John Levene
Also Known As: John Anthony Blake
Biography: John Levene is an actor, comedian, and singer, best known for his role as Sergeant - later Corporal - Benton in the British sci-fi television show Doctor Who. Levene has also worked as a cruise ship entertainer, and as a voice-over artist for entities such as The Walt Disney Company and The Queen Mary Hotel. He also established the audio-visual company Genesis Communications, which has worked with companies such as British Airways and KFC.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, UK
Adult: No
Birthday: December 24, 1941
Age: 83 years old
Gender: Male
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Known For:
Permission to Kill
Overview: Western intelligence agents try, by all means necessary, to prevent a Communist-bloc defector from leaving the West in his bid to return home to lead an uprising.
Genres: Drama Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-11-20
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Dark Places
Overview: A scheming couple plot to conceal a hidden cache of stolen money from its rightful owner. The only problem is that the house they plan to hide it in is haunted.
Genres: Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-05-01
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Return to Devil's End
Overview: Set in the lovely village where the Doctor Who episodes titled "The Dæmons" (#059) was shot, this documentary takes place in 1992 shortly before the death of Jon Pertwee, and is hosted by classic series regulars like Nicholas Courtney, Richard Franklin, John Levene, Director - Christopher Barry, and the current voice of the Daleks, Nicholas Briggs. The documentary features interviews with actors, the director, local residents, and crew. All of the locations used in the episode are reviewed, and include archival footage shot during the original shooting in 1971.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1993-01-30
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Doctor Who: Inferno
Overview: UNIT is providing security cover at an experimental drilling project at Eastchester, designed to penetrate the Earth's crust and release a previously untapped source of energy. Soon, however, the drill head starts to leak an oily green liquid that transforms those who touch it into vicious primeval creatures with a craving for heat. The Doctor is accidentally transported "sideways in time" by the partially repaired TARDIS control console into a parallel universe where the drilling project is at a more advanced stage. Thwarted by his friends' ruthless alter egos, he works to save both universes.
Genres: Science Fiction TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-05-09
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Myth Makers 13: John Levene
Overview: In 1987, when Nicholas Briggs first interviewed John Levene, it was a hot summer’s day in Richmond Park. John had begun a career in audio-visual presentation and was looking forward to a new chapter in his life. Eight years later John had moved to the USA and was living with his partner Jenny. He was now hosting gala charity events and looking to continue his acting career. During all this time there have been two constants in his life, Doctor Who and his irrepressible sense of humour. Nick managed to catch John on one of his rare visits to the UK and they take up the story so far including Wartime and Return to Devil’s End.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-06-13
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ReUNITed at Chicago Tardis
Overview: It was a operation worthy of UNIT itself… bringing The Brigadier (Nicholas Courtney), Captain Yates (Richard Franklin) and RSM Benton (John Levene) back together again at Chicago TARDIS. In this production we tear through the red tape to cover the convention and also talk to Katy Manning, Jon Pertwee, Terrance Dicks, Gary Russell, J. Jeremy Bentham and many more about the secret behind UNIT’s success.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2001-11-12
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Psychomania
Overview: A gang of young people call themselves the Living Dead. They terrorize the population from their small town. After an agreement with the devil, if they kill themselves firmly believing in it, they will survive and gain eternal life. Following their leader, they commit suicide one after the other, but things don't necessarily turn out as expected...
Genres: Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-03-01
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The Seduction of Dracula
Overview:
Genres: Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2024-02-28
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The Reincarnation of Dracula
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Genres: Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2024-02-26
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Lay Down Your Arms
Overview: Dennis Potter used his own background as a Russian language clerk in the War Office when writing this play for ITV's SATURDAY NIGHT THEATRE series. At the time of the 1956 Suez Crisis and the Russian invasion of Hungary, Private Bob Hawk reports to the London Intelligence Office where the strength of Soviet troops is under scrutiny.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-05-23
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Frankenstein Versus Dracula
Overview:
Genres: Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2024-05-15
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Doctor on Display: The Museum of Classic Sci-Fi
Overview: In the early 1970s, the BBC decided to launch a series of exhibitions featuring monsters and props from Doctor Who. Over the next three decades, untold thousands of children (and adults too!) were thrilled by a mix of innovative, exciting and stunning extravaganzas! For many fans, these exhibitions were their first and only real chance to get close-up to their favourite TV programme … and the memories they share in this innovative documentary series are bound together by interviews with experts and people who actually worked at them! The museum re-opened in 2021 after extensive restoration work and we tell the story of that opening … and the incredible journey that led to that memorable day!
