It is apparent that many later-series Whovians are a bit sniffy about this movie. All I can say is - like the sixties, you had to be there! In common with many sixties youngsters I found the TV series irresistible. Therefore, the prospect of a big-screen version was hotly anticipated. It was the technicolor that clinched it for me. The tweaked story and characters were of no consequence.
Peter Cushing was brought in as a well-known star; probably for the American audience. He played the doctor as the eccentric inventor of the TARDIS time machine, rather than someone from outer space. The characters of Ian and Barbara (Roy Castle and Jenny Linden) were changed simply for brevity. In the TV series they were Susan's teachers who were intrigued by her strange behaviour and followed her home. Since this comprised the whole of the first episode it would have taken up too much screen time. Consequently they became the Doctor's older granddaughter and her boyfriend, already in Susan's life. Far from being the "Unearthly Child" Susan is simply a precocious 12-year old, played by popular child actress Roberta Tovey; again probably for the intended American audience who were up to their ears in Hayley Mills!
The story is simple. The TARDIS is set in motion by accident when Ian leans on the control lever, and the travellers land on the planet Skaro which has suffered a nuclear war leaving two races. The humanoid Thals and the mutated fascist Daleks who are more technically advanced but have to live inside metal casings in order to survive and move about. The bigger sets made it more impressive and enjoyable than the TV series. And, seeing the Daleks in different colours was very much appreciated. For some reason the gaudiness made me think of a big toy store at Christmas! But I have to say that the Thals, particularly the men with their eye-shadow, left us a bit bemused.
The Daleks are such obvious baddies that the Doctor sides with the Thals in helping to defeat them. All of the familiar sci-fi themes are used. Susan is in apparent peril. The Dalek city is accessed via a secret tunnel and, the Daleks' offer of peace is definitely a trap. But, like I said, at the time we simply enjoyed it. Try doing that!
Peter Cushing was brought in as a well-known star; probably for the American audience. He played the doctor as the eccentric inventor of the TARDIS time machine, rather than someone from outer space. The characters of Ian and Barbara (Roy Castle and Jenny Linden) were changed simply for brevity. In the TV series they were Susan's teachers who were intrigued by her strange behaviour and followed her home. Since this comprised the whole of the first episode it would have taken up too much screen time. Consequently they became the Doctor's older granddaughter and her boyfriend, already in Susan's life. Far from being the "Unearthly Child" Susan is simply a precocious 12-year old, played by popular child actress Roberta Tovey; again probably for the intended American audience who were up to their ears in Hayley Mills!
The story is simple. The TARDIS is set in motion by accident when Ian leans on the control lever, and the travellers land on the planet Skaro which has suffered a nuclear war leaving two races. The humanoid Thals and the mutated fascist Daleks who are more technically advanced but have to live inside metal casings in order to survive and move about. The bigger sets made it more impressive and enjoyable than the TV series. And, seeing the Daleks in different colours was very much appreciated. For some reason the gaudiness made me think of a big toy store at Christmas! But I have to say that the Thals, particularly the men with their eye-shadow, left us a bit bemused.
The Daleks are such obvious baddies that the Doctor sides with the Thals in helping to defeat them. All of the familiar sci-fi themes are used. Susan is in apparent peril. The Dalek city is accessed via a secret tunnel and, the Daleks' offer of peace is definitely a trap. But, like I said, at the time we simply enjoyed it. Try doing that!