The Dalek Invasion of Earth

For the first time, Doctor Who looks to its past, but this does not mean that the production team were treading water. On the contrary, all the stops were pulled out for the return of the Daleks, taking the programme into new areas. We are taken into a world where everyone’s favourite ‘motorised dustbins’ have taken over, and the TARDIS crew find themselves caught in the London of the 22nd century, where the Daleks have the few surviving humans by the throat, while their ultimate plan for Earth comes closer to fulfilment.

It is, perhaps, in this serial that the concept of Daleks as Nazis first becomes absolutely blatant. This is a world of black marketeers and blitzed buildings, but it is also a place with labour camps and summary executions, where the worst of the Blitz is combined with the occupation of Czechoslovakia and a vague hint of the horrors of Poland. One of the Daleks’ chanting sessions is chilling- upon the order to exterminate all humans, one chants ‘kill… kill… kill…’ and another chants ‘final solution…’ Off screen, we hear the extermination of a man who, in the midst of his terror, rages at them about the murder of his wife and brother. The first appearance of a Dalek, rising out of the Thames is justly famous and they are far from the pathetic creatures confined to their city that they were in their first appearance. Here they race along bridges and are shown at the Albert Memorial- meaning, of course that they can climb stairs. However, their voices are nothing like as effective as in their first story, the ring modulator barely affecting the actors’ voices.

The supporting cast are sound, without being spectacular, yet, again it is the regulars who make it work. Hartnell’s performance is astounding- this story providers the most proactive role for him yet, and he fires on all cylinders to fulfil that. This is Carole Ann Ford’s last story and, happily, her best. This could be because she is given so much more to do, and it is a real shame when she goes. More on that later.

Visually, this story is unlike any of the others that preceded it. There are extensive scenes filmed on location, and the direction, editing and cinematography are all first rate. The highlight, of course, is Barbara, Dortmun and Jenny being chased across a desolate London by the Daleks, a fantastic montage with frenetic camera work and razor sharp editing. There are some great design work with the Dalek sets and I love the Dalek lettering painted on streets and famous landmarks.

The first Dalek story contained quite a few longueurs (boring bits of padding, as less pretentious people call them) but in this story, the episode length is more justified. Events are kept interesting by splitting the travellers into groups, all of which work against the Daleks as well as trying to find each other. There are some genuinely surprising plot twists- I was not expecting the Doctor’s rescuer to get exterminated a minute afterwards. At this point, however, I must mention the last episode. The pacing is atrocious, but it contains some fantastic material- Barbara’s history lesson to the Daleks (resulting in the funniest Dalek line of the 20th Century 'Daleks are the Masters of India') and, of course the ending. David and Susan’s attraction is built up gradually as is the Doctor’s knowledge and acceptance of it. Despite some atrocious dialogue in the story, the Doctor’s farewell to Susan is utterly gorgeous and utterly convincing.

Of course there are numerous plot holes and some horrific scientific errors. I’m not usually bothered too much by scientific errors, but they are really bad here. The Earth does not have a magnetic core, it has a magnetic field, caused by the movement of the liquid outer core. Also, it is by no means the only planet with a magnetic field. I must also mention the flying saucer effects. They’re really, really, really bad and actually do look like hubcaps held up by string. Watch it on DVD with the CGI replacements if you don’t want to be totally dragged out of the story.

However, this story comes very highly recommended- good stuff!

NEXT: The Rescue