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{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
|image= SarahSpiesOnCybermenBetter.jpg | |image= SarahSpiesOnCybermenBetter.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 = 5 | |season serial number = 5 | ||
|story number=79 | |story number = 79 | ||
|story Dseason number= 79 | |story Dseason number= 79 | ||
|doctor=Fourth Doctor | |doctor = Fourth Doctor | ||
|companions= [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]], [[Harry Sullivan|Harry]] | |companions= [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]], [[Harry Sullivan|Harry]] | ||
| | |featuring = [[Stevenson (Revenge of the Cybermen)|Stevenson]], [[Lester]] | ||
|setting= ''[[Nerva Beacon | |enemy= [[Cyber-Leader (Revenge of the Cybermen)|Cyber-Leader]] | ||
|writer= | |setting= ''[[Nerva Beacon]]''<br>[[Voga]] | ||
|director= [[Michael Briant]] | |writer= Gerry Davis | ||
|director= [[Michael E. Briant]] | |||
|producer= [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] | |producer= [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] | ||
|novelisation= | |novelisation= Doctor Who and the Revenge of the Cybermen (novelisation) | ||
|epcount=4 | |adapted into= Return of the Cybermen (audio story) | ||
|broadcast date= | |epcount = 4 | ||
|network= | |broadcast date= 19 April - 10 May 1975 | ||
|network = BBC1 | |||
|format= 4x25-minute episodes | |format= 4x25-minute episodes | ||
|serial production code= [[List of production codes|4D]] | |serial production code= [[List of production codes|4D]] | ||
|clip = Plague on the Nerva Beacon? - Revenge of the Cybermen - Doctor Who | |||
|clip2 = The Cybermen Return! - Revenge of the Cybermen - Doctor Who | |||
|prev= Genesis of the Daleks (TV story) | |prev= Genesis of the Daleks (TV story) | ||
|next= Terror of the Zygons (TV story) | |next= Terror of the Zygons (TV story) | ||
|series2 = [[Fourth Doctor]] television appearances | |||
|prev2 = The Ark in Space (TV story) | |||
|next2 = Disney Time (TV story) | |||
|made prev= The Ark in Space (TV story) | |made prev= The Ark in Space (TV story) | ||
|made next= Genesis of the Daleks (TV story) | |made next= Genesis of the Daleks (TV story) | ||
|script=The Scripts: Tom Baker 1974/5 | |script = The Scripts: Tom Baker 1974/5 | ||
|thwr = 20 | |||
|thwr2 = 140|thwr3=159|thwr4=209 | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Revenge of the Cybermen''''' was the fifth and final serial of [[season 12]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. The story saw the return of the [[Cyberman|Cybermen]] as lead villains for the first time since ''[[The Invasion (TV story)|The Invasion]]'' in 1968 and their only appearance (barring flashbacks and cameos) until ''[[Earthshock (TV story)|Earthshock]]'' in 1982. | '''''Revenge of the Cybermen''''' was the fifth and final serial of [[Season 12 (Doctor Who 1963)|season 12]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It was not originally intended as the finale of season 12. The next story to air, ''[[Terror of the Zygons (TV story)|Terror of the Zygons]]'', was originally filmed as the finale of season 12, but it did not air until the [[Season 13 (Doctor Who 1963)|following season]]. The story saw the return of the [[Cyberman|Cybermen]] as lead villains for the first time since ''[[The Invasion (TV story)|The Invasion]]'' in 1968 and their only appearance (barring flashbacks and cameos) until ''[[Earthshock (TV story)|Earthshock]]'' in 1982. | ||
Like ''[[The Ark in Space (TV story)|The Ark in Space]]'' earlier in the season, ''Revenge'' went through a difficult scripting process. Davis' original plot bore almost no resemblance to the transmitted episode, with the action taking place on a deserted space casino. More rewriting from Davis followed, and the action now largely took place on [[Nerva Beacon]]. However, the script included no [[Vogan (Revenge of the Cybermen)|Vogans]], with their place being taken by a group of half-starved Welsh gold miners. [[Script editor]] [[Robert Holmes]] largely rewrote the episodes. Holmes added the Vogans and got rid of the human gold miners entirely, as well as a female member of the Nerva crew named Anitra. ([[INFO]]: ''Revenge of the Cybermen'') | Like ''[[The Ark in Space (TV story)|The Ark in Space]]'' earlier in the season, ''Revenge'' went through a difficult scripting process. Davis' original plot bore almost no resemblance to the transmitted episode, with the action taking place on a deserted space casino. More rewriting from Davis followed, and the action now largely took place on ''[[Nerva Beacon]]''. However, the script included no [[Vogan (Revenge of the Cybermen)|Vogans]], with their place being taken by a group of half-starved Welsh gold miners. [[Script editor]] [[Robert Holmes]] largely rewrote the episodes. Holmes added the Vogans and got rid of the human gold miners entirely, as well as a female member of the Nerva crew named [[Anitra]]. ([[INFO]]: ''Revenge of the Cybermen'') An [[Return of the Cybermen (audio story)|audio adaptation]] of ''Revenge''<nowiki/>'s original storyline was released in [[March (releases)|March]] [[2021 (releases)|2021]]. | ||
