Doorways (1993 TV Movie) User Reviews

A good idea not thoroughly thought out

[machrf · 5/10 · 1 May 2023]

In the first half hour there are a number of plot flaws that are hard to accept. Had the writers thought about it just a bit more it might have worked out as a good series. But then again, they'd have had stiff competition from Sliders.

Also, I think the talent agent could have picked out some better actors. The mix clashed with each other while the variety in sliders melded better. It is a good comparison between a series that made the concept work vs a series that did not allow it to work. The behind the scenes crews is crucial in making a series a hit. I was going to say especially the casting director but that is not true. Without a good scrip writer... etc etc. Each part has to perform to a certain level for a series to make it. They did not meld well in this one.

Decent pilot film

[Snootz · 6/10 · 29 March 2023]

This is a moderately interesting pilot film for a series that never came to be. Similar to SLIDERS... too similar in the race for a prime time TV slot. Although the main characters were fairly well portrayed and the settings reasonably constructed, it was just a case of two series too similar to one another.

I did very much enjoy the setting for the "hospital" in this; it makes me wonder where that building really is. The ironwork railing was terrific (it can be surprising what impresses in a movie). I also enjoyed "The Bikers" (you just have to see it).

Giving it 6 stars for what it is: a made-for-TV pilot movie from the 90s. It's not a bad flick. Being a pilot film, expect an open ending without resolution but the two scenarios it presents were fairly well thought out and portrayed. Not a bad attempt. But this was 1994, Sliders was a close 1995 competing for the same sci fi concept, and Sliders of course won out.

Not too bad for a TV movie

[mjparker · 8/10 · 19 July 2002]

I caught the last half of this on cable last night. Looks like a pilot for a possible series. Except for the confused confrontation with the "Dark Lord" at the end it looked pretty good. I got involved with the characters and definitely wanted like to know how things turned out - I would expect no less from George R. R. Martin. Too bad it never got picked up.

clever sf pilot about travels to parallel worlds

[powersroc · 1 September 2004]

This fun,imaginative TV pilot by George R.R.Martin(Beauty & the Beast) dealt with a couple who could travel to earth-like planets located in other dimensions.Cat comes from another world to our earth,in fact she is a former slave on the run from her masters who are in hot pursuit. Here she is befriended by a doctor who then becomes caught up in her flight. With the advanced technology from her homeworld, she is able to find a portal that will open up into the next world. Trouble is she isn't always conveniently near the opening & must race to get to it. She also carries an organic weapon with her that packs a devastating punch.The premise is similar to the TV series Sliders. I wish this had been picked up by the network(ABC) as a series as it had so much potential. Visiting a new & different world each week would offer endless story possibilities. The report is that the ABC network had to choose between this or another sf show. They went with the other show:Lois & Clark. What a shame.

The Mystery of Doorways.

[zakywacky1452 · 10/10 · 28 December 2005]

I watched the film in 1993 when it came out on telly. It was brilliant. I recorded it as well but lost it. I got it back though. It's got a very strong storyline to it. Brilliant detail. And I like the way it makes you figure things out for yourself. Like on Cat's bracelet it turns yellow when the Dark Lord and "manhounds" come through into the world cat is in and blue if she is scanning to find the next door and red when the door has closed. And that the "manhounds" and the dark Lord have a different way of getting through to each world. (This backs up my idea about the red light n the bracelet because you would think that was wrong unless I told you otherwise, that I have just done now.) And the back plot of Cat and the Dark Lord and Thane because it doesn't give you as much detail about that. And not many people realize this is that if you look closely. When Cat and Thomas pass through the second doorway at the end, The piece of metal covered in fire that comes out of the doorway just after them is actually the Dark Lord. That's what made it, I think, a series pilot. But it got rubbed out for Sliders. I like Sliders but I would of preferred doorways. But it would of been nice if they kept them both. I am studying for drama and media studies at the moment and this is a great example!

Engaging Sci Fi Offering

[teuthis · 26 July 2002]

I was intrigued with the basic science fiction concepts behind this film. There are too many cloying multi-million dollar fairy tales, posing as science fiction, produced today. "Doorways" was made for TV, seemingly as a series pilot; and it is thus confined in its scope and special effects. But the story is strong. The characters are well developed and interesting. The Alien girl is wild, determined and strong; yet she is still vulnerable, in a feminine way; not your typical alien superhuman. It is well worth sitting down and getting involved in this entertaining film. I wish someone would make a full blown theatrical release from this idea; with a definitive resolution and the time to truly develop the characters. This one is still fun. It will keep you in your seat, and let you use your imagination. See if if you're a Sci Fi fan.

A very good sci-fi movie

[bjthomas-5 · 10/10 · 6 April 2009]

Doorways should be given a chance and put out on DVD. Everyone I have talked to about this movie says that they really liked it and wish that they could purchase it for their collection. It has an unusual plot and was fun to see where each scene would take you. The whole idea of sci-fi is to take you away from the stress and strain of everyday drudgery. It gives you a feeling of other things and other worlds out there, if you don't watch it all the way through how can you even think of trying to rate the movie. Many people listen to these people that rate movies and take their word for truth. I have found many good movies that were supposed to be lousy but found them to be great movies. Give those poorly rated movies a chance because what sucks to one or two people may be a very good movie.

I remember watching this!!!

[re_zuleta · 10/10 · 6 March 2006]

This show preceded SLIDERS, at least by a year or two. It deals with a somewhat similar premise. Sliding thru parallel worlds, alternate realities, where it's the same time, date, continent...but somehow things are just not the same.

I also remembered, in one segment of this 2-hr cable movie...the story was sorta similar to the world of 'Kevin Costner's THE POSTMAN;' in this version, in order to cure some oil-spill catastrophe in the world's oceans...scientists had created this petrol-cured oil eating bacteria. But when they unleashed it...things got outta control, and it consumed all the oil-supplies in the world. So, now supposedly everything went back to being kinda the old west. Traveling in horse pulled buggy-coaches. Horse back riding. Seeing abandoned luxury cars on the side of cracked freeways.

Interesting premise. Too bad it didn't turn into a series. There's this other film with a similar title, starring RUGER HAUER...I think it called: CROSSWORLDS, which uses a similar plot.

REZULETA

Pilot lost out to Sliders in the TV wars

[bigger-2 · 14 August 2003]

George R. R. Martin, writer of "Beauty And The Beast," and a well known professional SF writer ("Tuff Voyaging" is heartily recommended) came up with this pilot for an alternate universe adventure show some time before Sliders, but Tracey Torme's version was the one that became a series. Ignore the disparaging remarks and watch it -- George Newbern goes well beyond the bounds of 'male ingenue (sp?)' and Kurtwood Smith delivers two good performances (conceivably he could have been the Kenny of live action TV, a comment you will need to watch it to understand, if the series had made it.

Just too bad to be true

[HoraceBury · 28 June 2003]

I've got to admit I could not watch more than 10 minutes of this. Sorry.

The opening sequence appears to be the first of it's kind; it has absolutely no idea of how to do what it's attempting. The whole thing looks like it was made early 80's, although Terminator looks better!

Budget? What's a budget.

Story? Oh, we ripped that from a guy writing a show called Sliders.

If you see this in a video rental store, ignore it.