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{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
|image=Ambassadors of Death novel.jpg | |image = <gallery>Ambassadors of Death novel.jpg|1987 edition | ||
2Ambassadors novel.jpg|1991 edition | |||
</gallery> | |||
|series=[[Target novelisation]]s | |series=[[Target novelisation]]s | ||
|number= 121 | |number= 121 | ||
|novelisation of= The Ambassadors of Death (TV story) | |novelisation of= The Ambassadors of Death (TV story) | ||
|doctor=Third Doctor | |doctor = Third Doctor | ||
|companions=[[Liz Shaw|Liz]] | |companions=[[Liz Shaw|Liz]] | ||
|featuring=The Brigadier | |featuring = The Brigadier | ||
|featuring2=John Benton | |featuring2=John Benton | ||
|enemy= [[Carrington|General Carrington]] | |enemy= [[George Carrington|General Carrington]] | ||
|setting= [[Earth]], | |setting= [[Earth]], late [[20th century]] | ||
|writer= | |writer= Terrance Dicks | ||
|read by= [[Geoffrey Beevers]] | |read by= [[Geoffrey Beevers]] | ||
|cover=[[Tony Masero]] | |cover = [[Tony Masero]] | ||
|publisher= Target Books | |publisher= Target Books | ||
|publisher2= W.H. Allen | |publisher2= W.H. Allen | ||
|release date= | |release date= 1 October 1987 | ||
|format= Hardcover and paperback editions; 16 Chapters, 144 Pages | |format= Hardcover and paperback editions; 16 Chapters, 144 Pages | ||
|isbn= ISBN 0-426-20305-4 | |isbn= ISBN 0-426-20305-4 | ||
|prev= Doctor Who and the Cave-Monsters | |prev= The Romans (novelisation) | ||
| | |next= The Massacre (novelisation) | ||
|series2 = [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV series order]] | |||
|prev2= Doctor Who and the Cave-Monsters (novelisation) | |||
|next2= Inferno (novelisation) | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''''The Ambassadors of Death''''' was the [[1987]] [[Target Books|Target novelisation]] of the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' [[serial]] [[The Ambassadors of Death (TV story)|of the same name]]. It was written by [[Terrance Dicks]], based upon a script by [[David Whitaker]]. | '''''The Ambassadors of Death''''' was the [[1987]] [[Target Books|Target novelisation]] of the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' [[serial]] [[The Ambassadors of Death (TV story)|of the same name]]. It was written by [[Terrance Dicks]], based upon a script by [[David Whitaker]]. | ||
== Publisher's summary == | == Publisher's summary == | ||
=== 1987 edition === | === 1987 Target Books edition === | ||
Seven months after it left [[Mars]] there has still been no radio communication with the [[Mars Probe 7|Probe Seven]] spacecraft or the astronauts inside it. Back on [[Earth]] concern is mounting and eventually a recovery capsule is sent up to rescue the astronauts. | Seven months after it left [[Mars]] there has still been no radio communication with the ''[[Mars Probe 7|Probe Seven]]'' spacecraft or the astronauts inside it. Back on [[Earth]] concern is mounting and eventually a recovery capsule is sent up to rescue the astronauts. | ||
But when the capsule returns to Earth it is found to be empty. As [[Third Doctor|the Doctor]] and [[Liz Shaw|Liz]] investigate, they discover that the interior of the capsule is highly radioactive: if anyone was inside they would now surely be dead. | But when the capsule returns to Earth it is found to be empty. As [[Third Doctor|the Doctor]] and [[Liz Shaw|Liz]] investigate, they discover that the interior of the capsule is highly radioactive: if anyone was inside they would now surely be dead. | ||
| Line 33: | Line 38: | ||
Have the astronauts returned to Earth? And if not, who are the sinister space-suited figures who stalk the countryside and whose very touch means instant death? | Have the astronauts returned to Earth? And if not, who are the sinister space-suited figures who stalk the countryside and whose very touch means instant death? | ||
=== 1991 edition === | === 1991 Target Books edition === | ||
THE DOCTOR SAT STARING AT THE TV SET LIKE A MAN HYPNOTIZED. 'THAT SOUND...I'VE HEARD IT BEFORE...' | THE DOCTOR SAT STARING AT THE TV SET LIKE A MAN HYPNOTIZED. 'THAT SOUND...I'VE HEARD IT BEFORE...' | ||