The story was partially [[location filming|filmed]] at [[Wookey Hole Caves]], a location renowned for bad luck. When scouting the ancient cave system for its suitability for location shoots, director [[Michael E. Briant]]'s wife found some Iron Age arrowheads and decided to take them home, unwittingly calling an ancient curse on the production team. First, the team encountered a strange individual in potholing gear who had apparently wandered into set, of whom the staff had no knowledge, which the director began to believe was the ghost of an Irish potholer who had died in the cave three years earlier. The boats used in the cave scenes repeatedly broke down; assistant floor manager [[Rosemary Hester]] had to be replaced due to an attack of claustrophobia, and unit armourer [[Jack Wells]] was taken seriously ill. [[Elisabeth Sladen]] and [[Ian Marter]] approached Briant with concerns that he had forgotten to record a scene, only to then find themselves unable to locate it in their scripts. On a day when staff disobeyed instructions not to touch the "Witch" formation (said to be the petrified body of the witch), [[Elisabeth Sladen]] nearly died — her boat went haywire and she had to dive overboard to keep herself from smashing into the cavern wall, where stuntman [[Terry Walsh]] had to pull her out to save her from drowning, and who later fell ill. An electrician broke his leg when a ladder collapsed under him, and the pyrotechnician found nothing would light or work correctly. The director took the arrowheads from his wife and reburied them, after which production ran smoothly. ([[DWM 297]]) | |||
It was further significant for being the first ''Doctor Who'' story released on home video and inaugurated the franchise's [[VHS]], [[Betamax]], and [[Laserdisc]] ranges. | It was further significant for being the first ''Doctor Who'' story released on home video and inaugurated the franchise's [[VHS]], [[Betamax]], and [[Laserdisc]] ranges. This story and ''[[The Brain of Morbius (TV story)|The Brain of Morbius]]'' were the only two stories to be released on [[Video 2000]]. | ||
In-universe, this serial explained the long absence of the Cybermen from the show as a product of the [[Cyber-Wars]], which motivates the backstory. This addition to Cyberman lore would have a long lasting effect on the rest of their appearances in the show, with their return in ''Earthshock'' exploring the origins of the conflict, whilst the show's revival [[Series 7 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 7]] story ''[[Nightmare in Silver (TV story)|Nightmare in Silver]]'' would explore another group of Cybermen survivors after the wars. Furthermore, the [[Series 12 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 12]] two part finale ''[[Ascension of the Cybermen (TV story)|Ascension of the Cybermen]]'' and ''[[The Timeless Children (TV story)|The Timeless Children]]'' depicted the immediate aftermath of the war with the Cybermen similarly scattered and weak, but seeking retribution. | |||
== Synopsis == | == Synopsis == | ||
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== Plot == | == Plot == | ||
=== Part one === | === Part one === | ||
The [[Fourth Doctor]], [[Harry Sullivan|Harry]] and [[Sarah Jane]] spin through time and space back to [[Nerva Beacon|Space Station Nerva]]. They land in the control room they left when they last beamed down to Earth, but Sarah notices [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] is not there. The Doctor says the TARDIS is drifting back in time towards them and they just need to wait for her to catch up. | The [[Fourth Doctor]], [[Harry Sullivan|Harry]] and [[Sarah Jane]] spin through time and space back to [[Nerva Beacon|Space Station Nerva]]. They land in the control room they left when they last beamed down to Earth, but Sarah notices [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] is not there. The Doctor says the TARDIS is drifting back in time towards them and they just need to wait for her to catch up. The Doctor leaves the [[Time Ring]] behind on a control console, prompting Harry to say he'd like to have it. Before Harry can even touch the Time Ring, it vanishes — returning to its place of origin with the [[Time Lord]]s. A door slides open, revealing a dead body and many more beyond, littering the outer ring of the station. | ||
In the communications room of [[Nerva Beacon]], crewman [[Warner]] warns off an approaching spaceship due to the Beacon being under plague quarantine. Professor [[Kellman]], a planetary surveyor, asks Commander [[Stevenson (Revenge of the Cybermen)|Stevenson]] how long they can run a fifty-man station with three men, but the other officer, [[Lester]], thinks they can manage. Nerva is on a thirty-year assignment to warn ships away from [[Voga]], the new asteroid it is orbiting, until its presence is updated on all the starcharts of inbound ships. | In the communications room of [[Nerva Beacon]], crewman [[Warner]] warns off an approaching spaceship due to the Beacon being under plague quarantine. Professor [[Kellman]], a planetary surveyor, asks Commander [[Stevenson (Revenge of the Cybermen)|Stevenson]] how long they can run a fifty-man station with three men, but the other officer, [[Lester]], thinks they can manage. Nerva is on a thirty-year assignment to warn ships away from [[Voga]], the new asteroid it is orbiting, until its presence is updated on all the starcharts of inbound ships. | ||
