top of page

169) TOOTH AND CLAW

22 April 2006

Viewing Figure: 9.2M

Plot

In Scotland 1879 a group of monks take over Torchwood House with a plan to set a Werewolf free to infect Queen Victoria

Cast

David Tennant (The Doctor), Billie Piper (Rose Tyler), Pauline Collins (Queen Victoria), Ian Hanmore (Father Angelo)

Michelle Duncan (Lady Isobel), Derek Riddell (Sir Robert), Jamie Sives (Captain Reynolds), Ron Donachie (Steward)

Tom Smith (The Host), Ruthie Milne (Flora)

​

Uncredited Cast

Ruari Mears, Marc Llewellyn-Thompson, Laurence Chanon, Andrew Morgan-Evans, Sam Stennett, Alessandro Noble, Dave Jennings

Richard Carpenter, Rob Taylor (Monks), Stephen Giffard (Monk [Cart Driver]), Darryl Cross, Pete Newman, John Jones Snr, Adam Sweet

Michael Barry, John Mallon (Farm Hands), Debbie Reid, Jade Harris Cupit (Maids), Suzanne Downs (Cook), Marcus Hobbs

Jonathan Holcroft, Dave Smith, Leighton Haberfield, Les Mason, Tony Was, Geraint Herbert, Brett Langdon (Soldiers),

Charles de Paula (Ramsey)

Crew

Russell T Davies (Writer), Phil Collinson (Producer), Euros Lyn (Director), Peter Bennett (1st Assistant Director)

Lynsey Muir (2nd Assistant Director), Adam Hill (3rd Assistant Director), Gareth Lloyd (Location Manager)

Rhys Griffiths (Unit Manager), Jess van Niekerk (Production Co-ordinator), Claire Roberts (Production/Script Secretary)

Tim Hodges, Sarah Davies (Production Runner), Debi Griffiths, Kath Blackman (A/Production Accountants), Non Eleri Hughes (Continuity)

Simon Winstone (Script Editor), Terry Bartlett (Focus Puller), John Robinson (Grip), Jeff Welch (Boom Operator), Mark Hutchings (Gaffer)

Peter Chester (Best Boy), Dave Foreman (Stunt Co-ordinator), Peter Miles, Tony van Silva, Glen Foster, Levan Doran, Kai Martin

Rick English, Maurice Lee (Stunt Performers), Stephen Nicholas (Supervising Art Director)

Jonathan Marquand Allison (Art Dept Production Manager), Lee Gammon (Standby Art Director), James North (A/Supervising Art Director)

Matthew Savage, Peter McKinstry (Design Assistants), Phill Shellard, Trystan Howell (Standby Props), Julian Luxton (Set Decorator)

Adrian Anscombe (Property Master), Catherine Samuel (Production Buyer), Paul Aitken (Props Chargehand), Stuart Woddisee (Props Storeman)

Matthew North (Forward Dresser), Mark Cordory (Specialist Prop Maker), Penny Howarth (Prop Maker)

Matthew Hywel-Davies (Construction Manager), Allen Jones (Construction Chargehand), BBC Wales Graphics (Graphics)

Anna Lau (Costume Supervisor), Lindsay Bonaccorsi, Barbara Harrington (Costume Assistants)

Anwen Davies, Steve Smith, Moria Thompson (Make-Up Artists), Andy Brierley (Casting Associate), Ceres Doyles (Assistant Editor)

Samatha Hall, Chris Blatchford (Post Production Supervisors), Marie Brown (Post Production Co-ordinator)

Matthew Clarke (On Line Editor), Mick Vincent (Colourist), Chris Petts, Jean Yves Audouard, Paul Burton, Jean-Claude Deguara

Nicholas Hernandez, Will Pryor, Matthew McKinney, Neil Roche, Chris Tucker, Mark Wallman (3D Artists), Sara Bennett

David Bowman, Melissa Butler-Adams, Joseph Courtis, Bronwyn Edwards, Michael Harrison, Simon C Holden

Russell North (2D Artists), Kim Phelan (Visual Effects Co-ordinator), Alex Fort (Digital Matte Painter), Mike Tucker (Model Unit Supervisor)

Tim Ricketts (Dubbing Mixer), Paul McFadden, Doug Sinclair (Sound Editors), Paul Jefferies (Sound FX Editor)

Richard Pugsley (Finance Manager), with thanks to the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Ron Grainer (Original Theme Music)

Andy Pryor CDG (Casting Director), Endaf Emyr Williams (Production Accountant), Simon Fraser (Sound Recordist)

