This Doctor Who marathon takes an intriguing detour with Dr. Who and the Daleks, the first big-screen adaptation of the series. Released in the summer of 1965, this Amicus Productions film reimagines The Daleks serial from the television show’s first season, turning it into a colorful, cinematic adventure. Premiering between adventures seventeen (The Time Meddler) and eighteen (Galaxy 4), although entirely unconnected to the main television series' narrative, this movie provides a fascinating alternative interpretation of the Doctor’s world.
Rewatching it today as part of this 365-day journey feels like stepping into a parallel universe. The essence of Doctor Who is still present, but the tone, visuals, and characters are strikingly different. It’s a bold and entertaining reimagining that offers a fresh perspective on a classic story, even if it deviates significantly from the source material.
The Story: A Familiar Tale, Retold
Dr. Who and the Daleks follows the same basic premise as The Daleks, the second television adventure. The Doctor—here reimagined as “Dr. Who,” a human inventor—travels to the planet Skaro with his companions: his granddaughters Susan and Barbara, and Barbara’s boyfriend Ian. They encounter the Daleks, a xenophobic, mutated race encased in metal shells, and the peaceful Thals, who are locked in a bitter struggle for survival.
The plot centers on the crew’s efforts to help the Thals thwart the Daleks’ plan to use a neutron bomb to annihilate all life on Skaro. While the core beats of the story remain intact, the film streamlines the narrative and injects it with more action, humor, and visual spectacle.
A New Doctor: Peter Cushing’s Warm and Whimsical Take
One of the most significant departures from the television series is the portrayal of the Doctor, or “Dr. Who.” Played by Peter Cushing, this version of the character is a far cry from William Hartnell’s mysterious and occasionally irascible Time Lord. Instead, Cushing’s Dr. Who is a warm, bumbling, and kindly human inventor, more akin to a whimsical grandfather than an enigmatic alien.
Cushing’s performance is undeniably charming, and he brings a sense of gentle humor and humanity to the role. However, this reinterpretation lacks the complexity and gravitas of Hartnell’s Doctor, making the character feel more grounded but less compelling. For me, it’s an interesting take, but one that doesn’t quite capture the essence of what makes the Doctor such a unique and enduring figure.
The Companions: Familiar Names, Different Personalities
The film’s companions are similarly reimagined:
- Ian, played by Roy Castle, is transformed into a clumsy comic relief character. While his pratfalls and bumbling antics provide plenty of laughs, they strip Ian of the bravery and resourcefulness that defined him on television.
- Barbara, portrayed by Jennie Linden, is given little to do beyond react to the events around her. This is a far cry from the intelligent and determined character seen in the series.
- Susan, played by Roberta Tovey, fares better. This version of Susan is younger and more grounded than her television counterpart, and Tovey delivers a natural and endearing performance that adds heart to the story.
While these characters are entertaining in their own right, I couldn’t help but miss the depth and complexity of their television incarnations.
The Daleks: A Visual Upgrade
One area where the film truly excels is its depiction of the Daleks. These Daleks are sleeker, more colorful, and more dynamic than their television counterparts, with vibrant metallic hues that pop on the big screen. The film also introduces new features, such as Daleks with claw arms and flamethrowers, making them feel more versatile and threatening.
Their movement is smoother, and their voices are richer, lending them a greater sense of menace. Seeing the Daleks glide through the brightly lit corridors of Skaro is undeniably thrilling, and it’s easy to see why they captured the imaginations of cinema audiences in 1965.
Production and Visual Spectacle
The leap from the black-and-white, low-budget aesthetic of early Doctor Who to the vibrant Technicolor spectacle of Dr. Who and the Daleks is breathtaking. The film’s production design is lavish, with sprawling, futuristic sets and vivid alien landscapes that feel genuinely otherworldly. Skaro’s petrified forests, Dalek city, and irradiated wastelands are brought to life with a level of detail and scale that was impossible on 1960s television.
The film’s direction by Gordon Flemyng emphasizes action and visual flair, resulting in a faster-paced and more accessible story. While this approach sacrifices some of the tension and moral complexity of the original, it makes for an engaging and visually stunning experience.
Themes Simplified
The film retains some of the original story’s themes, such as the dangers of xenophobia and the importance of cooperation, but it simplifies them significantly. The nuanced conflict between the Thals and the Daleks is reduced to a straightforward battle between good and evil, and the moral dilemmas faced by the television characters are largely absent.
While this streamlining makes the story more accessible to a wider audience, it also robs it of some of its depth. For me, the lack of moral complexity makes the film feel less impactful than the television serial, though its charm and energy compensate to some extent.
Rewatching in 2024: A Personal Perspective
Revisiting Dr. Who and the Daleks today, I was struck by how much it feels like a time capsule of mid-1960s cinema. The garish bright colors, whimsical tone, and focus on spectacle reflect the era’s filmmaking trends, making the film feel distinct from the more grounded and cerebral television series.
As someone deeply familiar with the original serial, I found the changes both fascinating and frustrating. The film’s streamlined narrative and comedic tone make it an enjoyable diversion, but they also dilute the story’s emotional and philosophical weight. That said, I can appreciate the film as a bold and imaginative reimagining, offering a fresh perspective on a classic tale.
Legacy and Influence
Dr. Who and the Daleks holds a unique place in Doctor Who history. It introduced the series to a broader audience, particularly in international markets where the television show was not yet available. Its vibrant depiction of the Daleks helped solidify their status as cultural icons, and its success paved the way for a sequel, Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D., later in 1965.
The film’s influence can also be seen in the evolution of the series. While its comedic tone and simplified storytelling are not representative of Doctor Who as a whole, its emphasis on visual spectacle and action hinted at the direction the show would take in later decades.
Final Thoughts
Rewatching Dr. Who and the Daleks as part of this 365-day marathon has been a fascinating detour. It’s a film that reimagines Doctor Who with a sense of whimsy and spectacle, offering a glimpse of what the series might have been in a parallel universe.
While it lacks the depth and complexity of the original serial, its charm, energy, and visual flair make it a thoroughly enjoyable experience. For fans of Doctor Who, it’s a must-watch curiosity—a colorful, cinematic reimagining of the show’s early days that captures the spirit of adventure, even as it ventures far from the TARDIS’s usual path.
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