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2022-04-04
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Doctor Who: The Ambassadors of Death
Overview: Astronauts rescued from a mission to mars are kidnapped when they arrive back on earth. They seem to have been irradiated, and can now kill people merely by touching them. But the Doctor discovers the astronauts have been replaced with Alien ambassadors who are being forced to behave in a hostile manner. With The Doctor traveling to the alien mother ship, and Liz kidnapped, The Brigadier is left wondering who to trust.
Genres: Science Fiction Drama Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-05-02
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The Doctors: The Jon Pertwee Years
Overview: This is the definitive set of interviews with the team of actors who brought the Jon Pertwee era of Doctor Who to life! This documentary includes the best in-depth interviews with Jon Pertwee (the Third Doctor), Katy Manning (Jo Grant), Caroline John (Liz Shaw), Nicholas Courtney (The Brigadier), Richard Franklin (Captain Yates) and John Levine (Sergeant Benton) ever undertaken.
Genres: Documentary Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2017-08-01
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Living with Levene
Overview: Intrepid comedian and Doctor Who fan Toby Hadoke heads to Salisbury to spend the weekend with one of the show's most unusual actors. John Levene played Sergeant Benton on-screen for nearly a decade, but these days is a very enigmatic figure. Now Toby has 48 hours to get to know the man, and figure out what makes him tick.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2012-10-22
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Satan Hates You
Overview: Homicidal maniac Marc is constantly driven my demons buried deep within his soul while his estranged sister Wendy is Marc's polar opposite and lives life fast and hard without a second's thought to the consequences. Their separate paths will eventually cross, but will it be on the road to salvation or the highway to hell?
Genres: Horror Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2010-07-10
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Doctor Who: The Android Invasion
Overview: The Doctor and Sarah return to Earth in the present day to find a strangely deserted village and woods stalked by white-clad figures.
Genres: Adventure Drama Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-11-22
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Wartime
Overview: While on a seemingly routine delivery run for the Brigadier, Benton finds himself close to his childhood home, where ghosts from his past have never rested easily… Trapped in a nightmare world where past and present are one, will he be lost forever or can he fight his way back to reality, where he is desperately needed?
Genres: Action Drama Science Fiction War Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-01-01
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Doctor Who: Terror of the Autons
Overview: The Master, an old adversary of the Doctor, has arrived on Earth to destroy humanity with the aid of the Nestene Consciousness and their army of Autons and killer plastic daffodils - unless the Doctor, joined by new assistant Jo Grant, can stop them.
Genres: Science Fiction Drama Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-01-23
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Chronotrip
Overview: Philosophical Time Travel
Genres: Science Fiction Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2002-02-15
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Doctor Who: Day of the Daleks
Overview: Guerillas time-jump back from the 22nd century to assassinate Sir Reginald Styles - a diplomat working for World Peace, The Doctor discovers they are from a future where the Daleks have invaded the Earth (Following wars precipitated by Styles's destruction at the peace conference). With the Daleks desperate to maintain their version of history, The Doctor and Jo find themselves in a totalitarian future, where they must discover who really happened and prevent it.
Genres: Family Adventure Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-01-22
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Doctor Who: The Time Monster
Overview: The Master, in the guise of Professor Thascalos, has constructed at the Newton Institute in Wootton a device known as TOMTIT - Transmission Of Matter Through Interstitial Time - to gain control over Kronos, a creature from outside time. The creature is summoned but proves to be uncontrollable.
Genres: Science Fiction Drama Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-06-24
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Doctor Who: The Three Doctors
Overview: Time itself is in peril! The Time Lords and UNIT find themselves besieged by a mythic figure from the Time Lords' past hell-bent on destruction. The only way to defeat him is to break the First Law of Time and let the Doctor help himself — literally...
Genres: Science Fiction Adventure Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-01-20
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Doctor Who: Robot
Overview: The newly-regenerated Doctor helps UNIT battle a sentient robot being manipulated by a corrupt scientific organization.
Genres: Science Fiction Adventure Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-01-18
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Doctor Who: Terror of the Zygons
Overview: When the Doctor, Sarah Jane and Harry arrive in Scotland, having received an urgent request for assistance from the Brigadier, they discover that the mysterious force which has destroyed three oil rigs has left giant teeth marks on the wreckage. The mystery deepens, leading them to the shores of Loch Ness where they find that the legendary monster really does exist – and is the murderous tool of the Zygons, aliens intent on overpowering the planet. The Doctor, his companions and UNIT must find a way to defeat the deadly Loch Ness Monster and its controllers, but the Zygons have the terrifying power to change shape. The Doctor's life has never been in more danger, as the line between allies and enemies is tested to the very limit...
