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{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
|image = Autons invade.jpg | |image = Autons invade.jpg | ||
|season number = Season 7 (Doctor Who 1963)| | |||
|season number = Season 7 | |season serial number = 1 | ||
|season serial number = 1 | |story number = 51 | ||
|story number = 51 | |doctor = Third Doctor | ||
|doctor = Third Doctor | |companions = [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|The Brigadier]], [[Liz Shaw|Liz]] | ||
|companions = [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|The Brigadier]], [[Liz Shaw|Liz]] | |featuring = [[James Munro|Munro]] | ||
|featuring = [[James Munro|Munro]] | |enemy = The [[Nestene Consciousness]], [[Channing]] | ||
|enemy = The [[Nestene Consciousness]], [[Channing]] | |setting = [[Oxley Woods]], [[UNIT HQ]], [[Ashbridge Cottage Hospital]], [[Auto Plastics]] and [[London]], [[20th century]]{{Note|See [[UNIT dating controversy]] for the conflicting dates.}} | ||
|setting = [[Oxley Woods]], [[UNIT HQ]], [[Ashbridge Cottage Hospital]], [[Auto Plastics]] and [[London]] | |writer = Robert Holmes | ||
|writer = | |director = [[Derek Martinus]] | ||
|director = [[Derek Martinus]] | |producer = [[Derrick Sherwin]] | ||
|producer = [[Derrick Sherwin]] | |novelisation = Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion (novelisation) | ||
|novelisation = Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion (novelisation) | |epcount = 4 | ||
|epcount = 4 | |broadcast date = 3 January - 24 January 1970 | ||
|broadcast date = | |network = BBC1 | ||
|network = | |format = 4x25-minute episodes | ||
|format = 4x25-minute episodes | |||
|serial production code = [[List of production codes|AAA]] | |serial production code = [[List of production codes|AAA]] | ||
|prev = The War Games (TV story) | |series = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]] | ||
|next = Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story) | |prev = The War Games (TV story) | ||
|clip = The Doctor in the Shower! - Spearhead from Space - BBC | |next = Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story) | ||
|clip2 = The Autons Activate - Doctor Who - Spearhead from Space - BBC | |clip = The Doctor in the Shower! - Spearhead from Space - BBC | ||
|clip3 = The Nestene Attacks the Doctor! - Spearhead from Space - BBC | |clip2 = The Autons Activate - Doctor Who - Spearhead from Space - BBC | ||
|thwr = 19 | |clip3 = The Nestene Attacks the Doctor! - Spearhead from Space - BBC | ||
}}{{you may|Black Thursday|n1=the events of this story as documented in-universe}} | |thwr = 19 | ||
'''''Spearhead from Space''''' was the first serial of [[season 7]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. Continuing from the final episode of ''[[The War Games (TV story)|The War Games]]'', the story marked the introduction of [[Jon Pertwee]] as the [[Third Doctor]] as well as a significant change in the format of ''Doctor Who''. The Doctor was from now on serving his [[Time Lord]]-imposed sentence of [[exile on Earth]]. It also continued some elements from ''[[The Web of Fear (TV story)|The Web of Fear]]'' and ''[[The Invasion (TV story)|The Invasion]]'' in depicting a renewal of the Doctor's association with [[UNIT]] and re-introducing [[Nicholas Courtney]]'s [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier]] as head of its British branch. Both would be regular features of this era of the programme. | }} | ||
{{you may|Black Thursday|n1=the events of this story as documented in-universe}} | |||
'''''Spearhead from Space''''' was the first serial of [[season 7 (Doctor Who 1963)|season seven]] of ''[[Doctor Who (TV series)|Doctor Who]]''. | |||
Continuing from the final episode of ''[[The War Games (TV story)|The War Games]]'', the story marked the introduction of [[Jon Pertwee]] as the [[Third Doctor]] as well as a significant change in the format of ''Doctor Who''. The Doctor was from now on serving his [[Time Lord]]-imposed sentence of [[exile on Earth]]. It also continued some elements from ''[[The Web of Fear (TV story)|The Web of Fear]]'' and ''[[The Invasion (TV story)|The Invasion]]'' in depicting a renewal of the Doctor's association with [[UNIT]] and re-introducing [[Nicholas Courtney]]'s [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier]] as head of its British branch. Both would be regular features of this era of the programme. | |||
The story also introduced the Doctor's [[binary vascular system|binary cardio-vascular system]], which became an oft-repeated feature of [[Time Lord]] physiology thereafter. Moreover, it introduced both the [[Nestene Consciousness]] and its android agents the [[Auton]]s, who reappeared in future stories. [[Russell T Davies]] used this story as a template as he wrote the [[Rose (TV story)|first episode of the 2005 series]]. It also had some common features with both [[Steven Moffat]]'s and [[Chris Chibnall]]'s first stories as producers, in that both this story, ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'', and ''[[The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)|The Woman Who Fell to Earth]]'' introduced a new Doctor and new [[companion]]s after the departure of all those from the previous story, effectively making a "clean break" from the previous era of the show. | The story also introduced the Doctor's [[binary vascular system|binary cardio-vascular system]], which became an oft-repeated feature of [[Time Lord]] physiology thereafter. Moreover, it introduced both the [[Nestene Consciousness]] and its android agents the [[Auton]]s, who reappeared in future stories. [[Russell T Davies]] used this story as a template as he wrote the [[Rose (TV story)|first episode of the 2005 series]]. It also had some common features with both [[Steven Moffat]]'s and [[Chris Chibnall]]'s first stories as producers, in that both this story, ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'', and ''[[The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)|The Woman Who Fell to Earth]]'' introduced a new Doctor and new [[companion]]s after the departure of all those from the previous story, effectively making a "clean break" from the previous era of the show. | ||
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== Synopsis == | == Synopsis == | ||
Forbidden to continue travelling the universe by his own people, the [[Time Lord]]s, and [[exile]]d to [[Earth]] in the late [[20th century]], the newly regenerated Doctor arrives in [[Oxley Woods]] accompanied by a shower of mysterious [[meteorite]]s. Investigating the occurrence is the [[UNIT|United Nations Intelligence Taskforce]] (UNIT for short), an organisation which had previously been associated with the Doctor during [[The Invasion (TV story)|the Cybermen's invasion]]. | Forbidden to continue travelling the universe by his own people, the [[Time Lord]]s, and [[exile]]d to [[Earth]] in the late [[20th century]], the [[Second Doctor's change of appearance|newly regenerated]] Doctor arrives in [[Oxley Woods]] accompanied by a shower of mysterious [[meteorite]]s. Investigating the occurrence is the [[UNIT|United Nations Intelligence Taskforce]] (UNIT for short), an organisation which had previously been associated with the Doctor during [[The Invasion (TV story)|the Cybermen's invasion]]. | ||
Led as before by [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart]], UNIT is soon in action when people and meteorites start going missing. Most puzzling is the attempted kidnapping of a strange hospital patient: a man with [[Binary vascular system|two hearts]], who insists that he knows the Brigadier. | Led as before by [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart]], UNIT is soon in action when people and meteorites start going missing. Most puzzling is the attempted kidnapping of a strange hospital patient: a man with [[Binary vascular system|two hearts]], who insists that he knows the Brigadier. | ||
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== Plot == | == Plot == | ||
=== Episode one === | === Episode one === | ||
{{video|The Third Doctor's First Appearance IN HD - Spearhead From Space - Doctor Who - BBC|thumb|left|UNIT observes "meteorites" flying in formation.}} | |||
It is the late [[20th century]] on Earth, and there is a heatwave in England. At a tracking station, [[Technician (Spearhead from Space)|a radar technician]] is scanning the screen and calls for [[UNIT officer (Spearhead from Space)|the duty officer]]. She comes in, and he shows her what looks like a [[meteor storm]] — but when they scan closer, it emerges that the meteors are flying in formation. | It is the late [[20th century]] on Earth, and there is a heatwave in England. At a tracking station, [[Technician (Spearhead from Space)|a radar technician]] is scanning the screen and calls for [[UNIT officer (Spearhead from Space)|the duty officer]]. She comes in, and he shows her what looks like a [[meteor storm]] — but when they scan closer, it emerges that the meteors are flying in formation. | ||
