The Savages (TV story)

"I can't hold on much longer!"

- Dodo Chaplet

The Savages was the ninth story of Season 3 of Doctor Who. This story marks the final appearance of Peter Purves as companion Steven Taylor. It was the first story to use an overall title rather than the previous practice of giving each episode an individual title.

Synopsis
The TARDIS has arrived on a far-distant and seemingly idyllic world, but the Doctor, Steven and Dodo discover that it hides a terrible secret: the apparently civilized Elders maintain their advanced society by draining off and transferring to themselves the life-force of a group of defenseless Savages.

Outraged at this exploitation, the Doctor is seemingly helpless to prevent it when some of his own life-force is tapped by the Elders' leader, Jano. In the process, however, Jano also acquires some of the Doctor's attitudes and conscience. Turning against his own people, he enlists the help of the Savages to destroy the Elders' transference laboratory - a task with which the time travelers gladly assist.

Steven agrees to remain behind on the planet to become leader of the newly united Elders and Savages.

Plot
to be added

Cast

 * Dr. Who - William Hartnell
 * Steven Taylor - Peter Purves
 * Dodo Chaplet - Jackie Lane
 * Chal - Ewen Solon
 * Tor - Patrick Godfrey
 * Captain Edal - Peter Thomas
 * Exorse - Geoffrey Frederick
 * Jano - Frederick Jaeger
 * Avon - Robert Sidaway
 * Flower - Kay Patrick
 * Nanina - Clare Jenkins
 * Senta - Norman Henry
 * Wylda - Edward Caddick
 * First Assistant - Andrew Lodge
 * Second Assistant - Christopher Denham
 * Third Assistant - Tony Holland
 * Savage - John Dillon
 * Guard - Tim Goodman

Crew

 * Assistant Floor Manager - Gareth Gwenlan
 * Costumes - Daphne Dare
 * Designer - Stuart Walker
 * Incidental Music - Raymond Jones
 * Make-Up - Sonia Markham
 * Producer - Innes Lloyd
 * Production Assistant - Norman Stewart
 * Script Editor - Gerry Davis
 * Special Sounds - Brian Hodgson
 * Studio Lighting - Graham Sothcott
 * Studio Sound - Norman Greaves
 * Theme Arrangement - Delia Derbyshire
 * Title Music - Ron Grainer

Story Notes

 * This story had a working title of; The White Savages.

Ratings

 * Episode 1 - 4.8m viewers
 * Episode 2 - 5.6m viewers
 * Episode 3 - 5.0m viewers
 * Episode 4 - 4.5m viewers

Broadcast Dates

 * Episode 1 - 28th May 1966, 5.35pm
 * Episode 2 - 4th June 1966, 5.35pm
 * Episode 3 - 11th June 1966, 5.35pm
 * Episode 4 - 18th June 1966, 5.35pm

Duration

 * Episode 1 - 23'41"


 * Episode 2 - 23'57"


 * Episode 3 - 24'59"


 * Episode 4 - 24'41"

Myths

 * The Elders' 'light guns' were realized on screen simply by means of a powerful light positioned at the end of the prop. (Although they did incorporate a light, the guns also emitted 'dry ice' smoke.)

Filming Locations

 * Shire Lane Quarry, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire
 * Callow Hill Sandpit, Virginia Water, Surrey
 * Ealing Television Film Studios
 * Riverside Studio 1, Hammersmith, London

Discontinuity, Plot Holes, Errors

 * If the Elders are such a danger to the Savages, why do they continue to live just outside the city?

Continuity

 * The life force drain the Doctor experiences here could explain his subsequent regeneration in The Tenth Planet.

Timeline

 * This story occurs after PDA: Bunker Soldiers
 * This story occurs before VD: Tarnished Image

DVD, Video and Other Releases
to be added

Novelisation

 * Main article: The Savages (novelisation)


 * Novelised as The Savages by Ian Stuart Black in 1986.