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[[File:Harry_examines_warner.jpg|left|thumb|Harry examines Warner.]] | [[File:Harry_examines_warner.jpg|left|thumb|Harry examines Warner.]] | ||
In the communications room, the Cybermat attacks Warner, biting him before it is thrown off. Warner collapses, glowing veins appearing on his face, while Kellman enters and pulls the magnetic | In the communications room, the Cybermat attacks Warner, biting him before it is thrown off. Warner collapses, glowing veins appearing on his face, while Kellman enters and pulls the magnetic tape from the radio log. Meanwhile, the Doctor, Harry and Sarah have reached the forward control room mere seconds before Lester and Stevenson enter, levelling their weapons at them. The door behind them slides open to reveal the communications room, and Kellman brings Stevenson to Warner's fallen form. | ||
When Stevenson sees that his crewman has the plague, he prepares to shoot Warner to halt the infection's spread, but the Doctor stops him. The Doctor lies, saying that they are a medical team sent from Earth, and convinces Stevenson to let Harry examine Warner. They take Warner to the crew quarters as Kellman returns to his own room and spies on the Doctor and Stevenson in the communications room using an assembled device. Stevenson tells the Doctor about the asteroid, formerly Neo Phobos, but renamed Voga by Kellman. The Doctor recognises the name, Voga, the Planet of Gold, and realises that Cybermen are involved. Stevenson says the Cybermen died out centuries before, but the Doctor points out they merely vanished after attacking Voga at the end of the last [[Cyber-Wars|Cyber-War]]. Hearing all this, Kellman contacts a Cybership nearby, its crew commanded by a [[Cyber-Leader (Mondas)|Cyber-Leader]] with a black helmet. The ship moves towards Nerva. | When Stevenson sees that his crewman has the plague, he prepares to shoot Warner to halt the infection's spread, but the Doctor stops him. The Doctor lies, saying that they are a medical team sent from Earth, and convinces Stevenson to let Harry examine Warner. They take Warner to the crew quarters as Kellman returns to his own room and spies on the Doctor and Stevenson in the communications room using an assembled device. Stevenson tells the Doctor about the asteroid, formerly Neo Phobos, but renamed Voga by Kellman. The Doctor recognises the name, Voga, the Planet of Gold, and realises that Cybermen are involved. Stevenson says the Cybermen died out centuries before, but the Doctor points out they merely vanished after attacking Voga at the end of the last [[Cyber-Wars|Cyber-War]]. Hearing all this, Kellman contacts a Cybership nearby, its crew commanded by a [[Cyber-Leader (Mondas)|Cyber-Leader]] with a black helmet. The ship moves towards Nerva. | ||
| Line 85: | Line 94: | ||
[[File:Backpacking.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Fourth Doctor]], [[Stevenson (Revenge of the Cybermen)|Captain Stevenson]] and [[Lester]] have [[cyber-bomb]]s strapped to them.]] | [[File:Backpacking.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Fourth Doctor]], [[Stevenson (Revenge of the Cybermen)|Captain Stevenson]] and [[Lester]] have [[cyber-bomb]]s strapped to them.]] | ||
With Cyberbombs strapped to their backs, the Doctor, Lester and Stevenson are briefed. They are to plant the [[bomb]]s in the core of the planet, after which they have fourteen minutes to return and escape via transmat. If they try to remove their harnesses before they reach the target zone, a secondary explosion will kill them. Their progress will be followed by radar. They beam down, accompanied by two Cybermen. Militia arrive and start to fire on the Cybermen, who make short work of the Vogans. None of the three men believe that the Cyber-Leader will keep his word and let them escape, but they have to keep moving towards the target zone as they are being monitored. On Nerva, the Cyber-Leader declares that Kellman is of no further use to them. | With Cyberbombs strapped to their backs, the Doctor, Lester and Stevenson are briefed. They are to plant the [[bomb]]s in the core of the planet, after which they have fourteen minutes to return and escape via transmat. If they try to remove their harnesses before they reach the target zone, a secondary explosion will kill them. Their progress will be followed by radar. They beam down, accompanied by two Cybermen. Militia arrive and start to fire on the Cybermen, who make short work of the Vogans. None of the three men believe that the Cyber-Leader will keep his word and let them escape, but they have to keep moving towards the target zone as they are being monitored, their suspicions are correct. On Nerva, the Cyber-Leader declares that Kellman is of no further use to them. | ||
Tyrum questions Kellman, who tells him that he and Vorus were working to lure the Cybermen to the beacon, which Vorus has targeted with a rocket. At that moment, a militia man arrives to tell Tyrum about the arrival of the Cybermen, and their weapons are useless. Kellman urges them to use the rocket. Tyrum orders his men to use every weapon they can while he speaks to Vorus. Harry tells Sarah to get back to Nerva to warn the Doctor while he tries to stop the rocket from being fired. | Tyrum questions Kellman, who tells him that he and Vorus were working to lure the Cybermen to the beacon, which Vorus has targeted with a rocket. At that moment, a militia man arrives to tell Tyrum about the arrival of the Cybermen, and their weapons are useless. Kellman urges them to use the rocket. Tyrum orders his men to use every weapon they can while he speaks to Vorus. Harry tells Sarah to get back to Nerva to warn the Doctor while he tries to stop the rocket from being fired. | ||
