Adventure 22 on day 24 of this marathon brings us to The Massacre of St Bartholomew’s Eve, a four-part historical serial first broadcast in February 1966. Written by John Lucarotti and heavily rewritten by script editor Donald Tosh, this story transports the TARDIS crew to 16th-century Paris during the turbulent days leading up to the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre—a horrific event in French history when thousands of Huguenots (French Protestants) were murdered by Catholic forces.
Unfortunately, all four episodes of The Massacre are missing from the BBC archives. For this retrospective, I listened to the fan-recorded soundtrack, narrated by Peter Purves, from the BBC Radio Collection release. Despite the lack of visuals, this powerful story emerges as one of the most thought-provoking and emotionally charged entries in the Hartnell era, exploring themes of religious intolerance, betrayal, and the complexities of human history.
The Story: Religious Turmoil in Paris
The TARDIS lands in Paris in 1572, where the Doctor and Steven find themselves in the midst of a city on the brink of chaos. The Doctor, intrigued by the period, leaves Steven at an inn while he visits an apothecary. Steven soon becomes entangled in the religious tensions between the Catholic majority and the persecuted Huguenots.
The Doctor, meanwhile, finds himself mistaken for the Abbot of Amboise, a Catholic leader whose involvement in a conspiracy adds layers of danger and intrigue. As tensions escalate, the massacre looms ever closer, forcing Steven to navigate a perilous web of alliances and betrayals in an attempt to survive.
The Doctor: A Passive Observer
In The Massacre, William Hartnell delivers one of his most enigmatic performances. The story features the Doctor in a dual role as both himself and the Abbot of Amboise, a rare opportunity for Hartnell to showcase his range.
As the Doctor, he takes on a more observational role, seemingly detached from the unfolding events. This detachment is unsettling, particularly for Steven, who grows increasingly frustrated by the Doctor’s apparent indifference to the plight of the Huguenots. The Doctor’s passivity raises important questions about his role in history—should he intervene to save lives, or is he bound by the rules of time to let events unfold as they are meant to?
As the Abbot, Hartnell portrays a cold and calculating figure, creating a striking contrast to his usual warmth as the Doctor. This dual role adds depth to the narrative, emphasizing the moral complexities of the story.
Steven: Alone in the Storm
Peter Purves’ Steven carries much of the emotional weight of the story. Left on his own for much of the narrative, Steven is thrust into a world of political intrigue and religious violence, where trust is scarce and danger is ever-present.
Steven’s growing frustration with the Doctor’s apparent inaction is a key element of the story. His moral outrage at the unfolding horrors and his inability to change the course of events mirror the audience’s own helplessness in the face of historical atrocities. Purves’ narration brings Steven’s journey to life, capturing his fear, anger, and eventual despair as the massacre begins.
A Grim and Complex Narrative
The Massacre is unflinchingly dark, tackling themes of religious intolerance and the brutal realities of historical conflict. The serial refuses to shy away from the horrors of the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, portraying it as an inevitable and senseless tragedy.
The script’s nuanced portrayal of both Catholics and Huguenots avoids simplistic moralizing, instead emphasizing the complexities of historical events and the individuals caught in their wake. This moral ambiguity is one of the story’s greatest strengths, forcing the audience to grapple with the ethical dilemmas faced by the characters.
The Narration: A Window into the Lost Episodes
Peter Purves’ linking narration is essential for bridging the gaps in this lost serial. His descriptions of the sets, costumes, and character expressions help paint a vivid picture of the story, allowing me to immerse myself in the world of 16th-century Paris.
The interplay between the narration and the surviving audio dialogue highlights the tension and atmosphere of the story, particularly in scenes where Steven must navigate the treacherous world of religious politics. While I long to see the original visuals, the narration ensures that the story’s impact is not diminished.
Themes of Intolerance and Helplessness
At its core, The Massacre is a meditation on the destructive power of intolerance and the helplessness of individuals in the face of historical forces. The Doctor’s detachment and Steven’s frustration underscore the tension between observing history and intervening to prevent suffering.
The story also explores the cost of survival in such a volatile environment. The characters’ moral compromises and betrayals reflect the grim realities of living through a period of profound upheaval, where alliances are fragile, and trust is a rare commodity.
A Pivotal Ending: The Arrival of Dodo
The story’s bleak tone is somewhat offset by its ending, which introduces new companion Dodo Chaplet. After leaving Paris, Steven’s disillusionment with the Doctor reaches a breaking point, and he temporarily leaves the TARDIS. However, the arrival of Dodo, whose surname suggests a possible link to a Huguenot survivor, restores a sense of hope and renewal.
Dodo’s abrupt introduction feels jarring, but it offers a much-needed moment of levity after the intense emotional journey of the previous episodes. Her carefree attitude and curiosity bring a fresh energy to the TARDIS crew, setting the stage for the adventures to come.
Revisiting in 2024: A Personal Perspective
Listening to The Massacre in audio form was an intense and haunting experience. The absence of visuals forced me to focus on the dialogue and narration, which revealed the story’s emotional and thematic depth.
Steven’s journey resonated deeply with me, particularly his sense of helplessness and moral outrage. His frustration with the Doctor’s detachment mirrored my own feelings as a listener, unable to intervene in the tragedy unfolding before me.
Legacy and Significance
The Massacre is one of the most ambitious and thought-provoking stories of the Hartnell era. Its exploration of historical events through a lens of moral ambiguity sets it apart from other historical serials, emphasizing the complexity of human history and the ethical dilemmas faced by the Doctor and his companions.
While its loss from the archives is deeply unfortunate, the surviving audio ensures that its powerful narrative and themes remain accessible. It’s a story that challenges the audience to confront uncomfortable truths about history, faith, and the limits of individual agency.
Final Thoughts
Revisiting The Massacre of St Bartholomew’s Eve has been a profound and sobering experience. Its exploration of religious intolerance and moral responsibility remains as relevant today as it was in 1966.
The combination of Peter Purves’ evocative narration and the surviving audio dialogue brings the story to life, offering a glimpse into one of Doctor Who’s most mature and daring adventures. While its tone is unrelentingly grim, its depth and complexity make it a standout entry in the Hartnell era, reminding me of the power of Doctor Who to illuminate the past while challenging our perceptions of morality and humanity.
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