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|novelisation = Marco Polo (novelisation) | |novelisation = Marco Polo (novelisation) | ||
|image = MarcoPolo.jpg | |image = MarcoPolo.jpg | ||
|season number = Season 1 | |season number = Season 1 (Doctor Who 1963) | ||
|season serial number = 4 | |season serial number = 4 | ||
|story number = 4 | |story number = 4 | ||
|genre = Historical | |||
|adapted into = Marco Polo (home video) | |adapted into = Marco Polo (home video) | ||
|doctor = First Doctor | |doctor = First Doctor | ||
|companions = [[Susan Foreman|Susan]], [[Ian Chesterton|Ian]], [[Barbara Wright|Barbara]] | |companions = [[Susan Foreman|Susan]], [[Ian Chesterton|Ian]], [[Barbara Wright|Barbara]] | ||
|featuring = | |featuring = Marco Polo{{!}}Marco Polo | ||
|enemy = [[Tegana]] | |enemy = [[Tegana]] | ||
|setting = [[China|Cathay]], [[1289]] | |setting = [[China|Cathay]], [[1289]] | ||
| Line 28: | Line 29: | ||
|thwr2 = 46 | |thwr2 = 46 | ||
|thwr3 = 103 | |thwr3 = 103 | ||
}} | |featuring2=Kublai Khan{{!}}Kublai Khan | ||
{{dab page|Marco Polo (disambiguation)}} | }}{{dab page|Marco Polo (disambiguation)}} | ||
'''''Marco Polo''''' was the fourth serial of [[season 1|season one]] of ''[[Doctor Who (TV series)|Doctor Who]]''. | '''''Marco Polo''''' was the fourth serial of [[season 1 (Doctor Who 1963)|season one]] of ''[[Doctor Who (TV series)|Doctor Who]]''. | ||
This was the first occasion in which a famous person from history appeared on the series. It also saw [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] act as a plot piece rather than something the travellers must return to once they have finished their adventuring. | This was the first occasion in which a famous person from history appeared on the series. It also saw [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] act as a plot piece rather than something the travellers must return to once they have finished their adventuring. | ||
''Marco Polo'' | ''Marco Polo'' showed a mixed-ethnic group rather than a stereotypical collection of one race. Reference is made to real-world narcotics when [[Ping-Cho]] relates a fairytale that features [[hashish]]. Such references do not reappear until ''[[The Talons of Weng-Chiang (TV story)|The Talons of Weng-Chiang]]''. | ||
Almost uniquely for the 1963 series, this story has a narrator. [[Mark Eden]] reads aloud while the map of the travellers' journey is shown. | Almost uniquely for the 1963 series, this story has a narrator. [[Mark Eden]] reads aloud while the map of the travellers' journey is shown. Since then, there have been few, if any televised stories that feature a character providing linking narration between sequences, with the debatable exceptions of [[Rassilon (The End of Time)|Rassilon]] in 2010's ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'', [[Clara Oswald]] in 2013's ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'' and [[Tasha Lem]] in ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]''. | ||
''Marco Polo'' is perhaps most notable as the earliest and longest ''Doctor Who'' story which is completely [[missing episode|missing]]. Its first episode, "The Roof of the World", is the earliest-broadcast episode to be missing. As of | ''Marco Polo'' is perhaps most notable as the earliest and longest ''Doctor Who'' story which is completely [[missing episode|missing]]. Its first episode, "The Roof of the World", is the earliest-broadcast episode to be missing. As of the present day, no episodes exist in the BBC archive. | ||
== Synopsis == | == Synopsis == | ||
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== Crew == | == Crew == | ||
* [[Writer]] - [[ | * [[Writer]] - [[John Lucarotti]] | ||
* [[Director (crew)|Director]] - [[Waris Hussein]], [[John Crockett]] ("The Wall of Lies" only) | * [[Director (crew)|Director]] - [[Waris Hussein]], [[John Crockett]] ("The Wall of Lies" only) | ||
* [[Producer]] - [[Verity Lambert]] | * [[Producer]] - [[Verity Lambert]] | ||
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* The Doctor acquires a [[walking stick]] from Kublai Khan. | * The Doctor acquires a [[walking stick]] from Kublai Khan. | ||
* Ian wears an [[Ulster coat]] that the Doctor acquired from [[Gilbert and Sullivan]]. | * Ian wears an [[Ulster coat]] that the Doctor acquired from [[Gilbert and Sullivan]]. | ||