Louise Page (Costume Designer), Sheelagh Wells (Make-Up Designer), Murray Gold (Music), The Mill (Visual Effects)

Will Cohen (Visual FX Producer), Dave Houghton (Visual FX Supervisor), Any Effects (Special Effects), Crispin Green (Editor)

Edward Thomas (Production Designer), Rory Taylor (Director of Photography), Marcus Prince (Production Manager)

Helen Vallis (Associate Producer), Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner (Executive Producers)  

​

Uncredited Crew

Tim Hodges, Daf Perry (3rd Assistant Director), Penny Shipton (Focus Puller), Clive Baldwin, Zac Henderson (Grip), Rhydian Yeoman

Andrew Heard, Nick Stewart (Boom Operator), Angela Jones, Gemma Evans, Anna Stone, Laurie Anne Major (Costume Assistants)

Sara Griffiths, Neil Batt, Julie Davies (Make-Up Artists)

Broadcast

Filming Locations

  • Penllyn Castle, Penllyn, Cowbridge

  • Mountain Roads, Gelligaer Common, Mythyr

  • Craig-y-Nos, Brecon Road, Pen y Cae

  • Headlands School, St Augustine's Road, Penarth

  • Llansannor Court, Llansannor, Vale of Glamorgan

  • UNIT Q2, Imperial Way, Newport

  • Treowen Manor, Dingestow, Monmouth

  • HTV Studios: Studio 1, Culverhouse Cross

  • Tredegar House, Newport

  • Dyffryn Gardens, St Nicholas, Vale of Glamorgan

76) THE ARK IN SPACE

Deaths

  • Father Angelo [shot by Queen Victoria]

  • Steward [killed by the Werewolf]

  • Captain Reynolds [killed by the Werewolf]

  • Sir Robert [killed by the Werewolf]

  • The Host [killed by The Doctor under his request]

  • The Werewolf ['drowns' in moonlight]

  • Farm Hands [killed by the Werewolf]

Production Days

  • 17 Days between Monday 26 September - Thursday 27 October 2005

Production Errors

  1. During a wide shot of the Queen's Carriage and guard, the Tardis is not in the shot as it should be

  2. When the Werewolf is about to kill Rose, the only people in the Werewolf's POV are herself, The Doctor, and some of Queen Victoria. However a second later Lady Isobel, Flora and the other woman appear around a corridor corner. So they should have been in the wolf's POV shot as well 

  3. Despite being positioned in-front of the Werewolf, Rose isn't splashed with any of the mistletoe broth made by Lady Isobel and the other female characters. 

  4. Where exactly did the Queen's Horse Cart Driver and Footmen go when they reach the Torchwood House? 

  5. One of the Maids clearly states they can't free themselves from their bonds once the Host begins transforming

  6. Why doesn't anybody call out for help once The Doctor and the others arrive at the Torchwood House. It is still daylight at this point and The Host is basically powerless to do anything  

  7. How exactly did the Werewolf get on the roof before killing the Steward, without anyone seeing it?

  8. Whilst running to the observatory, Rose is clearly positioned in-front of Queen Victoria, however when the camera cuts to behind Queen Victoria, Rose has disappeared 

  9. If Sir Robert's father 'knew' that the Werewolf is real, why didn't he plant some mistletoe on the roof of the library? He varnished the doors to the library so why not protect the roof?​​​​​

Number of Production Days: 5

Working Titles

  • [no known working titles]

Verdict

A perfectly told horror movie in forty-five minutes. One of the Davies’ strongest scripts in tone and style and a simple formula which he expertly uses in future serials to come. A fast-paced script filled with thrills, chills, claustrophobic scenes, and wonderful aesthetics from all those involved. Another great cast all bringing something new to the episode. Gorgeous cinematography and spine-chilling back vocals make for uncomfortable but engaging watch. The CGI work and animation go all out with the Werewolf, easily one of the best, even better than Werewolves from some big, blockbuster, budget Hollywood Movies. The Werewolf  is a thing of beautiful – agile, expressive, and flexible all at the same time. Other highlights – the telescope in the observatory and the Torchwood house itself – a gigantic, cliched, dilapidated house shrouded in mystery and wonder. Oh yes and in the middle of the nowhere and away from civilization. The camera angles are top notch with fast, blurred close-ups of the Werewolf to establishing shots setting up the imminent danger the characters are about to find themselves in. Stunt work is out of this world and the subtle little background noises – the wind blowing outside all make for one the darkest episode ever and one of the most all time entertaining. *****​

bottom of page