Story Synopsis Someone is taking the Doctor's incarnations, along with some of his friends and enemies, out of time. Four of the Doctors are trapped in the Death Zone on Gallifrey, a dangerous relic of the Dark Time in the planet's history. In desperation, the High Council asked the Master to help the Doctor, but the Third Doctor and the Fifth Doctor do not trust their old enemy. The Fifth Doctor reaches the capital and consults with Lord President Borusa, while the Doctors make their way towards the Dark Tower-reputed resting place of Rassilon, the greatest of the Time Lords. Daleks, Cybermen, Yeti, Raston Warrior Robot, and other dangers await-but Rassilon himself may be the deadliest threat.
In all of the show’s long history, there had never been a story quite like “The Five Doctors.” Conceived by John Nathan-Turner and Eric Saward to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the series, the process began in early 1982 with Robert Holmes penning a treatment (his first in many years) for “The Six Doctors,” which would feature the Second through Fifth Doctors -- alongside a robotic version of the First Doctor (recast as William Hartnell had passed away in 1975) and Susan -- combating the Master and the Cybermen at the planet Maladoom. When the treatment ultimately didn’t pan out, Nathan-Turner and Saward turned to Terrance Dicks, who started from scratch. Originally, Tom Baker and Lalla Ward were approached to be part of the story -- the Fourth Doctor was to go to the Capitol with Romana, the Fifth with Tegan to the Dark Tower and the First staying with Susan and Turlough in the TARDIS -- but when Baker refused to be a part of the story it was rewritten to its current form. Clips were eventually used of the two from the untransmitted story “Shada”.
Locations
Plasbrondaw, Llanfrothen, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, Carreg Y Foel, nr. Ffestiniog, Mannod Quarry, Cwt Y Bugail, Ffestiniog, Cwm Bychan, nr. Llanbedr, Gwynedd, Tilehouse Lane, Upper Denham, Bucks, West Common Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex
Studios
Television Centre Studio 6, Ealing Film Studios
Notes
This 90 minute anniversary special was shown as part of the BBC Children in Need telethon. The story opens with a pre-titles clip of William Hartnell from Episode Six of The Dalek Invasion of Earth.This is the only story to be shown in the USA before the UK, where it was shown on 23rd November 1983, the actual anniversary, although it did have some scenes cut.
The end titles use a special mix of the theme tune, blending from the original to the Howell version.
Tom Baker and Lalla Ward only appear via footage from Shada as they didn't take part in the episode
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