The Savages was a novelisation based on the 1966 television serial The Savages.
Publisher's summary[]
1986 Target Books edition[]
Landing on a distant planet, the Doctor confidently announces to his companions that the TARDIS has brought them to an age of great advancement, peace and prosperity.
The Doctor's calculations seem to be confirmed when the travellers are greeted by Jano and the Elders who take them on a tour of their city - a haven of beauty, harmony and friendship, set in a wilderness inhabited by tribes of savages.
But the security of the city is founded on one deadly and appalling secret. Soon the Doctor and his friends discover that it is not only outside the city walls that savages dwell...
1992 Target Books edition[]
THE DOCTOR NODDED THOUGHTFULLY. 'YOU MAY HAVE FOUND THE SECRET OF ETERNAL LIFE.'
Landing on a distant planet, the Doctor confidently announces to his companions that the TARDIS has brought them to an age of great advancement, peace and prosperity.
The Doctor's calculations seem to be confirmed when the travellers are greeted by Jano and the Elders who take them on a tour of their city - a haven of beauty, harmony and friendship, set in a wilderness inhabited by tribes of savages.
But the security of the city is founded on one deadly and appalling secret. Soon the Doctor and his friends discover that it is not only outside the city walls that savages dwell...
Deviations from televised story[]
- The Doctor's reacting vibrator is never named as such, being referred to as simply a calculator and described as looking like an old-fashioned ship's compass.
- On page 37, following the treatment of Wylda, Senta says "They [the guards] really put the pressure on this place. Always on my shift. Always Tuesday mornings." This reference to "Tuesday mornings", bearing in mind that the story is set not on Earth but an unnamed planet, is not present on the existing audio recordings of episode one.
- Senta's professional title is Dr. Senta.
- The laboratory is described as being run automatically, requiring only a minimum staff.
- When cornered by Senta and two of the assistants in the laboratory, Dodo grabs an equipment trolley to defend herself and rams at anyone who comes near, before threatening to smash some of the equipment as in the televised version.
- Avon and Flower work as attendants to the Elders. While Avon knows most things about the City, Flower admits that she's "a little shaky" with her facts.
- Avon has perfect eyesight in the televised version, but wears glasses in the novelisation.
Chapter titles[]
- 'Are You Sure You Know Where We Are?'
- 'You Have Made Me Look Very Grand'
- 'A Remarkable Advance, Gentlemen. I'd Like To Know How'
- 'I Don't Know What's Going On, But I Don't Like It'
- 'The Old Man Did Not Obey'
- 'Not Exactly A Witness'
- 'Come On, Soldier Boy. What Are You Frightened Of?'
- 'The Trouble With You People On This Planet...'
- 'I Don't Trust Strangers'
- 'All We Need Is One Good Friend'
- 'Do You Think We Will Ever See Him Again?'
Writing and publishing notes[]
- Doctor Who Poster Offer features at back without the colour pictures!
- The cover for the original Target Books edition features the artwork of David McAllister.
- The First Doctor appears on the cover of the original edition. This was unusual as at the time Target was generally no longer including the image of the Doctor on its novelisation covers; the last time was with Enlightenment in 1984. It wouldn't happen again until a year later with The Ambassadors of Death.
Additional cover images[]
Cover by Alister Pearson
British publication history[]
First publication:
- Hardback
- W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
- Paperback
- Target
Re-issues:
- Paperback: Target / Virgin Publishing Ltd. UK November 1992 Cover by Alister Pearson (£2.50 UK)
Audiobook[]
This Target Book was released as an audiobook on 4 February 2021 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Peter Purves.
The cover blurb and thumbnail illustrations were retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by David J. Howe. Music and sound effects by Simon Power.
An extract from the audiobook was used in the documentary Remembering/Forgetting The Savages.
External links[]
to be added