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=== Part four === | === Part four === | ||
[[File:HarrySullivanIsAnImbecille.jpg|thumb|left|"Harry Sullivan is an imbecille!"]] | [[File:HarrySullivanIsAnImbecille.jpg|thumb|left|"Harry Sullivan is an imbecille!"]] | ||
Lester recovers and stops Harry from unbuckling the harness. The Doctor then recovers and asks Harry if he caused the rockfall, and Harry replies he must have. The Doctor then yells | Lester recovers and stops Harry from unbuckling the harness. The Doctor then recovers and asks Harry if he tried to unbuckle the harness and if he caused the rockfall, and Harry replies in both cases he must have. The Doctor chuckles, then yells "Harry Sullivan is an [[imbecile]]!" before passing out. Now recovered, the Doctor conceives a plan. Stevenson will go on and create a radar trail, while the rest use the cross shaft to surprise and attack the Cybermen with gold. The Doctor and Harry jump the two Cybermen, trying to push gold dust into their chest plates, but the Cybermen are too strong, and Harry and the Doctor are forced to retreat. Lester leaps onto the Cybermen and undoes his harness, the explosion killing himself and the Cybermen. | ||
With the loss of contact, the Cyber-Leader orders immediate detonation. Sarah tries to stop them but is thrown to the floor. However, when the button is pressed, no explosion follows. The Doctor has disarmed the countdown device, which allows him to release his harness safely. With Sarah tied up, the Cyber-Leader now plans to send Nerva, loaded with more Cyberbombs, into Voga's centre to destroy it. | With the loss of contact, the Cyber-Leader orders immediate detonation. Sarah tries to stop them but is thrown to the floor. However, when the button is pressed, no explosion follows. The Doctor has disarmed the countdown device, which allows him to release his harness safely. With Sarah tied up, the Cyber-Leader now plans to send Nerva, loaded with more Cyberbombs, into Voga's centre to destroy it. | ||
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The Doctor and Sarah's attack on the remaining Cybermen fails; the Doctor is forced by the Cyber-Leader to tie himself and Sarah up, and they are left to perish in the crash. However, the ''Skystriker'' is approaching just as fast. The Doctor unties them both and contacts Voga, instructing them to steer the rocket towards the Cybership that is just leaving. The ''Skystriker'' veers away from Nerva and destroys the Cybership instead. However, the beacon is still on a collision course. The Doctor unlocks the gyro controls, skimming Nerva just above Voga's surface until they reach the other side of the asteroid and open space. | The Doctor and Sarah's attack on the remaining Cybermen fails; the Doctor is forced by the Cyber-Leader to tie himself and Sarah up, and they are left to perish in the crash. However, the ''Skystriker'' is approaching just as fast. The Doctor unties them both and contacts Voga, instructing them to steer the rocket towards the Cybership that is just leaving. The ''Skystriker'' veers away from Nerva and destroys the Cybership instead. However, the beacon is still on a collision course. The Doctor unlocks the gyro controls, skimming Nerva just above Voga's surface until they reach the other side of the asteroid and open space. | ||
[[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] materialises in the control room just as Harry arrives via transmat. The Doctor | [[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] materialises in the control room just as Harry arrives via transmat, and the Doctor goes inside to reset the drift compensator. The Doctor then emerges to tell his companions to hurry up; he's received a message from [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]] through the space-time telegraph the Doctor left him, which means it is a grave emergency. Although Harry asks if they should say goodbye to the Commander, Sarah tells him not to argue. The three rush into the TARDIS, and it dematerialises. | ||
== Cast == | == Cast == | ||
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=== Uncredited cast === | === Uncredited cast === | ||
* [[ | * Dead crewmen - [[Tony Lord]], [[Pat Gorman]] | ||
* [[CyberNomad|Cybermen]] - [[Tony Lord]], [[Pat Gorman]] | |||
* Voice of [[Colville (Revenge of the Cybermen)|Colville]] - [[Michael Wisher]] | * Voice of [[Colville (Revenge of the Cybermen)|Colville]] - [[Michael Wisher]] | ||
* [[Vogan (Revenge of the Cybermen)|Vogans]] - [[Cy Town]], [[David Billa]], [[Leslie Weeks]], [[Roy Caesar]], [[Barry Summerford]], [[Harry Fielder]], [[David Sulkin]] (all [[DWM 297]]) | * [[Vogan (Revenge of the Cybermen)|Vogans]] - [[Cy Town]], [[David Billa]], [[Leslie Weeks]], [[Roy Caesar]], [[Barry Summerford]], [[Harry Fielder]], [[David Sulkin]], [[Terry Walsh]], [[Alan Chuntz]] (all [[DWM 297]]) | ||
== Crew == | == Crew == | ||
