The Tenth Planet
(U.K. Cybermen Box Set)

 OUT OF PRINT

Starring William Hartnell
Episodes 1, 2, and 3
plus Episode 4 (reconstructed)
1966
94 minutes (black & white)
Single Tape







 

Production Notes
Doctor Who
William Hartnell

Polly Lopez
Anneke Wills

Ben Jackson
Michael Craze
Written by
Kit Pedler

Directed by
Derek Martinus

Produced by
Innes Lloyd
Original Airdate
Oct 8 - Oct 29, 1966

US Video Release Date
May 2001

Warner Home Video
#E1529





 

Cover Blurb
 

This video contains a specially reconstructed version of the missing Episode Four.

Many eons ago, Earth's twin planet, Mondas, drifted away to the edge of space. Its inhabitants grew weak, so their scientists created spare parts for their bodies. Limbs and organs were slowly replaced by metal and plastic, and emotions were removed. The Cybermen were born.

The TARDIS lands at the South Pole Tracking Station late in 1986, just as a routine space mission starts going wrong. When the base personnel's suspicions are raised, the Doctor informs them that the space capsule is being affected by the gravitational pull of another planet. A tenth planet...

As Mondas returns to the solar system, the Doctor warns that a visit from Mondas' inhabitants is imminent. The Cybermen want Earth's power and resources for themselves. Only the Doctor offers the base any hope against these silver giants. But is this one battle too many for the ailing time traveler?

 






 


Additional Notes

  • Probably one of the more anticipated U.S. releases for 2001, "The Tenth Planet" is the final story of William Hartnell.  The crucial last episode (where the Doctor undergoes his first regeneration) does not exist in the BBC vaults, although clips of the regeneration do.

  • This story is also historic in that it introduces the Doctor's arch enemies, the Cybermen.  Like the Doctor himself, they look and sound much different from later incarnations.

  • Also watch for some truly painful (and comical) accents of Americans (do the Brits really think we sound like that?) and Italians.

  • This story was released along with another Cybermen story in a two tape pack in the U.K.  The second story is "Attack of the Cybermen" starring Colin Baker.  However, in the U.S. these two stories were released separately.

  • Although not included as a bonus CD, the entire audio soundtrack is included on the tape.  The Doctor Who Restoration Team has created a full length reconstruction of episode four using existing telesnap photographs, 8 mm clips and the audio recording.