* Marco Polo purchased his chess pieces in [[Hormuz]] on his first journey to Cathay. | |||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
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* No episodes of this seven-part story exist in the [[BBC Archives]]. | * No episodes of this seven-part story exist in the [[BBC Archives]]. | ||
* This is the earliest ''Doctor Who'' story to be missing from the BBC Archives. | * This is the earliest ''Doctor Who'' story to be missing from the BBC Archives. | ||
* This is also the only | * This is also the only story with no complete episodes to have two directors. | ||
* In crafting his scripts, [[John Lucarotti]] drew heavily from Polo's memoirs, published in the fourteenth century as ''The Description of the World''. The route followed by Marco in the serial was inspired by his first journey to Peking, which culminated around 1275. His escort of Ping-Cho was based on a real event in 1292, in which Marco brought the young Princess | * In crafting his scripts, [[John Lucarotti]] drew heavily from Polo's memoirs, published in the fourteenth century as ''The Description of the World''. The route followed by Marco in the serial was inspired by his first journey to Peking, which culminated around 1275. His escort of Ping-Cho was based on a real event in 1292, in which Marco brought the young Princess {{w|Kököchin}} to Persia to wed Kublai Khan's grand-nephew {{w|Arghun}}, only to learn upon their arrival that the older man had passed away. Tegana, Acomat and Noghai were all named for Tartar rulers mentioned in Polo's memoirs. | ||
* This was the second story of ''Doctor Who'' to be commissioned, discounting previous storylines that were later abandoned. | * This was the second story of ''Doctor Who'' to be commissioned, discounting previous storylines that were later abandoned. | ||
* Many colour and black-and-white photographs of this story remain. Along with the soundtrack, these were used by [[Loose Cannon Productions]] to make a full colour video reconstruction of this story. (''See external links'') | * Many colour and black-and-white photographs of this story remain. Along with the soundtrack, these were used by [[Loose Cannon Productions]] to make a full colour video reconstruction of this story. (''See external links'') | ||
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* The cast found the spider monkey difficult to work with. [[Carole Ann Ford]] recalled that "it was a nasty little thing, peeing all over the place and biting anyone who came near it". | * The cast found the spider monkey difficult to work with. [[Carole Ann Ford]] recalled that "it was a nasty little thing, peeing all over the place and biting anyone who came near it". | ||
* The serial's designer, [[Barry Newbery]], used Aurel Stein's ''Ruins of Desert Cathay'' (1912) and Nelson Ikon Wu's ''Chinese and Indian Architecture'' (1963) for research of the 13th century designs. Newbery also found that Korean architecture from 1900 was similar to that of the 13th century. | * The serial's designer, [[Barry Newbery]], used Aurel Stein's ''Ruins of Desert Cathay'' (1912) and Nelson Ikon Wu's ''Chinese and Indian Architecture'' (1963) for research of the 13th century designs. Newbery also found that Korean architecture from 1900 was similar to that of the 13th century. | ||
* [[ | * [[John Lucarotti]] had previously worked on the 18-part radio serial ''The Three Journeys of Marco Polo.'' | ||
* While developing the storyline, [[John Lucarotti]] struggled with "The Wall of Lies", and used anecdotal material from Polo's memoirs, | * While developing the storyline, [[John Lucarotti]] struggled with "The Wall of Lies", and used anecdotal material from Polo's memoirs, {{wi|The Travels of Marco Polo}}, to pad out the plot. | ||
* Composer [[Tristram Cary]] used conventional instruments for the score, including flute, harp and percussion, and he recorded electronic voices for the second episode's sandstorm scenes. | * Composer [[Tristram Cary]] used conventional instruments for the score, including flute, harp and percussion, and he recorded electronic voices for the second episode's sandstorm scenes. | ||
* [[Waris Hussein]] cast [[Mark Eden]] as Marco Polo after seeing him in the | * [[Waris Hussein]] cast [[Mark Eden]] as Marco Polo after seeing him in the {{w|Royal Shakespeare Company}}'s production of {{wi|A Penny for a Song}} in 1962. | ||