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* [[Armourer]] - [[Jack Wells]] ([[INFO]]: ''Revenge of the Cybermen'') | * [[Armourer]] - [[Jack Wells]] ([[INFO]]: ''Revenge of the Cybermen'') | ||
== | == Worldbuilding == | ||
=== Transport technology === | === Transport technology === | ||
* [[Phobic energy]] is associated with recent [[transmat]] use. | * [[Phobic energy]] is associated with recent [[transmat]] use. | ||
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== Story notes == | == Story notes == | ||
[[File:The Seal of Voga.jpg|right|thumb|The symbol on the wall would later be reused as the [[Seal of Rassilon]].]] | |||
* | * Part three of this story is the 400th episode of ''Doctor Who''. | ||
* Out of the four ''Doctor Who ''stories to be written by Gerry Davis, this is the only one that he wrote by himself | * This is the first Cyberman story not to include an appearance by the [[Second Doctor]]. | ||
* Out of the four ''Doctor Who'' stories to be written by [[Gerry Davis]], this is the only one that he wrote by himself, excluding ''[[The Highlanders (TV story)|The Highlanders]]''. which [[Elwyn Jones]] is credited as having co-written. but actually did not contribute to it. | |||
* This story had working titles of ''Return of the Cybermen'' and ''The Revenge of the Cybermen''. Also, each of the four episodes had its own individual title, even though this practice had been discontinued back in 1966, with season three's ''[[The Gunfighters (TV story)|The Gunfighters]]'' being the last to feature them. These were "The Beacon in Space", "The Plague Carriers", "The Gold Miners" and "The Battle for the Nerva". | |||
* In [[Gerry Davis]]'s earlier drafts, the Cybermen appear much earlier, which explains the presence of the Cybermats on the Beacon. In the broadcast version, they do not arrive until the end of part two, so how the Cybermats got onto the Beacon is never explained. | |||
* In the absence of a concrete idea of how [[Tom Baker]] would be portraying the Fourth Doctor, [[Gerry Davis]] originally elected to essentially write the character as a timid, reserved figure in the vein of the [[Second Doctor]], including the use of such signature elements as his [[Five Hundred Year Diary|500-year diary]]. | |||
* Originally, the Cybermen costumes from ''[[The Invasion]]'' were to have been used, but only two had survived, and were in poor condition. This necessitated entirely new outfits, which included chest panels constructed from the innards of old television sets and trousers which, for the first time, were not tucked into the Cyber-boots. | |||
* [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] hated the production, feeling it belonged to the old way of doing things. He didn't like the Vogans, the masks, or the way the actors played Vogans with "Shakespearean projected shouting". He was particularly unhappy with the incidental music score by [[Carey Blyton]], which had been commissioned by director [[Michael E. Briant]] (who had previously worked with Blyton on ''[[Death to the Daleks (TV story)|Death to the Daleks]]''). Hinchcliffe made substantial edits and changes to the score for the final transmitted version, along with getting BBC Radiophonic Workshop staffer [[Peter Howell]] to uncreditedly provide a few replacement music cues. After this, [[Dudley Simpson]] would be the only composer employed on the show all the way through to the end of Season 17, with the notable exception of the two serials directed by [[Douglas Camfield]], who refused to work with Simpson. | |||
* The [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]]'s [[Peter Howell]], later to become one of the series' regular incidental music composers, made his uncredited debut on this story when he was asked by producer [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] to add to, and enhance, the score provided by [[Carey Blyton]]. | * The [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]]'s [[Peter Howell]], later to become one of the series' regular incidental music composers, made his uncredited debut on this story when he was asked by producer [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] to add to, and enhance, the score provided by [[Carey Blyton]]. | ||
* | * [[Elisabeth Sladen]] is credited as "Sarah Jane" in ''Radio Times'' for parts one to three. [[Ronald Leigh-Hunt]] (Commander Stevenson) is credited as "Commander" in ''Radio Times'' for part one. | ||
* A number of sets in this story were reused from ''[[The Ark in Space (TV story)|The Ark in Space]]'', which was recorded immediately before it. | * A number of sets in this story were reused from ''[[The Ark in Space (TV story)|The Ark in Space]]'', which was recorded immediately before it. | ||
* | * ''Revenge of the Cybermen'' introduced a new form of [[Cybermat]] and the title of "[[Cyber-Leader]]". It was also the first time a Cyberman was seen with a black helmet, and the Cybermen's voices were provided by the actors inside the costumes for the first time. | ||
* The symbol seen hanging in the Vogan audience chamber (and smaller versions on the Vogan costumes) would later be reused in ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'' by [[Roger Murray-Leach]], and become better known thereafter as the [[Seal of Rassilon]]. | |||
