The Daleks origins finally revealed! The original Target Book 1976 adaptation cover art by Chris Achilleos.
"Back on the dreaded Skaro again, the Doctor's on a mission from the Timelords themselves... simple enough... all he has to do is destroy the Daleks before they evolve and face their evil creator..."
Original VHS release story synopsis - 1991
What more glowing words and appreciations can be said about this all-time classic that haven't already appeared on the pages of countless official/fan Who magazines over the last fifty years? Alongside TheCaves of Androzani, Genesis of the Daleks is accomplished, exciting, scary, suspenseful and triumphant in every way, and all despite being a Dalek story that the series then new producer Philip Hinchcliffe didn't really want to do at that time whilst launching his own distinctive era for the Fourth Doctor. Terry Nation's script was clearly one of his best, with Davros (inspired by the Nazis and the dreaded alien Mekon villain from the Dan Dare comic strips) an unforgettable creation so vital to the success of this enduring and resonant origin tale. But let's never forget the critical input made in fleshing out certain aspects of the story and characters made by the invaluable talents of script editor Robert Holmes...
Dalek creator Terry Nation poses with Tom Baker for a special Radio Times magazine photo shoot promoting Genesis. Image: Alan Ballard.
Superb art for the Doctor Who - Dalek Omnibus book of 1976, published for Marks & Spencer.
The super-intelligent but deranged Kaled Chief Scientist, Davros (Michael Wisher, in a brilliant mask created by technician John Friedlander).
My memories of this story, at a time when I was approaching five years old, remain potent. Most notably, I remember all the brilliantly crafted cliffhangers to the story that kept me on the edge of my seat (I was truly scared and repulsed by the mutant strangling the Doctor at the end of part five), loved the exterminating Daleks (whom I was seeing properly after my vague memories of the earlier Planet and Death to the Daleks screenings). And as for Michael Wisher as their calculating evil creator, Davros? Well, he sent shivers down my childhood spine...
As the old saying goes, "They truly don't make 'em like this anymore..."
Having intercepted their prior transmat beam, the Doctor, with the late arriving Sarah and Harry, is asked to partake in a special, dangerous mission for the Time Lords.
The Doctor agrees to help the Time Lords (represented here by actor John Franklyn-Robbins) in their wish to destroy the Daleks or interfere with their genetic development.
Soon captured on the Skaro battlefront, the Doctor and Harry are taken to the Kaled Dome and meet the ambitious and hostile Ravon (Guy Siner) who outlines the war history between the Thal and Kaled species.
Separated from her friends, Sarah soon wanders into danger on the war torn surface of Skaro...
... then wanders into a secret test demonstration of a newly created Dalek! Art by Daryl Joyce.
Their attempt to escape their Kaled captors failed, the Doctor and Harry are now escorted to the Kaled scientific research bunker.
Harry and the Doctor go through a rigorous detector machine, where the Time Lord's unique time bracelet, prior given to him by the Time Lords, is soon forcibly taken away.
Davros is fully revealed at the Scientific Research Bunker, bringing with him the improvements necessary for his unique 'travel machines'!
The soon-christened Dalek is tested with its new weapon module, and almost kills The Doctor and Harry. Thankfully, scientist Ronson, intrigued by the strangers, intervenes and incurs Davros' wrath.
The Doctor and Harry discover a new ally in Ronson (James Garbutt), who, with others in the elite scientific core, opposes Davros' plans with the newly christened Daleks.
Sarah and her mutant friend Sevein (Stephen Yardley) plan an ambitiously scary, and ultimately futile escape attempt from the Thal Dome.
Davros and his Dalek creations in the research lab.
The Daleks voice controls are improved as the scientists get nervous.
Aware that his Daleks could be stopped by the Kaled government, Davros makes plans to eliminate both them and the Thals in one fell swoop of ingenious planning.
Davros' right hand man, Nyder (Peter Miles) inspects the Daleks.
Having rescued Sarah with Harry, the Doctor becomes a prisoner of the Thals, powerless to stop their successful rocket attack on the Kaled Dome, whose exterior structure has been weakened thanks to help from Davros.
Briefly believing Harry and Sarah to be dead, The Doctor meets the Thal named Bettan (Harriet Philpin). Together they barely escape the retaliatory Dalek massacre of the Thals.
The Daleks begin their slaughter of the Thals in this rehearsal shot.
Acting as a diversion of sorts, Bettan must assemble a rag-tag attack force to help the Doctor as he returns back to the Kaled Bunker.
Captured alongside Sarah and Harry (who are tortured), the Doctor's destiny as a Dalek fighter is revealed to Davros, who must have his knowledge and secrets to improve his creations and avert their future defeats.
The Doctor has a unique chat with Davros to try and stop him from developing the Daleks further.
In a tussle with Davros, The Doctor almost succeeds in destroying the Daleks but is felled by Nyder.
The growing unrest by the scientists soon sees them taking action against Nyder (Peter Miles) and Davros' orders. Davros makes plans to destroy his new enemies.
Preparing to destroy the Dalek mutants within their incubator room.
The classic episode five cliffhanger as the Doctor is attacked by a Dalek mutant, in great art by Tom Connell.
"Do I have the right?" The Doctor ponders whether he should destroy the Daleks but another less violent opportunity presents itself with the seeming victory of the Kaled Scientists revolt against Davros.
The Doctor destroys the recording that could change the Daleks future destiny.
The prior revolted Kaled Scientists are soon murdered at Davros' conference by the surprise arrival of the Daleks.
Then, before being entombed by the Doctor, they eliminate their maker, having no further need for them. "This is only the beginning" for the Daleks...
Original concept art for Davros, by BBC Special Effects Designer Peter Day.
The classic BBC audio compilation for the story circa 1979.
Doctor Who Weekly's tenth issue pays tribute to Davros in 1979.
US Pinnacle Books release cover art from the eighties.
Through the lens cover art for the late eighties In-Vision magazine story coverage.
Target Books reprint art by Alister Pearson.
UK DVD release image composition by Clayton Hickman.
US DVD release cover.
German DVD release cover.
Cover to the Big Finish audio drama release of Terry Nation's original first episode of the story.
Demon LP release for the Dalek story, as part of a special era collection.
Get hold of the BBC Audio Books novel adaptation here:
There's nothing better or more special than a photocall of a new Doctor meeting his old enemies, the Daleks, and certainly Tom Baker was able to partake in arguably one of the best and most memorable publicity shoots with the Skaroan metal monsters at the BBC TV centre, for Genesis of the Daleks, back in early 1975.
Unlike his predecessor in the role, Baker loved working with the Daleks, his wise mantra being that, with such powerful enemies to fight onscreen, his role as the Doctor was even stronger and more appreciated by audiences when he ultimately defeated them.
Baker with Philip Hinchcliffe, David Maloney and other key members of the story's production team.
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