Genres: Science Fiction Drama Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-09-20
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Myth Runner
Overview: A spoof of Blade Runner, built around bloopers and outtakes from the Myth Makers series of videos, featuring interviews with actors from the Doctor Who TV series.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-01-01
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Doctor Who: The Green Death
Overview: The Doctor and UNIT investigate a deadly infection lurking underneath the Welsh mining town of Llanfairfach. It's an adventure that will change Jo Grant's life forever...
Genres: Science Fiction Drama Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-06-23
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Doctor Who: The Invasion
Overview: The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe return to Earth and become embroiled in the schemes of Tobias Vaughn. They meet up with an old friend, Colonel (now Brigadier) Lethbridge-Stewart, and some old enemies, the Cybermen.
Genres: Science Fiction Drama Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-12-21
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Doctor Who: The Dæmons
Overview: On the eve of May Day, dark elemental forces begin to disturb the village of Devil's End as the Master summons the demon Azal: unexplained murders, a stone gargoyle come to life, and a nigh-impenetrable infernal energy dome. With the Master fully prepared to destroy the Earth, the Doctor and UNIT - aided by a benevolent practitioner of witchcraft - battle the wicked rites of a secret science wielded by an alien from another world.
Genres: Science Fiction Drama Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-06-19
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Doctor Who: Planet of the Spiders
Overview: The blue crystal that the Doctor took from Metebelis III in a previous adventure is desperately sought by the Eight Legs, a race of mutated spiders, as the final element in their plan for universal domination. With help from an old mentor, the Doctor realises the only way to foil the plot is to make the ultimate sacrifice. The Doctor must risk death to return to the cave of the Great One and save the universe.
Genres: Drama Action Adventure Science Fiction TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-06-08
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Doctor Who: Invasion of the Dinosaurs
Overview: The Third Doctor and Sarah arrive in 1970s London to find it has been evacuated because dinosaurs have appeared mysteriously. It turns out the dinosaurs are being brought to London via a time machine to further a plan to revert London to a pre-technological level.
Genres: Science Fiction Drama Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-02-16
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Doctor Who: The Web of Fear
Overview: The TARDIS narrowly avoids becoming engulfed in a cobwebby substance in space. It arrives in the London Underground railway system, the tunnels of which are being overrun by the web and by the Great Intelligence's robot Yeti. The time travellers learn this crisis was precipitated when Professor Travers, whom they first met in the Himalayas some thirty years earlier, accidentally caused one of the Yeti to be reactivated, opening the way for the Intelligence to invade again.
Genres: Drama Action Adventure Science Fiction TV Movie Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-03-09
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Doctor Who: The Mind of Evil
Overview: Professor Emil Keller has created a machine that can pacify even the most dangerous of criminals. But when the Doctor and Jo arrive at Stangmoor Prison for a demonstration, things start to go horribly wrong - especially when they discover that the Doctor's old enemy the Master is responsible for the machine.
Genres: Science Fiction Drama Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-03-06
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Doctor Who: The Claws of Axos
Overview: A group of gold-skinned aliens known as the Axons land on Earth and offer wondrous technology in exchange for fuel. The Doctor, however, isn't fooled, uncovering the Axons' true nature and once again facing his archenemy the Master...
Genres: Drama Action Adventure Science Fiction TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-04-03
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Myth Makers 17: Tom Baker
Overview: Ask Doctor Who fans their favourite Doctor is and the majority are likely to name Tom Baker’s portrayal above all others. Much of Tom’s popularity has been fuelled by his reticence to appears in public or discuss his time in the programme. Little is actually known about the man or his memories of being the longest running Time Lord troubleshooter. At last this has changed. In an exclusive interview by Nicholas Briggs, at the location used for The Android Invasion, Tom discusses frankly his life and career.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1989-08-17
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Automatons
Overview: Somewhere in the distant future, The Girl is alone. She is the last of her people, the others having died in a generations-long war that the girl continues to fight with the assistance of a group of antiquated robot helpers and soldiers.
Genres: Science Fiction Action Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2006-05-05
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The Ties That Bind Us
Overview: A look at the subtle (and not so subtle!) links to the show's past and future contained within the story of The Five Doctors.
Genres: Documentary Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2008-03-03
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Scotch Mist in Sussex
Overview: Cast and crew look back at the making of Terror of the Zygons.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2013-09-30
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Remembering Douglas Camfield
Overview: The life and work of respected director Douglas Camfield is remembered in this documentary.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2013-09-30
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Time and Atlantis: Chronicling The Time Monster
Overview: A look at the making of the Doctor Who story, The Time Monster.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2023-03-20
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