* The secret radio transmitter disguised as a clothes brush, used by Kellman, is the very same prop that appears in ''[[Live and Let Die]]''. The prop was handed over by none other than [[Roger Moore]] himself when he visited the BBC in 1973. He later told ''[[Radio Times]]'' that the props master, not recognising Moore, had paid him two shillings and sixpence (12½p in decimal currency) for the item: ''"I'd popped into the Beeb [BBC] for a cup of tea and spotted a notice about an upcoming ''Doctor Who'', so I thought the darlings would be so cash-strapped they'd need anything they could get their hands on. It wasn't MGM, after all. But I didn't expect to walk out with two and six!"'' | |||
* Between the broadcast of parts one and two, [[First Doctor]] actor [[William Hartnell]] passed away. Coincidentally, he died during broadcast of a serial that served to reintroduce the Cybermen. His final solo appearance as the Doctor, ''[[The Tenth Planet (TV story)|The Tenth Planet]]'', occurred during the serial that introduced them. | |||
* The symbol seen hanging in the Vogan audience chamber (and smaller versions on the Vogan costumes) would later be reused in ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'' by [[Roger Murray-Leach]], and become better known thereafter as the [[ | * After being absent from the last two stories, [[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|''The Sontaran Experiment'']] and ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'', the TARDIS appears on-screen for the first time since ''The Ark in Space''. | ||
* Between the broadcast of parts one and two, [[ | * The masks for the principal actors playing the Vogans were specially molded to their faces, but for the non-speaking artists the BBC had to cut costs. According to actor [[David Collings]] on the DVD commentary, who played Vorus, the masks for the extras were made using a facial mould of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Ridley Arnold Ridley]. | ||
* At the time of its broadcast in 1975, and until the broadcast of ''[[Earthshock (TV story)|Earthshock]]'' in 1982, ''Revenge of the Cybermen'' was the only complete Cybermen story in existence; all previous stories featuring them either being incomplete or, in the case of ''[[The Tomb of the Cybermen (TV story)|The Tomb of the Cybermen]]'', having been junked entirely by the BBC. It remained the earliest complete Cybermen story until the recovery of ''The Tomb of the Cybermen'' in the early 1990s. | |||
* This marks the final appearance of the Cybermats in the classic series. They would appear in the ''[[The Adventure Games]]'' 2010 instalment ''[[Blood of the Cybermen (video game)|Blood of the Cybermen]]'', but they would not make a televised return until ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'', a full thirty-six years after this serial. | * This marks the final appearance of the Cybermats in the classic series. They would appear in the ''[[The Adventure Games]]'' 2010 instalment ''[[Blood of the Cybermen (video game)|Blood of the Cybermen]]'', but they would not make a televised return until ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'', a full thirty-six years after this serial. | ||
* | * In ''[[A History of the Universe (reference book)|A History of the Universe]]'' and ''[[aHistory]]'', this story is arbitrarily dated to [[29th century|2875]], as the Doctor had previously dated the inner technology of the ''Nerva Beacon'' to the late 29th century at the earliest. However, ''[[Earthshock (TV story)|Earthshock]]'', which is clearly stated to take place in the early 26th century, references the events of this story in the past tense, bringing that date into dispute. | ||
* [[Gerry Davis]] was unhappy with [[Robert Holmes]]'s rewrites on what turned out to be his final contribution to the series. He also disliked the title. [[John Dorney]] adapted Gerry's original draft as part of [[Big Finish Productions]]' ''[[The Lost Stories]]'' range and it was released under its [[Return of the Cybermen (audio story)|originally-planned title]] in [[March (releases)|March]] [[2021 (releases)|2021]]. | |||
* Several names for the planet were considered, including Alanthea and Vega, before [[Robert Holmes]] settled on Voga, after a mythical island sought by [[Christopher Columbus]]. | |||
* At one point, Kellman perished when Lester sacrificed himself to kill the Cybermen, but his death was eventually brought forward to take place in the rockfall. | |||
* | * The opening shot of the Doctor, Sarah and Harry arriving at the Nerva Beacon via Time Ring was remounted during the production of ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]''. | ||
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudley_Sutton Dudley Sutton] turned down the role of Vorus. | |||
* [[Alec Wallis]] replaced [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Thompson_(actor) Malcolm Thompson] as Warner. | |||
* In part one, Stevenson informs the Doctor, "[Professor Kellman's] interested in [Jupiter's] new satellite." The Doctor remarks, "What, do you mean there are now thirteen?" At the time of writing in 1974, there were only 12 known Jupiter moons, with the 13th (Leda) being discovered in September 1974. | |||
=== Ratings === | === Ratings === | ||
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{{discontinuity}} | {{discontinuity}} | ||