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The radar technician remarks that the meteorites have landed in [[Oxley Woods]], in Epping. He cannot get over the fact that they were in formation. The UNIT officer has phoned her superior, who also does not believe they were meteorites. The technician wonders what else they could be. | The radar technician remarks that the meteorites have landed in [[Oxley Woods]], in Epping. He cannot get over the fact that they were in formation. The UNIT officer has phoned her superior, who also does not believe they were meteorites. The technician wonders what else they could be. | ||
[[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] also materialises in Oxley Woods, and the newly | [[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] also materialises in Oxley Woods, and the [[Second Doctor's change of appearance|newly changed]] [[Third Doctor|Doctor]] — still dressed in his previous incarnation's black frock coat and check trousers — emerges and collapses to the ground. | ||
Meanwhile at [[UNIT]] headquarters, [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]] interviews [[Liz Shaw|Doctor Elizabeth Shaw]] of [[Cambridge University]] for the position of UNIT's scientific advisor. She says she has been approached by the security services before and is | Meanwhile at [[UNIT]] headquarters, [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]] interviews [[Liz Shaw|Doctor Elizabeth Shaw]] of [[Cambridge University]] for the position of UNIT's scientific advisor. She says she has been approached by the security services before and is <u>not</u> interested. The Brigadier says that UNIT personnel are not exactly spies, that they deal with the odd and unexplained — on Earth and even beyond. She is rather dubious at the prospect. The Brigadier tries to entice her by talking about a thin funnel of super-heated air that has heralded the landing of meteorites at the same place twice in the last six months. This intrigues Dr Shaw. | ||
The Doctor is brought into a local hospital, where Doctor Henderson says he will examine him. | The Doctor is brought into a local hospital, where Doctor Henderson says he will examine him. | ||
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[[James Munro|Captain Munro]] telephones the Brigadier from [[Ashbridge Cottage Hospital]]., informing him that nothing has been found of the meteorites, but one of his patrols found a man collapsed in the woods next to a [[police box]] and have brought him to the hospital. The Brigadier tells Munro that he wants the police box to be guarded, but that the police are ''not'' to be notified. | [[James Munro|Captain Munro]] telephones the Brigadier from [[Ashbridge Cottage Hospital]]., informing him that nothing has been found of the meteorites, but one of his patrols found a man collapsed in the woods next to a [[police box]] and have brought him to the hospital. The Brigadier tells Munro that he wants the police box to be guarded, but that the police are ''not'' to be notified. | ||
At the hospital, [[Henderson (Spearhead from Space)|Dr. Henderson]] looks over his patient's [[x-ray]]s and is incensed that someone in the radiography department has played a joke, making him appear to have [[Binary vascular system|two hearts]]. ''En route'' to voice his anger, he receives a page from [[Lomax (Spearhead from Space)|Dr. Lomax]] in the pathology lab. Lomax is similarly furious with Henderson for sending him non-human [[blood]], but Henderson assures Lomax that he took the blood sample himself, and that even if the patient's blood ''is'' different, he still has to look after him. Alas, [[Mullins]], a porter, overhears Dr. Henderson's end of the conversation and goes to the hospital telephone booth to contact the press in hope of a reward, telling them of the strange things happening at the hospital. | At the hospital, [[Henderson (Spearhead from Space)|Dr. Henderson]] looks over his patient's [[x-ray]]s and is incensed that someone in the radiography department has played a joke, making him appear to have [[Binary vascular system|two hearts]]. ''En route'' to voice his anger, he receives a page from [[Lomax (Spearhead from Space)|Dr. Lomax]] in the pathology lab. Lomax is similarly furious with Henderson for sending him non-human [[blood]], but Henderson assures Lomax that he took the blood sample himself, and that even if the patient's blood ''is'' different, he still has to look after him. Alas, [[Fred Mullins|Mullins]], a porter, overhears Dr. Henderson's end of the conversation and goes to the hospital telephone booth to contact the press in hope of a reward, telling them of the strange things happening at the hospital. | ||
Meanwhile in Oxley Woods, Sam Seeley has returned for the meteorite, with a shovel — and a burlap sack normally used for poaching. He digs up the meteorite, uncovering an object that is not a clump of rock, but a pulsing, trilling plastic orb. He hoists it from its earthy resting place and stows it in his poacher's sack. Suddenly, Seeley hears voices, and through the trees sees three soldiers, before sneaking back to his find. | Meanwhile in Oxley Woods, Sam Seeley has returned for the meteorite, with a shovel — and a burlap sack normally used for poaching. He digs up the meteorite, uncovering an object that is not a clump of rock, but a pulsing, trilling plastic orb. He hoists it from its earthy resting place and stows it in his poacher's sack. Suddenly, Seeley hears voices, and through the trees sees three soldiers, before sneaking back to his find. | ||
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The Brigadier tells Captain Munro to double the guard at the hospital, as the police box is now ''en route'' to UNIT H.Q. Munro shows him a broken-up meteorite and says it was destroyed when it hit the ground. It is lightweight and appears to be made of plastic. They discuss why whoever is behind this wants the Doctor. Munro shows the Brigadier a picture of Channing, the lead figure behind the attempted kidnapping. The only other detail that Munro can recall is that there was something odd about the kidnappers' faces. | The Brigadier tells Captain Munro to double the guard at the hospital, as the police box is now ''en route'' to UNIT H.Q. Munro shows him a broken-up meteorite and says it was destroyed when it hit the ground. It is lightweight and appears to be made of plastic. They discuss why whoever is behind this wants the Doctor. Munro shows the Brigadier a picture of Channing, the lead figure behind the attempted kidnapping. The only other detail that Munro can recall is that there was something odd about the kidnappers' faces. | ||
At the nearby [[Auto Plastics]] factory, salesman [[John Ransome]] visits the production manager, [[George Hibbert]], tailed by the mysterious Channing. Ransome argues with Hibbert over his sudden sacking and the cancellation of production of the new toy doll which Ransome had designed and sold to an [[American]] company. Ransome also demands to know why everything and everybody has changed in the factory; and asks what is going on inside his old workshop — which now has an | At the nearby [[Auto Plastics]] factory, salesman [[John Ransome]] visits the production manager, [[George Hibbert]], tailed by the mysterious Channing. Ransome argues with Hibbert over his sudden sacking and the cancellation of production of the new toy doll which Ransome had designed and sold to an [[American]] company. Ransome also demands to know why everything and everybody has changed in the factory; and asks what is going on inside his old workshop — which now has an <small>OUT OF BOUNDS</small> sign on the door. Hibbert tells him they have developed a new process and have a new policy: they have stopped manufacturing dolls, and have turned over to other work. Ransome asks why he can't get into his old workshop, and is then told by Hibbert to stay away from there and not go in, as it isn't safe; Ransome's personal tools and equipment will be sent on to him. He wants to know more, but Channing appears and Hibbert seems to go into a trance; he then comes to and tells Ransome there is nothing more to discuss before dismissing him. As he leaves, Ransome tries to investigate his workshop, but Channing again appears and Ransome has to depart. | ||
