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17) THE TIME MEDDLER

3 - 24 July 1965

Average Viewing Figure: 8.4M

Plot

In Northumbria in 1066 a mysterious Monk plans to divert the course of  history by changing the result of the Battle of Hastings

Cast

William Hartnell (The Doctor), Maureen O'Brien (Vicki), Peter Purves (Steven Taylor), Peter Butterworth (Monk)

Alethea Charlton (Edith), Peter Russell (Eldred), Michael Miller (Wulnoth), Michael Guest (Saxon Hunter), Norman Hartley (Ulf)

Geoffrey Cheshire (Viking Leader), David Anderson (Sven), Ronald Rich (Gunnar the Giant)

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Uncredited Cast

Fred Haggerty, Tim Condren, Lyn Turner, Ken McGarvie, Peter Brooks, Freddy Parsons, Derek Chafer, Vic Taylor, John Evans (Saxons)

James Hamilton (Viking), Don Simons, Duggie Dean (Saxon Boys)

Crew

Dennis Spooner (Writer), David Anderson (Fight Arranger), Ron Grainer (Title Music), Charles Botterill (Percussion)

Daphne Dare (Costume Supervisor), Sonia Markham (Make-Up Supervisor), Ralph Walton (Lighting), Ray Angel (Sound)

Donald Tosh (Story Editor), Barry Newbery (Designer), Verity Lambert (Producer), Douglas Camfield (Director)

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Uncredited Crew

Monica Ludkin (Make-Up), Brian Hiles (Studio Sound), Gillian Chardet (Assistant Floor Manager), David Maloney (Production Assistant)

Brian Hodgson (Special Sounds), Delia Derbyshire (Theme Arrangement)​

Broadcast

Filming Locations

  • Ealing Film Studios: Stage 3A/B

  • Television Centre: Studio 4

  • Television Centre: Studio 3

Deaths

  • ​Ulf [killed by Saxons]

  • Sven [killed by Saxons]

  • Gunnar the Giant [killed in battle with Wulnoth]​

Production Days

  • 5 days between Monday 10 May - Friday 2 July 1965

Production Errors

  1. A deadbolt lock can be seen on the monastery door despite the fact it doesn't have handles attached

  2. The blankets at the beginning of episode two are not the same one seen in episode two

  3. During episode one, Steven wonders what a wristwatch is doing in the 10th century, even though The Doctor clearly told him that they have landed in the 11th century 

  4. Shortly after arriving, The Doctor, Vicki, and Steven discovery a Viking with horns. This is historically inaccurate since there is not enough evidence to support the fact the Vikings did in fact have horns on their helmets 

  5. Vicki's fear of height is once again contradicted when she stares down a great height during episode one​​​​

Working Titles

  • [no known working titles] 

Verdict

The Time Meddler is unique in many ways, where we are introduced to a character who is of the same species as The Doctor (excluding Susan Foreman), who just like The Doctor loves travelling through time and space, but for very different purposes. The Meddling Monk, perfectly portrayed by the equally perfect Peter Butterworth, provides another category of villain The Doctor faces. The Meddling Monk is not evil, The Doctor himself admits that much himself, rather he’s a menace who loves altering history which in his eyes, will result in a much more prosperous future. William Hartnell continues to shine as The Doctor bringing more childish charisma in performance, where young viewers are always reminded that The Doctor always has a trick up his sleeve no matter how desperate the situation is. Peter Purves slides into the role as the new regular companion, and Steven both ironic and perplexed at the best of times provides a much more solid platform for William Hartnell to play off of. Douglas Camfield proves to be a very talented director using a mixture of stock footage and studio recordings to create a grand scale of things with a much more varied camera angles and shots. This is a true delight which continues to be held in high regard. *****

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