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The Robots of Death (TV story): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox ClassicTV| | {{Infobox ClassicTV| | ||
story name= The Robots of Death | | story name= The Robots of Death | | ||
image=[[ | image=[[File:Robotsofdeath_title.jpg|250px]] | | ||
series=[[Doctor Who]] - [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV Stories]]| | series=[[Doctor Who]] - [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV Stories]]| | ||
number= [[Season 14]]| | number= [[Season 14]]| | ||
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'''''The Robots of Death''''' was the fifth story in [[Season 14|season fourteen]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It saw the [[Sandminer robot]]s in their only televised appearance; they went on to appear several times in other media. | '''''The Robots of Death''''' was the fifth story in [[Season 14|season fourteen]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It saw the [[Sandminer robot]]s in their only televised appearance; they went on to appear several times in other media. | ||
==Synopsis== | == Synopsis == | ||
The [[Fourth Doctor |Doctor]] and [[Leela]] land in the cargo hopper of a [[Sandminer]], whose crew are being murdered one by one. Suspicion falls on the two visitors, but they are freed by [[Poul]]. He reveals that he is an undercover [[police | The [[Fourth Doctor|Doctor]] and [[Leela]] land in the cargo hopper of a [[Sandminer]], whose crew are being murdered one by one. Suspicion falls on the two visitors, but they are freed by [[Poul]]. He reveals that he is an undercover [[police]]man sent to locate a mad roboticist named [[Taren Capel]], whom he believes to have infiltrated the Sandminer. Unfortunately, Poul suffers a nervous breakdown upon learning that the murders are being committed by [[Sandminer robot|robots]] reprogrammed by Capel. It is revealed that Capel has assumed the guise of [[Dask]], the ship's engineer. However, the Doctor manages to trick the robots into killing Dask by using [[helium]] to alter the madman's voice, so the robots don't recognise him... | ||
==Plot== | == Plot == | ||
On a distant planet, a huge sandminer vehicle, Storm Mine 4, is slowly scraping the surface of a vast, barren desert in search of precious minerals. The sandminer is manned by nine humans and numerous robots - black '[[Dum]]s' that cannot speak, pale green '[[Voc]]s', and a silver '[[Super-Voc]]' which controls all the 'Dums' and 'Vocs'. The robots conduct a routine scan of the area and locate a large sandstorm, which the humans decide to pursue, as the storm will bring heavier minerals to the surface. One of the humans, a meteorologist called Chub, goes to collect an instrument package to place into his weather balloon to study the storm. However, he is later found strangled. | On a distant planet, a huge sandminer vehicle, Storm Mine 4, is slowly scraping the surface of a vast, barren desert in search of precious minerals. The sandminer is manned by nine humans and numerous robots - black '[[Dum]]s' that cannot speak, pale green '[[Voc]]s', and a silver '[[Super-Voc]]' which controls all the 'Dums' and 'Vocs'. The robots conduct a routine scan of the area and locate a large sandstorm, which the humans decide to pursue, as the storm will bring heavier minerals to the surface. One of the humans, a meteorologist called Chub, goes to collect an instrument package to place into his weather balloon to study the storm. However, he is later found strangled. | ||
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The robot threat over, and a rescue ship coming to collect the surviving humans, the Doctor and Leela return to the TARDIS and leave the sandminer. | The robot threat over, and a rescue ship coming to collect the surviving humans, the Doctor and Leela return to the TARDIS and leave the sandminer. | ||
==Cast== | == Cast == | ||
*[[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Tom Baker]] | * [[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Tom Baker]] | ||
*[[Leela]] - [[Louise Jameson]] | * [[Leela]] - [[Louise Jameson]] | ||
*[[Uvanov]] - [[Russell Hunter]] | * [[Uvanov]] - [[Russell Hunter]] | ||
*[[Toos]] - [[Pamela Salem]] | * [[Toos]] - [[Pamela Salem]] | ||
*[[Dask]]/[[Taren Capel]] - [[David Bailie]] | * [[Dask]]/[[Taren Capel]] - [[David Bailie]] | ||
*[[Chub]] - [[Rob Edwards]] | * [[Chub]] - [[Rob Edwards]] | ||