Back at UNIT H.Q., Liz is trying to identify the debris from space. It is definitely not a meteorite; it shows signs of having been manufactured. She is still sceptical about alien involvement, and even more so about the Brigadier's claims regarding the Doctor. | Back at UNIT H.Q., Liz is trying to identify the debris from space. It is definitely not a meteorite; it shows signs of having been manufactured. She is still sceptical about alien involvement, and even more so about the Brigadier's claims regarding the Doctor. | ||
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The commissionaire telephones the Brigadier and is told to allow the Doctor entry. The Doctor enters the lab. When asked how he knew where to find UNIT H.Q., he shows the Brigadier his [[TARDIS homing watch|wristwatch]], which doubles as a [[TARDIS magnet]]. | The commissionaire telephones the Brigadier and is told to allow the Doctor entry. The Doctor enters the lab. When asked how he knew where to find UNIT H.Q., he shows the Brigadier his [[TARDIS homing watch|wristwatch]], which doubles as a [[TARDIS magnet]]. | ||
The Doctor asks if the Brigadier has the key. The Brigadier says it does not fit, but the Doctor tells him that it will work for | The Doctor asks if the Brigadier has the key. The Brigadier says it does not fit, but the Doctor tells him that it will work for no-one but himself. The Brigadier has a lot of questions, but the Doctor explains that he has lost his memory. The Brigadier asks how is he to know that the Doctor is not an impostor; but the Doctor replies that only he knows that. The Doctor studies his new appearance in a mirror and thinks he looks very smart, opining that his new face would be quite useful on [[Delphon (planet)|Delphon]], whose inhabitants communicate with their eyebrows. The Brigadier introduces him to Liz Shaw, to whom he says, "How do you do?" He does so in Delphon — using his eyebrows! | ||
The Doctor examines the broken bits of the meteorite and finds them rather interesting: given the shape of the fragments, he [[deduce]]s that they were hollow spheres, transporting something to Earth. The Brigadier asks the Doctor to assist UNIT with the investigation, and the Doctor asks for the key to the TARDIS in return, to which the Brigadier replies, "Possibly." The Doctor asks him how many meteorites came down, and the Brigadier says there were fifty of them. The Doctor then asks how many have been found, and the Brigadier says only one — and even that has disappeared. The answer to the Brigadier's question is obvious to the Doctor: the meteorites had been collected and taken somewhere by the time the soldiers arrived to look for them. The question is: where? | The Doctor examines the broken bits of the meteorite and finds them rather interesting: given the shape of the fragments, he [[deduce]]s that they were hollow spheres, transporting something to Earth. The Brigadier asks the Doctor to assist UNIT with the investigation, and the Doctor asks for the key to the TARDIS in return, to which the Brigadier replies, "Possibly." The Doctor asks him how many meteorites came down, and the Brigadier says there were fifty of them. The Doctor then asks how many have been found, and the Brigadier says only one — and even that has disappeared. The answer to the Brigadier's question is obvious to the Doctor: the meteorites had been collected and taken somewhere by the time the soldiers arrived to look for them. The question is: where? | ||
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Seeley tells the truth just as the Brigadier, the Doctor and Liz arrive. Munro informs them of the latest developments. They go to investigate. | Seeley tells the truth just as the Brigadier, the Doctor and Liz arrive. Munro informs them of the latest developments. They go to investigate. | ||
Meg puts the energy unit back in the trunk. Suddenly, she hears a strange noise coming from inside the house. She enters the house and encounters an Auton that has broken in and is knocking things over in its search for the swarm leader. Meg runs outside into the garden and gets Sam's shotgun out of the shed. When the creature emerges into the garden, Meg loads the gun, aims it and warns the Auton " | Meg puts the energy unit back in the trunk. Suddenly, she hears a strange noise coming from inside the house. She enters the house and encounters an Auton that has broken in and is knocking things over in its search for the swarm leader. Meg runs outside into the garden and gets Sam's shotgun out of the shed. When the creature emerges into the garden, Meg loads the gun, aims it and warns the Auton "You get away from here, or I'll blow a hole in you!" The Auton ignores the warning and keeps advancing. Meg fires, but the shotgun blast has no effect on the Auton. It continues to approach. | ||
Hibbert and Channing watch all this. | Hibbert and Channing watch all this. | ||
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Liz is glad to see the Doctor is all right, but then she discovers Channing. He has been revealed to be nothing more than a sophisticated Auton and has likewise been deactivated. | Liz is glad to see the Doctor is all right, but then she discovers Channing. He has been revealed to be nothing more than a sophisticated Auton and has likewise been deactivated. | ||
At UNIT H.Q., the Doctor and Liz explain that the machine was a simple ECT (ElectroConvulsive Therapy) device. The Brigadier asks if they might attack again. The Doctor says they are telepathic so it is possible. The Brigadier floats the offer to the Doctor to let him work on a means to repair the TARDIS, while also helping UNIT stop future alien invasions. The Doctor, with misgivings, accepts the offer once Lethbridge-Stewart agrees to help him find a car and clothes similar to those he had stolen at the hospital, as well as providing him with a laboratory, equipment, and the services of Dr. Shaw. The Brigadier goes to prepare the paperwork but stops, realising that he does not even know the Doctor's name. "Smith," says the Doctor, with a smile. "Doctor [[ | At UNIT H.Q., the Doctor and Liz explain that the machine was a simple ECT (ElectroConvulsive Therapy) device. The Brigadier asks if they might attack again. The Doctor says they are telepathic so it is possible. The Brigadier floats the offer to the Doctor to let him work on a means to repair the TARDIS, while also helping UNIT stop future alien invasions. The Doctor, with misgivings, accepts the offer once Lethbridge-Stewart agrees to help him find a car and clothes similar to those he had stolen at the hospital, as well as providing him with a laboratory, equipment, and the services of Dr. Shaw. The Brigadier goes to prepare the paperwork but stops, realising that he does not even know the Doctor's name. "Smith," says the Doctor, with a smile. "Doctor [[Aliases of the Doctor#John Smith|John Smith]]!" | ||
== Cast == | == Cast == | ||
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* [[Fred Mullins|Mullins]] - [[Talfryn Thomas]] | * [[Fred Mullins|Mullins]] - [[Talfryn Thomas]] | ||
* [[James Munro|Captain Munro]] - [[John Breslin]] | * [[James Munro|Captain Munro]] - [[John Breslin]] | ||
* [[Henderson | * [[V. R. Henderson|Dr. Henderson]] - [[Antony Webb]] | ||
* [[Nurse (Spearhead from Space)|Nurse]] - [[Helen Dorward]] | * [[Nurse (Spearhead from Space)|Nurse]] - [[Helen Dorward]] | ||
* [[Forbes|Corporal Forbes]] - [[George Lee]] | * [[Forbes|Corporal Forbes]] - [[George Lee]] | ||
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=== Uncredited cast === | === Uncredited cast === | ||
* UNIT Soldier - [[Iain Smith]] (uncredited on-screen for episodes one and two but credited in ''Radio Times'') | * UNIT Soldier - [[Iain Smith]] (uncredited on-screen for episodes one and two but credited in ''Radio Times'') | ||
* [[UNIT commissionaire (Spearhead from Space)|UNIT commissionaire]] - [[Derrick Sherwin]] | * [[UNIT commissionaire (Spearhead from Space)|UNIT commissionaire]] - [[Derrick Sherwin]]<ref name="Down to Earth">''[[Down to Earth (documentary)|Down to Earth]]''</ref> | ||
* [[Auton scout|Auton Scout]] - [[Robin Squire]] | * [[Auton scout|Auton Scout]] - [[Robin Squire]]<ref name="Down to Earth"/> | ||
* [[UNIT driver (Spearhead from Space)|UNIT driver]] - Robin Squire | * [[UNIT driver (Spearhead from Space)|UNIT driver]] - Robin Squire<ref name="The Life and Times">''[[The Life and Times of A Doctor Who Dummy: My Part In His Second Regeneration|Life and Times of a Doctor Who Dummy]]''</ref> | ||
* Voice of Dr. [[Lomax (Spearhead from Space)|Lomax]] - [[Ellis Jones]] | * Voice of Dr. [[Lomax (Spearhead from Space)|Lomax]] - [[Ellis Jones]]<ref name="DWM 181">[[DWM 181]]{{which}}</ref> | ||
