6,760
edits
More actions
m
no edit summary
(Unnecessary) Tag: Undo |
Gingerfool (talk | contribs) mNo edit summary |
||
| (9 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown) | |||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
{{real world}} | {{real world}} | ||
{{ImageLinkTV}} | {{ImageLinkTV}} | ||
{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
|image = Styre and Sarah.jpg | |image = Styre and Sarah.jpg | ||
|series=[[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]] | |series=[[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]] | ||
|season number= Season 12 | |season number= Season 12 (Doctor Who 1963) | ||
|season serial number = 3 | |season serial number = 3 | ||
|story number= 77 | |story number= 77 | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
|enemy= [[Field Major]] [[Styre]] | |enemy= [[Field Major]] [[Styre]] | ||
|setting= [[Earth]], [[16087]] | |setting= [[Earth]], [[16087]] | ||
|writer= | |writer= Bob Baker, Dave Martin | ||
|director= [[Rodney Bennett]] | |director= [[Rodney Bennett]] | ||
|producer= [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] | |producer= [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] | ||
|novelisation= Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment (novelisation) | |novelisation= Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment (novelisation) | ||
|epcount = 2 | |epcount = 2 | ||
|broadcast date= | |broadcast date= 22 February - 1 March 1975 | ||
|network = | |network = BBC1 | ||
|format= 2x25-minute episodes | |format= 2x25-minute episodes | ||
|serial production code= [[List of production codes|4B]] | |serial production code= [[List of production codes|4B]] | ||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
|thwr=249 | |thwr=249 | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''The Sontaran Experiment''''' was the third serial of [[season 12]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. Shot entirely on location, it was the shortest story of the 1970s, with only two episodes. An outdoor shoot, all scenes were unusually recorded on videotape rather than film. | '''''The Sontaran Experiment''''' was the third serial of [[Season 12 (Doctor Who 1963)|season 12]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. Shot entirely on location, it was the shortest story of the 1970s, with only two episodes. An outdoor shoot, all scenes were unusually recorded on videotape rather than film. | ||
[[Script editor]] [[Robert Holmes]] was not a fan of six-part stories, believing that they were padded, so for season twelve, he decided to have one four-part story and one two-part story. With [[Christopher Langley]]'s "''Space Station''" already in the works, he looked to Baker and Martin to fill the gap. As an outline, Holmes asked them to set it on [[Earth]] and bring back the [[Sontaran]]s. This would help them capitalise on the costly ship interior and Sontaran costume used in ''[[The Time Warrior (TV story)|The Time Warrior]]''. | [[Script editor]] [[Robert Holmes]] was not a fan of six-part stories, believing that they were padded, so for season twelve, he decided to have one four-part story and one two-part story. With [[Christopher Langley]]'s "''Space Station''" already in the works, he looked to Baker and Martin to fill the gap. As an outline, Holmes asked them to set it on [[Earth]] and bring back the [[Sontaran]]s. This would help them capitalise on the costly ship interior and Sontaran costume used in ''[[The Time Warrior (TV story)|The Time Warrior]]''. | ||
| Line 108: | Line 108: | ||
* [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Roger Murray-Leach]] | * [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Roger Murray-Leach]] | ||
* [[Producer]] - [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] | * [[Producer]] - [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] | ||
* [[Director]] - [[Rodney Bennett]] | * [[Director (crew)|Director]] - [[Rodney Bennett]] | ||
* [[Fight Arranger]] - [[Terry Walsh]] | * [[Fight Arranger]] - [[Terry Walsh]] | ||
| Line 125: | Line 125: | ||
* [[Scenic props buyer|Scenic Props Buyer]] - [[David Privett]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Sontaran Experiment'') | * [[Scenic props buyer|Scenic Props Buyer]] - [[David Privett]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Sontaran Experiment'') | ||
== | == Worldbuilding == | ||
=== Cultural references from the real world === | === Cultural references from the real world === | ||
* Harry says he feels "a bit like a [[Morse code|Morse]] message" after the broken teleportation from Nerva. | * Harry says he feels "a bit like a [[Morse code|Morse]] message" after the broken teleportation from Nerva. | ||
| Line 136: | Line 136: | ||
=== Earth locations === | === Earth locations === | ||
* The Doctor references [[Waterloo]]. | * The Doctor references [[Waterloo]] and [[Trafalgar Square|Trafalgar Square.]] | ||
=== Sontarans === | === Sontarans === | ||
| Line 163: | Line 163: | ||
