The Romans (TV story)

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The Doctor, Ian, Barbara, and Vicki become involved in the intrigues of the court of the mad Roman Emperor Nero.


Cast & Characters

Uncredited Cast


Crew


Notes

  • The first story played as a comedy
  • All episodes exist in 16mm telerecordings
  • Negative film prints of both episodes exist and were recovered by the BBC in 1978
  • Telesnaps of this story are held by private collectors
  • The characters of Tigilinus and Sevcheria were both expanded during re-writes of the script


Influences


Ratings

  • The Slave Traders - 13m viewers
  • All Roads Lead to Rome - 11.5m viewers
  • Conspiracy - 10m viewers
  • Inferno - 12m viewers


Myths

  • It was Dennis Spooner's idea to make a comic episode of Doctor Who (It was actually Verity Lambert who wished to try a new angle for the series)


Location Filming

The story was filmed at both Ealing and Riverside Studio 1, Hammersmith, London


Continuity


Discontinuity

  • Nero was only 26 - 28 at the time this story was set and not middle aged as he is presented here.
  • The swords used are not historically acurate
  • The events of this story while presented for comic effect deviate a great deal from accepted historical fact


Quotes

Nero - "They wouldn't let me build my new Rome. But if the old one is burnt... If it goes up in flames they'll have no choice. Rome will be rebuilt to my design! Brilliant! Brilliant!"


Story Arcs


Similar stories

To be addedd


References

To be addedd


More Info


Public Releases

  • DVD Release: This story has not yet been released on DVD
  • Video Release: Released as Doctor Who: The Rescue/The Romans
The next episode caption has been removed from episode 2
Released as a double tape with The Romans
UK Release: September 1994 / US Release: March 1996
PAL - BBC Video BBCV5378 (2 tapes)
NTSC - Warner Video E1313 (2 tapes)
NTSC - CBS/FOX Video 8338 (2 tapes)


External Links

BBC Episode Guide Page with video clips

Story synopsis at the Doctor Who Reference Guide

A Brief History of Time Travel

Encylopedia of Fantastic Film and Television

BBC Production Information


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