* Factory Secretary - [[Constance Carling]] | * Factory Secretary - [[Constance Carling]]<ref name="DWM 181"/> | ||
* UNIT Driver - [[Dennis MacTighe]] | * UNIT Driver - [[Dennis MacTighe]]<ref name="DWMSE 2">[[DWMSE 2]]{{which}}</ref> | ||
* UNIT Soldiers - [[Brian Nolan]], [[Patrick Milner]], [[Antonio Dimaggio|Antonio de Maggio]], [[Peter Kaukus]], [[Brian Justice]], [[John Spradbury]] | * UNIT Soldiers - [[Brian Nolan]], [[Patrick Milner]], [[Antonio Dimaggio|Antonio de Maggio]], [[Peter Kaukus]], [[Brian Justice]], [[John Spradbury]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Nurses - [[Vicky Maxine]], [[Rosemary Turner]], [[Lindy Russell]], [[Christine Bradley]] | * Nurses - [[Vicky Maxine]], [[Rosemary Turner]], [[Lindy Russell]], [[Christine Bradley]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Patients - [[Rachel Hipwood]], [[Arthur Judd]], [[Marie Johnson]] | * Patients - [[Rachel Hipwood]], [[Arthur Judd]], [[Marie Johnson]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Hospital Receptionist - [[Walter Dalby]] | * Hospital Receptionist - [[Walter Dalby]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Ambulance Driver - [[Dennis MacTighe]] | * Ambulance Driver - [[Dennis MacTighe]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Press - [[Trevor Cuff]], [[Hugh Wood]], [[Dave Mobley]], [[John Hughes (extra)|John Hughes]], [[Alan Cooper (extra)|Alan Cooper]], [[June Jenson]] | * Press - [[Trevor Cuff]], [[Hugh Wood]], [[Dave Mobley]], [[John Hughes (extra)|John Hughes]], [[Alan Cooper (extra)|Alan Cooper]], [[June Jenson]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Private [[Hawkins (Spearhead from Space)|Hawkins]] - [[David Dewhurst]] | * Private [[Hawkins (Spearhead from Space)|Hawkins]] - [[David Dewhurst]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Auton Hospital Porters - [[Victor Crocksford]], [[Roy Brent]] | * Auton Hospital Porters - [[Victor Crocksford]], [[Roy Brent]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Stunt Double for Doctor Who - [[Mike Horsburgh|Michael Horsburgh]] | * Stunt Double for Doctor Who - [[Mike Horsburgh|Michael Horsburgh]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Walk On - [[Robert Willman]] | * Walk On - [[Robert Willman]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Commissionaire - [[Ronald Mayer]] | * Commissionaire - [[Ronald Mayer]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Extras - [[Gideon Kolb]], [[Reg Lloyd]], [[Alan Clements]], [[Alfred Hurst]], [[David Billa]], [[Walter Goodman]], [[Maurice Quick]], [[Sandy Stein]], [[Sonnie Willis|Sonny Willis]], [[Bill Matthews (actor)|Bill Matthews]], [[Maurice Selwyn]], [[Leonard Kingston]], [[Anthony Maine]], [[Sheila Knight]], [[June Gray]], [[Bernadette Barry]], [[Joy Burnett]], [[Lola Morrice]], [[Cara Stevens]], [[Claire Maine]], [[Vi Kane]] | * Extras - [[Gideon Kolb]], [[Reg Lloyd]], [[Alan Clements]], [[Alfred Hurst]], [[David Billa]], [[Walter Goodman]], [[Maurice Quick]], [[Sandy Stein]], [[Sonnie Willis|Sonny Willis]], [[Bill Matthews (actor)|Bill Matthews]], [[Maurice Selwyn]], [[Leonard Kingston]], [[Anthony Maine]], [[Sheila Knight]], [[June Gray]], [[Bernadette Barry]], [[Joy Burnett]], [[Lola Morrice]], [[Cara Stevens]], [[Claire Maine]], [[Vi Kane]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Policeman - [[Henry Rainer]] | * Policeman - [[Henry Rainer]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* [[Auton]]s - [[Dennis Hayward]], [[Roger Houghton]], [[Tom Segal]], [[Keith Simon]], [[Kenneth Lindford]], [[Roger Minnis]] | * [[Auton]]s - [[Dennis Hayward]], [[Roger Houghton]], [[Tom Segal]], [[Keith Simon]], [[Kenneth Lindford]], [[Roger Minnis]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Passers-by - [[Doris Lang]], [[Fred Davies|Fred Davis]], [[Grace Dolan]], [[Colin Cunningham]] | * Passers-by - [[Doris Lang]], [[Fred Davies|Fred Davis]], [[Grace Dolan]], [[Colin Cunningham]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Stuntman/Passer-by - [[Billie Horrigan|Billy Horrigan]] | * Stuntman/Passer-by - [[Billie Horrigan|Billy Horrigan]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* UNIT Officer - [[Norman Littlejohn]] | * UNIT Officer - [[Norman Littlejohn]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Army Officer - [[Barry Kennington]] | * Army Officer - [[Barry Kennington]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
* Army Soldiers - [[David Melbourne]], [[Derek Hunt]], [[Alan Granville]], [[Michael Earl]], [[Gary Dean|Garry Dean]], [[Michael Harrison (extra)|Michael Harrison]], [[Laurence Ross]], [[Bill Matthews (actor)|Bill Matthews]], [[Robert Murray]] | * Army Soldiers - [[David Melbourne]], [[Derek Hunt]], [[Alan Granville]], [[Michael Earl]], [[Gary Dean|Garry Dean]], [[Michael Harrison (extra)|Michael Harrison]], [[Laurence Ross]], [[Bill Matthews (actor)|Bill Matthews]], [[Robert Murray]]<ref name="DWMSE 2"/> | ||
== Crew == | == Crew == | ||
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* [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Paul Allen]] | * [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Paul Allen]] | ||
* [[Producer]] - [[Derrick Sherwin]] | * [[Producer]] - [[Derrick Sherwin]] | ||
* [[Director]] - [[Derek Martinus]] | * [[Director (crew)|Director]] - [[Derek Martinus]] | ||
* [[Film cameraman|Film Camera Team]] - [[Stan Speel]], [[Robert McDonnell]] | * [[Film cameraman|Film Camera Team]] - [[Stan Speel]], [[Robert McDonnell]] | ||
=== Uncredited crew === | === Uncredited crew === | ||
* Theme Arrangement - [[Delia Derbyshire]] | * Theme Arrangement - [[Delia Derbyshire]]<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delia_Derbyshire Wikipedia]</ref>{{facts}} | ||
* [[Assistant script editor|Assistant Script Editor]] - [[Robin Squire]] | * [[Assistant script editor|Assistant Script Editor]] - [[Robin Squire]]<ref name="Down to Earth"/> | ||
* [[Production assistant|Production Assistant]] - [[Peter Grimwade]] | * [[Production assistant|Production Assistant]] - [[Peter Grimwade]]<ref name="Down to Earth"/> | ||
* [[Visual effects assistant|Visual Effects Assistant]] - [[Alan Whibley]] | * [[Visual effects assistant|Visual Effects Assistant]] - [[Alan Whibley]]<ref name="TCH 15">[[TCH 15]]{{which}}</ref> | ||
* [[Director's assistant|Director's Assistant]] - [[Cicely Cawthorne]] | * [[Director's assistant|Director's Assistant]] - [[Cicely Cawthorne]]<ref name="TCH 15"/> | ||
== | == Worldbuilding == | ||
* The TARDIS's lock has a [[metabolism detector]]. | * The TARDIS's lock has a [[metabolism detector]]. | ||
* The Brigadier interviews Liz in [[Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart's UNIT HQ office|his office]]. | * The Brigadier interviews Liz in [[Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart's UNIT HQ office|his office]]. | ||
* [[Wilks]] tells about [[Forbes]]' death. | * [[Wilks]] tells about [[Forbes]]'s death. | ||
=== The Doctor === | === The Doctor === | ||
* The Doctor has recently [[ | * The Doctor has recently [[Second Doctor's change of appearance|transformed]] from his [[Second Doctor|second incarnation]]. | ||
* The Doctor accepts the position of UNIT's [[scientific advisor]]. | * The Doctor accepts the position of UNIT's [[scientific advisor]]. | ||
== Story notes == | == Story notes == | ||
* This story had the working title ''Facsimile''. | * This story had the working title ''Facsimile''. ([[Doctor Who Yearbook 1996]]) | ||
* There is a new title sequence, the first colour sequence, designed by [[Bernard Lodge]] (who also designed the 1967 Troughton title sequence). It is also the first to include an accompanying closing title sequence, rather than showing the credits over a black background. | * There is a new title sequence, the first colour sequence, designed by [[Bernard Lodge]] (who also designed the 1967 Troughton title sequence). It is also the first to include an accompanying closing title sequence, rather than showing the credits over a black background. | ||
* Although the title sequence which debuted in this story remained the same over the next four years, this story is the only one for which the title of the serial zooms toward the screen, apart from ''[[The Ambassadors of Death (TV story)|The Ambassadors of Death]]'' (where only part of the story's title — "The Ambassadors" — zooms toward the screen, while the other words — "of Death" — appeared in full size when a ''sting'' sound effect is heard.) | * Although the title sequence which debuted in this story remained the same over the next four years, this story is the only one for which the title of the serial zooms toward the screen, apart from ''[[The Ambassadors of Death (TV story)|The Ambassadors of Death]]'' (where only part of the story's title — "The Ambassadors" — zooms toward the screen, while the other words — "of Death" — appeared in full size when a ''sting'' sound effect is heard.) | ||