Seven months after leaving Mars, the Probe 7 ship has not returned to Earth. And the rescue ship returns - poisoned with radiation and apparently abandoned. Whatever piloted it back to Earth is not human... The Doctor must negotiate with an alien intelligence for the return of its ambassadors - or face the destruction of the Earth... | Seven months after leaving Mars, the Probe 7 ship has not returned to Earth. And the rescue ship returns - poisoned with radiation and apparently abandoned. Whatever piloted it back to Earth is not human... The Doctor must negotiate with an alien intelligence for the return of its ambassadors - or face the destruction of the Earth... | ||
The Ambassadors of Death, featuring Jon Pertwee as the Doctor, was written by David Whitaker and broadcast in 1970. This adaptation is by Terrance Dicks, who was script editor of Doctor Who for five years and who has written more than sixty novelizations of the television stories. | The Doctor must negotiate with an alien intelligence for the return of its ambassadors - or face the destruction of the Earth... | ||
''The Ambassadors of Death'', featuring [[Jon Pertwee]] as the Doctor, was written by [[David Whitaker]] and broadcast in [[1970 (releases)|1970]]. This adaptation is by [[Terrance Dicks]], who was [[script editor]] of Doctor Who for five years and who has written more than sixty novelizations of the television stories. | |||
Doctor Who - The Ambassadors of Death has recently been broadcast on BSB television. | Doctor Who - The Ambassadors of Death has recently been broadcast on BSB television. | ||
== Chapter titles == | == Chapter titles == | ||
#{{'}}''Something'' Took Off from Mars...' | # {{'}}''Something'' Took Off from Mars...' | ||
#'That Sound--It Was Some Kind Of Message...' | # 'That Sound--It Was Some Kind Of Message...' | ||
#'They'll Never Survive...' | # 'They'll Never Survive...' | ||
#'Recovery Seven--It's On The Way Back!' | # 'Recovery Seven--It's On The Way Back!' | ||
#'The Capsule Has Landed.' | # 'The Capsule Has Landed.' | ||
#'They've Started To Crack The Code...' | # 'They've Started To Crack The Code...' | ||
#'You Must Feed Them Radiation--Or They'll Die!' | # 'You Must Feed Them Radiation--Or They'll Die!' | ||
#'We've Got To Get That Rocket Up!' | # 'We've Got To Get That Rocket Up!' | ||
#'Someone's Threatening To Kill Miss Shaw!' | # 'Someone's Threatening To Kill Miss Shaw!' | ||
#'An Attack On The Space Centre?' | # 'An Attack On The Space Centre?' | ||
#'Do You Really Think They're Not Human?' | # 'Do You Really Think They're Not Human?' | ||
#'Large Unidentified Object Approaching On Collision Course...' | # 'Large Unidentified Object Approaching On Collision Course...' | ||
#'The Capsule Will Be Smashed To Fragments...' | # 'The Capsule Will Be Smashed To Fragments...' | ||
#'Your Doctor Friend Is As Dead As A Doornail...' | # 'Your Doctor Friend Is As Dead As A Doornail...' | ||
#'We May Not Have Much More Time!' | # 'We May Not Have Much More Time!' | ||
#'We're Being Invaded!' | # 'We're Being Invaded!' | ||
== Deviations from televised story == | == Deviations from televised story == | ||
* Reporter [[John Wakefield]] is renamed Michael Wakefield, possibly in tribute to the actor who played him in the televised story, [[Michael Wisher]]. | * Reporter [[John Wakefield]] is renamed Michael Wakefield, possibly in tribute to the actor who played him in the televised story, [[Michael Wisher]]. | ||
* The Time Lords wiped the Doctor's knowledge about the | * The Time Lords wiped the Doctor's knowledge about the ambassadors' species. | ||
* The Doctor is said to have learned the parade ground shout he uses to trick [[Collinson]] at Waterloo. | * The Doctor is said to have learned the parade ground shout he uses to trick [[Collinson]] at Waterloo. | ||
* There are no casualties in the battle between UNIT and Collinson's men. | * There are no casualties in the battle between [[UNIT]] and [[Collinson]]'s men. | ||
* The astronauts are first referred to as "ambassadors" in a conversation between Carrington and [[James Quinlan|Quinlan]], much earlier than in the televised version. | * The astronauts are first referred to as "ambassadors" in a conversation between Carrington and [[James Quinlan|Quinlan]], much earlier than in the televised version. | ||
* The names of some minor characters like [[Parker (The Ambassadors of Death)|Parker]] and [[Jeff Johnson|Johnson]] are not given. | * The names of some minor characters like [[Parker (The Ambassadors of Death)|Parker]], [[Steve Champion|Champion]] and [[Jeff Johnson|Johnson]] are not given. | ||
