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
- Dr. Who - William Hartnell
- Ian Chesterton - William Russell
- Barbara Wright - Jacqueline Hill
- Vicki - Maureen O'Brien
- Sevcheria - Derek Syndey
- Didius - Nicholas Evans
- Centurion - Dennis Edwards
- Stall Holder - Margot Thomas
- Slave Buyer - Edward Kelsey
- Maximus Petullian - Bart Allison
- Ascaris - Barry Jackson
- Delos - Peter Diamond
- Tavius - Michael Peake
- Woman Slave - Dorothy-Rose Gribble
- Galley Master - Gertan Klauber
- 1st Man in Market - Ernest Jennings
- 2nd Man in Market - John Caesar
- Court Messenger - Tony Lambden
- Nero - Derek Francis
- Tigellinus - Brian Proudfoot
- Poppaea - Kay Patrick
- Locusta - Ann Tirard
Crew
- Writer - Dennis Spooner
- Director - Christopher Barry
- Producer - Verity Lambert
- Script Editor - Dennis Spooner
- Designer - Raymond Cusick
- Assistant Floor Manager - Valerie Wilkins
- Associate Producer - Mervyn Pinfield
- Costumes - Daphne Dare
- Fight Arranger - Peter Diamond
- Film Cameraman - Dick Bush
- Film Editor - Jim Latham
- Incidental Music - Raymond Jones
- Make-Up - Sonia Markham
- Production Assistant - David Maloney
- Special Sound - Brian Hodgson
- Studio Lighting - Howard King
- Studio Sound - Richard Chubb
- Theme Arrangement - Delia Derbyshire
- Title Music - Ron Grainer
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
- This story begins with the TARDIS having been in Rome for a long time, an explanation for this is provided in both Byzantium! and Romans Cutaway
- The Doctor recalls having visited Rome before in an untelevised adventure
- The Doctor once taught the Mountain Mauler of Montana and gave Hans Christian Anderson the idea for The Emperor's New Clothes
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