* Due to a technicians' strike at the BBC Television Centre, this story was entirely shot on film and on location. Other than the 1996 TV movie, it is the only ''Doctor Who'' story to be shot completely on film; the 2005 revival is shot on videotape, which is digitally remastered to look like film. | * Due to a technicians' strike at the BBC Television Centre, this story was entirely shot on film and on location. Other than the 1996 TV movie, it is the only ''Doctor Who'' story to be shot completely on film; the 2005 revival is shot on videotape, which is digitally remastered to look like film. | ||
* The ''Radio Times'' programme listing for episode one in certain regions was accompanied by a black and white head-and-shoulders publicity shot of the Doctor and the Brigadier in potholers' helmets from the following adventure, ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'', with the accompanying caption "Dr. Who? Or is it? Find out at 5.15." | * The ''[[Radio Times]]'' programme listing for episode one in certain regions was accompanied by a black and white head-and-shoulders publicity shot of the Doctor and the Brigadier in potholers' helmets from the following adventure, ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'', with the accompanying caption "Dr. Who? Or is it? Find out at 5.15." | ||
* ''Radio Times'' credits [[Ellis Jones]] (Technician) as "UNIT Technician", [[Prentis Hancock]] (2nd Reporter) as "Reporter", [[Betty Bowden]] (Meg) as "Meg Seeley", [[Clifford Cox]] (Sergeant) as "UNIT Sergeant", and [[Edmund Bailey]] (Attendant) as "Waxworks Attendant". | * ''[[Radio Times]]'' credits [[Ellis Jones]] (Technician) as "UNIT Technician", [[Prentis Hancock]] (2nd Reporter) as "Reporter", [[Betty Bowden]] (Meg) as "Meg Seeley", [[Clifford Cox]] (Sergeant) as "UNIT Sergeant", and [[Edmund Bailey]] (Attendant) as "Waxworks Attendant". | ||
* There are scenes featuring real waxworks, shot at Madame Tussauds in London. | * There are scenes featuring real waxworks, shot at [[Madame Tussauds]] in London. | ||
* The actor playing the Doctor is credited for the first time as "Doctor Who" in the closing credits, as opposed to "Dr. Who", which had been the norm since 1963. This form of credit would continue until the end of the [[Tom Baker]] era in 1981, after which the character would be more appropriately credited as "the Doctor" (though the Revival Series would switch back to the "Doctor Who" credit for [[Series 1 (Doctor Who)|its first season]], only switching to "The Doctor" again from [[Series 2 (Doctor Who)|Series 2]]-onwards at the request of [[David Tennant]]). | * The actor playing the Doctor is credited for the first time as "Doctor Who" in the closing credits, as opposed to "Dr. Who", which had been the norm since 1963. This form of credit would continue until the end of the [[Tom Baker]] era in 1981, after which the character would be more appropriately credited as "the Doctor" (though the Revival Series would switch back to the "Doctor Who" credit for [[Series 1 (Doctor Who 2005)|its first season]], only switching to "The Doctor" again from [[Series 2 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 2]]-onwards at the request of [[David Tennant]]). | ||
* Among the props seen on the Doctor's workbench is the [[Morok]] freezing machine from ''[[The Space Museum (TV story)|The Space Museum]]'' (which was recycled previously as an x-ray laser in ''[[The Wheel in Space (TV story)|The Wheel in Space]]''), and a control panel from one of [[Tobias Vaughn]]'s machines from ''[[The Invasion (TV story)|The Invasion]]''. In addition, one of the original studio models of the [[Cyber-ship]] from ''The Invasion'' appears as a large piece of lab equipment in this story. | * Among the props seen on the Doctor's workbench is the [[Morok]] freezing machine from ''[[The Space Museum (TV story)|The Space Museum]]'' (which was recycled previously as an x-ray laser in ''[[The Wheel in Space (TV story)|The Wheel in Space]]''), and a control panel from one of [[Tobias Vaughn]]'s machines from ''[[The Invasion (TV story)|The Invasion]]''. In addition, one of the original studio models of the [[Cyber-ship]] from ''The Invasion'' appears as a large piece of lab equipment in this story. | ||
* This was the first of two occasions that a new incarnation fought the [[Auton]]s; and this was the first of three occasions the Autons appeared in a season opener (along with the following season's ''[[Terror of the Autons (TV story)|Terror of the Autons]]'' and [[Series 1 (Doctor Who)|the first season of the 2005 revival's]] ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]''). The [[Dalek]]s are the only other adversary to have started at least three seasons (''[[Day of the Daleks (TV story)|Day of the Daleks]]'' for [[Season 9]], ''[[Destiny of the Daleks (TV story)|Destiny of the Daleks]]'' for [[Season 17]], ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'' for [[Season 25]], and arguably ''[[Asylum of the Daleks (TV story)|Asylum of the Daleks]]'' for [[Series 7 (Doctor Who)|Series 7]] and ''[[The Magician's Apprentice (TV story)|The Magician's Apprentice]]''/''[[The Witch's Familiar (TV story)|The Witch's Familiar]]'' for [[Series 9 (Doctor Who)|Series 9]], as ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (TV story)|The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]'' and ''[[Last Christmas (TV story)|Last Christmas]]'' can be counted as being separate from the start of the "regular" series). | * This was the first of two occasions that a new incarnation fought the [[Auton]]s; and this was the first of three occasions the Autons appeared in a season opener (along with the following season's ''[[Terror of the Autons (TV story)|Terror of the Autons]]'' and [[Series 1 (Doctor Who 2005)|the first season of the 2005 revival's]] ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]''). The [[Dalek]]s are the only other adversary to have started at least three seasons (''[[Day of the Daleks (TV story)|Day of the Daleks]]'' for [[Season 9 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 9]], ''[[Destiny of the Daleks (TV story)|Destiny of the Daleks]]'' for [[Season 17 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 17]], ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'' for [[Season 25 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 25]], and arguably ''[[Asylum of the Daleks (TV story)|Asylum of the Daleks]]'' for [[Series 7 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 7]] and ''[[The Magician's Apprentice (TV story)|The Magician's Apprentice]]''/''[[The Witch's Familiar (TV story)|The Witch's Familiar]]'' for [[Series 9 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 9]], as ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (TV story)|The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]'' and ''[[Last Christmas (TV story)|Last Christmas]]'' can be counted as being separate from the start of the "regular" series). | ||
* This serial is the first time it is established that the Doctor has [[Binary vascular system|two hearts]]. | * This serial is the first time it is established that the Doctor has [[Binary vascular system|two hearts]]. | ||
* Despite its 1970 airdate, this serial and [[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|the one immediately following]] were the final ones filmed during the 1960s (filming of Season 7 having begun in September of 1969), and, by extension, are the only stories made in the 1960s that were shot in colour. | * Despite its 1970 airdate, this serial and [[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|the one immediately following]] were the final ones filmed during the 1960s (filming of Season 7 having begun in September of 1969), and, by extension, are the only stories made in the 1960s that were shot in colour.{{Note|''Spearhead from Space'' DVD production subtitles, 2011}} | ||
