As the newly regenerated Doctor arrives on Earth, so does the Nestene.As the newly regenerated Doctor arrives on Earth, so does the Nestene.As the newly regenerated Doctor arrives on Earth, so does the Nestene.
Roy Brent
- Auton Hospital Porter
- (uncredited)
Joy Burnett
- Extra
- (uncredited)
Victor Croxford
- Auton Hospital Porter
- (uncredited)
Antonio De Maggio
- UNIT Soldier
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBecause of a BBC strike, this story was shot entirely on location with no studio scenes. This made it the first Doctor Who (1963) serial to be made entirely on location and the only serial that was ever made entirely on film. The serial came close to the brink of being canceled after the first week of filming, but producer Derrick Sherwin persuaded the BBC to complete it on location. As a result, this serial was shot in about six weeks between September and November 1969 rather like a low-budget movie. Director Derek Martinus said Sherwin was "a very energetic and determined bloke. He had a tremendous fight to get the go-ahead, but he did and for a while, we all had this wonderful fantasy of doing Doctor Who all on film and selling it to America."
- GoofsLiz Shaw states that most meteorites don't reach the Earth's surface. However, by definition, all "meteorites" reach the surface of the Earth. She should have said "meteors" instead. The Brigadier makes the same mistake, but she is supposed to have an advanced degree in physics.
- Quotes
Lethbridge-Stewart: In the last decade, we've been sending probes deeper and deeper into space. We've drawn attention to ourselves, Miss Shaw.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Chronic Rift: Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Featured review
Fantastic debut for both the Third Doctor and the Autons (Story #51)
Jon Pertwee's debut as the Third Doctor coincides with Robert Holmes introducing the Autons for one of only three television stories they would be prominently featured in (if I recall correctly, they are the only three they would be featured in, period). Ah, Robert Holmes. Always good to see that name at the start of a story, isn't it? In many ways this was the first story in which he really showed his knack for creating solid dialogue and characterization as well as keeping the science fiction, horror, or adventure plot fresh every episode of the story ('The Krotons' was average and 'The Space Pirates' is missing, but apparently not a hidden classic based on reconstructions). I don't want to give any of the plot away but it will suffice to say that the Autons are really bloody good villains, and so is the intelligence behind them, the Nestenes. There are some pretty violent scenes in this story and I remember being very scared upon watching this story for the first time when I was five or so, which is always good in a Doctor Who story.
It was ingenious to actually have Doctor Who villains who are ACTUALLY made of plastic within the confines of the story, and one of the reasons this doesn't seem particularly dated. The character of the Third Doctor is brilliantly introduced over the course of this four parter, as is Liz Shaw, and there is also some excellent character development for the Brigadier. The story was shot on film rather than video for some reason and does look fabulous and is directed well.
Episode 1: 7/10 Episode 2: 8/10 Episode 3: 8/10 Episode 4: 9/10
Overall: The average rating amounts to 8 out of 10 stars, but I will give it an 8.5 out of 10 overall.
It was ingenious to actually have Doctor Who villains who are ACTUALLY made of plastic within the confines of the story, and one of the reasons this doesn't seem particularly dated. The character of the Third Doctor is brilliantly introduced over the course of this four parter, as is Liz Shaw, and there is also some excellent character development for the Brigadier. The story was shot on film rather than video for some reason and does look fabulous and is directed well.
Episode 1: 7/10 Episode 2: 8/10 Episode 3: 8/10 Episode 4: 9/10
Overall: The average rating amounts to 8 out of 10 stars, but I will give it an 8.5 out of 10 overall.
- ametaphysicalshark
- Jan 12, 2008
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