The Massacre

Starring William Hartnell
Episodes 1-4
1966
100 minutes
2 CD's

Produced by
John Wiles

Original Airdate
Feb 5 - Feb 26, 1966

UK Release Date
August 1999

BBC Radio Collection
ISBN 0563 552611

Adventures in History Box Set

The TARDIS materializes in Paris in 1572, a time of great danger and religious strife.  Whilst the Doctor pays a visit to famous apothecary Charles Preslin, Steven is befriended by a group of Protestants who come from the household of Admiral de Coligny.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Queen Mother, Catherine de Medici, aided by the hated dignitary the Abbot of Amboise, is hatching a plot to kill all French Protestants - starting with de Coligny.  

Worryingly for Steven, the Abbot bears an uncanny resemblance to the Doctor.  And when the plot fails and the Abbot is condemned to death, he is even more alarmed.  Was that the Doctor being killed?  Or does the Abbot just look like him?

The four episodes of this 1966 story no longer exist in the BBC television archives.  This audio exclusive has taken the soundtrack and, with linking narration by Peter Purves, the whole thrilling adventure is brought back to life.

• The Massacre is one of only two stories that has absolutely no video clips in existence whatsoever.

• William Hartnell doubles up in this story as both the Doctor and the main villain, the Abbot of Amboise.

• An unusually dark, historical story, The Massacre is also noteworthy for having the Doctor momentarily companionless by stories end.  He gives a brief but stirring monologue about giving up his wanderings and returning to his home.
   
• Recently, this story was packaged along with "The Myth Makers" and "The Highlanders" as part of box set called "Adventures in History."  The version included in the box set is identical to the individual title and is still available separately.

• The audio recording of this story was done separately by David Holman and Graham Strong using home audio equipment. 

• Mark Ayres, of the Doctor Who Restoration Team, did extensive work on this audio release by digitally remastering these recordings.