* This story was chosen by [[BBC America]] to represent the [[Jon Pertwee]] era during their 50th anniversary programming. Edited into an [[omnibus]] format, it was aired by BBCA on [[31 March (releases)|31 March]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]], after the debut of their documentary entitled ''[[The Doctors Revisited - The Third Doctor (documentary)|The Doctors Revisited - The Third Doctor]]''. It also aired in the [[United Kingdom]] later in [[2013 (releases)|the year]], on [[19 October (releases)|19 October]], along with the ''Revisited'' special, on the [[Watch (TV channel)|Watch]] channel. | * This story was chosen by [[BBC America]] to represent the [[Jon Pertwee]] era during their 50th anniversary programming. Edited into an [[omnibus]] format, it was aired by BBCA on [[31 March (releases)|31 March]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]], after the debut of their documentary entitled ''[[The Doctors Revisited - The Third Doctor (documentary)|The Doctors Revisited - The Third Doctor]]''. It also aired in the [[United Kingdom]] later in [[2013 (releases)|the year]], on [[19 October (releases)|19 October]], along with the ''Revisited'' special, on the [[Watch (TV channel)|Watch]] channel. | ||
* This was the first ''Doctor Who'' story since the [[1965 (releases)|1965]] serial ''[[Galaxy 4 (TV story)|Galaxy 4]]'' (also directed by Derek Martinus) not to feature "the" in the title. It is also the first to not start with "the" since ''[[Fury from the Deep (TV story)|Fury from the Deep]]'' in [[1968 (releases)|1968]]. | * This was the first ''Doctor Who'' story since the [[1965 (releases)|1965]] serial ''[[Galaxy 4 (TV story)|Galaxy 4]]'' (also directed by Derek Martinus) not to feature "the" in the title. It is also the first to not start with "the" since ''[[Fury from the Deep (TV story)|Fury from the Deep]]'' in [[1968 (releases)|1968]]. | ||
*[[Stan Speel]] is credited as "Film Cameraman" for episodes one to three, and co-credited with Robert McDonnell as "Film Camera Team" for episode four. | * [[Stan Speel]] is credited as "Film Cameraman" for episodes one to three, and co-credited with [[Robert McDonnell]] as "Film Camera Team" for episode four. | ||
* This is the last ''Doctor Who'' story that Derek Martinus directed as he wanted to distance himself from the programme. It is also his only ''Doctor Who'' story that is not missing any episodes. | * This is the last ''Doctor Who'' story that [[Derek Martinus]] directed as he wanted to distance himself from the programme. It is also his only ''Doctor Who'' story that is not missing any episodes and the only one in colour. | ||
* This was the first ''Doctor Who'' story [[Nicholas Courtney]] featured in that was not directed by [[Douglas Camfield]]. | * This was the first ''Doctor Who'' story [[Nicholas Courtney]] featured in that was not directed by [[Douglas Camfield]]. | ||
* This is the first story that [[Peter Grimwade]] worked on though went uncredited. | * This is the first story that [[Peter Grimwade]] worked on though went uncredited. | ||
* [[Nicholas Courtney]] remarked on the DVD commentary that he thought Derek Martinus was very "distant" in this story and felt he was not a director that he could easily approach if he had any questions. | * [[Nicholas Courtney]] remarked on the DVD commentary that he thought [[Derek Martinus]] was very "distant" in this story and felt he was not a director that he could easily approach if he had any questions. | ||
* Producer [[Derrick Sherwin]] makes an uncredited cameo appearance as a UNIT commissionaire, making him the only person involved in the series as both producer and actor, as well as the second of five people (the others being [[Victor Pemberton]], [[Glyn Jones]], [[Mark Gatiss]], and [[Toby Whithouse]]) involved as both writer and actor. Though Sherwin is the only one whose acting role was uncredited. | * Producer [[Derrick Sherwin]] makes an uncredited cameo appearance as a UNIT commissionaire, making him the only person involved in the series as both producer and actor, as well as the second of five people (the others being [[Victor Pemberton]], [[Glyn Jones]], [[Mark Gatiss]], and [[Toby Whithouse]]) involved as both writer and actor. Though Sherwin is the only one whose acting role was uncredited. | ||
* [[Caroline John]] was | * The scenes shot in [[Madame Tussauds]] featured mannequins that were already present. Various extras were hired to pose as mannequins and [[Caroline John]] was startled when one of them suddenly blinked. | ||
* The gag of the Doctor activating the windscreen wipers while trying to start the car was ad-libbed by [[Jon Pertwee]]. | * The gag of the Doctor activating the windscreen wipers while trying to start the car was ad-libbed by [[Jon Pertwee]]. | ||
* The shower scene happened because the house the BBC had rented to shoot in had a truly amazing old-fashioned shower in it that everyone decided was too good not to use. A scene was altered so it could happen while the Doctor was in the shower. However, it also created the added conundrum of revealing [[Jon Pertwee]]'s tattoo from his days as a sailor. | * The shower scene happened because the house the BBC had rented to shoot in had a truly amazing old-fashioned shower in it that everyone decided was too good not to use. A scene was altered so it could happen while the Doctor was in the shower. However, it also created the added conundrum of revealing [[Jon Pertwee]]'s tattoo from his days as a sailor. Subsequent stories would explain this as the mark of a criminal placed on Time Lords who have disobeyed their people or having been exiled. | ||
* The | * The breakdown for the first episode had a few minor changes - Sam Seeley was attacked by the alien intelligence after crashing to Earth; the Technician and UNIT officer who appeared didn't work for UNIT; Liz entered UNIT HQ via a "run down shop"; and after being kidnapped, the Doctor was to be taken prisoner in a storeroom and later interrogated. | ||
* The Autons were originally defeated in the end by a high-frequency sound Liz arranged to have transmitted from Broadcasting House at the Doctor's request. | * The Autons were originally defeated in the end by a high-frequency sound Liz arranged to have transmitted from Broadcasting House at the Doctor's request. | ||
* | * Episode three had a minor change during the scriptwriting process - there was to be a scene where an Auton attacked Sam Seeley in his hut while he was eating his supper. UNIT was to arrive, only to discover that bullets have no effect on Autons. During the new draft, Seeley was accompanied by a son, who would have been present during the Auton attack. He would have run for help and stumbled into Captain Munro and the UNIT troops. | ||
* Due to budget restrictions, the crew were unable to film a scene of the Autons smashing through the shop window. Derrick Sherwin remarked in the DVD commentary that he desperately wanted to show the Autons breaking the glass but the BBC would not allow it. [[Russell T Davies]] ensured that this was rectified in ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]''. | * Due to budget restrictions, the crew were unable to film a scene of the Autons smashing through the shop window. [[Derrick Sherwin]] remarked in the DVD commentary that he desperately wanted to show the Autons breaking the glass but the BBC would not allow it. [[Russell T Davies]] ensured that this was rectified in ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]''. | ||
* The script was based on a story that [[Robert Holmes]] wrote for the film | * The script was based on a story that [[Robert Holmes]] wrote for the film ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_(1965_film) Invasion]'', which featured an alien crashing in the woods near a rural hospital, where a medical examination reveals his alien nature. The hospital is later visited by other aliens, seeking a fugitive criminal. Some of the exact lines of dialogue used by human doctors to describe the physiology of the injured alien were re-used, which ended up creating the defining two-hearted feature of Time Lord anatomy in the process (while also giving viewers familiar with the one-hearted First Doctor something to scratch their heads over). | ||
* [[Derek Smee]] gashed his left index finger while climbing over the barbed wire while on location shooting. He insisted on the doctors administering first aid and placing a flesh-coloured plaster over the finger so he could return to finish the day's shoot. Afterwards, he was immediately rushed to a hospital for surgery. Scenes shot subsequently show him with a plaster on his finger and favoring it while climbing stairs. | * [[Derek Smee]] gashed his left index finger while climbing over the barbed wire while on location shooting. He insisted on the doctors administering first aid and placing a flesh-coloured plaster over the finger so he could return to finish the day's shoot. Afterwards, he was immediately rushed to a hospital for surgery. Scenes shot subsequently show him with a plaster on his finger and favoring it while climbing stairs. | ||
