Genesis of the Daleks
(DVD)
 

Starring Tom Baker
6 Episodes
1975
142 minutes (color)
Double Disc




 

 

Production Notes
Doctor Who
Tom Baker

Sarah Jane Smith
Elisabeth Sladen

Harry Sullivan
Ian Marter

Written by
Terry Nation

Directed by
David Maloney
Produced by
Philip Hinchcliffe

Original Airdate
Mar 8, 1975 - April 12, 1975

US DVD Release Date
June 2006

Warner Home Video
#E2503

U.K. Cover


 

 



Cover Blurb

The Time Lords intercept the transmat beam from Earth to Nerva and strand the Doctor, Sarah Jane and Harry on the planet Skaro in an era before the Daleks evolved.  Before the travelers are to be allowed to return to the TARDIS, the Doctor must fulfill a daunting mission - to change the course of evolution itself.



 

 

 

DVD Features
 

Disc One
All 6 episodes as they were originally transmitted in 1975.

 
  • Audio Options:
 This DVD  boasts a group commentary by Tom Baker (Doctor Who), Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith), Peter Miles (Nyder), and David Maloney (director).
 

 
  • 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.
 

 
 

Disc Two
The remaining DVD bonus features.
 
  • Genesis of a Classic:
 Clocking in at just over an hour, this documentary is brimming over with interviews from Philip Hinchcliffe (producer), Tom Baker (Doctor Who),  Barry Letts (executive producer), Terrance Dicks (outgoing script editor), David Maloney (director), Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane), Peter Miles (Nyder), James Garbutt (Ronson), Dennis Chinnery (Gharman) Guy Siner (Ravon), and the late Michael Wisher (Davros).  Also included are interviews with behind the scenes contributors such as sound-effects wizard Dick Mills, Dalek voice artist Roy Skelton, Dalek operators Cy Town and John Scott Martin, and many others.  Produced by long time fan and lost episode hunter Ian Levine.
 

 
  • The Dalek Tapes:
 A second hour long documentary, narrated by Terry Molloy (who also played Davros in later years).  This featurette focuses on the history of the Daleks throughout the series of Doctor Who and includes some rare clips and TV appearances as well as a large number of interview contributors. 
 

 
  • Continuity Compilation:
 Six minutes of riveting continuity announcements taken from both the original air date as well as several subsequent repeat broadcasts.
 

 
  • Blue Peter:
 Taken from the children's show by the same title, this seven minute clip aired at the same time that "Genesis of the Daleks" did.  In this clip the Daleks are featured using some model work and CSO (Color Separation Overlay).  Also featured are homemade models of different aspects of Doctor Who from a 16 year old fan.
 

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

 
  • Doctor Who Annual:
 Accessible from any computer with a DVD drive, a PDF of  the 1976 Doctor Who Annual (a mixture of Doctor Who fiction as well as science based reading for young Doctor Who fans).
 

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

 
  • Easter Eggs:
 There are none for this title.  For a full list of known Easter Eggs and screen grabs of them click HERE.
 
     



 

 

 

 

Additional Notes
  • "Genesis of the Daleks" has been released together with the previous Doctor Who adventure "The Sontaran Experiment" as a two tape pack
     
  • This is the first Dalek story for Tom Baker, and also the first story to explore the origins of the Daleks.  In it we see the Kaled/Thal war, and the person who created the Daleks...Davros.
     
  • While the Thals were established in the very first Dalek story ("The Daleks"), it wasn't until "Genesis of the Daleks" 12 years later that the term Kaled was introduced as the progenitor of the Daleks.
     
  • Davros proved so popular, that his character has appeared in every Dalek story since then.
     
  • The actor playing Davros is none other than Michael Wisher.  He appeared frequently in Doctor Who over the years.  His first role in Doctor Who occurred during season 7 in "The Ambassadors of Death" where he played news reporter John Wakefield.  The following year he played Rex Ferrel in "Terror of the Autons."  He went on to play Kalik in "Carnival of Monsters" and did the voice of the Daleks in both "Planet of the Daleks" and "Death to the Daleks."  After "Genesis of the Daleks" he returned in the very next story, "Revenge of the Cybermen" as Magrik.  His final appearance came one year later in the minor role of Morelli in "The Planet of Evil."  When Davros returned several years later in "Destiny of the Daleks" Wisher was approached for the role, but was unable to due to being in a tour in Australia at the time.
     
  • Peter Miles (Nyder) has appeared numerous times in Doctor Who.  His first appearance was in the Pertwee adventure "Doctor Who and the Silurians" where he played Dr. Lawrence.  He returned in Pertwee's final season for "Invasion of the Dinosaurs."
     
  • The events of "Genesis of the Daleks" form part of a very loose arc spanning most of season 12.  It began with "The Ark in Space" which lead immediately into the next story "The Sontaran Experiment."  From there the action moves to "Genesis of the Daleks.'  "Revenge of the Cybermen" follows immediately after this story.  The arc finally finishes at "Terror of the Zygons."
     
  • As with all of the DVD releases to date, the Doctor Who Restoration Team did extensive work on this story.  You can find specific details from there article HERE.