It is 1966 and a car pauses on the street. Seen ahead through the fog is a police box. A police man emerges and walks toward the car. “You must move along, sir,” he tells the driver. The driver is William Hartnell (David Bradley), who appears bemused.
Flashback to 1963. Sydney Newman (Brian Cox), head of BBC Drama, needs a half hour show to bridge a gap between two ratings hits. He has in mind a Sci-Fi show, which induces groans from the others in the room. He knows just the person to produce the show: Verity Lambert (Jessica Raine). Verity had been his assistant at ITV but he promotes her to show runner, the first female producer at BBC! She is assigned Waris Hussein to be her director; he is the first Indian director at BBC! As they hammer out details of the script and get props to design the TARDIS, Verity looks for the titular Doctor Who. She wants someone who is grandfatherly, a bit abrasive, but still charming. She finds William Hartnell. Hartnell has spent his career in the mold of criminals or military/authority figures. His most noted recent role is that of a Sergeant Major in The Army Game. He’s not sure he is right for the part but is convinced to try it. He loves it. From these early beginnings, the show moves through the years and the people leave. Waris is the first to go. Then his onscreen granddaughter, Carole Ann Ford, departs. The whole cast is gone but for Hartnell after two years and then Verity Lambert moved on. The later part of the show is rather depressing and sad. Though only in his fifties, Hartnell is not well and has trouble remembering his lines. By 1966, Sydney tells him that it’s time to get a new Doctor. Hartnell is heartbroken but approves the choice for his replacement.
Back on the road, the policeman knocks on the window. Hartnell rolls it down, is recognized by the now happy policeman, and then drives on. Today is the last day of filming, the day the Doctor regenerates and a new actor, Patrick Troughton, takes the reins.
This is a terrific TV movie and loads of fun. It is great to see them chat while Daleks roll in the background or the Doctor is dressed for the Reign of Terror, or Cybermen are taking a smoke break. Each year, there is a photo of the latest batch of companions. It is also quite sad. Hartnell is the central character and this is mostly a tragedy from his perspective. All those who were with him at the beginning have departed for other projects, his health is failing and not helped by the 48 week shooting schedule, and he can barely remember his lines. He takes such joy in interacting with the young fans of the show and doesn’t want to let go.
Flashback to 1963. Sydney Newman (Brian Cox), head of BBC Drama, needs a half hour show to bridge a gap between two ratings hits. He has in mind a Sci-Fi show, which induces groans from the others in the room. He knows just the person to produce the show: Verity Lambert (Jessica Raine). Verity had been his assistant at ITV but he promotes her to show runner, the first female producer at BBC! She is assigned Waris Hussein to be her director; he is the first Indian director at BBC! As they hammer out details of the script and get props to design the TARDIS, Verity looks for the titular Doctor Who. She wants someone who is grandfatherly, a bit abrasive, but still charming. She finds William Hartnell. Hartnell has spent his career in the mold of criminals or military/authority figures. His most noted recent role is that of a Sergeant Major in The Army Game. He’s not sure he is right for the part but is convinced to try it. He loves it. From these early beginnings, the show moves through the years and the people leave. Waris is the first to go. Then his onscreen granddaughter, Carole Ann Ford, departs. The whole cast is gone but for Hartnell after two years and then Verity Lambert moved on. The later part of the show is rather depressing and sad. Though only in his fifties, Hartnell is not well and has trouble remembering his lines. By 1966, Sydney tells him that it’s time to get a new Doctor. Hartnell is heartbroken but approves the choice for his replacement.
Back on the road, the policeman knocks on the window. Hartnell rolls it down, is recognized by the now happy policeman, and then drives on. Today is the last day of filming, the day the Doctor regenerates and a new actor, Patrick Troughton, takes the reins.
This is a terrific TV movie and loads of fun. It is great to see them chat while Daleks roll in the background or the Doctor is dressed for the Reign of Terror, or Cybermen are taking a smoke break. Each year, there is a photo of the latest batch of companions. It is also quite sad. Hartnell is the central character and this is mostly a tragedy from his perspective. All those who were with him at the beginning have departed for other projects, his health is failing and not helped by the 48 week shooting schedule, and he can barely remember his lines. He takes such joy in interacting with the young fans of the show and doesn’t want to let go.
A must see for any Doctor Who fan. This is how it all started.
