Desert Storm (CON episode)

Desert Storm
Broadcast on:	BBC Three
Broadcast with:	Planet of the Dead
Series number:	4
Broadcast date:	11 April 2009
Runtime:	57'03"
Key crew
Narrator:	Noel Clarke
Memorable moment
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Doctor Who Confidential
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Desert Storm (also known as Planet of the Dead Confidential on the DVD) was the episode of Doctor Who Confidential broadcast in conjunction with Planet of the Dead.

The title is a reference to "Operation Desert Storm" from the Gulf War.

This was the first episode of Confidential to be made in high definition.

This episode introduced a refreshed title sequence as it was now in high definition.

Aspects of production covered

• David Tennant and the production team flying to Dubai to shoot the special, having to wake up early to do the shoot, and the crew's vehicles getting stuck in the sand.
• The vast difficulties and mishaps faced in shipping a double-decker bus from England to the United Arab Emirates and then hauling it to the desert that would be used to portray the 200.

Additional topics covered

to be added

People interviewed

• Russell T Davies, Head Writer
• James Strong, Director
• Julie Gardner, Executive Producer
• Edward Thomas, Production Designer
• Tracie Simpson, Producer
• Stephen Nicholas, Chief Supervising Art Director
• Julian Luxton, Set Decorator
• Debbi Slater, Production Manager
• David Tennant, The Doctor
• Michelle Ryan, Lady Christina de Souza
• Adam James, D. I. McMillan
• Gareth Skelding, Location Manager
• Danny Hargreaves, Special Effects Supervisor
• Barbara Southcott, Make-up Designer
• Pam Mullins, Make-up Supervisor
• Julian Howarth, Sound Recordist
• Neill Gorton, Prosthetics Designer
• Paul Kasey, Sorvin

Music list

• "Kids" by MGMT
• "Lawrence of Arabia Overture" by Maurice Jarre
• "Mister Sandman" by The Chordettes (also used in TV: Delta and the Bannermen and Sleep No More)
• "Summer Holiday" by Cliff Richard & The Shadows
• "Happy Up Here" by Röyksopp
• "Steady, As She Goes" by The Raconteurs
• "Independent Women, Part 1" by Destiny's Child
• "Love Lockdown" by Kanye West
• "Omen" by The Prodigy (also used in CON: War Games)
• "The Age of the Understatement" by The Last Shadow Puppets
• "Sandstorm" by Cast
• "Windy" by The Association
• "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)" by The Offspring
• "Stingray Theme" by Barry Gray
• "Propane Nightmares" by Pendulum
• "Bring Me Sunshine" by Morecambe & Wise
• "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon
• "The Last Rites (from 'The Departed')" by Howard Shore feat. G.E. Smith & Sharon Isbin

Crew

• Camera - Paul Mongey, Jon Rees, Andy Smith
• Sound - Steve Hoy, Kevin Meredith, Mazyar Tajiki
• Runner - James Bowen
• Edit Assistant - Claire Riley
• Researchers - Matthew Andrews, Robert Wootton
• Assistant Producers - Ian Hay, Hannah Williams
• Production Accountant - Kevin Rickwood
• Production Co-ordinator - Tors Grantham
• Production Manager - Katy Cartwright
• Production Executive - Stan Matthews
• Colourist - Jon Everett
• Dubbing Mixer - Mark Ferda
• Editor - Gary Skipton
• Executive Producer - Mark Cossey
• Executive Producers for Dr Who - Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner
• Producer - Zoë Rushton
• Series Producer - Gillane Seaborne

Elements retained in Cut Down

There was no "Cut Down" version of this episode.

Home video releases

Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead DVD cover.

The full length version of the episode was included on the Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead DVD & Blu-ray released on 29 June 2009; and the Doctor Who: The Complete Specials DVD & Blu-ray box set released on 11 January 2010.