* This is one of only eleven televised stories in the history of ''Doctor Who'' not to feature the TARDIS at all, along with ''[[Mission to the Unknown (TV story)|Mission to the Unknown]]'', ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'', ''[[The Mind of Evil (TV story)|The Mind of Evil]]'', ''[[The Dæmons (TV story)|The Dæmons]]'', ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]'', ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'', ''[[Midnight (TV story)|Midnight]]'', ''[[The Lie of the Land (TV story)|The Lie of the Land]],'' ''[[The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)|The Woman Who Fell to Earth]]'' and ''[[Ascension of the Cybermen (TV story)|Ascension of the Cybermen]]''. | * This is one of only eleven televised stories in the history of ''Doctor Who'' not to feature the TARDIS at all, along with ''[[Mission to the Unknown (TV story)|Mission to the Unknown]]'', ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'', ''[[The Mind of Evil (TV story)|The Mind of Evil]]'', ''[[The Dæmons (TV story)|The Dæmons]]'', ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]'', ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'', ''[[Midnight (TV story)|Midnight]]'', ''[[The Lie of the Land (TV story)|The Lie of the Land]],'' ''[[The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)|The Woman Who Fell to Earth]]'' and ''[[Ascension of the Cybermen (TV story)|Ascension of the Cybermen]]''. | ||
* [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] wanted to incorporate some relics of human civilisation which would imply that the story was actually set where London had once stood — for instance, by having the top of Nelson's column poking up out of the ground in homage to ''[[Planet of the Apes]]''. Much of the action of their scripts was set in the ruins of an old priory, and so many of Styre's torture devices were medieval in nature. | * [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] wanted to incorporate some relics of human civilisation which would imply that the story was actually set where London had once stood — for instance, by having the top of Nelson's column poking up out of the ground in homage to ''[[Planet of the Apes]]''. Much of the action of their scripts was set in the ruins of an old priory, and so many of Styre's torture devices were medieval in nature. | ||
*[[Robert Holmes]] rewrote episode two extensively, in the process removing a subplot in which it would have been revealed that Styre was controlling Vural's mind. | * [[Robert Holmes]] rewrote episode two extensively, in the process removing a subplot in which it would have been revealed that Styre was controlling Vural's mind. | ||
* [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] were unhappy with the title, as it spoiled the identity of the villain. | * [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] were unhappy with the title, as it spoiled the identity of the villain. | ||
* [[Robert Holmes]] gave [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] a three-hour brief on Sontaran culture, including their [[sex]] lives. All they wanted to know was that "he was a squat, froggy thing". | * [[Robert Holmes]] gave [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] a three-hour brief on Sontaran culture, including their [[sex]] lives. All they wanted to know was that "he was a squat, froggy thing". | ||
| Line 169: | Line 169: | ||
* Filming on Dartmoor was hampered by nonstop rain and the crew had to drag heavy cameras around. | * Filming on Dartmoor was hampered by nonstop rain and the crew had to drag heavy cameras around. | ||
* Sarah is the only female character in this story. | * Sarah is the only female character in this story. | ||
*Styre was referred to as "Weam Styre" in the script. | * Styre was referred to as "Weam Styre" in the script. | ||
*[[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] were inspired by stories of [[Nazi]] scientists using concentration camp prisoners as test subjects during [[World War II|World War Two]], and the nature of some of Styre's experiments was drawn directly from these reports. | * [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] were inspired by stories of [[Nazi]] scientists using concentration camp prisoners as test subjects during [[World War II|World War Two]], and the nature of some of Styre's experiments was drawn directly from these reports. | ||
*Styre's robot had originally been developed for another potential storyline. At one stage, the writers envisaged the automaton as being able to move so fast as to become effectively invisible. | * Styre's robot had originally been developed for another potential storyline. At one stage, the writers envisaged the automaton as being able to move so fast as to become effectively invisible. | ||
