Dr. Strange

Dr. Strange

Year: 1978

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: Philip DeGuere Jr.

FantasyActionScience FictionTV MovieAdventure

Epic magical combat explodes across the screen in vivid electric flames as a brilliant psychiatrist rises to become Earth’s new Sorcerer Supreme, confronting a malevolent sorceress who has traveled from the distant past to threaten the world.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Dr. Strange yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Dr. Strange (1978)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dr. Strange (1978). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1970s

Set in a late-1970s urban milieu, the narrative blends medical psychiatry with occult magic. The era’s media culture, including a television self-help persona, frames the tension between science and sorcery. The period’s aesthetics and technology heighten the sense of contemporary danger as multiple realms collide.

Location

Earthly realm, Lindmer's house, Psychiatric hospital, Astral plane, Demon realm

The story moves across a modern urban landscape and the hidden corners of magical dimensions. Much of the action unfolds inside a psychiatric hospital and at Lindmer's estate, the base of his sorcerous legacy. Characters travel between the earthly world and higher realms through astral travel, encountering barriers and beings in the demon realm.

🏥 Psychiatric institutions 🗺 Urban landscapes 🧭 Magical realms

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:15

Main Characters – Dr. Strange (1978)

Meet the key characters of Dr. Strange (1978), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Thomas Lindmer (John Mills)

An aging sorcerer who guards Earth's magical boundaries and serves as Strange's mentor. He reveals the existence of multiple realms and hints at inherited power, including a signet ring. During a confrontation with Morgan Le Fay, he is defeated but survives by magic, and his legacy is transferred to Strange as the path to becoming Sorcerer Supreme is revealed.

🧭 Mentor 🛡 Guardian 🗝 Artifact

Morgan Le Fay (Jessica Walter)

A formidable enchantress seeking to breach the earthly realm. She possesses Clea Lake and uses her as a weapon against Lindmer and Strange, manipulating events and engaging in seduction. Her power is vast, but she is ultimately confronted and transformed by Balzaroth into an elderly hag.

🪄 Enchantress 🗡 Antagonist 🌀 Manipulator

Dr. Stephen Strange (Peter Hooten)

A psychiatrist at the hospital who harbors the potential to become Lindmer's successor. He senses Lake's nightmares and receives a clue through Lindmer's symbols, leading him into astral travel. He cannot easily remove his father’s ring, and he ultimately inherits Lindmer's powers to become the Sorcerer Supreme.

🧠 Doctor 🪄 Sorcerer 🗺 Guardian

Wong (Clyde Kusatsu)

Strange's ally who looks after him and helps locate Clea Lake. He fights to defend against Le Fay's forces and remains a steadfast companion through the magical conflict. His role emphasizes loyalty and practical courage in the face of otherworldly threats.

🛡 Ally 🗡 Defender 🧭 Companion

Clea Lake (Anne Marie Martin)

A young woman possessed by Morgan Le Fay, used as a tool against Lindmer and Strange. She experiences nightmare visions and is sedated within a psychiatric setting, serving as the human focal point of Le Fay's plot until the astral confrontation frees her from possession.

🧠 Victim 🕊 Survivor 🌀 Vessel

The Ancient One (Michael Ansara) (voice)

An enigmatic mentor whose guidance informs Strange about realms beyond ordinary perception. Though not always present on screen, the Ancient One's wisdom underpins the magical framework and the transfer of knowledge between mentors.

🗝 Mentor 🧭 Infinite Knowledge

The Nameless One (David Hooks)

A malevolent force associated with the demonic spectrum, acting behind the scenes to influence events. While not a primary on-screen presence, this entity represents the broader cosmic stakes in the struggle between Le Fay and the sorcerers.

👹 Demon 🌀 Cosmic Force

Demon Balzaroth (Ted Cassidy) (voice)

The mid-level demon summoned by Le Fay to oversee confrontations and enforce her will in the earthly and demon realms. He challenges Strange in the astral plane, underscoring the peril of magical power outside human control.

👹 Demon 🗡 Messenger

Dr Frank Taylor, Chief of Psychiatry (Philip Sterling)

Head of the psychiatry department who represents the medical, scientific approach to Lake's condition. He administers sedation and clinical care, highlighting the tension between conventional medicine and the magical threat looming over the hospital.

👨‍⚕️ Doctor 🧭 Skeptic

Diana Webster (Head Nurse)

Head Nurse of the psychiatric ward, involved in patient care and the day-to-day operations of treatment. Her presence anchors the medical side of the story and the hospital environment amid the magical upheavals.

🏥 Nurse 🛡 Caregiver

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:15

Major Themes – Dr. Strange (1978)

Explore the central themes of Dr. Strange (1978), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗝️ Power and Responsibility

Strange stands to inherit Lindmer's mantle, a power that could reshape reality. The film frames power as a burden that requires wisdom as well as strength. Accepting the mantle means risking harm to others, while rejecting it preserves the status quo. The transfer of magical authority marks a turning point in Strange's arc.

🧠 Knowledge vs Ignorance

Lindmer explains that his ignorance has protected him for years, and that some truths must remain hidden until the right moment. Strange senses Lake's nightmares and is drawn toward a larger truth beyond medicine. The story contrasts clinical psychiatry with arcane lore. Ultimately, knowledge comes with responsibility.

🔮 Reality vs Magic

The drama juxtaposes the hospital's rational approach with journeys through astral planes and demon realms. The boundaries between science and sorcery blur as Strange investigates Lake's condition. The presence of magical barriers around Lindmer's home and the demon realm demonstrates a larger reality hidden from ordinary perception.

🕊️ Sacrifice and Humanity

Strange chooses to protect humanity rather than pursue personal power, embracing a mortal path. Lindmer's power is transferred to him, signifying responsibility. The ending suggests growth through difficult choices and warns that power without wisdom can be dangerous.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:15

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Don't stop at just watching — explore Dr. Strange in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Dr. Strange is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Dr. Strange Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Dr. Strange, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Dr. Strange Summary

Dr. Strange Timeline

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Dr. Strange Timeline

More About Dr. Strange

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