The Ultimate Guide (2013 documentary)

The Ultimate Guide was a documentary made by BBC Events Production in London which aired on BBC Three in the run-up to the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who. It gave a broad overview of the show's history, and interviewed many people involved in its production over the years, including five of the actors who portrayed the Doctor: Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann and David Tennant — as well as the current executive producer and head writer Steven Moffat.

The documentary also featured former Doctor Who cast members Nicola Bryant, Sophie Aldred, Noel Clarke, Karen Gillan, Louise Jameson, Bruno Langley, and Katy Manning. Moreover, it contained interviews with a series of British personalities, such as Tom Craine, Jon Culshaw, Joel Dommett, Rick Edwards, Konnie Huq, McFly, Al Murray, Ricky Norwood and Kayvan Novak.

The documentary was book-ended by a short sketch, known as The History of the Doctor, featuring the Eleventh Doctor and Clara Oswald in the TARDIS.

Minisode
For the in universe minisode that bookended this documentary, see The History of the Doctor for more info.

Musical tracks
Although the documentary wasn't produced by the same team that had done Doctor Who Confidential, it shared with Confidential a musical soundtrack dominated by extremely modern music. Indeed, most of its soundtrack came from no earlier than 2008, with many tracks coming from 2013 itself, including:

Though the soundtrack definitely skewed towards 2013, the odd older track made its way in, such as when 's "" was used to introduce the character of Mickey Smith, or "" for the Fourth Doctor.
 * "" by, underscoring a discussion of Leela
 * "" by the Sugababes, underscoring a discussion of Peri
 * "" by, underscoring a discussion of Ace
 * "" by, underscoring a discussion of the Fifth Doctor's self-sacrifice in The Caves of Androzani
 * "" by, beginning the discussion on the Tenth Doctor
 * "" by, underscoring a discussion of the Eleventh Doctor's development in The Eleventh Hour

Cut downs
A Cut down version is available in at least two parts.

Home video releases
The Ultimate Guide was released on both DVD and Blu-ray in the 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition box set.