* The Doctor was wearing a long brown coat and hat at the end of the previous story, ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'', but they've vanished when he materialises. Harry's sideburns have received a neat trim too. | * The Doctor was wearing a long brown coat and hat at the end of the previous story, ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'', but they've vanished when he materialises. Harry's sideburns have received a neat trim too. | ||
* In part three, at the 20:56 mark, the actor's face can be seen through the | * In part three, at the 20:56 mark, the actor's face can be seen through the Cyberman head's mouth. This later happens at 6:20 into part four. | ||
* At 6:02 into part four, the | * At 6:02 into part four, the Cyberman actor's eyes are visible through the eye-holes. | ||
* Lester wears his | * Lester wears his Interplanetary Space Command insignia upside down. | ||
* When Kellman pulls the tape from the reels in part one, the squealing sound of fast-winding tape is heard, even though the tape is not in contact with the playback heads. | * When Kellman pulls the tape from the reels in part one, the squealing sound of fast-winding tape is heard, even though the tape is not in contact with the playback heads. | ||
* When the Doctor enters the TARDIS in part four, the paper printout of the space/time telegraph can be clearly seen hanging on a hook just inside the door. | * When the Doctor enters the TARDIS in part four, the paper printout of the space/time telegraph can be clearly seen hanging on a hook just inside the door. | ||
* When Harry examines Kellman's dead body, Kellman can be seen breathing. | * When Harry examines Kellman's dead body, Kellman can be seen breathing. | ||
* The video screen image of the beacon "approaching" Voga is rather obviously just the camera zooming in on the model, as the background also seems to be approaching. | * The video screen image of the beacon "approaching" Voga is rather obviously just the camera zooming in on the model, as the background also seems to be approaching. | ||
* In part one, as the Doctor and company happen upon dead crew members in the transom, by looking closely the "victims" are represented by dummies, and only portrayed by extras when a scene calls for a close-up of a corpse. Also, the "stars" in the Nerva Beacon's windows can be distinguished as rope lights with dark power cords that do not fully camouflage with the black backdrops. | * In part one, as the Doctor and company happen upon dead crew members in the transom, by looking closely the "victims" are represented by dummies, and only portrayed by extras when a scene calls for a close-up of a corpse. Also, the "stars" in the Nerva Beacon's windows can be distinguished as rope lights with dark power cords that do not fully camouflage with the black backdrops. | ||
* As the Time Ring propels everyone to the Nerva Beacon in part one, the [[colour separation overlay]] used to achieve this effect is imprecise — Harry's right leg briefly disappears under the CSO mask. | * As the Time Ring propels everyone to the Nerva Beacon in part one, the [[colour separation overlay]] used to achieve this effect is imprecise — Harry's right leg briefly disappears under the CSO mask. | ||
* When Warner logs a call from Voga, the CSO used to project an image on the monitor is again applied improperly, as the letters of his log are cut off on the left side of the screen. | * When Warner logs a call from Voga, the CSO used to project an image on the monitor is again applied improperly, as the first letters of his log are cut off on the left side of the screen. | ||
[[File:Cybermat lurking RotC.jpg|thumb|right|A badly overlaid CSO effect causes the Cybermat to appear melded with the background.]] | [[File:Cybermat lurking RotC.jpg|thumb|right|A badly overlaid CSO effect causes the Cybermat to appear melded with the background.]] | ||
* Again an instance of CSO effect failure occurs when the Cybermat rears up to attack Sarah in the control room, with the Cybermat partially blending into the wall in the background. | * Again an instance of CSO effect failure occurs when the Cybermat rears up to attack Sarah in the control room, with the Cybermat partially blending into the wall in the background. | ||
* In some shots, the Cybermat looks very small, such as the first shot of it, but when it is attacking Warner and Sarah, it is much, much larger. | * In some shots, the Cybermat looks very small, such as the first shot of it, but when it is attacking Warner and Sarah, it is much, much larger. | ||
* In part four, there are many instances when the green screen for the CSO has not been laid on at all. This is especially visible in the scene when the Cybermat kills the Cyberman, when the Doctor and Sarah walk away, the corridor they are going into is just a green screen. | |||
* In | * Several of the Vogans' heads (the wider ones for extras) amusingly wobble when they run. | ||
* Several of the | |||
* The Vogan's eyes are sometimes hidden behind makeup and the wobbling headpiece. | * The Vogan's eyes are sometimes hidden behind makeup and the wobbling headpiece. | ||
* When the ''Skystriker'' rocket launches in part four, the rocket is visibly labelled "USA" on its side. This error occurs as a result of NASA stock footage of a ''Saturn V'' rocket launch being used to represent the ''Skystriker''. | |||