* For the role of Ping-Cho, [[Waris Hussein]] wanted an "oriental" actress who had not appeared in the West End production of | * For the role of Ping-Cho, [[Waris Hussein]] wanted an "oriental" actress who had not appeared in the West End production of {{wi|The World of Suzie Wong (play)|The World of Suzie Wong}} or the film {{wi|55 Days at Peking}} (1963), due to the prominence of those productions. [[Zienia Merton]] auditioned at Hussein's home, and was offered the role. | ||
* [[Zienia Merton]], who was born in [[Burma]], is the first non-caucasian actor with a speaking role in the show's history. | * [[Zienia Merton]], who was born in [[Burma]], is the first non-caucasian actor with a speaking role in the show's history. | ||
* When [[William Hartnell]] became ill, quick rewrites were performed on "The Singing Sands" to eliminate the Doctor from most scenes; Hartnell only had one line of dialogue in the episode. A scene of him and Susan at the beginning of the episode was re-written for Barbara. | * When [[William Hartnell]] became ill, quick rewrites were performed on "The Singing Sands" to eliminate the Doctor from most scenes; Hartnell only had one line of dialogue in the episode. A scene of him and Susan at the beginning of the episode was re-written for Barbara. | ||
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* During camera rehearsals for "Assassin at Peking", [[Mark Eden]]'s right hand was accidentally lacerated by a dagger used by [[Derren Nesbitt]]. | * During camera rehearsals for "Assassin at Peking", [[Mark Eden]]'s right hand was accidentally lacerated by a dagger used by [[Derren Nesbitt]]. | ||
* [[William Russell]] was unhappy with sudden rewrites minimising his role in the serial, and his agent wrote to BBC's head of serials [[Donald Wilson]]; Wilson replied to Russell's agent, assuring that he would "be watching very carefully" to ensure the scripts "use [Russell's] talents to the maximum". | * [[William Russell]] was unhappy with sudden rewrites minimising his role in the serial, and his agent wrote to BBC's head of serials [[Donald Wilson]]; Wilson replied to Russell's agent, assuring that he would "be watching very carefully" to ensure the scripts "use [Russell's] talents to the maximum". | ||
* The serial gained the attention of two sources for further development: in June 1964, Young World Publications showed interest in adapting the serial for the Super Mag comic series, but were turned down as the comic rights had been sold to [[TV Comic]]; and in July 1964, | * The serial gained the attention of two sources for further development: in June 1964, Young World Publications showed interest in adapting the serial for the Super Mag comic series, but were turned down as the comic rights had been sold to [[TV Comic]]; and in July 1964, {{w|The Walt Disney Company}} approached the BBC for the film rights, though no developments were made. | ||
* In the mid-to-late 1990s, a television station in West Africa contacted the BBC, offering to return the 'complete' first and second seasons of the 1960s era. The BBC staffer on the phone, for whatever reason, said no, and the reels were presumably destroyed soon afterwards. ''Marco Polo'' was possibly included in this batch. | * In the mid-to-late 1990s, a television station in West Africa contacted the BBC, offering to return the 'complete' first and second seasons of the 1960s era. The BBC staffer on the phone, for whatever reason, said no, and the reels were presumably destroyed soon afterwards. ''Marco Polo'' was possibly included in this batch. | ||
** However, according to the website BroaDWcast (which goes into detail about broadcast dates and what countries ''Doctor Who'' stories were sold to), this story, ''[[The Reign of Terror (TV story)|The Reign of Terror]]'' and ''[[The Crusade (TV story)|The Crusade]]'' (all serials from the first two seasons that still contain missing episodes) might not even have been included in the set, which would explain why the staffer ordered they be destroyed instead of returned to the BBC, since they would not require additional copies of existing episodes. It will never be known which side of the case is true unless evidence of their destruction or their return to the archives is seen. | ** However, according to the website