top of page

111) FULL CIRCLE

25 October - 15 November 1980

Average Viewing Figure: 5.2M

Plot

The Tardis lands on the planet Alzarius in E-Space approaching Mistfall a time when strange creatures emerge from the Swamps

Cast

Tom Baker (The Doctor), Lalla Ward (Romana), Matthew Waterhouse (Adric), George Baker (Login), Leonard Maguire (Draith)

James Bree (Nefred), Alan Rowe (Garif), Tony Calvin (Dexeter), Richard Willis (Varsh), Bernard Padden (Tylos), June Page (Keara)

Andrew Forbes (Omril), Adrian Gibbs (Rysik), John Leeson (Voice of K-9), Barney Lawrence (Marshman), Norman Bacon (Marshchild)

​

Uncredited Cast

David Greenway, Andrew Manson (Swimming Teenagers), Terry John Wood, Nick Staverson (Outlers), Steve Kelly (Marsh Leader)

Graham Cole, Keith Guest, James Jackson, Stephen Watson, Stephen Calcutt (Marshmen), Stuart Fell (Stunt Double for Draith)

Crew

Andrew Smith (Writer), Paddy Kingsland (Incidental Music), Dick Mills (Special Sound), Susan Box (Production Assistant)

Angela Smith (Production Unit Manager), Patricia Greenland (Director's Assistant), Lynn Richards (Assistant Floor Manager)

Max Samett (Film Cameraman), Mervyn Broadway (Film Sound), Mike Houghton (Film Editor), John Brace (Visual Effects Designer)

AJ Mitchell (Video Effects), Carol Johnson (Vision Mixer), Rod Waldron (Video Tape Editor), Mike Jefferies (Studio Lighting)

John Holmes (Studio Sound), Jeff Jeffrey (Technical Manager), Alan Kerridge, Reg Poulter (Senior Cameramen), Amy Roberts (Costume Designer)

Frances Needham (Make-Up Artist), Christopher H Bidmead (Script Editor), Sid Sutton (Title Sequence), Janet Budden (Designer)

Barry Letts (Executive Producer), John Nathan-Turner (Producer), Peter Grimwade (Director)

​

Uncredited Crew

Steve Keates, Charles Jeanes, Simon Taylor (Visual Effects Assistants), James Cadman (Grams Operator)

Graham Richmond (Film Operations Manager), Joe Bates, Leslie Thomas, Ian Gosling (Film Ops), Roy Russell (Grips)

Stephen Jones (Floor Assistant), John Bush (Properties Buyer), Dave Child (Film Lighting), John Morris, Ian Dabbs (Film Camera Assistants)

Patrick Quirk (Film Sound Assistant), John Atkins, Roy Prichard, Arabella Shaw, Tom Reeve, Mel Freedman (Dressers)

Julie Shepherd, Caroline Gibbs, Eve Barker, Christine Vidler (Make-Up Assistants), Clarie Tinsley (Design Assistant

Broadcast

76) THE ARK IN SPACE

Filming Locations

  • Black Park, Fulmer, Bucks

  • Television Centre: Studio 3

  • Television Centre: Studio 6

Deaths

  • Draith [pulled into a swamp by a Marshman]

  • Nefred [killed by Marshmen]

  • Dexeter [strangled by the Marhschild]

  • Varsh [killed by Marshmen]

  • Tylos [killed by Marshmen]

  • Marshchild [electrocued]

  • Crewmembers [killed by Marshmen]

Production Days

  • 8 Days between Wednesday 23 July - Saturday 23 August 1980

Production Errors

  1. When the Tardis drifts through E-Space, the background stars appear to be in front of the Tardis

  2. During part four, a camera is clearly visible during a scene, Matthew Waterhouse nearly walks into it 

  3. During part three, a boom microphone can be seen in the shot â€‹â€‹â€‹

Number of Production Days: 5

Working Titles

  • The Planet That Slept

Verdict

Full Circle is full of intelligent ideas and exceptional directed by Peter Grimwade who is clearly better at directing his crew than actors. There are great moments of horror, the marshlands and the mist, the death of Draith and the Marshmen themselves, the last proper monster in the Baker era.  The story takes it times to build itself up as every little aspect comes together in a surprisingly enjoyable fashion. The rebellion group is very weak and nothing more than rebellious teenagers who hate their elders. There are great moments throughout, some of which are let down by the jolly music which later becomes Adric’s theme. That is no reflection on the soundtrack, its composed with elements of flair and elegance and makes for some very memorable moments. The writing is clearly intelligent and is almost very polished, the Terragon thread is a little confusing but does make sense – eventually. There are some moments which are conveniently put together which do not push the pace along. Very enjoyable, just ignore the scenes which clearly show Romana loathing Adric’s presence. ****​

bottom of page