"The Chase"

The Chase


Starring William Hartnell
6 Episodes
1965
146 minutes (black and white)
Disc 2 & 3 of a 3 Disc Set




 

 

Production Notes
Doctor Who
William Hartnell

Barbara Wright
Jacqueline Hill

Ian Chesterton
William Russell

Vicki
Maureen O'Brien

Written by
Terry Nation
Directed by
Richard Martin

Produced by
Verity Lambert

Original Airdate
May 22 - June 26, 1965

US DVD Release Date
July 2010

Warner Home Video
#3000029515

U.K. Box Set Cover


U.K. Individual Cover



 

Cover Blurb
When the Doctor and his companions discover that a group of time-traveling Daleks have orders to exterminate them, a dangerous chase across time and space follows.



 

DVD Features
  • The Thrill of The Chase:
 A brief, ten minute interview with director Richard Martin on the demands of making of "The Chase".
 

 
  • Last Stop White City:
 A thirteen minute documentary highlighting the adventures of the Doctor's first two human companions - school teachers Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton. 
 

 
  • Cusick in Cardiff:
 Original designer of the Daleks Raymond Cusick visits the sets of the new series and meets with the current designers of the series.
 

 
  • Daleks Conquer and Destroy:
 Both original series regulars as well as new series folks discuss the appeal of the Daleks.  Interviewees include Verity Lambert (producer), Richard Martin (director), Carole Ann Ford (Susan), Raymond Cusick (designer), and writer Rob Shearman.
 

 
  • Daleks Beyond the Screen:
 Another angle through which to view the Daleks - this time through merchandising.  This 21 minute featurette contains many interviews from people involved in both classic Doctor Who as well as the new series.
 

 
  • Shawcraft - The Original Monster Makers:
 A fifteen minute documentary focusing on Shawcraft Models, a company that constructed many of the props for 1960's Doctor Who.
 

 
  • Follow That Dalek:
 Rare amateur film taken at Shawcraft Models in 1967 showing many of the props created for and used on Doctor Who.
 

 
  • Give-A-Show Slides
 Vintage sixties Doctor Who merchandise is highlighted in the "Give-A-Show" Slide Projector.  Here 16 slide stories are scanned in and presented.
 

 
  • Photo Gallery:
 Once again we are treated to many rare production stills and even a few behind the scenes ones as well.
 

 
  • Radio Times Listings:
 Accessible from any computer with a DVD drive, a PDF of some of the original Radio Times press clippings.
 

 
  • Information Text:
 Lots of trivia and tidbits of Whovian detail are provided.  The text appears intermittently along the bottom of the screen and is written by members of the Doctor Who Restoration Team
 

 
  • Audio Options:
 Commentary is provided by William Russell (Ian), Maureen O'Brien (Vicki), Peter Purves (Steven), and director Richard Martin. 
 

 
  • Easter Eggs:
 None for this release.  For a full list of known Easter Eggs and screen grabs of them click HERE.
 

 

 

 

Additional Notes
  • NOTE: Due to clearance rights with a clip containing the Beatles, their brief appearance in episode 1 has been edited out of the DVD version of this release, marring an otherwise excellent release.  If you are looking for this scene, it did make it onto the VHS version released back in the early 90's.
     
  • "The Chase" was quite ambitious for its time with its ever changing sets, a duel to the death with an android double of the Doctor, and the Dalek/Mechanoid war.   However, the story does suffer from the usual shaky props and multitude of fluffed lines.
     
  • "The Chase" marks the third appearance of the increasingly popular Daleks.  The first was (of course) "The Daleks" from the first season.  The second story was "The Dalek Invasion of Earth".  Ironically, all three of these early Dalek stories were directed by the same man - Richard Martin.
     
  • This story also has quite a few comical moments such as Shakespeare's inspiration for Hamlet, Morton Dill meeting the Daleks, an explanation for the missing crew of the Marie Celeste, The Beatles, and an encounter with Count Dracula and Frankenstein's Monster.
     
  • It is also historic in that it sees the departure of the Doctor's original companions Barbara (Jacqueline Hill) and Ian (William Russell).  Peter Purves (who played Morton Dill earlier in the story) joins the TARDIS crew as Steven Taylor in the last episode.
     
  • Early titles for this story included "The Pursuers"
     
  • When last seen in episode 6, Steven was lost and alone.  The fate of Steven would not be known until the next story "The Time Meddler."
     
  • Although the story isn't in the top 10 list of most fans, it is a light hearted and fun adventure.
     

  • "The Space Museum" was given the usual expert cleanup and VidFIRE treatment by the Doctor Who Restoration Team.  Specific details on the restoration can be found HERE.