite entertaining and inventive stories to watch.