*[[Borg (The Robots of Death)|Borg]] - [[Brian Croucher]] | * [[Borg (The Robots of Death)|Borg]] - [[Brian Croucher]] | ||
*[[Cass]] - [[Tariq Yunus]] | * [[Cass]] - [[Tariq Yunus]] | ||
*[[Poul]] - [[David Collings]] | * [[Poul]] - [[David Collings]] | ||
*[[Zilda]] - [[Tania Rogers]] | * [[Zilda]] - [[Tania Rogers]] | ||
*[[D84]] - [[Gregory de Polnay]] | * [[D84]] - [[Gregory de Polnay]] | ||
*[[SV7]] - [[Miles Fothergill]] | * [[SV7]] - [[Miles Fothergill]] | ||
*Robots - [[Mark Blackwell Baker]], [[John Bleasdale]], [[Mark Cooper]], [[Peter Langtry]], [[Jeremy Ranchev]], [[Richard Seager]] | * Robots - [[Mark Blackwell Baker]], [[John Bleasdale]], [[Mark Cooper]], [[Peter Langtry]], [[Jeremy Ranchev]], [[Richard Seager]] | ||
==Crew== | == Crew == | ||
*[[Producer]] - [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] | * [[Producer]] - [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] | ||
*[[Script Editor]] - [[Robert Holmes]] | * [[Script Editor]] - [[Robert Holmes]] | ||
*[[Writer]] - [[Chris Boucher]] | * [[Writer]] - [[Chris Boucher]] | ||
*[[Director]]s - [[Michael E. Briant]], [[Peter Grimwade]] | * [[Director]]s - [[Michael E. Briant]], [[Peter Grimwade]] | ||
*[[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Kenneth Sharp]] | * [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Kenneth Sharp]] | ||
*[[Costumes]] - [[Elizabeth Waller]] | * [[Costumes]] - [[Elizabeth Waller]] | ||
*[[Incidental Music]] - [[Dudley Simpson]] | * [[Incidental Music]] - [[Dudley Simpson]] | ||
*[[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[David Tilley]] | * [[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[David Tilley]] | ||
*[[Film Cameraman]] - [[Peter Chapman]] | * [[Film Cameraman]] - [[Peter Chapman]] | ||
*[[Make-Up]] - [[Ann Briggs]] | * [[Make-Up]] - [[Ann Briggs]] | ||
*[[Production Assistant]] - [[Peter Grimwade]] | * [[Production Assistant]] - [[Peter Grimwade]] | ||
*[[Production Unit Manager]] - [[Chris D'Oyly-John]] | * [[Production Unit Manager]] - [[Chris D'Oyly-John]] | ||
*[[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]] | * [[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]] | ||
*[[Studio Lighting]] - [[Duncan Brown]] | * [[Studio Lighting]] - [[Duncan Brown]] | ||
*[[Studio Sound]] - [[Tony Millier]] | * [[Studio Sound]] - [[Tony Millier]] | ||
*[[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Delia Derbyshire]] | * [[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Delia Derbyshire]] | ||
*[[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] | * [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] | ||
*[[Visual Effects]] - [[Richard Conway]] | * [[Visual Effects]] - [[Richard Conway]] | ||
==References== | == References == | ||
===[[:Category:Astronomical objects|Astronomical objects]]=== | === [[:Category:Astronomical objects|Astronomical objects]] === | ||
*The Doctor claims to have seen similar 'moving mines' on [[Korlano Beta]]. | * The Doctor claims to have seen similar 'moving mines' on [[Korlano Beta]]. | ||
===[[:Category:Biology|Biology]]=== | === [[:Category:Biology|Biology]] === | ||
* The Doctor uses a [[respiratory bypass system]] to avoid inhaling helium. | * The Doctor uses a [[respiratory bypass system]] to avoid inhaling helium. | ||
===[[:Category:Locations|Locations]]=== | === [[:Category:Locations|Locations]] === | ||
*[[Kaldor City]] is mentioned. | * [[Kaldor City]] is mentioned. | ||
===[[:Category:Minerals|Minerals]]=== | === [[:Category:Minerals|Minerals]] === | ||
*The [[sandminer]]s travel across the shifting deserts, extracting minerals such as [[Zelanite]], [[Keefan]] and (most importantly) [[Lucanore]]. | * The [[sandminer]]s travel across the shifting deserts, extracting minerals such as [[Zelanite]], [[Keefan]] and (most importantly) [[Lucanore]]. | ||
===[[:Category:Psychology|Psychology]]=== | === [[:Category:Psychology|Psychology]] === | ||
*[[Robophobia]], an irrational fear of robots, is at one point referred to as '[[Grimwade's Syndrome]]'. | * [[Robophobia]], an irrational fear of robots, is at one point referred to as '[[Grimwade's Syndrome]]'. | ||
==Story notes== | == Story notes == | ||
*This story had the working titles '''The Storm-Mine Murders''' and '''Planet Of The Robots''' | * This story had the working titles '''The Storm-Mine Murders''' and '''Planet Of The Robots''' | ||