* Carrington is not identified in his scene with [[Heldorf]]. | * Carrington is not identified in his scene with [[Heldorf]]. | ||
* Several lines of dialogue are omitted or glossed over, notably Liz asking [[Reegan]] if the Brigadier survived the attack on the Space Centre. | * Several lines of dialogue are omitted or glossed over, notably Liz asking [[Reegan]] if the Brigadier survived the attack on the Space Centre. | ||
* [[Charles Van Lyden|Van Lyden]]'s name is | * [[Charles Van Lyden|Van Lyden]]'s name is spelt Van Leyden. | ||
* There is back story given for Reegan not | * There is a back story given for Reegan, which was not derived from any information given in the televised version: He is said to have been born in Ireland and started off robbing banks for the IRA, only to flee to America and become a mercenary criminal when they found out he was keeping most of the money for himself. | ||
== Writing and publishing notes == | == Writing and publishing notes == | ||
| Line 78: | Line 85: | ||
== Additional cover images == | == Additional cover images == | ||
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" > | <gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" > | ||
File:2Ambassadors novel.jpg|1991 | File:HardbackAmbassadorsOfDeath.jpg|1987 Hardback edition | ||
File:2Ambassadors novel.jpg|1991 edition.<br />Cover by [[Alister Pearson]] | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| Line 85: | Line 93: | ||
* W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK ISBN:0491037120, copies priced £7.50 (UK)) | * W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK ISBN:0491037120, copies priced £7.50 (UK)) | ||
: Paperback ([[October (releases)|October]] 1987) | : Paperback ([[October (releases)|October]] 1987) | ||
* Target / W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. Single paperback edition, estimated print run: 27,500, | * Target / W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. Single paperback edition, estimated print run: 27,500, priced £1.95 (UK). | ||
: Paperback ([[March (releases)|March]] [[1991 (releases)|1991]]) | : Paperback ([[March (releases)|March]] [[1991 (releases)|1991]]) | ||
* Target / Virgin Publishing | * Target / Virgin Publishing New cover artwork by Alister Pearson, estimated print run: 5,000, priced £2.50 (UK). | ||
== Audiobook == | |||
This Target Book was released as an audiobook on [[4 January (releases)|4 January]] [[2018 (releases)|2018]] complete and unabridged by [[BBC Audio]] and read by [[Geoffrey Beevers]]. | |||
The cover blurb and thumbnail illustrations were retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by [[David J. Howe]]. Music and sound effects by [[Simon Power]]. | |||
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | <gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | ||
The Ambassadors of Death Audiobook.jpg | The Ambassadors of Death Audiobook.jpg|Audiobook cover | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| Line 99: | Line 109: | ||
{{DWN}} | {{DWN}} | ||
{{TitleSort}} | {{TitleSort}} | ||
[[Category:Target novelisations]] | [[Category:Target novelisations]] | ||
[[Category:Third Doctor novelisations]] | |||
[[Category:1987 novels]] | [[Category:1987 novels]] | ||
[[Category:UNIT novels]] | [[Category:UNIT novels]] | ||
[[Category:Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart novels]] | [[Category:Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart novels]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set in the 20th century]] | [[Category:Stories set in the 20th century]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set in England]] | [[Category:Stories set in England]] | ||
[[Category:Target novelisations with audiobook readings]] | |||
Latest revision as of 20:51, 3 November 2024
The Ambassadors of Death was the 1987 Target novelisation of the Doctor Who serial of the same name. It was written by Terrance Dicks, based upon a script by David Whitaker.
Publisher's summary[[edit] | [edit source]]
1987 Target Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]
Seven months after it left Mars there has still been no radio communication with the Probe Seven spacecraft or the astronauts inside it. Back on Earth concern is mounting and eventually a recovery capsule is sent up to rescue the astronauts.
