Doctor Who (TV Series) Day of Reckoning (1964) User Reviews

Day of Reckoning

[guswhovian · 9/10 · 5 July 2020]

Barbara sets off with Jenny across London, Ian stows away ons Dalek saucer and the Doctor and Susan are trapped in London, which is being destroyed by the Daleks.

"Day of Reckoning" is definitely an improvement on the previous episode. The location scenes are incredibly well shot, and scored beautifully by Francis Chagrin. It's amazing it's directed by Richard Martin. However, he shows his usual incompetency during the opening action sequence.

There's wonderful scenes throughout, such as Dortmun's sacrifice and Susan trying to persuade David to accompany her to the TARDIS. An excellent episode.

iconic imagery throughout.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 12 June 2017]

Barbara, Dortmun and Jenny set off on a dangerous mission across London, intent on reaching goods in a nearby Museum, to build a new more effective bomb.

Good to see Barbara performing in a heroic way, a character I would say that hailed from the 1950's rather then the 60's, prepared to fight and attack the Daleks, she was well written here.

Those scenes of the Daleks roaming the side of the Thames, the Palace of Westminster in the background are some of the strongest images in the show's history. I wonder if we will ever see the Daleks in Trafalgar Square ever again. A deliberate attempt to have The Daleks trampling over everything British.

A wonderful, iconic episode 10/10

The Dalek Invasion of Earth Part 3: Imperfect but still a brilliant classic

[A_Kind_Of_CineMagic · 10/10 · 6 July 2014]

Review of all 6 episodes:

This story running from World's End for 6 episodes marks the return of the Daleks and was an extremely important story in establishing Doctor Who's popularity. This time the Daleks are more frightening because not only have they got additional powers of movement in different terrains and new levels of evil ambition but they are also the invaders of Earth. To show them on Earth and in fantastic, iconic scenes around famous London landmarks with London and apparently the world turned largely to ruins, provides real fear and drama. The human race has been reduced to hiding or serving the Daleks. This is all powerful stuff even now, let alone in the early sixties so near in memory to similar threats of the Nazis.

The story also marks the first departure of one of the Doctor's companions, his grand-daughter Susan. Her character has a decent last story and while she had lost her appeal somewhat, her leaving scenes provide moving and lovely magic from William Hartnell with a superbly written and acted speech of incredible dignity and pathos.

There are various imperfections such as strange elements to the scientific explanations and plans of the Daleks and far less effective Dalek voices than the first or later stories. However there is is so much else to recommend this story that these issues pale to insignificance. Plot issues and less well executed elements mainly occur in the 4th and 5th episodes, the rest of the episodes are 10/10 quality, exciting, menacing, absorbing and with striking ideas and imagery. The story is written by Terry Nation but David Whitaker as script editor deserves some credit for this and all previous stories. This marks the last story before the departure of Whitaker from that role, he would only return as a guest writer.

A must see story in the history of Doctor Who.

My Ratings: Episodes 1-3 and 6 - 10/10, Episode 4 - 8.5/10, Episode 5 - 9/10