100) THE STONES OF BLOOD

28 October - 18 November 1978

Average Viewing Figure: 8M

76) THE ARK IN SPACE

Plot

Searching for third segment to The Key of Time brings, The Doctor and Romana to a stone circle called The Nine Travellers

Cast

Tom Baker (The Doctor), Mary Tamm (Romana), John Leeson (Voice of K-9), Beatrix Lehmann (Professor Rumford)

Susan Engel (Vivien Fay), Nicholas McArdle (De Vries), Elaine Ives-Cameron (Martha), Gerald Cross (Voice of the White Guardian)

Gerald Cross, David McAlister (Megara Voices), James Murray, Shirin Taylor (Campers)

Uncredited Cast

James Muir, Ian Munroe, Maggie Pilleau, Judy Cowne, Decima Delaney, Mike Mungarvan (Druids), Robert Gibbs (Stunt Double for Romana)

Crew

David Fisher (Writer), Dudley Simpson (Incidental Music), Elizabeth Parker (Special Sound), John Nathan-Turner (Production Unit Manager)

Carolyn Montagu (Production Assistant), Hubert Cartwright (OB Lighting), Vic Godrich (OB Sound), Warwick Fielding (Studio Lighting)

Richard Chubb (Studio Sound), Mat Irvine (Visual Effects Designer), AJ Mitchell (Electronic Effects), Malcolm Banthorpe (Videotape Editor)

Rupert Jarvis (Costume Designer), Ann Briggs (Make-Up Artist), Anthony Read (Script Editor), John Stout (Designer)

Graham Williams (Producer), Darrol Blake (Director)

Uncredited Crew

Roger Perkins, Perry Brahan, Bill Pearson, Charlie Lumm (Visual Effects Assistants), Bob Wade (Engineering Manager)

Carol Kane (Director's Assistant), Trevoe Wimlett (OB Cameraman), Reg Poulter (Senior Cameraman), Peter Leslie (Floor Assistant)

Carol Scott, Nigel Taylor (Assistant Floor Managers), Eve Barker (Make-Up Assistant), Alice Gilbert, Liz Penbroke, Andrw Sault (Dressers)

Andrew Hunter (Grams Operator), Bob Warman (Technical Manager), Bob Hare (OB Scene Crew Supervisor)

Nigel Finnis, Fred Law (Vision Mixers), Robert Fleming (Properties Buyer), Cassie Pusey (Design Assistant)

Broadcast

Number of Production Days: 5

Filming Locations

Reed College, Little Compton, Warks
The King's Men, Rollright Stones, Oxon
Field, Manor Farm, Little Rollright, Oxon
Little Rollright Quarry, Little Rollright, Oxon
Television Centre: Studio 3

Deaths

Vivien Fay [transformed in stone]
- death unconfirmed
De Vries [killed by an Ogri]
Martha [killed by an Ogri]
Campers [killed by an Ogri]
Ogri [falls down a cliff]

Production Days

10 Days between Monday 12 June - Tuesday 18 July 1978

Production Errors

A boom mic enters the top left-hand corner when Romana calls Professor Rumford to the kitchen during part four
When The Doctor and Amela are on the cliffedge being chased, a van can be seen driving in the background
At the beginning, there are three Ogri. One falls down a cliff, but there are still three running about the place
What exactly is Cessair doing on Earth anyway? What is her plan? What does she hope to achieve?
Who does Vries control the Ravens? What possible purpose do they serve?

Working Titles

The Nine Maidens - (story outline)
The Stones of Time

Verdict

The Stones of Blood opens up well with dark lit scenes and an uneasy atmosphere involving an ancient Goddess and a sinister ring of stones, but the story quickly loses credibility in the second half. The trial sub-plot does not really make any sense and feels a little rushed at the best of times. The Doctor only saves his own neck through pure dumb luck and chance than being clever and devious, the usual way he gets out of tricky situations. The Ogri are an interesting take on blood sucking monsters but their movements and ability are a let down. The cast are generally poor Beatrix Lehman looks out of place and her line deliveries make her sound like she does not understand what is going on. Susan Engel is poor as Vivian Fay but excel as the Cessair of Diplos. There is very little mystery about who the baddie is going to be, Fay practically gives herself away off-screen. The hyperspace scenes are nice as is spaceship from the outside at least. It can be enjoyed but at the best of time feels really recycled and bored. **