In the middle of the celebrations for Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary, came this docudrama about how the series came to be. It spans 1963 to 1966. It begins, as we see at the end, with Hartnell's post final scenes. The Tardis then metaphorically travels back to 63.
Though it is a film about Hartnell, it must be said that this is also the story of Verity Lambert and Sydney Newman. Played wonderfully by Jessica Raine and Brian Cox. But it is David Bradley, who gives the performance of his life as both the 'First Doctor' and William Hartnell. He comes across initially as a bitter man, disillusioned by the typecast roles he kept getting. In fact, I was worried that the portrayal of him may cloud our love of him. I need not to have worried. The way the story progressed and the obvious love Hartnell had for the role of the Doctor not only on screen but in public, was heartwarming.
It was wonderful to see William Russell and Carole Ann Ford play characters within this. It must be said that a number of other Who Illumni were featured too. Mark Eden, Nicholas Briggs and Jean Marsh to name but a few. Also, and it had been rumoured, a lovely touch was, near the end, seeing Bradley's Hartnell look across the Tardis console and see 'Eleventh Doctor' Matt Smith. A really wonderful nod to just how much of an institution Who is and how long it would last.
Back to Bradley though, as I said, the progression of the story shows what a wonderful man Hartnell was. It was great to hear a mention of his part in Brighton Rock, a film everyone must see as a classic of British film. Some scenes of note that stand out include, when Hartnell is clearly beginning to get the onset of his failing memory, it was moving and very hard to watch. The clear love he has for the roll comes across and this needs to be put firmly at the door of Mark Gatiss who wrote it. Though Bradley really does bring it alive. One scene, which will be remembered is of Hartnell breaking down after being forced to quit. His line "I don't want to go" and subsequent tears, bought me to tears too. Interestingly Tennant's same line when he was about to regenerate, saw me in floods too.
The recreation of the Tardis looked beautiful and the attention to detail was astounding. The Daleks have never felt and looked more sinister since the Tom Baker era, I would say. So plaudits are deserved there.
It must be added that this was more aimed at an older audience, not so much for children. The post watershed airing, the use of the word p**s and the fact that today's generation will not only have a limited attention span but their interest in Hartnell's era may not be suited the fast paced current era of young Who fans.
This really is a wonderful docudrama to watch and I highly recommend it to any older Who fan. It really is a trip of nostalgia and a reminder how close Who came to not being continued. Equally so, it is a telling reminder that Doctor Who was William Hartnell. There were no regenerations as we look back from today's point of view. It really does show how heartbreaking it was for Hartnell to have to give up. It is also sad to document is decline into illness.
If you haven't seen it already, search it out. It really is that good!
Though it is a film about Hartnell, it must be said that this is also the story of Verity Lambert and Sydney Newman. Played wonderfully by Jessica Raine and Brian Cox. But it is David Bradley, who gives the performance of his life as both the 'First Doctor' and William Hartnell. He comes across initially as a bitter man, disillusioned by the typecast roles he kept getting. In fact, I was worried that the portrayal of him may cloud our love of him. I need not to have worried. The way the story progressed and the obvious love Hartnell had for the role of the Doctor not only on screen but in public, was heartwarming.
It was wonderful to see William Russell and Carole Ann Ford play characters within this. It must be said that a number of other Who Illumni were featured too. Mark Eden, Nicholas Briggs and Jean Marsh to name but a few. Also, and it had been rumoured, a lovely touch was, near the end, seeing Bradley's Hartnell look across the Tardis console and see 'Eleventh Doctor' Matt Smith. A really wonderful nod to just how much of an institution Who is and how long it would last.
Back to Bradley though, as I said, the progression of the story shows what a wonderful man Hartnell was. It was great to hear a mention of his part in Brighton Rock, a film everyone must see as a classic of British film. Some scenes of note that stand out include, when Hartnell is clearly beginning to get the onset of his failing memory, it was moving and very hard to watch. The clear love he has for the roll comes across and this needs to be put firmly at the door of Mark Gatiss who wrote it. Though Bradley really does bring it alive. One scene, which will be remembered is of Hartnell breaking down after being forced to quit. His line "I don't want to go" and subsequent tears, bought me to tears too. Interestingly Tennant's same line when he was about to regenerate, saw me in floods too.
The recreation of the Tardis looked beautiful and the attention to detail was astounding. The Daleks have never felt and looked more sinister since the Tom Baker era, I would say. So plaudits are deserved there.
It must be added that this was more aimed at an older audience, not so much for children. The post watershed airing, the use of the word p**s and the fact that today's generation will not only have a limited attention span but their interest in Hartnell's era may not be suited the fast paced current era of young Who fans.
This really is a wonderful docudrama to watch and I highly recommend it to any older Who fan. It really is a trip of nostalgia and a reminder how close Who came to not being continued. Equally so, it is a telling reminder that Doctor Who was William Hartnell. There were no regenerations as we look back from today's point of view. It really does show how heartbreaking it was for Hartnell to have to give up. It is also sad to document is decline into illness.
If you haven't seen it already, search it out. It really is that good!