Bluffer’s Guide to Doctor Who: The Reign of Terror (Eps. 37–42)
The French are revolting! And so is the animation…
Describe The Reign of Terror in six words or less:
Evil working class interrupt Scarlet Pimpernel
This is… the one after the French Revolution.
Original broadcast: 8 August — 12 September, 1964
Why was this made?: Again, due to Doctor Who’s educational remit, a period of history studied in schools was turned into a Doctor Who adventure. Dennis Spooner met David Whitaker to discuss story ideas, having been recommend to Whitaker by Terry Nation. Spooner would shortly become Whitaker’s replacement.
Verity Lambert, the producer, was negotiating studio space with the BBC, as Doctor Who’s recording in various Lime Grove studios was problematic. Sydney Newman, Head of Drama, would rather Doctor Who was cancelled than be unable to fulfil its potential. However, an agreement was reached for Doctor Who to get better studio conditions. The fifth and sixth episodes of this serial would be recorded in Television Centre.
While Lambert had a win there, she was having difficulties elsewhere. Henric Hirsch, the director, had health difficulties, attributed to the stressful conditions of recording. During rehearsals for the second episode, Hirsch collapsed.
Initially planned to open Doctor Who’s second season, this changed and became the end of Doctor Who’s first season: but not its first production block. Unlike modern season finales, The Reign of Terror operates as a standard Doctor Who adventure albeit with a special conclusion featuring Hartnell’s Doctor narrating over a starfield.
What Happens:
The time-travellers land outside Paris in 1794. The Doctor is soon separated from his friends who are arrested and taken to Paris to be executed.
The Doctor makes his way, disguising himself as a Prefect. Ian is told important information by a dying British spy: James Stirling is to return to England.
After a series of captures, escapes, arrests, betrayals, and rescues, the four travellers reconnect and Ian finds James Stirling. Ian and Barbara then spy on Napoleon as part of one last mission before the travellers return to the TARDIS.
Observations / Things to Say:
- Surprising that this is the first “live” materialisation. Still doesn’t have the sound effect (I think Marco Polo was the last it was heard)
- Ian and Barbara flattering the Doctor 😊 Ian suggesting they part over a drink is one of the most real things he’s said.
- Episode 1 — Great cliffhanger!
- Jailer and Barbara: More threats of rape. But Barbara slaps him. Go Barbara!
- Jean-Pierre (the boy) says he’d love to go with the Doctor to Paris. I’d like to have seen that as well. Spooner must’ve watched the sequence with the road overseer and made a note of it for The Romans.
- Interesting direction, especially with transitions: From Susan and Barbara digging to escape CUT TO Doctor digging at the road. From Leon and Barbara about to drink wine CUT TO Jailer chugging from a flask.
- The espionage scene with Ian and Barbara is my previous point expanded. How much better is the story now that they’re spying on Napoleon. Simultaneously, how annoying is it that they’re only spying on Napoleon. And shouldn’t Barbara know that Napoleon is going to become the ruler?
- Robespierre getting shot in the jaw happens off-screen but him holding his jaw together with blood dribbling through his fingers is gruesome
- Stirling asking Barbara “Who are you really?” — preternatural sense often given to main characters in historicals appears (Think Charles Dickens asking about his future). Interesting though that it should happen to Barbara rather than the Doctor: characters treated Barbara different in The Aztecs too.
- “It’s/probably/just/a/chill” — Animation has lovely backgrounds but is addicted to cutting and rotoscoping (Leon touching the table, Robespierre standing up). I think I’ll use Loose Cannon next time.
Hot Takes:
The Doctor meeting Robespierre is impressive and they have a good dramatic conversation. He’s not even really the villain of the piece, the culture in Paris is the antagonist. A shame that historical knowledge is just assumed (Spooner is no Lucarrotti). The capture/escape/capture/escape pattern is frustrating in a way The Aztecs and The Sensorites weren’t. There we kept seeing new parts of the culture, or a new destination. Except here we keep going back to the same bloody prison. If we’re doing The Scarlet Pimpernel, let’s have a scene at a guillotine (the DVD, the Making Of documentary, even the background of the Gatiss has a guillotine everywhere. In the actual story: Only one guillotine and that’s just to overlay the episode title). Chuck in some Les Mis or Hunchback of Notre Dame. Go for it! (Spooner of course will master the Greatest Hits version of history come The Romans. I’ve never realised how much a first draft for Spooner historicals this was. Benefits of watching them in order, I suppose)
Between You and Me:
I love the first episode.
Seriously, do yourself a favour…
Further / Recommended Reading: