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228) A TOWN CALLED MERCY

15 September 2012

Viewing Figure: 8.42M

Plot

A small American Town is being held hostage by a mysterious Gunslinger until they hand over 'The Doctor'

Cast

Matt Smith (The Doctor), Karen Gillan (Amy Pond), Arthur Darvill (Rory), Andrew Brooke (The Gunslinger)

Adrian Scarborough (Kahler-Jex), Dominic Kemp (Kahler-Mas), Joanne McQuinn (Sadie), Byrd Wilkins (The Preacher)

Garrick Hagon (Abraham), Ben Browder (Isaac), Sean Benedict (Dockery), Rob Cavazos (Walter)

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Uncredited Cast

Lorelei King (Narrator)

Crew

Toby Whithouse (Writer), Marcus Wilson (Producer), Saul Metzstein (Director), Gordon Seed (Stunt Coordinators)

Will Willoughby (Stunt Performer), Nick Brown (First Assistant Director), James DeHaviland (Second Assistant Director)

Heddi-Joy Taylor-Welch (Third Assistant Director), Danielle Richards (Assistant Director), Iwan Roberts (Location Manager)

Geraint Williams (Unit Manager), Phillipa Cole (Production Manager), Pere Agullo (Location Manager (Spain))

Claire Hildred (Production Coordinator), Gabriella Ricci (Asst Production Coordinator), Sandra Cosfield (Production Assistant)

Rachel Vipond, Samantha Price (Production Assistants), Rhys Evans (Asst Production Accountant), Lindsay Grant (Script Supervisor) 

Joe Russell (Camera Operator), Steve Rees, James Scott (Focus Pullers), Gary Norman (Grip)

Meg de Koning, Sam Smithard, Cai Thompson (Camera Assistants), Owen Charnley (Assistant Grip) 

Jeff Welch, Chris Goding (Sound Maintenance Engineers), Mark Hutchings (Gaffer), Stephen Slocombe (Best Boy)

Bob Wilton, Gareth Sheldon, Alan Tippets (Electricians), Paul Spriggs (Supervising Art Director)

Adrian Anscombe (Set Decorator), Charlie Lynam (Production Buyer), Amy Pickwoad (Art Director)

Richard Hardy (Assistant Art Director), Donna Shakesheff (Art Department Coordinator), Paul Smith (Props Master)

Bernies Davies (Props Chargehand), Jayne Davies (Set Dresser), Austin J Curtis (Prophand) 

Phill Shellard, Helen Atherton (Standby Props), Mike Elkins, Ian Griffin, Tom Belton (Dressing Props), Christina Tom (Graphic Artist)

Chris Lees (Graphic Designer), Helen O'Leary (Petty Cash Buyer), Will Pope (Standby Carpenter)

Bryan Griffiths (Standby Rigger), Penny Howarth, Alan Hardy, Jamie Thomas (Props Makers)

Gareth Fox (Prop Driver), Terry Horle (Construction Manager), Dean Tucker (Construction Chargehand)

Fraser Purfit (Assistant Costume Designer), Carly Griffith (Costume Supervisor)

Katarina Cappallazzi, Gemma Evans (Costume Assistants), Sara Angharard, Vivienne Simpson, Alison Sing (Make-Up Artists)

Alice Purser (Casting Associate), Becky Torman (Assistant Editor), Joel Skinner (VFX Editor)

Tim Ricketts (Dubbing Mixer), Matthew Cox (ADR Editor), Darran Clements (Dialogue Editor), Paul Jefferies (Sound Effects Editor)

Jamie Talbutt (Foley Editor), Peter Anderson Studio (Graphics), Matt Mullins (Online Editor), Gareth Spensley (Colourist)

with thanks to the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted and orchestrated by Ben Foster

mixed by Jake Jackson, recorded by Gerry O'Riordan, Ron Grainer (Original Theme Music), Andy Pryor CDG (Casting Director)

Julie Scott (Production Executive), Nerys Davies (Post Production Supervisor), Jeff Dunn (Production Accountant), 

Deian Llyr Humphreys (Sound Recordist), Howard Burden (Costume Designer), Barbara Southcott (Make-Up Designer)

Murray Gold (Music), Space Digital (Visual Effects), Real SFX (Special Effects), Prosthetics (Millennium FX), Tim Porter (Editor)

Michael Pickwoad (Production Designer), Stephen Pehrsson (Director of Photography), Denise Paul (Script Producer)

Diana Barton (Line Producer), Steven Moffat, Caroline Skinner (Executive Producers)  

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Uncredited Crew

Helena Oliva (Third Assistant Director), Clarissa Dickhaut (Unit Manager), Martin Stephens (Grip)

Broadcast

Filming Locations

  • Fort Apache, Mini Hollywood, Carretera Nacional 340a, Tabernas, Desierto de Tabernas, Almeria, Spain

  • Fort Bravo, Carretera Nacional 340a, Tabernas, Almeria, Spain

  • Ravine between Fort Bravo & Fort Apache, Tabernas, Almeria, Spain

  • Upper Boat Studios: Studio 2

Deaths

  • Kahler-Mass [shot and killed by The Gunslinger]

  • Kahler-Jex [killed when he blows up his spaceship with him inside]

  • Isaac [shot and killed by The Gunslinger]

Production Days

  • 11 Days between Wednesday 7 - Wednesday 21 March 2012

Production Errors

  1. The Doctor puts the Marshal Badge on his lapel. The badge later appears on his breast pocket 

  2. At 11:37, a USA flag with 50 stars can be seen. The flag should have 37 stars if the story is set in 1870

  3. At 14:07, a castle-like structure can be seen in the background - this is the Tabernas Castle 

Working Titles

  • The Gunslinger

Verdict

Furtherly entertaining from start to finish using your classic Wild Western narrative to create a sense of adventure, danger, and fun all in one. The classic Western gunman is a compelling villain for The Doctor to face who wants to do no more than kill the people who harmed him. Everything is of top quality the acting, the costume, and the script. Bright colours help the dark tone of the story and the filming locations are some of the best the series has seen in a while. Special and practical effects are of top quality which match the somewhat violent nature of the story. Humours moments are seen throughout with Matt Smith putting in his all who is clearly enjoying the different approach the episode takes. The story also pits The Doctor against an antagonist who is very much like himself. A little similar to 25 but builds and sometimes improves on the fundamentals which make a good western story. Whilst 25 used a variety of angles to set up the impending gunfight A Town Called Mercy has the advantage of being in colour and high definition creating a colourful world which could turn sour at given moment. An excellent effort, nearly perfect. ****​

76) THE ARK IN SPACE

Number of Production Days: 5

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