The Massacre (novelisation): Difference between revisions

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* Due to several behind-the-scenes changes at the time this story was made, the final televised version bore very little resemblance to the scripts that John Lucarotti had submitted.  The novelisation is thus an adaptation of Lucarotti's scripts, rather than of the televised serial (which was largely written by Donald Tosh, the then-story editor).  William Hartnell's double role as the Doctor and as the Abbot of Amboise is a key centerpiece to the book, where it was suggested only minimally on TV (Hartnell only having three speaking scenes as the Abbot) and the book's ending is much more gentle and optimistic than the TV version.
* Due to several behind-the-scenes changes at the time this story was made, the final televised version bore very little resemblance to the scripts that John Lucarotti had submitted.  The novelisation is thus an adaptation of Lucarotti's scripts, rather than of the televised serial (which was largely written by Donald Tosh, the then-story editor).  William Hartnell's double role as the Doctor and as the Abbot of Amboise is a key centerpiece to the book, where it was suggested only minimally on TV (Hartnell only having three speaking scenes as the Abbot) and the book's ending is much more gentle and optimistic than the TV version.
* The character of Charles de Teligny is not in the novel.
* The character of Charles de Teligny is not in the novel.
* Simon Duval is killed in the novel.


== Writing and publishing notes ==
== Writing and publishing notes ==
==<nowiki/>==
* Author's Note: The historical events described in The Massacre are factual, as were the 287 kilometres of tunnels and catacombs under Paris, some of which may still be visited. The woodcut engraving of the attempt on de Coligny's life, which shows a cowled cleric in a doorway, does exist. The author has seen it. John Lucarotti.
* Author's Note: The historical events described in The Massacre are factual, as were the 287 kilometres of tunnels and catacombs under Paris, some of which may still be visited. The woodcut engraving of the attempt on de Coligny's life, which shows a cowled cleric in a doorway, does exist. The author has seen it. John Lucarotti.
* The included reference to the [[Time Lord]]s was not in the television series' continuity and the then-producer [[John Nathan-Turner]] was at first unhappy with the reference until it was explained to him and he gave his approval.
* The included reference to the [[Time Lord]]s was not in the television series' continuity and the then-producer [[John Nathan-Turner]] was at first unhappy with the reference until it was explained to him and he gave his approval.
Line 66: Line 69:
== British publication history ==
== British publication history ==
: Hardback (June 1987)
: Hardback (June 1987)
* W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK ISBN:[tel:[tel:0491034237 0491034237] 0491034237], copies priced £7.50 (UK))
* W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK ISBN:[tel:[tel:[tel:0491034237 0491034237] 0491034237] 0491034237], copies priced £7.50 (UK))
: Paperback (November 1987)
: Paperback (November 1987)
* Target / W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd.  One single paperback edition, estimated print run: 25,300,  priced £1.95 (UK).
* Target / W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd.  One single paperback edition, estimated print run: 25,300,  priced £1.95 (UK).

Revision as of 01:35, 8 June 2015

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The Massacre was a novelisation based on the 1966 television serial The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve.

Publisher's summary

1987 edition

The TARDIS lands in Paris on 19 August 1572. Driven by scientific curiosity, the First Doctor leaves Steven to meet and exchange views with the apothecary, Charles Preslin.

Before he disappears, he warns Steven to stay out of "mischief, religion and politics." But in sixteenth-century Paris it is impossible to remain a mere observer, and Steven soon finds himself involved with a group of Huguenots.

The Protestant minority of France is being threatened by the Catholic hierarchy, and danger stalks the Paris streets. As Steven tries to find his way back to the TARDIS he discovers that one of the main persecutors of the Huguenots appears to be - the Doctor.

Chapter Titles

  • Prologue
  1. The Roman Bridge Auberge
  2. Echoes of Wassy
  3. The Apothecary
  4. Double Trouble
  5. The Proposition
  6. Beds for a Night
  7. Admiral de Coligny
  8. The Escape
  9. A Change of Clothes
  10. The Hotel Lutèce
  11. The Royal Audience
  12. Burnt at the Stake
  13. The Phoenix
  14. Talk of War
  15. Face to Face
  16. A Rescue
  17. Good Company All
  • Epilogue

Deviations from televised story

  • Lucarotti adds a prologue and epilogue in which the Doctor is being asked to explain his actions in sixteenth century France to a group of Time Lords.
  • The final scene on the televised story is where the Doctor and Steven have travelled forward to 20th century England and have been mistaken for a real Police Box by Dodo Chaplet (possible relative of Anne Chaplet). This scene is absent from the novel.
  • Due to several behind-the-scenes changes at the time this story was made, the final televised version bore very little resemblance to the scripts that John Lucarotti had submitted. The novelisation is thus an adaptation of Lucarotti's scripts, rather than of the televised serial (which was largely written by Donald Tosh, the then-story editor). William Hartnell's double role as the Doctor and as the Abbot of Amboise is a key centerpiece to the book, where it was suggested only minimally on TV (Hartnell only having three speaking scenes as the Abbot) and the book's ending is much more gentle and optimistic than the TV version.
  • The character of Charles de Teligny is not in the novel.
  • Simon Duval is killed in the novel.

Writing and publishing notes

  • Author's Note: The historical events described in The Massacre are factual, as were the 287 kilometres of tunnels and catacombs under Paris, some of which may still be visited. The woodcut engraving of the attempt on de Coligny's life, which shows a cowled cleric in a doorway, does exist. The author has seen it. John Lucarotti.
  • The included reference to the Time Lords was not in the television series' continuity and the then-producer John Nathan-Turner was at first unhappy with the reference until it was explained to him and he gave his approval.
  • The cover for the original Target Books edition featured the artwork of Tony Masero.

Additional cover images

To be added

British publication history

Hardback (June 1987)
  • W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK ISBN:[tel:[tel:0491034237 0491034237] 0491034237], copies priced £7.50 (UK))
Paperback (November 1987)
  • Target / W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. One single paperback edition, estimated print run: 25,300, priced £1.95 (UK).
Paperback (October 1992)
  • Target / Virgin Publishing New cover artwork by Alister Pearson, priced £2.99 (UK).

External links