Marco Polo (novelisation): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
|image=Marco Polo paperback.jpg | |image = Marco Polo paperback.jpg | ||
|series= | |series= [[Target novelisation]]s | ||
|number= 94 | |number= 94 | ||
|novelisation of= Marco Polo (TV story) | |novelisation of= Marco Polo (TV story) | ||
|doctor=First Doctor | |doctor = First Doctor | ||
|companions= [[Susan Foreman|Susan]], [[Barbara Wright|Barbara]], [[Ian Chesterton|Ian]] | |companions= [[Susan Foreman|Susan]], [[Barbara Wright|Barbara]], [[Ian Chesterton|Ian]] | ||
|enemy= [[Tegana]] | |enemy= [[Tegana]] | ||
|setting= [[China]], [[1289]] | |setting= [[China]], [[1289]] | ||
|writer= | |writer= John Lucarotti | ||
|read by= [[Zienia Merton]] | |read by= [[Zienia Merton]] | ||
|publisher= Target Books | |publisher= Target Books | ||
|publisher2= W.H. Allen | |publisher2= W.H. Allen | ||
|cover= [[David McAllister]] | |cover= [[David McAllister]] | ||
|release date= | |release date= 11 April 1985 | ||
|format= Hardcover and paperback editions; 17 Chapters, 144 Pages | |format= Hardcover and paperback editions; 17 Chapters, 144 Pages | ||
|isbn= ISBN 0-426-19967-7 | |isbn= ISBN 0-426-19967-7 | ||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
|series2 = [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV series order]] | |series2 = [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV series order]] | ||
|prev2= The Edge of Destruction (novelisation) | |prev2= The Edge of Destruction (novelisation) | ||
|next2=Doctor Who and the Keys of Marinus (novelisation) | |next2 = Doctor Who and the Keys of Marinus (novelisation) | ||
}}{{dab page|Marco Polo (disambiguation)}} | }}{{dab page|Marco Polo (disambiguation)}} | ||
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a novelisation based on the 1964 television serial ''[[Marco Polo (TV story)|Marco Polo]]''. | '''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a novelisation based on the 1964 television serial ''[[Marco Polo (TV story)|Marco Polo]]''. | ||
== Publisher's summary == | == Publisher's summary == | ||
The young Venetian [[Marco Polo]] is on his way to the Emperor's court in Peking when he meets the intrepid time-travellers, for [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] has landed on [[Earth]] in the year [[1289]]. | The young [[Venice|Venetian]] [[Marco Polo]] is on his way to the Emperor's court in [[Peking]] when he meets the intrepid time-travellers, for [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] has landed on [[Earth]] in the year [[1289]]. | ||
Marco Polo recognises in the TARDIS a means of winning favour with the Emperor. But in the end [[First Doctor|the Doctor]] has no one but himself to blame for the loss of his wondrous travelling | Marco Polo recognises in the TARDIS a means of winning favour with the Emperor. But in the end [[First Doctor|the Doctor]] has no one but himself to blame for the loss of his wondrous travelling machine – which he gambles away to [[Kublai Khan]]... | ||
== Chapter titles == | == Chapter titles == | ||
# | # Roof of the World | ||
# | # Emissary of Peace | ||
# Down to Earth | # Down to Earth | ||
# | # Singing Sands | ||
# | # Desert of Death | ||
# A Tale of Hashashins | # A Tale of Hashashins | ||
# Five Hundred Eyes | # Five Hundred Eyes | ||
# | # Wall of Lies | ||
# Too Many Kan-Chow | # Too Many Kan-Chow Cooks | ||
# Bamboozled | # Bamboozled | ||
# Rider from Shang-Tu | # Rider from Shang-Tu | ||
# Runaway | # Runaway | ||
# | # Road to Karakorum | ||
# Mighty Kublai Khan | # Mighty Kublai Khan | ||
# Gamblers | # Gamblers | ||
| Line 51: | Line 51: | ||
== Deviations from televised story == | == Deviations from televised story == | ||
* Discarding the recap from ''The Edge of Destruction'' for the novelisation, the Doctor decides to leave the Himalayas immediately on arrival. However, a fault in the dematerialisation control trips the circuit-breaker. He discovers the cause to be the energy distributor which has broken down. Without power, the four travellers run the serious risk of freezing to death. | |||
* The novelisation features extensive descriptions of the Silk Road's landmarks and history. Scenery and vistas that would've been impossible to realise within the budget of the televised serial. | |||
* The Doctor's attempt to gamble back the TARDIS from Kublai Khan is met with maudlin defeat in the novelisation. He returns to his companions empty-handed. For the televised version, the Doctor is given a piece of consolatory money by the Khan. He instead regards the failed exercise with a sad humour and a laugh. | |||
* In the novelisation, [[Tegana]] seals the throne room, preventing anyone from entering to rescue [[Kublai Khan]]. Rather than being bested in a sword fight with [[Marco Polo]] and committing suicide in a final act of defiance, Tegana is slain with an arrow from [[Ling-Tau]] through a secret Judas-eye in the Khan's gaming room. | * In the novelisation, [[Tegana]] seals the throne room, preventing anyone from entering to rescue [[Kublai Khan]]. Rather than being bested in a sword fight with [[Marco Polo]] and committing suicide in a final act of defiance, Tegana is slain with an arrow from [[Ling-Tau]] through a secret Judas-eye in the Khan's gaming room. | ||
* The Doctor and his companions' departure is far less hurried in the novelisation. The Khan freely gifts Marco's key as thanks for the saving of his life. On television, Marco hurriedly returns his key and urges the travellers inside the TARDIS. The Khan acquiesces in both instances, believing in the latter account that the Doctor would have eventually won it back in Backgammon. | * The Doctor and his companions' departure is far less hurried in the novelisation. The Khan freely gifts Marco's key as thanks for the saving of his life. On television, Marco hurriedly returns his key and urges the travellers inside the TARDIS. The Khan acquiesces in both instances, believing in the latter account that the Doctor would have eventually won it back in Backgammon. | ||
