Dr. Who and the Daleks (theatrical film)


 * This article concerns the film. For other uses, see Doctor Who and the Daleks.

Released in 1965, Dr. Who and the Daleks was the first feature film based on the Doctor Who television series. Adapted from Barbara Wright's novel of the same name, which is a distorted retelling of The Daleks, the colour film stars Peter Cushing as a human scientist named Dr. Who who invents the TARDIS and takes his companions on a journey to the planet Skaro, where they help the peace-loving Thals battle the evil Daleks.

Synopsis
Accidentally thrown together in an adventure of a lifetime, Dr. Who (Peter Cushing), his granddaughters, and their friend Ian cross the intergalactic universe in the Doctor's new invention, the T.A.R.D.I.S., his space and time machine. Landing unsuspectingly on Planet Skaro, here they meet the kind and placid Thals, who are under the mortal fear of the dreaded Daleks. Deadly mutants living inside their metal casings and killing everything that crosses their path. Here is the battle of the Daleks vs. the Thals, for the Doctor has stumbled across a war that not only bravery and cunning can win the day but sacrifice that is a price never too high to pay for the freedom of the galaxy.

Plot
To be added.

Cast
Uncredited
 * Dr. Who - Peter Cushing
 * Ian Chesterton - Roy Castle
 * Barbara - Jennie Linden
 * Susan - Roberta Tovey
 * Alydon - Barrie Ingham
 * Ganatus - Michael Coles
 * Temmosus - Geoffrey Toone
 * Elyon - Mark Petersen
 * Antodus - John Bown
 * Dyoni - Yvonne Antrobus
 * Dalek Operators - Bruno Castagnoli, Michael Dillon, Brian Hands, Robert Jewel, Kevin Manser, Eric McKay, Len Saunders, Gerald Taylor
 * Thals - Ken Garady, Martin Grace, Nicholas Head, Mike Lennox, Jane Lumb, Michelle Scott, Virgina Tyler, Jack Waters, Bruce Wells, Gary Wyler, Sharon Young
 * Dalek Voices - David Graham, Peter Hawkins

Crew

 * Music - Barry Gray, Malcolm Lockyer
 * Cinematography - John Wilcox
 * Editing - Oswald Hafenrichter

Story Notes

 * Several of the Dalek props were purchased by the BBC and appear in DW: The Chase, as it was broadcast before the cinematic release of this film, the Dalek movie props were seen on TV before they were seen in the cinemas.
 * The Daleks were proposed to have flame throwers, however this was vetoed, the reason for the need to have anything is that the negative effect of the Dalek's weapons could not be achieved on film.
 * In the film, TARDIS is referenced as such without the definite article "the", unlike the TV series which always used the phrase "the TARDIS" when referring to the ship.
 * The interior of TARDIS is completely different from the TV version, with the outside windows of the ship visible, and it appears there is only a single room, the console room. The 2005 revival's version of the TARDIS interior actually borrows a few of these elements: the exterior police box door (with windows) is visible from inside, and usually only a single room is visible (though others are mentioned).

Crew notes

 * Barry Gray, best known as Gerry Anderson's staff composer for his numerous Supermarionation and SF TV series, composed the musical score for the film. As a result, this film - and its sequel - are to date the only officially authorized productions based upon Doctor Who to use theme music other than the original Ron Grainer/Delia Derbyshire theme. Several reference books, including The Complete Encyclopedia of Television Program 1947-1979, erroneously credit Gray with composing the music for the TV series, too.

Myths

 * After The First Doctor regenerated people believed that Dr. Who was just a future or past incarnation of the Doctor. Not impossible to imagine, but that doesn't explain the alternate versions of Susan, Barbara and Ian featured in the film.

Filming Locations

 * Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Plot Holes, Errors and Mistakes

 * What need would the Daleks have of a staircase next to their water supply pipe, as they can't use stairs? Perhaps they have humanoid slaves/helpers not seen on screen? Retroactively, DW: Daleks in Manhattan supports this notion.
 * The Daleks' lights flash indiscriminately and do not match the voice. And their lights flash when they are not speaking as well. Since this is an "alternate reality" to the other Dalek stories, its possible the Dalek design works differently. Or the lights are flashing in time with the Dalek language, rather than TARDIS/Doctor-translated English.
 * Why do the Daleks have lava lamps in the control room? They may look like lava lamps but they may not be
 * Why is TARDIS disguised as a police box? The disguise wouldn't work on an alien planet and it would look out of place in Dr Who's garden. Since Dr. Who built the craft, maybe he bought/borrowed/stole a police box so that he had a convenient shell within which to construct TARDIS.

Continuity

 * ST: The House on Oldark Moor occurs after this film but before Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150 AD.
 * The film ends with a visual gag with the ship appearing in front of a group of Roman soldiers. This might suggest that Dr. Who and his friends might have next experienced a variation of what occurs in DW: The Romans.

Super 8 Releases

 * Released in UK on Super 8 film (8 reels colour/sound) by Walton Sound and Film Services in 1977.
 * Released on UK on Super 8 film Part 1: (one reel colour/sound and one reel black and white/silent) by Walton Sound and Film Services in 1977.
 * Released on UK on Super 8 film Part 2: (one reel colour/sound and one reel black and white/silent) by Walton Sound and Film Services in 1977.

Video Releases

 * Released in the UK on VHS and Beta in 1982 by Thorn EMI.
 * Released in the US on VHS in 1985 by Thorn EMI.
 * Re-released in UK on VHS in 1988 by Warner Home Video.
 * Re-released in US on VHS in 1989 by GoodTimes Home Video.
 * Released in Australia in 1990 by Universal.
 * Re-released in US in 1994 by Lumiere.
 * Re-released in UK in 1996 by Warner Home Video.

DVD Releases

 * Released in Australia in 2001 by Universal / Studio Canal as a double release with Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150 AD.
 * Released in US in 2001 by Anchor Bay.
 * Released in UK in 2002 by Studio Canal as a double release with Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150 AD.

Novelisations
No novelisation based upon the film script was ever published, however the original teleplay, The Daleks, was adapted as Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks by David Whitaker, published by Frederick Muller in late 1964. Later, when the book was republished by Target Books, it was retitled Doctor Who and the Daleks.

Comic book adaptation
Dr. Who and the Daleks was adapted as an American comic book by Dell Publishing in 1966 (the year the film was released in the US). The comic book featured artwork by Dick Giordano and was the first US comic book appearance of anything connected to the Doctor Who franchise.