* The serial was repeated on [[BBC Four]] as part of its "Science Fiction Britannia" season in [[2006 (releases)|2006]]. Episodes One and Two aired on [[13 November (releases)|13 November]], and Episodes Three and Four aired on [[20 November (releases)|20 November]]. | * The serial was repeated on [[BBC Four]] as part of its "Science Fiction Britannia" season in [[2006 (releases)|2006]]. Episodes One and Two aired on [[13 November (releases)|13 November]], and Episodes Three and Four aired on [[20 November (releases)|20 November]]. | ||
* Episode 3 of this story is believed to be the first episode of the series to feature no surviving cast members. | * Episode 3 of this story is believed to be the first episode of the series to feature no surviving cast members. | ||
* The extras who played the Auton army in part four were non-union actors. Because of this, the BBC's internal documents for the episode credit them under the pseudonym "Ivan Orton," a play on the phrase "I'm an Auton." | * The extras who played the Auton army in part four were non-union actors. Because of this, the BBC's internal documents for the episode credit them under the pseudonym "Ivan Orton," a play on the phrase "I'm an Auton." | ||
* The [[Nestene Consciousness]] came from [[Derrick Sherwin]]'s discomfort with the emerging technology of plastics. The Autons came from his fear of shop window dummies. He also suggested that a doll factory would make a suitably creepy setting. | |||
* Assistant script editor [[Robin Squire]] was pressed into service as an Auton when the original performer suffered an attack of claustrophobia in the close-fitting mask. | |||
* It was originally revealed that Hibbert was actually an Auton replica, the real Hibbert was to be found in suspended animation during the climax. | |||
* It was during the second draft where the concept of Channing collecting the separate components of the alien creature and reassembling it was introduced. | |||
* The Doctor escaping his captors in a wheelchair was added by [[Derrick Sherwin]], who felt that [[Jon Pertwee]] could add some physical comedy to the scene. | |||
* To emphasise the Auton attack, it was intended that a montage depicting carnage would be shown after the policeman was killed. | |||
* [[Jon Pertwee]] first met [[Caroline John]] in the make-up room and they hit it off immediately. It took longer for Pertwee to gel with [[Nicholas Courtney]], as he called him "Brig". | |||
* While filming at the Plastics Doll Factory, the Auton actors had vaseline smeared all over their faces to make them look shiny, suggesting a plastic look. | |||
* To simulate the effect of passers-by being shot in the back, the extras wore a metal plate under their costumes. A wire was run up their legs and connected to a simulator which extruded yellow or orange powder on cue. | |||
* The Autons who wore boiler suits also wore white scarves around their necks. This was a late addition in order to hide the joints which connected the neck and collar. | |||
* As this was the first serial in colour, it was hoped that the show could be sold to American networks, similar to shows like ''[[The Saint]]'' and ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]].'' | |||
* The scene where the Nestence Consciousness attacks the Doctor was difficult to capture. Four twelve-inch polythene tubes were moved using compressed air. Although the effect worked, the prop remained static and the scene had to be reshot. It was finally achieved when two visual effects assistants operated the arms inside the coffin. Nylon wires wrapped around [[Jon Pertwee]]'s limbs also achieved the effect. | |||
* This is the earliest story featuring Nicholas Courtney to survive in its entirety, as ''[[The Daleks' Master Plan (TV story)|The Daleks' Master Plan]]'', ''[[The Web of Fear (TV story)|The Web of Fear]]'' and ''[[The Invasion (TV story)|The Invasion]]'' each have currently [[missing episode]]s. | |||
=== Ratings === | === Ratings === | ||
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* Episode two's reprise of the cliffhanger from episode one features a different actor delivering different lines addressed at the private that accidentally shoots the Doctor - in episode two the line is "Stop! Stop firing you fool!" as opposed to episode one, where the line is "Who told you to fire you stupid-". | * Episode two's reprise of the cliffhanger from episode one features a different actor delivering different lines addressed at the private that accidentally shoots the Doctor - in episode two the line is "Stop! Stop firing you fool!" as opposed to episode one, where the line is "Who told you to fire you stupid-". | ||
* At the beginning of episode one, the Doctor almost pulls the TARDIS's doors off when he faints. | * At the beginning of episode one, the Doctor almost pulls the TARDIS's doors off when he faints. | ||
* When the Brigadier is fighting his way through the crowd of reporters at the hospital, during one of the close up shots, the edge of the set is briefly visible. A lady holding a script and a camera operator can clearly be seen standing in the background. | |||
* In episode three, when the Doctor fails to dematerialise in the TARDIS, an arm (likely belonging to a crew member) can be seen retracting just before the smoke wafts from behind the TARDIS prop. Their knee can still be seen for the remainder of the shot, and the person is clearly crouching behind the TARDIS for much of the scene; it is only when the camera pans away after the Doctor emerges from the TARDIS that they completely disappear from view (before then, a small amount of white - likely a knuckle or finger - can still be seen). | * In episode three, when the Doctor fails to dematerialise in the TARDIS, an arm (likely belonging to a crew member) can be seen retracting just before the smoke wafts from behind the TARDIS prop. Their knee can still be seen for the remainder of the shot, and the person is clearly crouching behind the TARDIS for much of the scene; it is only when the camera pans away after the Doctor emerges from the TARDIS that they completely disappear from view (before then, a small amount of white - likely a knuckle or finger - can still be seen). | ||
* In episode three, when Meg Seeley walks into the cottage and finds an Auton there, the camera cuts to the Auton, then cuts back to Meg when she screams. There is then a further cut to an extreme close up of the Auton. Look carefully, and you can see that its right eye blinks. | * In episode three, when Meg Seeley walks into the cottage and finds an Auton there, the camera cuts to the Auton, then cuts back to Meg when she screams. There is then a further cut to an extreme close up of the Auton. Look carefully, and you can see that its right eye blinks. | ||
* In episode four, when the Autons begin to attack, just after they kill a group of people at the bus stop, one corpse can be seen to be moving their arm slightly. | * In episode four, when the Autons begin to attack, just after they kill a group of people at the bus stop, one corpse can be seen to be moving their arm slightly. | ||
* In episode two, there are noticeable scratches on one of the camera used to record the conversation between Ransome and Hibberts. | * In episode two, there are noticeable scratches on one of the camera used to record the conversation between Ransome and Hibberts. | ||
* When Ransom and Hibbert are talking near the beginning of episode four, Hibbert's hands are by his side. But in the close up shot, he has one hand resting on the side of the tank. | |||
* In episode four, a man in a blue top is shot by an Auton. But when some bystanders run past him a few moments later, his body is in a completely different position. | |||
* In episode one, when the Brigadier is asking Henderson for another way out of the hospital, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boom_operator_(media) boom mic]'s shadow can be seen. | |||
== Continuity == | == Continuity == | ||
{{Section cleanup|Needs to be written from an out of universe perspective.}} | |||
* These events appear to continue on immediately after the Doctor's forced regeneration. ([[TV]]: ''[[The War Games (TV story)|The War Games]]'', [[COMIC]]: ''[[The Night Walkers (comic story)|The Night Walkers]]'') | * These events appear to continue on immediately after the Doctor's forced regeneration. ([[TV]]: ''[[The War Games (TV story)|The War Games]]'', [[COMIC]]: ''[[The Night Walkers (comic story)|The Night Walkers]]'') | ||
