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72) DEATH TO THE DALEKS

23 February - 16 March 1974

Average Viewing Figure: 9.4M

Plot

Arriving on the planet Exxilon, The Doctor, a human expedition and The Daleks must join forces if they wish to get off the planet

Cast

Jon Pertwee (The Doctor), Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith), Duncan Lamont (Dan Galloway), John Abineri (Richard Railton)

Neil Seiler (Commander Stewart), Julian Fox (Peter Hamilton), Joy Harrison (Jill Tarrant), Mostyn Evans (High Priest)

Arnold Yarrow (Bellal), Roy Heymann (Gotal), Michael Wisher (Dalek Voices), John Scott Martin, Cy Town, Murphy Grumbar (Daleks)

Terry Walsh (Spaceman), Terry Walsh, Steven Ismay (Zombies)

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Uncredited Cast

Steve Ismay, Kevin Moran, Marc Boyle, Max Faulkner, Bob Blaine, Leslie Bates, Roy Pearce, Terry Denville, David Rolfe, Derek Chafer

Nigel Wynder, Dennis Plenty, Mike Reynel, Terry Sartain (Exxilons), Tex Fuller (Exxilon Messenger), Roy Heymann (Jebal)

Terry Walsh (Burning Exxilon), Terry Walsh (Stuntman), Terry Walsh (Stunt Double for Doctor Who)

Number of Production Days: 9

Crew

Terry Nation (Writer), Terry Walsh (Fight Arranger), Ron Grainer (Title Music), Bernard Lodge (Title Sequence), Carey Blyton (Music)

Dick Mills (Special Sound), Jim Ward (Visual Effects), John Friedlander (Masks), L Rowland Warne (Costume Designer)

Magdalen Gaffney (Make-Up), Bill Matthews (Film Cameraman), Bill Chesneau (Film Sound), Bob Rymer (Film Editor)

Derek Slee (Studio Lighting), Richard Chubb (Studio Sound), Terrance Dicks (Script Editor), Colin Green (Designer)

Barry Letts (Producer), Michael Briant (Director)

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Uncredited Crew

Jennie Betts (Facilities Assistant), Mat Irvine, Peter Pegrum, Colin Mapson (Visual Effects Assistants), Cynthia Goodwin (Location Make-Up)

Alan Woods (Grips), Nick Lake (Vision Mixer), John Stevens (Props Buyer), Sarah Newman (Production Secretary)

Margareet Lewty (Director's Assistant), Clive Derbyshire, Chris Lovelock (Assistant Film Sound Recordists), Dave Smith (Film Lighting)

Marin Patmore, Ian Pugslsey (Assistant Film Cameramen), Eric Wallis (Technical Manager), Gordon Phillipson (Grams Operator)​

Broadcast

Filming Locations

  • ARC Sand Pits, Gallows Hill, Dorset

  • Bill's Pit, Gallows Hill, Dorset

  • Dixie's Pit, Gallows Hill, Dorset

  • Television Centre: Studio 4

Deaths

  • Dan Galloway [sacrifices his own life to stop The Daleks]

  • Richard Railton [killed by an Exxilon]

  • Commander Stewart [dies after being attacked by an Exxilon]

  • Dalek [destroyed by Exxilons]

  • Dalek [destroyed by the Exxilon City Robot]

  • Spaceman [killed by an Exxilon]

  • Daleks [blown up when their spaceship explodes]

  • Exxilon [dies after being burned]

  • Exxilon [killed by the Exxilon City Robot]

  • Exxilons [in various other ways]

Production Days

  • 9 Days between Tuesdsay 13 November - Tuesday 18 December 1973

Production Errors

  1. Toward the end of episode one when The Doctor and Expedition Member see what they believe is a relief ship, Railton is looking in the wrong direction ​​

  2. The "root" beneath the Exxilon City, has white speech globes during far shots, and orange ones in other shots

  3. When The Doctor brushes his hair after completing a test in the Exxilon City, his reflection can be seen in foreground despite the fact that there are no mirrors or reflective objects in the room 

  4. Arnold Yarrow's eyes can be seen behind Bellal's mask at one point during the story 

  5. The cliffhanger to episode one is spoiled by the editing. Numerous close -ups and cut away shots make it obvious that the Dalek's guns do not work

  6. Where on Earth did the Daleks get a model Tardis from? And why do they have it? Where they banking on the fact that they would meet The Doctor again? If so, they lucked out big time

  7. There is one Exxilon who remains unaccounted for. Sarah knocked one out which got into the Tardis. Is the Exxilon still there wandering about the place?

Working Titles

  • Dalek Story

  • Doctor Who and the Exilons

Verdict

Death to the Daleks is a dark tale involving a savage race of aliens who were once brilliant space travellers but have diverted into a primitive culture of sacrifices and rituals. There are quite a few good ideas here from the sentient Exxilon City and its many death traps to the Exxilon culture and  society itself. The opening minutes in part one are some of the best in the show’s history plunging The Doctor and Sarah in mortal peril with little in way of aid or escape. Good overall designs work help the story along and the Daleks are finally at their best in-spite of losing their powers which makes them much more dangerous and deadly. Briant is a top director who is able to turn anything into entertainment.****​

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