* This is one of the few stories which explains, in relative simplicity, using a demonstration with two boxes, how the TARDIS is dimensionally transcendental. | * This is one of the few stories which explains, in relative simplicity, using a demonstration with two boxes, how the TARDIS is dimensionally transcendental. | ||
* This story is the last one in which the wood-panelled TARDIS control room appears. | * This story is the last one in which the wood-panelled TARDIS control room appears. | ||
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:* Another inspiration for the story was [[Wikipedia:Agatha Christie|Agatha Christie]]'s novel, ''Ten Little Indians'', in which several people on an island are murdered one by one. | :* Another inspiration for the story was [[Wikipedia:Agatha Christie|Agatha Christie]]'s novel, ''Ten Little Indians'', in which several people on an island are murdered one by one. | ||
:* The Sandminer setting is based on [[Wikipedia:Frank Herbert|Frank Herbert]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Dune (novel)|Dune]]''. | :* The Sandminer setting is based on [[Wikipedia:Frank Herbert|Frank Herbert]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Dune (novel)|Dune]]''. | ||
*Robophobia, an irrational fear of robots, is at one point referred to as 'Grimwade's syndrome'. This was an in-joke reference to production assistant [[Peter Grimwade]] (later to become a director and writer on the series) who had bemoaned the fact that the stories on which he was assigned to work almost always involved robots. However, the description of robophobia given by the Doctor in fact coincides with a real-life phenomenon called [[Wikipedia:Uncanny valley|the Uncanny Valley]]. | * Robophobia, an irrational fear of robots, is at one point referred to as 'Grimwade's syndrome'. This was an in-joke reference to production assistant [[Peter Grimwade]] (later to become a director and writer on the series) who had bemoaned the fact that the stories on which he was assigned to work almost always involved robots. However, the description of robophobia given by the Doctor in fact coincides with a real-life phenomenon called [[Wikipedia:Uncanny valley|the Uncanny Valley]]. | ||
===Ratings=== | === Ratings === | ||
*Part 1 - 12.8 million viewers | * Part 1 - 12.8 million viewers | ||
*Part 2 - 12.4 million viewers | * Part 2 - 12.4 million viewers | ||
*Part 3 - 13.1 million viewers | * Part 3 - 13.1 million viewers | ||
*Part 4 - 12.6 million viewers | * Part 4 - 12.6 million viewers | ||
===BBC rebroadcast=== | === BBC rebroadcast === | ||
On 24 December and 31 December 1977, the BBC rebroadcast ''The Robots of Death'' as a holiday season special during an interval between its broadcasts of [[DW]]: ''[[The Sun Makers]]'' and [[DW]]: ''[[Underworld]]''. The four episodes were edited together to form two approx. 50 minute episodes. This is the earliest known occasion in which ''Doctor Who'' was broadcast in this format, which would be attempted again with [[DW]]: ''[[Resurrection of the Daleks]]'', then again for one season in 1985, and finally become the standard beginning in 2005. | On 24 December and 31 December 1977, the BBC rebroadcast ''The Robots of Death'' as a holiday season special during an interval between its broadcasts of [[DW]]: ''[[The Sun Makers]]'' and [[DW]]: ''[[Underworld]]''. The four episodes were edited together to form two approx. 50 minute episodes. This is the earliest known occasion in which ''Doctor Who'' was broadcast in this format, which would be attempted again with [[DW]]: ''[[Resurrection of the Daleks]]'', then again for one season in 1985, and finally become the standard beginning in 2005. | ||
===Myths=== | === Myths === | ||
''to be added'' | ''to be added'' | ||
===Filming locations=== | === Filming locations === | ||
*[[Ealing Television Film Studios]] | * [[Ealing Television Film Studios]] | ||
*[[BBC Television Centre]], Studio 8 | * [[BBC Television Centre]], Studio 8 | ||
===Production errors=== | === Production errors === | ||
{{discontinuity}} | {{discontinuity}} | ||
*[[The Doctor's scarf]] vanishes while he's detained in the crew's quarters. | * [[The Doctor's scarf]] vanishes while he's detained in the crew's quarters. | ||
*When Leela bandages Toos' arm someone is visible on the edge of the set. | * When Leela bandages Toos' arm someone is visible on the edge of the set. | ||
*In spite of editing, Leela's knife throw is clearly travelling way off-target (on a downward trajectory) and could not possibly have hit its mark (the robot) as shown. | * In spite of editing, Leela's knife throw is clearly travelling way off-target (on a downward trajectory) and could not possibly have hit its mark (the robot) as shown. | ||