* The Autons and the Nestenes encounter the Doctor again. ([[TV]]: ''[[Terror of the Autons (TV story)|Terror of the Autons]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Synthespians™ (novel)|Synthespians™]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Business Unusual (novel)|Business Unusual]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Big Bang (TV story)|The Big Bang]]'') | * The Autons and the Nestenes encounter the Doctor again. ([[TV]]: ''[[Terror of the Autons (TV story)|Terror of the Autons]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Synthespians™ (novel)|Synthespians™]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Business Unusual (novel)|Business Unusual]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Big Bang (TV story)|The Big Bang]]'') | ||
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* The freshly regenerated Doctor has a visible [[tattoo]] on one arm (which can be seen during the shower sequence). [[PROSE]]: ''[[Christmas on a Rational Planet (novel)|Christmas on a Rational Planet]]'' suggests that this [[convict tattoo]] was applied to the Doctor by the Time Lords to mark him as an exile or criminal. | * The freshly regenerated Doctor has a visible [[tattoo]] on one arm (which can be seen during the shower sequence). [[PROSE]]: ''[[Christmas on a Rational Planet (novel)|Christmas on a Rational Planet]]'' suggests that this [[convict tattoo]] was applied to the Doctor by the Time Lords to mark him as an exile or criminal. | ||
* When asked by Liz what discipline he is a doctor of, the Doctor replies, "Practically everything." He again states that he is a doctor of "everything" in his [[Fifth Doctor|fifth incarnation]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Four to Doomsday (TV story)|Four to Doomsday]]'') and reportedly gives a similar response during his [[Tenth Doctor|tenth incarnation]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]]'') | * When asked by Liz what discipline he is a doctor of, the Doctor replies, "Practically everything." He again states that he is a doctor of "everything" in his [[Fifth Doctor|fifth incarnation]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Four to Doomsday (TV story)|Four to Doomsday]]'') and reportedly gives a similar response during his [[Tenth Doctor|tenth incarnation]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]]'') | ||
* The Doctor mentions the [[Delphon (species)|Delphon]] language, which only uses eyebrow movement. This language is mentioned again by the Tenth Doctor | * The Doctor mentions the [[Delphon (species)|Delphon]] language, which only uses eyebrow movement. This language is mentioned again by the Tenth Doctor ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Dead (TV story)|Planet of the Dead]]'') and Fourteenth Doctor ([[TV]]: ''[[The Giggle (TV story)|The Giggle]]''). | ||
* The Doctor is revealed for the first time as having [[Binary vascular system|two hearts]], as is later often noted. ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]'', ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'', ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]]'', ''[[The Christmas Invasion (TV story)|The Christmas Invasion]]'', etc) | * The Doctor is revealed for the first time as having [[Binary vascular system|two hearts]], as is later often noted. ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]'', ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'', ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]]'', ''[[The Christmas Invasion (TV story)|The Christmas Invasion]]'', etc) | ||
* In a [[parallel universe]], the [[Unbound Doctor|Doctor]]'s [[exile on Earth]] did not begin until [[1997]]. Consequently, he was unable to act as [[UNIT]]'s scientific advisor, meaning that UNIT were forced to fend for themselves in the numerous alien incursions of the [[1970s]]. In this instance, the [[Auton]]s were defeated through the "plastic purges," which had a severe effect on the British economy. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Sympathy for the Devil (audio story)|Sympathy for the Devil]]'') | |||
* In a [[parallel universe]], the [[Unbound Doctor | * [[James Stevens]] was the Daily Chronicle journalist who was contacted by Mullins about the alien man, and was among the journalists present at Ashbridge Cottage when the Brigadier arrived, with Stevens being the one who asked the Brigadier what he was doing at the hospital to begin with. It was this initial encounter with UNIT which sparked much of Stevens' subsequent investigations into the organisation. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Who Killed Kennedy (novel)|Who Killed Kennedy]]'') | ||
== Home video and audio releases == | == Home video and audio releases == | ||
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Contents: | Contents: | ||
* UNIT Recruitment Film | * ''[[UNIT Recruiting Film (TV story)|UNIT Recruitment Film]]'' | ||
* Trailer | * Trailer | ||
* Photo Gallery | * Photo Gallery | ||
* Production Subtitles | * Production Subtitles | ||
* Easter Egg (Test Footage for the titles sequence) - to access this feature, press left at the "Play All" selection on the main menu. | * [[Easter Egg]] (Test Footage for the titles sequence) - to access this feature, press left at the "Play All" selection on the main menu. | ||
* Commentary by [[Nicholas Courtney]] and [[Caroline John]] | * Commentary by [[Nicholas Courtney]] and [[Caroline John]] | ||
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<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | <gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | ||
File:SpearheadfromSpaceDVD.jpg|Region 2 DVD cover | File:SpearheadfromSpaceDVD.jpg|Region 2 DVD cover | ||
File:Spearhead from space oring uk dvd.jpg|Region 2 DVD slip-case cover | |||
SpearheadFromSpace region4.jpg|Region 4 DVD cover | SpearheadFromSpace region4.jpg|Region 4 DVD cover | ||
File:3a-dvd2.jpg|Region 1 DVD cover | File:3a-dvd2.jpg|Region 1 DVD cover | ||
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Contents: | Contents: | ||
* Commentary by [[Derrick Sherwin]] and [[Terrance Dicks]] | * Commentary #1 by Nicholas Courtney ([[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|The Brigadier]]) and Caroline John ([[Liz Shaw]]) | ||
* ''[[Down to Earth (documentary)|Down to Earth]]'' | * Commentary #2 by [[Derrick Sherwin]] (producer) and [[Terrance Dicks]] (script editor) | ||
* ''[[Regenerations: From Black and White to Colour (documentary)|Regenerations: From Black and White to Colour]]'' documentary | * ''[[Down to Earth (documentary)|Down to Earth]]'' - Cast and crew look back at the making of this story, with actor [[Jon Pertwee]] ([[Third Doctor|the Doctor]]), producers Derrick Sherwin and [[Barry Letts]], script editor Terrance Dicks, costume designer [[Christine Rawlins]] and assistant script editor [[Robin Squire]] | ||
* ''Radio Times'' | * ''[[Regenerations: From Black and White to Colour (documentary)|Regenerations: From Black and White to Colour]]'' - A documentary looking at the challenges for ''[[Doctor Who]]'' in 1970 as it moved into colour | ||
* All | * ''UNIT Recruitment Film'' - An army recruitment film from 1993 | ||
* Trailers - Two promos for a 1999 transmission of the story on [[BBC Two]], and an advertisement for the ''[[Doctor Who Night (1999)|Doctor Who Night]]'' event on BBC Two from the same year | |||
* ''[[Radio Times]]'' listings (DVD-ROM) | |||
* Production subtitles | |||
* Photo gallery | |||
* Coming soon trailer - ''[[Frontios (TV story)|Frontios]]'' | |||
* Easter Egg: Unused title sequence. To access this hidden feature, press left at Play All on the Main Menu to illuminate the ''Doctor Who'' logo. | |||
Notes: | Notes: | ||
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== Footnotes == | == Footnotes == | ||
{{reflist}} | === Notes === | ||
{{notelist}} | |||
=== Sources === | |||
{{reflist|2}} | |||
{{DWTV}} | {{DWTV}} | ||
{{Post-regeneration stories}} | {{Post-regeneration stories}} | ||
Line 536: | Line 570: | ||
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | [[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Season 7 stories]] | ||
[[Category:Nestene/Auton television stories]] | [[Category:Nestene/Auton television stories]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set in Essex]] | [[Category:Stories set in Essex]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set in London]] | [[Category:Stories set in London]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Four part serials]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Post-regeneration stories]] | ||
[[Category:New Beginnings television stories]] | |||
[[Category:An Introduction To The Third Doctor television stories]] | |||
[[fr:Spearhead from Space]] | [[fr:Spearhead from Space]] | ||
[[ru:Прибытие из космоса]] | [[ru:Прибытие из космоса]] |
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