But when the capsule returns to Earth it is found to be empty. As the Doctor and Liz investigate, they discover that the interior of the capsule is highly radioactive: if anyone was inside they would now surely be dead.
Have the astronauts returned to Earth? And if not, who are the sinister space-suited figures who stalk the countryside and whose very touch means instant death?
1991 Target Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]
THE DOCTOR SAT STARING AT THE TV SET LIKE A MAN HYPNOTIZED. 'THAT SOUND...I'VE HEARD IT BEFORE...'
Seven months after leaving Mars, the Probe 7 ship has not returned to Earth. And the rescue ship returns - poisoned with radiation and apparently abandoned. Whatever piloted it back to Earth is not human... The Doctor must negotiate with an alien intelligence for the return of its ambassadors - or face the destruction of the Earth...
The Doctor must negotiate with an alien intelligence for the return of its ambassadors - or face the destruction of the Earth...
The Ambassadors of Death, featuring Jon Pertwee as the Doctor, was written by David Whitaker and broadcast in 1970. This adaptation is by Terrance Dicks, who was script editor of Doctor Who for five years and who has written more than sixty novelizations of the television stories.
Doctor Who - The Ambassadors of Death has recently been broadcast on BSB television.
Chapter titles[[edit] | [edit source]]
- 'Something Took Off from Mars...'
- 'That Sound--It Was Some Kind Of Message...'
- 'They'll Never Survive...'
- 'Recovery Seven--It's On The Way Back!'
- 'The Capsule Has Landed.'
- 'They've Started To Crack The Code...'
- 'You Must Feed Them Radiation--Or They'll Die!'
- 'We've Got To Get That Rocket Up!'
- 'Someone's Threatening To Kill Miss Shaw!'
- 'An Attack On The Space Centre?'
- 'Do You Really Think They're Not Human?'
- 'Large Unidentified Object Approaching On Collision Course...'
- 'The Capsule Will Be Smashed To Fragments...'
- 'Your Doctor Friend Is As Dead As A Doornail...'
- 'We May Not Have Much More Time!'
- 'We're Being Invaded!'
Deviations from televised story[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Reporter John Wakefield is renamed Michael Wakefield, possibly in tribute to the actor who played him in the televised story, Michael Wisher.
- The Time Lords wiped the Doctor's knowledge about the ambassadors' species.
- The Doctor is said to have learned the parade ground shout he uses to trick Collinson at Waterloo.
- There are no casualties in the battle between UNIT and Collinson's men.
- The astronauts are first referred to as "ambassadors" in a conversation between Carrington and Quinlan, much earlier than in the televised version.
- The names of some minor characters like Parker, Champion and Johnson are not given.
- Carrington is not identified in his scene with Heldorf.
- Several lines of dialogue are omitted or glossed over, notably Liz asking Reegan if the Brigadier survived the attack on the Space Centre.
- Van Lyden's name is spelt Van Leyden.
- There is a back story given for Reegan, which was not derived from any information given in the televised version: He is said to have been born in Ireland and started off robbing banks for the IRA, only to flee to America and become a mercenary criminal when they found out he was keeping most of the money for himself.
Writing and publishing notes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- It was the first time for a while that Jon Pertwee's likeness had been used on the cover of a Target novelisation. However, Pertwee himself was unhappy with the likeness presented, and so the cover illustration was redrawn with different lighting so as to bring out the actors's silver hair.
- The publication of this title completed the Third Doctor's novelisations. His era was the first to be completely adapted.
Additional cover images[[edit] | [edit source]]
1987 Hardback edition
1991 edition.
Cover by Alister Pearson
British publication history[[edit] | [edit source]]
- W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK ISBN:0491037120, copies priced £7.50 (UK))
- Paperback (October 1987)
- Target / W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. Single paperback edition, estimated print run: 27,500, priced £1.95 (UK).
- Target / Virgin Publishing New cover artwork by Alister Pearson, estimated print run: 5,000, priced £2.50 (UK).
Audiobook[[edit] | [edit source]]
This Target Book was released as an audiobook on 4 January 2018 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Geoffrey Beevers.
The cover blurb and thumbnail illustrations were retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by David J. Howe. Music and sound effects by Simon Power.
Audiobook cover
