Name: Hyperland
Director: Max Whitby
Genre: Documentary
Released: 1990-09-21
Duration: 49 min
Rating: 7
Cast: Tom Baker, Douglas Adams, Hans Peter Brandmo, Ted Nelson, Amanda Goodenough

Tom Baker and Douglas Adams predicted your iPhone in 1990.

retro-futuristictech-prophecycharmingly dated

Overview

Documentary

This made-for-TV documentary introduces the layperson to concepts and technologies that were emerging in computer interface design in the late 1980s and early 1990s: hypertext, multimedia, virtual assistants, interactive video, 3D animation, and virtual reality.

Content warning

virtual world artificial intelligence (a.i.)art history music history virtual reality computer technology science and technology computer history computer program computer simulation+5 more

human-computer interactioninformation democratizationtechnological optimismthe shape of knowledge

Standout Aspects

Acting

Tom Baker's theatrical guide through cyberspace is utterly delightful.

Practical Effects

Janky 1990 CGI that somehow predicted modern VR aesthetics.

Writing

Douglas Adams' wit makes tech history genuinely entertaining.

Best for:Solo·Background·Rewatch

Director

Max Whitby

ReleasedSep 21, 1990

Runtime49m

StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady

Intensitylow

Tonelight

Feellight

Top Cast

Tom Baker

Tom

Douglas Adams

Self

James Watson

Self (archive footage)

Ask about Hyperland

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

This aired on BBC Two the same year Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web at CERN. The documentary mentions 'hypertext' repeatedly but never the web — it didn't exist yet.

Trivia

Douglas Adams was deeply involved in early digital media; his CD-ROM game 'Starship Titanic' (1998) attempted many of Hyperland's concepts. He essentially made the sequel himself.