In December 1986, a new planet appears in the Solar System which turns out to be a long-lost twin of Earth's named Mondas. Its inhabitants are the Cybermen.In December 1986, a new planet appears in the Solar System which turns out to be a long-lost twin of Earth's named Mondas. Its inhabitants are the Cybermen.In December 1986, a new planet appears in the Solar System which turns out to be a long-lost twin of Earth's named Mondas. Its inhabitants are the Cybermen.
Photos
- Talon
- (uncredited)
- Corporal
- (uncredited)
- Dr. Who
- (uncredited)
- Spanish ISC Officer
- (uncredited)
- R
- (uncredited)
- …
- Tracking Room Technician #3
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Kit Pedler
- Sydney Newman(uncredited)
- Donald B. Wilson(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMichael Craze found working in fake snow difficult, he had just undergone surgery to remove a bone chip from his nose during which he suffered a burst blood vessel which nearly cost him his life) and the jabolite "snow" blown around the film stage irritated his nose badly.
- GoofsA boom microphone shadow is cast on Tito's head after he hangs up the telephone.
- Quotes
Krail: You must come and live with us.
Polly Wright: But we cannot live with you! You're different. You've got no feelings.
Krail: Feelings? I do not understand that word.
The Doctor: Emotions. Love. Pride. Hate. Fear. Have you no emotions, sir?
Krail: Come to Mondas and you will have no need of emotions. You will become like us.
[Mondas is draining Earth of its energy]
Cyberman: You must come and live with us.
Polly: But we cannot live with you, you're... you're different, you've got no feelings.
Cyberman: Feelings? I do not understand that word.
The Doctor: Emotions! Love, pride, hate, fear! Have you no emotions, sir?
Cyberman: Come to Mondas and you will have no need of emotions. You will become like us.
Polly: Like you?
Cyberman: We have freedom from disease, protection against heat and cold, true mastery. Do you prefer to die in misery?
Polly: But look, surely I... it's possible for us not to lose Earth's energy?
Cyberman: It is inevitable.
Polly: Then you don't mind if we all die.
Cyberman: Why should we mind?
The Doctor: [outraged] WHY? WHY?
Polly: Because millions and millions of people are going to suffer and die horribly!
Cyberman: We shall not be affected.
Polly: Don't you think of anything except yourselves?
Cyberman: We are equipped to survive. We are only interested in survival. Anything else is of no importance. Your deaths will not affect us.
Polly: But I can't make you understand, you're condemning us all to die! Have you no heart?
Cyberman: No, that is one of the weaknesses that we have removed.
- Crazy creditsWriter Kit Pedler's name is misspelled in the opening titles to several of this story's episodes.
- Alternate versionsThe BBC Video release of this story features a "reconstructed" version of the missing fourth episode made by combining a fan-recorded audio track with surviving clips, screen photographs called "telesnaps", and production stills.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Doctor Who Confidential: Confidential Christmas 2008 (2008)
- SoundtracksBlast Off!
Composed by Roger Roger (uncredited)
This story from writer Kit Pedler is historic and thankfully the quality matches its importance. And important it really is because the idea of changing the actor playing the Doctor by having him 'regenerate' into a different version of the same character was incredible and untested. It is hard now to imagine how radical this idea was at the time. If it had failed Doctor Who would have been finished whereas as the time of writing we have just celebrated an amazing 50 years of Doctor Who with the show and most of its key elements still continuing as strongly as ever.
As a springboard for all that we have this excellent adventure which also has the historic first ever appearance by the Cybermen. I really like these prototype Cybermen and even their 'sing-song' voices. I think the concept behind them is great and the story itself has them involved in an exciting attempt to destroy humanity. Their unfeeling nature and the scares and action set them up as an iconic 'monster' to rival the Daleks.
All aspects of the production are very good indeed and any flaws are minor. The story unfortunately has the Doctor sidelined a lot of the time which was unnecessary and sad in Hartnell's last regular appearance. However, when he does get involved he is as good as ever, delivering his lines with his usual charisma and that magical touch Hartnell had for being somewhat other worldly and dangerous but also endearing and delightful.
This is a classic which all fans must see. All 4 episodes 10/10.
Average rating for all William Hartnell episodes 8.26/10.
- A_Kind_Of_CineMagic
- Aug 21, 2014
Details
- Runtime23 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1