| Line 59: | Line 62: | ||
* Dedication: In fond memory of the Inimitable Original, William `Bill' Hartnell | * Dedication: In fond memory of the Inimitable Original, William `Bill' Hartnell | ||
* Along with ''[[The Myth Makers (novelisation)|The Myth Makers]]'', this novelised title had the highest first print run of the Target novelisations (65,000). | * Along with ''[[The Myth Makers (novelisation)|The Myth Makers]]'', this novelised title had the highest first print run of the Target novelisations (65,000). | ||
* The audiobook was released shortly after [[Zienia Merton]]'s death. | |||
== Cover gallery == | == Cover gallery == | ||
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" > | <gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" > | ||
Marco Polo hardcover.jpg| | Marco Polo hardcover.jpg|1984 Hardback edition | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| Line 74: | Line 77: | ||
== Audiobook == | == Audiobook == | ||
This Target Book was released on [[6 December (releases)|6 December]] [[2018 (releases)|2018]] complete and unabridged by [[BBC Audio]] and read by [[Zienia Merton]]. | This Target Book was released as an audiobook on [[6 December (releases)|6 December]] [[2018 (releases)|2018]] complete and unabridged by [[BBC Audio]] and read by [[Zienia Merton]]. | ||
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]]. | 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]]. | ||
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{{DWN}} | {{DWN}} | ||
{{TitleSort}} | {{TitleSort}} | ||
[[Category:First Doctor novelisations]] | [[Category:First Doctor novelisations]] | ||
[[Category:Target novelisations]] | [[Category:Target novelisations]] | ||
| Line 92: | Line 96: | ||
[[Category:Stories set in 1289]] | [[Category:Stories set in 1289]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set in China]] | [[Category:Stories set in China]] | ||
[[Category:Target novelisations with audiobook readings]] | |||
Latest revision as of 20:50, 3 November 2024
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- You may wish to consult
Marco Polo (disambiguation)for other, similarly-named pages.
Marco Polo was a novelisation based on the 1964 television serial Marco Polo.
Publisher's summary[[edit] | [edit source]]
The young Venetian Marco Polo is on his way to the Emperor's court in Peking when he meets the intrepid time-travellers, for the TARDIS has landed on Earth in the year 1289.
Marco Polo recognises in the TARDIS a means of winning favour with the Emperor. But in the end the Doctor has no one but himself to blame for the loss of his wondrous travelling machine – which he gambles away to Kublai Khan...
Chapter titles[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Roof of the World
- Emissary of Peace
- Down to Earth
- Singing Sands
- Desert of Death
- A Tale of Hashashins
- Five Hundred Eyes
- Wall of Lies
- Too Many Kan-Chow Cooks
- Bamboozled
- Rider from Shang-Tu
- Runaway
- Road to Karakorum
- Mighty Kublai Khan
- Gamblers
- Best-laid Schemes
- Key to the World
Deviations from televised story[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Discarding the recap from The Edge of Destruction for the novelisation, the Doctor decides to leave the Himalayas immediately on arrival. However, a fault in the dematerialisation control trips the circuit-breaker. He discovers the cause to be the energy distributor which has broken down. Without power, the four travellers run the serious risk of freezing to death.
- The novelisation features extensive descriptions of the Silk Road's landmarks and history. Scenery and vistas that would've been impossible to realise within the budget of the televised serial.
- The Doctor's attempt to gamble back the TARDIS from Kublai Khan is met with maudlin defeat in the novelisation. He returns to his companions empty-handed. For the televised version, the Doctor is given a piece of consolatory money by the Khan. He instead regards the failed exercise with a sad humour and a laugh.
- In the novelisation, Tegana seals the throne room, preventing anyone from entering to rescue Kublai Khan. Rather than being bested in a sword fight with Marco Polo and committing suicide in a final act of defiance, Tegana is slain with an arrow from Ling-Tau through a secret Judas-eye in the Khan's gaming room.
- The Doctor and his companions' departure is far less hurried in the novelisation. The Khan freely gifts Marco's key as thanks for the saving of his life. On television, Marco hurriedly returns his key and urges the travellers inside the TARDIS. The Khan acquiesces in both instances, believing in the latter account that the Doctor would have eventually won it back in Backgammon.
- Rather than concluding on Polo's speculations, the author notes that the Khan's TARDIS key has survived the passage of time and now resides in a Peking museum as the "Key to the World".
- The bandit Kuiju is not killed in the novel.
Writing and publishing notes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Dedication: In fond memory of the Inimitable Original, William `Bill' Hartnell
- Along with The Myth Makers, this novelised title had the highest first print run of the Target novelisations (65,000).
- The audiobook was released shortly after Zienia Merton's death.
Cover gallery[[edit] | [edit source]]
1984 Hardback edition
British publication history[[edit] | [edit source]]
First publication:
- Hardback
- W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
- Paperback
- Target
Audiobook[[edit] | [edit source]]
This Target Book was released as an audiobook on 6 December 2018 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Zienia Merton.
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
External links[[edit] | [edit source]]
to be added