*Originally, the GalSec astronauts operated from a makeshift shelter, while Styre used a ruined priory, complete with dungeons, as his base of operations. Instead, the story would be completely set in natural environments. Some medieval aspects of Styre's experiments were eliminated as a result. | * Originally, the GalSec astronauts operated from a makeshift shelter, while Styre used a ruined priory, complete with dungeons, as his base of operations. Instead, the story would be completely set in natural environments. Some medieval aspects of Styre's experiments were eliminated as a result. | ||
*Production unit manager [[George Gallaccio]] suggested that the serial be shot on videotape as opposed to film in order to expedite the editing process. | * Production unit manager [[George Gallaccio]] suggested that the serial be shot on videotape as opposed to film in order to expedite the editing process. | ||
*Styre's robot was originally envisaged as a [[CSO|chroma key]] creation. The switch to videotape meant that it had to be a practical prop. | * Styre's robot was originally envisaged as a [[CSO|chroma key]] creation. The switch to videotape meant that it had to be a practical prop. | ||
*[[Barry Letts]] joined the shoot in Dartmoor. Although he had now formally left the series, he was still in the process of transitioning to new projects, so he decided to make himself available to provide guidance. | * [[Barry Letts]] joined the shoot in Dartmoor. Although he had now formally left the series, he was still in the process of transitioning to new projects, so he decided to make himself available to provide guidance. | ||
=== Ratings === | === Ratings === | ||
| Line 190: | Line 190: | ||
* A crew member can be heard briefly from off-screen giving the cue to drop rocks in the trap that Harry falls into. | * A crew member can be heard briefly from off-screen giving the cue to drop rocks in the trap that Harry falls into. | ||
* There is a shot around 15:30 in part one where the robot turns its head around, and the crewmembers are reflected off the shiny metal. | * There is a shot around 15:30 in part one where the robot turns its head around, and the crewmembers are reflected off the shiny metal. | ||
* Sarah calls Styre and Linx "identical" — despite the fact they clearly have different designs. | * Sarah calls Styre and Linx "identical" — despite the fact they clearly have different designs. ''Though a different prosthetic was used for their faces, Styre and Linx were played by the same actor, Kevin Lindsay'' | ||
== Continuity == | == Continuity == | ||
| Line 207: | Line 207: | ||
Contents: | Contents: | ||
* Commentary by [[Elisabeth Sladen]], [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] and [[Bob Baker]] | * Commentary by [[Elisabeth Sladen]] ([[Sarah Jane Smith]]), [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] (Producer) and [[Bob Baker]] (Writer) | ||
* ''[[Built for War (documentary)|Built for War]]'' - The genesis and development of the Sontaran race through the history of the series, as told by some of the actors and production team involved. This specially produced documentary includes contributions from [[Terrance Dicks]], Elisabeth Sladen, [[Anthony Read]], [[Colin Baker]], [[Nicola Bryant]], Bob Baker, [[Eric Saward]] and [[Stuart Fell]] | * ''[[Built for War: The Sontaran Story (documentary)|Built for War]]'' - The genesis and development of the [[Sontaran]] race through the history of the series, as told by some of the actors and production team involved. This specially produced documentary includes contributions from [[Terrance Dicks]], Elisabeth Sladen, [[Anthony Read]], [[Colin Baker]], [[Nicola Bryant]], Bob Baker, [[Eric Saward]] and [[Stuart Fell]] | ||
* Photo | * Photo Gallery | ||
* Production | * Production Subtitles | ||
Notes: | Notes: | ||
| Line 219: | Line 218: | ||
File:Sontaran_exp_region2.jpg|Region 2 UK cover | File:Sontaran_exp_region2.jpg|Region 2 UK cover | ||
File:The Sontaran Experiment DVD R4 Australian cover.jpg|Region 4 Australian cover | File:The Sontaran Experiment DVD R4 Australian cover.jpg|Region 4 Australian cover | ||
File: | File:The sontaran experiment.jpg|Region 1 US cover | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| Line 240: | Line 239: | ||
=== Digital releases === | === Digital releases === | ||
* The story is available for streaming in the US through | * The story is available for streaming in Canada and the US through BritBox or Amazon Instant Video in the UK. | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
| Line 253: | Line 252: | ||
{{TitleSort}} | {{TitleSort}} | ||
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | |||
[[Category:Sontaran television stories]] | |||
[[Category:Season 12 stories]] | |||
[[Category:Stories set in 16087]] | |||
[[Category:Two part serials]] | |||
[[Category:Television stories set on Earth]] | |||
[[cy:The Sontaran Experiment (stori deledu)]] | [[cy:The Sontaran Experiment (stori deledu)]] | ||
| Line 260: | Line 265: | ||
[[he:ניסוי הסונטארן (סיפור טלוויזיה)]] | [[he:ניסוי הסונטארן (סיפור טלוויזיה)]] | ||
[[ru:Эксперимент сонтаранца]] | [[ru:Эксперимент сонтаранца]] | ||