The Five Doctors (novelisation)

This was the first Peter Davison-era novelisation cover to use artwork rather than a photograph, and was the only release of its kind during the Davison era to depict the Fifth Doctor in an illustration rather than a photo.

Publisher's summary

1983 edition

A twentieth anniversary special featuring the Doctor in all five of his regenerations.

Why are all five Doctors being removed from their separate time-streams? Who is the enemy they will have to unite against? What will become of the Doctors when the battle is over?

We have travelled a long way with Doctor Who. The Five Doctors gives us a chance to turn the clock back and meet some old friends — and some old enemies.

Chapter titles

The Game Begins
Pawns in the Game
Death Zone
Unexpected Meeting
Two Doctors
Above, Between, Below!
The Doctor Disappears
Condemned
The Dark Tower
Deadly Companions
Rassilon's Secret
The Game of Rassilon

Deviations from televised story

Dicks adds a segment accounting for Susan Foreman's abduction by the timescoop, set in the era after The Dalek Invasion of Earth.
The First Doctor is stated to be nearing his first regeneration.
Susan's line of "Grandfather" is returned to its script version, "Doctor". During shooting of the original episode, Carole Ann Ford had refused to say the line, as in her era she would never have called him "Doctor". An explanation is given that Susan was thinking of how others called him "Doctor" except for she.
The Third Doctor's comeback to the Second Doctor's insult (where he calls him a "scarecrow") is removed.
Sarah Jane is upset over the Fourth Doctor's absence.

Writing and publishing notes

Written by Terrance Dicks to tie in with the Anniversary TV broadcast, this was the quickest novelisation Terrance wrote.
After several unsuccessful attempts to release titles simultaneous with broadcast, there was general disapproval that the book was available in some areas as much as two weeks before transmission. According to a featurette on the 25th anniversary DVD, it is believed that the release before broadcast was an error.
The usual cover price of £1.35 (UK) was raised significantly for this title's release, to a special price of £1.50 (UK), before being lowered again for subsequent releases.
This was the first title to be seen through by Nigel Robinson, the new range editor, who took over from Christine Donohoe who had already commissioned a number of titles that Nigel inherited.
Foil cover with a lower corner flash reading `A TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL FIRST EDITION'.
The inside front of the book included a single page advert for Fantastic Doctor Who Poster Offer! (Featuring Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor and a host of target novelisations)

Additional cover images

Paperback First Edition
1991 edition; Cover by Alister Pearson

British publication history

First publication:

Hardback

W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK

Paperback

Target