BroaDWcast (which goes into detail about broadcast dates and what countries ''Doctor Who'' stories were sold to), this story, ''[[The Reign of Terror (TV story)|The Reign of Terror]]'' and ''[[The Crusade (TV story)|The Crusade]]'' (all serials from the first two seasons that still contain missing episodes) might not even have been included in the set, which would explain why the staffer ordered they be destroyed instead of returned to the BBC, since they would not require additional copies of existing episodes. It will never be known which side of the case is true unless evidence of their destruction or their return to the archives is seen. | ||
* Recording of "The Assassin at Peking" was delayed when the fire marshal voiced concerns about the positioning of some extraneous equipment in [[Lime Grove Studios|Studio D]]. This situation further exacerbated the production team's frustrations with the antiquated Lime Grove facility. Associate producer [[Mervyn Pinfield]] wrote to [[Donald Wilson]] to complain that the studio's cramped conditions were being made worse by its apparent use as a storage facility. | * Recording of "The Assassin at Peking" was delayed when the fire marshal voiced concerns about the positioning of some extraneous equipment in [[Lime Grove Studios|Studio D]]. This situation further exacerbated the production team's frustrations with the antiquated Lime Grove facility. Associate producer [[Mervyn Pinfield]] wrote to [[Donald Wilson]] to complain that the studio's cramped conditions were being made worse by its apparent use as a storage facility. | ||
* [[Mark Eden]] | * [[Mark Eden]], [[Derren Nesbitt]] and Martin Miller would later appear in ''[[The Prisoner (series)|The Prisoner]]'' episode "[https://prisoner.fandom.com/wiki/It's_Your_Funeral_(1967_episode) It's Your Funeral]". | ||
=== Ratings === | === Ratings === | ||
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=== Audio releases === | === Audio releases === | ||
* This story's soundtrack was released on CD by the [[BBC Radio Collection]], with linking narration by [[William Russell]], in [[November (releases)|November]] [[2003 (releases)|2003]]. | * This story's soundtrack was released on CD by the [[BBC Radio Collection]], with linking narration by [[William Russell]], in [[November (releases)|November]] [[2003 (releases)|2003]]. | ||
* The story was re-released in 2010 as part of the | * The story was re-released in 2010 as part of the boxset ''[[Doctor Who: The Lost TV Episodes - Collection One]]''. | ||
* The story was released again on Vinyl by Demon Records, also with the William Russell narration, on [[11 September (releases)|11 September]] [[2020 (releases)|2020]]. | * The story was released again on Vinyl by Demon Records, also with the William Russell narration, on [[11 September (releases)|11 September]] [[2020 (releases)|2020]]. | ||
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | <gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | ||
MarcoPolobbcaudio40.jpg|CD release | MarcoPolobbcaudio40.jpg|2003 CD release | ||
Missing Eps coll1 cover.jpg|The Lost TV Episodes - Collection One | Doctor Who Marco Polo 2010 CD cover.jpg|2010 cover | ||
Marco Polo original audio soundtrack cover (2022 logo).jpg|2023 cover | |||
Missing Eps coll1 cover.jpg|''The Lost TV Episodes - Collection One'' | |||
The Lost TV Episodes - Collection One 2019 cover.jpg|''The Lost TV Episodes - Collection One'' 2019 re-release | |||
Marco Polo Vinyl.jpg|Vinyl Record release | Marco Polo Vinyl.jpg|Vinyl Record release | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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{{DWTV}} | {{DWTV}} | ||
{{TitleSort}} | {{TitleSort}} | ||
[[cs:Marco Polo (TV příběh)]] | |||
[[cy:Marco Polo (stori deledu)]] | |||
[[de:004 - Marco Polo]] | |||
[[es:Marco Polo (serial)]] | |||
[[fr:Marco Polo (TV)]] | |||
[[he:מרקו פולו (סיפור טלוויזיה)]] | |||
[[pt:Marco Polo (arco)]] | |||
[[ru:Марко Поло (ТВ история)]] | |||
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | [[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | ||
| Line 323: | Line 336: | ||
[[Category:Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2019]] | [[Category:Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2019]] | ||
[[Category:Completely missing serials]] | [[Category:Completely missing serials]] | ||