==Continuity== | == Continuity == | ||
* The characters from this episode reappear in several of Chris Boucher's later novels, starting with [[PDA]]: ''[[Corpse Marker (novel)|Corpse Marker]]'', and continuing in the [[Kaldor City (audio series)|Kaldor City spinoffs]]. | * The characters from this episode reappear in several of Chris Boucher's later novels, starting with [[PDA]]: ''[[Corpse Marker (novel)|Corpse Marker]]'', and continuing in the [[Kaldor City (audio series)|Kaldor City spinoffs]]. | ||
* The precise setting of this story is disputed. Some expanded universe material places it on [[Io]], one of the moons of [[Jupiter]], despite the fact the story suggests the atmosphere outside the sandminer is breathable and the presence of a vast sandy desert is somewhat integral to the plot (neither of which would be the case on Io). One story places it on the planet [[Kaldor]]. The [[Kaldor City]] spin-offs do not name the planet where the city is located. ([[NA]]: ''[[Legacy]]'', [[DWM]]: ''[[Crisis on Kaldor]]'') | * The precise setting of this story is disputed. Some expanded universe material places it on [[Io]], one of the moons of [[Jupiter]], despite the fact the story suggests the atmosphere outside the sandminer is breathable and the presence of a vast sandy desert is somewhat integral to the plot (neither of which would be the case on Io). One story places it on the planet [[Kaldor]]. The [[Kaldor City]] spin-offs do not name the planet where the city is located. ([[NA]]: ''[[Legacy]]'', [[DWM]]: ''[[Crisis on Kaldor]]'') | ||
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* When the [[Eleventh Doctor]] has a [[Eleventh Doctor (Ganger)|Ganger]] made of him, he has difficulty adjusting to the Doctor's memories, at one point blurting out "Would you like a jelly baby?" in the voice of the Fourth Doctor, from this serial ([[DW]]: ''[[The Almost People]]''). | * When the [[Eleventh Doctor]] has a [[Eleventh Doctor (Ganger)|Ganger]] made of him, he has difficulty adjusting to the Doctor's memories, at one point blurting out "Would you like a jelly baby?" in the voice of the Fourth Doctor, from this serial ([[DW]]: ''[[The Almost People]]''). | ||
==Timeline== | == Timeline == | ||
*This story occurs after [[DW]]: ''[[The Face of Evil]]'' | * This story occurs after [[DW]]: ''[[The Face of Evil]]'' | ||
*This story occurs before [[PDA]]: ''[[Drift (novel)|Drift]]'' | * This story occurs before [[PDA]]: ''[[Drift (novel)|Drift]]'' | ||
==Home video and audio releases== | == Home video and audio releases == | ||
===DVD releases=== | === DVD releases === | ||
Released as ''Doctor Who: The Robots of Death'', this was the first 'proper' title in the [[BBC DVD]] range of Doctor Who DVDs. It marked the debut of the 'roundel' template that didn't prove popular with fans (although it has remained to date as the DVD template) and is the only one in the range not to feature Production Subtitles. The Continuities were meant to be an Easter Egg, but an error was made by the Authoring House and they were included as a regular menu item. This early DVD release lacks subtitles. | Released as ''Doctor Who: The Robots of Death'', this was the first 'proper' title in the [[BBC DVD]] range of Doctor Who DVDs. It marked the debut of the 'roundel' template that didn't prove popular with fans (although it has remained to date as the DVD template) and is the only one in the range not to feature Production Subtitles. The Continuities were meant to be an Easter Egg, but an error was made by the Authoring House and they were included as a regular menu item. This early DVD release lacks subtitles. | ||
Released: | Released: | ||
*[[Region 2]] [[13 November]] [[2000]] | * [[Region 2]] [[13 November]] [[2000]] | ||
::PAL - [[BBC DVD]] BBCDVD1012 | ::PAL - [[BBC DVD]] BBCDVD1012 | ||
*[[Region 4]] [[2 July]] [[2001]] | * [[Region 4]] [[2 July]] [[2001]] | ||
*[[Region 1]] [[11 September]] [[2001]] | * [[Region 1]] [[11 September]] [[2001]] | ||
::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E1120 | ::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E1120 | ||
Extra features: | Extra features: | ||
*In-Studio - Section of material without sound effects, music, or voice-dubbing. | * In-Studio - Section of material without sound effects, music, or voice-dubbing. | ||
