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47) THE KROTONS

28 December 1968 - 18 January 1969

Average Viewing Figure: 8M

Plot

The Doctor and his companions land on a planet where the most gifted are unwillingly sacrificed to the Krotons

Cast

Patrick Troughton (The Doctor), Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon), Wendy Padbury (Zoe), James Cairncross (Beta), James Copeland (Selris)

Philip Madoc (Eelek), Gilbert Wynne (Thara), Terence Brown (Abu), Madeleine Mills (Vana), Richard Ireson (Axus), Bronson Shaw (Student)

Maurice Selwyn (Custodian), Roy Skelton, Patrick Tull (Kroton Voices), Robert La'Bassiere, Miles Northover (Krotons)

 

Uncredited Cast

Robin Scott, Peter Rann, David Melbourne, Nick Rutter, Robert Hayward, Mark Johnson, Reg Nardi, Keith Ashton, Ronnie Chance

Roger Charles, Alex Hood, Justine Elliott, Patricia Matthews, Wendy Wilson, Sylvia Steele, Tony Starr (Gonds)

Crew

Robert Holmes (Writer), Ron Grainer (Title Music), Brian Hodgson (Special Sound), Bill King (Trading Post) (Visual Effects Designer)

Bobi Bartlett (Costumes), Sylvia James (Make-Up), Howard T King (Lighting), John Holmes (Sound), Alan Jonas (Film Cameraman)

Martyn Day (Film Editor), Terrance Dicks (Script Editor), Raymond London (Designer), Peter Bryant (Producer), David Maloney (Director)

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Uncredited Crew

Ron Arnett (Grams Operator), David Collins, Maurice Gallagher (Floor Assistants)

Ron Bailey, Reg Lewis, Brian Davis, Ron Hasler (Scene Supervisors), Shiela Bray, Joe Hughes (Props), Peter Netley, Don Shaw (Graphics)

Fred Wright (Technical Manager), Raquel Ebbutt (Director's Assistant), Barbara Buchanan (Artists's Booker), David Langford (Vision Mixer)

Jane Anderson (Design Assistant), John Walker (Film Camera Assistant), Ron Blight (Film Sound), Ian Morton (Film Sound Assistant)

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Broadcast

Filming Locations

  • Pyx Grantie Quarry, North Malvern Road, Malvern, Heref/Worcs

  • West of England Quarry, Malvern, Heref/Worcs

  • Ealing Film Studios: Stage 3A/B

  • Lime Grove: Studio D

Deaths

  • Selris [dies while trying to destroy the Krotons' dynatrope]

  • Abu [mental energy drained out of him]

  • Gond [killed by the Krotons] 

  • Krotons [destroyed by sulphuric acid]

Production Days

  • 10 Days between Sunday 10 November - Friday 13 December 1968

Production Errors

  1. Beta is somehow in two places at the same time at the end of episode three in both in his lab and underneath the Learning Hall​​

  2. The very first shot of the episode centres on the door which refuses to open

  3. The lines which the Krotons say at the end of episode two are not exactly the same at the start of episode three

  4. During episode one, Vana's cloak fall off when she raises her arms 

  5. For some reason, Selris is Scottish 

  6. Jamie collides with Zoe whilst climbing in episode one 

  7. During episode four, Zoe's jacket is evidently torn at one shoulder

Working Titles

  • [no known working titles]

Verdict

A little adventure which is perhaps lacking in plot but is steeped in atmosphere. Robert Holmes makes his debut and lands on his feet with a perfectly executed and written story about a community of humans who are kept under strict guidance and leadership. The Krotons are pieces of intelligent writing but are rather underused albeit one Kroton who gets to wonder the mountains and attack the Tardis. Zoe is again top notch whilst Patrick Troughton strangely plays The Doctor in a cowardly way which seems to come out of nowhere. The backing away, panicky voiced Doctor just does not seem to fit him at all. Whilst not Robert Holmes fault it is still puzzling why The Doctor has become this type of person. The Krotons is slick and enjoyable all the same. ***​

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