* Several seconds before the Doctor tells Harry "Wait till I give the signal" in part four, the Doctor's mouth is shown moving (presumably delivering an additional line), but no dialogue is heard. | |||
== Continuity == | == Continuity == | ||
* The Doctor, Sarah | * The Doctor, Sarah and Harry return to the ''Nerva Beacon'' using the [[Time Ring]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'') just as they had intended when they left the station in its future via [[transmat]] to assist in repairs ([[TV]]: ''[[The Ark in Space (TV story)|The Ark in Space]]'') that took them down to Earth. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]'') | ||
* The Cybermen once again use a biological weapon. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Moonbase (TV story)|The Moonbase]]'') | |||
* The | |||
== Home video and audio releases == | == Home video and audio releases == | ||
=== DVD releases === | === DVD releases === | ||
This story was first released on DVD in the [[UK]] on [[9 August (releases)|9 August]] [[2010 (releases)|2010]] | This story was first released on DVD in the [[UK]] on [[9 August (releases)|9 August]] [[2010 (releases)|2010]] in a double-pack with ''[[Silver Nemesis (TV story)|Silver Nemesis]]''. The one disc set includes a [http://www.purpleville.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rtwebsite.htm restored version] of the story, as well as the following special features: | ||
* Commentary by [[Elisabeth Sladen]] (Sarah Jane) | * Commentary by [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] (Producer), [[Elisabeth Sladen]] ([[Sarah Jane Smith]]) and [[David Collings]] ([[Vorus]]) | ||
* ''[[ | * ''[[Cheques, Lies and Videotape (documentary)|Cheques, Lies and Videotape]]'' - A new documentary that asks: what did fans do before official ''[[Doctor Who]]'' videos and DVDs? | ||
* ''[[The Tin Men and the Witch (documentary)|The Tin Man and the Witch]]'' - Cast and crew look back at the making of ''Revenge of the Cybermen'' | |||
* | * Location Report - A contemporary BBC interview with [[Tom Baker]] | ||
* ''[[Radio Times]]'' Billings (PDF DVD-ROM - PC/Mac) | |||
* Radio Times Billings | * Production Information Subtitles | ||
* Production Subtitles | |||
* Photo Gallery | * Photo Gallery | ||
* [[Easter Egg]]: [[BBC Video]] | * Coming Soon Trailer - ''[[Time and the Rani (TV story)|Time and the Rani]]'' | ||
* [[Easter Egg]]: 1983 [[BBC Video]] ident and copyright statement. To access this hidden feature, press left at ''Cheques, Lies and Videotape'' on the Special Features menu to reveal a hidden ''Doctor Who'' logo. | |||
Editing for DVD release completed by [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]].<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | Editing for DVD release completed by [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]].<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | ||
File:Bbcdvd-revengeofthecybermen.jpg|Region 2 UK cover | File:Bbcdvd-revengeofthecybermen.jpg|Region 2 UK cover | ||
| Line 263: | Line 277: | ||
File:Revenge silver australia.jpg|Region 4 Australian box set cover | File:Revenge silver australia.jpg|Region 4 Australian box set cover | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
=== Blu-ray release === | |||
Released as part of Doctor Who The Collection Season 12. | |||
Contents: | |||
* Commentary by [[Elisabeth Sladen]] (Sarah Jane), [[David Collings]] (Vorus) and [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] (Producer). | |||
* Production Subtitles | |||
* Optional Updated Special Effects - Watch the Story with updated effects sequences. | |||
* ''[[The Tin Men and the Witch]] (Expanded 2018 Edition)'' | |||
* Behind The Sofa | |||
* ''[[Cheques, Lies and Videotape]]'' | |||
* BBC News Location Report | |||
* Photo Gallery | |||
* Written Archive | |||
=== VHS and Betamax releases === | === VHS and Betamax releases === | ||
| Line 273: | Line 301: | ||
* Australia [[December (releases)|December]] 1999 (unedited) | * Australia [[December (releases)|December]] 1999 (unedited) | ||
* [[US]] December [[1986 (releases)|1986]] (movie format) | * [[US]] December [[1986 (releases)|1986]] (movie format) | ||
* [[Japan]] December 1983 (movie format) | * [[Japan]] December 1983 by Pony Video (movie format — in English with Japanese subtitles) as ''Cyberman Counter-Attack'' or ''Counter-Attack of the Cyberman'' [''sic'']<ref>"Video: BBC TV Releases", page 403; ''[[Howe's Transcendental Toybox]]'' (First Edition) by [[David J. Howe]] and [[Arnold T. Blumberg]], published by [[Telos Publishing]].</ref> | ||
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true" widths="120"> | <gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true" widths="120"> | ||
| Line 306: | Line 334: | ||
{{Cyberman stories}} | {{Cyberman stories}} | ||
{{TitleSort}} | {{TitleSort}} | ||
== References == | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | [[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | ||
[[Category:Season 12 stories]] | [[Category:Season 12 stories]] | ||
| Line 315: | Line 346: | ||
[[Category:Stories set in the 30th century]] | [[Category:Stories set in the 30th century]] | ||
[[Category:Cyberman television stories]] | [[Category:Cyberman television stories]] | ||
[[es:Revenge of the Cybermen]] | |||