*[[continuity announcement|Continuities]] by [[Howard Da Silva]] (Region 1 only) | * [[continuity announcement|Continuities]] by [[Howard Da Silva]] (Region 1 only) | ||
*Model Sequences | * Model Sequences | ||
*Studio Floor Plans | * Studio Floor Plans | ||
*Photo Gallery | * Photo Gallery | ||
*Commentary: [[Chris Boucher]] and [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] | * Commentary: [[Chris Boucher]] and [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] | ||
Rear Credits: | Rear Credits: | ||
*Starring [[Tom Baker]] | * Starring [[Tom Baker]] | ||
*By [[Chris Boucher]] | * By [[Chris Boucher]] | ||
*Produced by [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] | * Produced by [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] | ||
*Directed by [[Michael E. Briant]] | * Directed by [[Michael E. Briant]] | ||
Notes: | Notes: | ||
*Editing for DVD release completed by [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]]. | * Editing for DVD release completed by [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]]. | ||
<gallery hideaddbutton="true" > | <gallery hideaddbutton="true" > | ||
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A special edition of The Robots of Death DVD will be released in Revisitations 3 boxset, out in 2011, according to ''Doctor Who Magazine'' 430. Other stories in the boxset are [[The Tomb of the Cybermen]] and [[The Three Doctors]]. The special edition will feature all the extras present on the original 2000 release, and a new commentary, a making of (called Sandmine Murders), a documentary called 'Robophobia' and the 1970s instalment of the Girls, Girls Girls documentary series. | A special edition of The Robots of Death DVD will be released in Revisitations 3 boxset, out in 2011, according to ''Doctor Who Magazine'' 430. Other stories in the boxset are [[The Tomb of the Cybermen]] and [[The Three Doctors]]. The special edition will feature all the extras present on the original 2000 release, and a new commentary, a making of (called Sandmine Murders), a documentary called 'Robophobia' and the 1970s instalment of the Girls, Girls Girls documentary series. | ||
===VHS releases=== | === VHS releases === | ||
Released as ''Doctor Who: The Robots of Death''. | Released as ''Doctor Who: The Robots of Death''. | ||
Released: | Released: | ||
*First Release: | * First Release: | ||
:*[[UK]] [[April]] [[1986]] | :* [[UK]] [[April]] [[1986]] | ||
::PAL - [[BBC Video]] BBCV4108 | ::PAL - [[BBC Video]] BBCV4108 | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
:*[[Australia]]/[[NZ]] [[March]] [[1988]] | :* [[Australia]]/[[NZ]] [[March]] [[1988]] | ||
:*[[US]] [[July]] [[1987]] | :* [[US]] [[July]] [[1987]] | ||
::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E1120 | ::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E1120 | ||
:*[[Japan]] [[December]] [[1986]] | :* [[Japan]] [[December]] [[1986]] | ||
Notes: Released in an edited movie-format. | Notes: Released in an edited movie-format. | ||
*Second Release: | * Second Release: | ||
:*[[UK]] [[February]] [[1995]] | :* [[UK]] [[February]] [[1995]] | ||
::PAL - [[BBC Video]] BBCV5521 | ::PAL - [[BBC Video]] BBCV5521 | ||
Notes: Released unedited. | Notes: Released unedited. | ||
==Novelisation and its audiobook== | == Novelisation and its audiobook == | ||
[[ | [[File:Robots of Death novel.jpg|right|75px]] | ||
: ''Main article: [[Doctor Who and the Robots of Death]]'' | : ''Main article: [[Doctor Who and the Robots of Death]]'' | ||
*Novelised as ''[[Doctor Who and the Robots of Death]]'' by [[Terrance Dicks]] in [[1979]]. | * Novelised as ''[[Doctor Who and the Robots of Death]]'' by [[Terrance Dicks]] in [[1979]]. | ||
==External links== | == External links == | ||
*{{bbcepguideclassic|robotsofdeath/|The Robots of Death}} | * {{bbcepguideclassic|robotsofdeath/|The Robots of Death}} | ||
*{{dwrefguide|who_4r.htm|The Robots of Death}} | * {{dwrefguide|who_4r.htm|The Robots of Death}} | ||
*{{briefhistory|serials/4r.html|The Robots of Death}} | * {{briefhistory|serials/4r.html|The Robots of Death}} | ||
{{DWTV}} | {{DWTV}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robots of Death}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Robots of Death}} | ||
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | |||
[[Category:Fourth Doctor television stories]] | [[Category:Fourth Doctor television stories]] | ||
[[Category:1977 television stories]] | [[Category:1977 television stories]] | ||
[[Category:Season 14 stories]] | [[Category:Season 14 stories]] | ||
