MIDDLE-AGED ADVENTURING! 'THE TIME WARRIOR' AT FIFTY!
Introducing the Sontarans!
The first Doctor Who story to fully meld a historical setting with science fiction launches the distinctive final season of Jon Pertwee's beloved era with fun and excitement, bolstered by a great Robert Holmes script that introduces the war mongering Sontaran characters represented here by the intimidating Commander Linx (a great role for Kevin Lindsay to get his teeth into), as well as, all-importantly, the fiery investigative reporter from 1980, Sarah Jane Smirth (as played by the much-missed Elisabeth Sladen) alongside a whole host of memorable supporting characters that could only be found in a script from Holmes, including the brutish co-villain in Irongron (well played by David Daker) in partnership with the clumsy oaf Bloodaxe (John J. Carnery), and the delightfully oddball and partially sighted Professor Reubish (Donald Pelmear), who, amongst other scientists kidnapped from Earth's future by the stranded Linx, ultimately helps the Doctor and Sarah save the day, whilst the capable Hal the Archer (Jeremy Bulloch) delivers the killing arrow blow that puts an end to the Sontaran presence on Earth...
Season Eleven has a special place in my affections as this is when I started to really watch the series as a near four year old, of which the final episode of The Time Warrior is the start of my full memories and the beginnings of my affection for and notice of the series, I didn't know the overall story but the imagery was what stood out to my young self - I clearly remember the Doctor challenging Lynx, the bulbous Sontaran craft, and Linx's final demise.
Newly arrived on Earth, the Sontaran warrior Linx makes his claim on the planet in front of shocked human warriors Irongron and Bloodaxe.
In the future, Sarah Jane Smith meets the Doctor and soon joins him in the past as he goes on the track of kidnapped scientists.
Now arrived in Middle Ages England, Sarah is interrogated by Linx, who discovers she is from the future.
The villainous Irongron (David Daker) discovers 'Women's Lib' from Sarah, whether he wants it or not!
Irongron and Bloodaxe in a posed pocture taken on location.
Sarah aides the Lady Eleanor (June Brown) and Edward of Wessex (Alan Rowe), whose castle is being terrorised by Irongron.
The quirky scientist Professor Rubeish (Donald Pelmear) confers with the Doctor and soon aides him in returning the kidnapped human scientists back to the future.
Hal the Archer kills Linx, of which his alien spacecraft is also soon destroyed.
Being the exciting opener to the season with lots of new faces, a wave of memorable publicity images were taken for the story, both at the BBC, and on location in Peckforton Castle, Cheshire.
Posed publicity image of the main cast meeting the new alien menace.
The Sontaran points his weapon at the Doctor!
The Doctor fights back.
Original costume design by James Acheson.
Costume designs for Irongron and Bloodaxe.
Original Radio Times listings for the four-parter.
The original Target books paperback cover. Art by Jeff Cummins.
The memorable cover to issue 6 of Doctor Who Weekly from November, 1979.
Original first VHS release sleeve photo composite.
First Australian VHS release cover, which debuted before the UK's own release.
The splendid cover art for An Adventure in Time and Space issue 85, by Andrew Martin.
American DVD release cover by Clayton Hickman.
Target Books reprint cover art by Alister Pearson.
A selection of behind the scenes images taken for the BBC and Radio Times heralding the season launcher.
Pertwee and Elisabeth Sladen together!
Sladen in her Middle Ages outfit.
Irongron's brutes happily pose on location.
Fun with guest star Jeremy Bulloch.
Enjoying a spot of archery,
Greetings from Earth!
A break between cliffhanger filming.
Australian actor Kevin Lindsay without his Sontaran mask/
Get the BBC audio adaptation of the Target novel, read by Jeremy Bulloch, here:
No comments:
Post a Comment