THE ADVENTURE BEGINS - 'AN UNEARTHLY CHILD', AND SOON BEYOND...

Prehistoric threats for the Doctor and his companions in their memorable opening adventure.

"Visiting Britain in 1963 the Doctor's grand-daughter has become a pupil at an ordinary school. A strange amalgam of teenage normality and uncommon intelligence she whets the curiosity of two teachers who become inextricably involved in the Doctor's strange travels, Proving that time goes round in circles the Doctor blasts them back to a pre-civilized age of the Great Cold where tribal leaders battle for supremacy in a race to make fire. Thrown into the cave of skulls the Doctor and his companions soon realize that their lives depend on two alternatives: making fire without matches or escaping through the forest of fear..."

1990 VHS release sleeve story description for An Unearthly Child.

Radio Times series preview from November 1963.

Enjoy this selection of classic episodic moments, behind the scenes and media related images and art linked to the all-important first story for the series...

A familiar site within many fog-bound London streets of 1963 - a junkyard. But what secrets does it hold within it?

At Coal Hill School, teachers Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton are concerned about one of their talented but strange pupils, Susan Foreman.

The enigmatic Susan bewilders her classmates and teachers.

Posed publicity image of Barbara, Ian and Susan previewing the series.

Inside the Totters Lane junkyard, where a soon intriguing London police box lays waiting...

Investigating the junkyard home to Susan Foreman.

An eerie site, but stranger things lie ahead.

The mysterious Doctor prepares to gain entry to a police box.

The Doctor finally realises he's being observed and soon confronts the two intruders.

Specially posed publicity image of William Hartnell taken amongst props specially assembled in the BBC TV centre basement for an advance Radio Times magazine shoot handled by veteran photographer Don Smith. September 1963.

More posed images of Hartnell with Carole Ann Ford as Susan.

Classic image colourized by Clayton Hickman.

The amazing TARDIS interior, designed by a rushed BBC staffer Peter Brachacki, is revealed, as the schoolteachers are soon kidnapped by the Doctor and sent into time and space.

Rehearsing Ian and Barbara confronting the Doctor over Susan.

Soon enough, the Doctor will kidnap the schoolteachers into the dizzying realms of Time and Space!

The TARDIS materialises in 100,000 BC, and the emergence of the cavemen.

Kal (Jeremy Young) and the Tribe of Gum discuss their uncertain future without fire in this rehearsal image photo. Note actress Alethea Charlton (middle) with her snazzy sixties sunglasses on!

The Doctor and companions are soon imprisoned in the scary Cave of Skulls. An excellent set design from the story's secondary designer, Barry Newbery.

As our heroes are captured and forced into making fire for them, the battle for leadership of the Tribe of Gum continues between Kal (Jeremy Young) and Za (Derek Newark).

The Tribe of Gum awaits the return of the escaped Doctor and his companions, so as to capture them and force their further aide and need for fire.

Kal and Za fight for leadership supremacy and the Doctor and companions escape again, rushing back to the TARDIS.

The Doctor only just escapes the advancing Cavemen pursuers.

Another classic specially posed image taken at Ealing film studios.

The classic cover to the first issue of the acclaimed fan publication, An Adventure in Space and Time. Art by Stuart Glazebrook.

Target Books art by Andrew Skilleter for the  first paperback publication of An Unearthly Child, adapted by Terrance Dicks.

The first UK VHS release art, by Alister Pearson.

VHS re-release photo montage cover from 2000.

Intriguing French release cover.

UK DVD sleeve art composition by Clayton Hickman.

US DVD sleeve art.

Unused art by Nick Spender for the ultimately never released 2013 BBC AUDIO GO alternate novel adaptation of the story. 

Memorable cover for Doctor Who Magazine issue 333, 2003.