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129 – "The Five Doctors"
Doctor Who episode
Cast
Others
Production
Directed byPeter Moffatt
Written byTerrance Dicks
Script editorEric Saward
Produced byJohn Nathan-Turner
Music byPeter Howell
Production code6K
SeriesSpecial (1983)
Running time90 minutes (original)
101 minutes (Special Edition)
First broadcast23 November 1983 (1983-11-23) (first global)
25 November 1983 (first UK)
Chronology
← Preceded by
The King's Demons 		Followed by →
Warriors of the Deep
List of episodes (1963–1989)

"The Five Doctors" is a special feature-length episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, produced in celebration of the programme's 20th anniversary. It had its world premiere in the United States, on the Chicago PBS station WTTW and various other PBS member stations on 23 November 1983,[1] the anniversary date. It was transmitted on BBC1 in the United Kingdom two days later.

"The Five Doctors" was written by Terrance Dicks, who had been the script editor for the entirety of the Third Doctor's era and had written for the series since the 1960s. The episode aired after the conclusion of the 20th season to celebrate the 20th anniversary. Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee reprised their roles as the Second and Third Doctors, respectively. Richard Hurndall portrayed the First Doctor, as the character's original actor, William Hartnell, had died since his last appearance on the show ten years previously. Tom Baker decided not to appear, so footage from the unfinished serial Shada was used to portray the Fourth Doctor.

Plot

[edit]

An unknown entity uses the Time Scoop to bring several of the previous incarnations of the Doctor; his former companions Susan Foreman, Sarah Jane Smith, and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart; and his enemies the Daleks, the Cybermen, a Raston Warrior Robot and a Yeti, from their respective time streams into the Death Zone on Gallifrey. The entity's attempt to grab the Fourth Doctor and Romana ends up trapping the two in the time vortex. The Fifth Doctor senses the disruption of his own timeline, and with his own companions Tegan and Turlough, travels to Gallifrey via his TARDIS, also ending up in the Death Zone, unable to travel farther with the TARDIS due to a force field projected by the Tomb of Rassilon, the tower at the centre of the Death Zone. The various Doctors lead their companions towards the Tower while avoiding the hostile forces.

In the Citadel on Gallifrey, the High Council of Time Lords have also detected the disturbance in the Doctor's timeline and the power drain from the Time Scoop, and Lord President Borusa has the Master summoned, to help rescue the Doctor, offering him a new set of regenerations and a pardon if he succeeds. The Master accepts, and is given a recall device by the Castellan and a copy of the High Council's seal before he is transmatted to the Zone. The Master encounters the Third Doctor, who dismisses him and accuses him of making the seal himself, before finding the Fifth just as they are surrounded by Cybermen. The Master is knocked out by a Cyberman's gun firing, and the Doctor finds and uses the recall device to return to the Citadel. When the Master awakes, he makes a pact with the Cybermen to lead them to the Tower.

As the other Doctors and companions converge on the Tower, the Fifth Doctor discovers the recall device given to the Master included a tracking signal to lead the Cybermen to him. The Castellan is found to possess the forbidden Black Scrolls of Rassilon, and dies while attempting to escape an invasive mind probe. When the Doctor returns to the High Council's chamber to report, he finds Borusa missing, and soon discovers a secret room with Borusa at the controls of the Time Scoop. Borusa reveals he seeks to be the President Eternal of Gallifrey and needed the Doctors to disable the force field over the Tomb in order to gain immortality from Rassilon's Ring and rule forever. Borusa uses his headgear, the Coronet of Rassilon, to compel the Doctor to do his bidding. Meanwhile, the Master meets the First Doctor and Tegan and rids himself of the Cybermen by letting them fall victim to the Death Zone's traps, before killing the Cyberleader with one of his subordinates' guns.

As Borusa expected, the other three Doctors and their companions have made it to the tomb chamber, bypassing the Yeti and Raston Warrior Robot, as well as phantoms of the Doctor's former companions Jamie McCrimmon, Zoe Heriot, Liz Shaw and Mike Yates. They ponder the meaning of writing in the tomb: "to lose is to win and he who wins shall lose". The Master arrives in the Tomb, but the Doctors' companions tie him up, with the Brigadier knocking him out for good measure. The Doctors disable the force field to summon the TARDIS, but this action allows Borusa and the Fifth Doctor to arrive via transmat. Borusa uses the Coronet to prevent the Doctors' companions from interfering while he speaks to Rassilon. An image of Rassilon appears above the tomb and offers Borusa his ring as the key to immortality. Borusa dons the Ring, but then shortly disappears, becoming living stone that is part of Rassilon's tomb. The First Doctor realised what fate the tomb's writing foretold: immortality, but at a cost of perpetual incarceration.

Rassilon frees the Fourth Doctor and Romana from the time vortex and returns the Master to his own time; the Doctors immediately refuse his offer for immortality. The First, Second and Third Doctors collect their respective companions and return to their time streams as well, leaving the Fifth Doctor with Tegan and Turlough. Chancellor Flavia arrives via transmat, with the Chancellery Guard, and, after learning of Borusa's fate, declares that the Doctor is now Lord President, a position he cannot refuse. The Doctor tells Flavia to return to the Citadel, as he will follow shortly, then quickly departs with his companions, as he has no intention of returning to Gallifrey any time soon. Tegan asks if he's planning to jet off across the galaxy in an old spaceship running from his people. With a grin, he replies that of course he is, as that's how his adventure started in the first place.

Production

[edit]

The working title for this story was "The Six Doctors".[2] It would have been written by former script editor Robert Holmes and would have featured the Cybermen and their kidnapping of the five incarnations of the Doctor; in their attempt to extract Time Lord DNA to turn themselves into "Cyberlords", the twist being that the First Doctor and Susan would actually be android impostors[2] (the former being the "Sixth Doctor" of the title) and the Second Doctor would have saved the day. Holmes dropped out at an early stage and another former script editor, Terrance Dicks, was brought in instead. Some elements of this plotline would be reused in Holmes' own The Two Doctors (1985) and in Chris Chibnall's "The Timeless Children" (2020).

The programme is officially a co-production with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, although the production team were not aware of this during production and the agreement in effect amounted to little more than a pre-production purchase pact. Nathan-Turner's first choice of director for the story was Waris Hussein, who had directed the first-ever Doctor Who serial, An Unearthly Child, in 1963. Hussein was in America at the time and was unable to accept the offer.[3] Nathan-Turner then asked another veteran director, Douglas Camfield, but he also declined.[4]

The original script featured an appearance by the Autons, last seen in Terror of the Autons (1971). After being dropped into the Death Zone, Sarah would have been attacked by a group of them before being rescued by the Third Doctor. However, due to budgetary restrictions, the scene was dropped[4] and replaced in the finished version. Just before she meets the Third Doctor, Sarah falls a few feet down what fans have generally considered a rather unconvincing slope. In the novelisation, Sarah actually steps off a cliff. This was what was originally intended in the script, but for budgetary reasons the sequence was changed.

Location filming took place at Cwm Bychan, Llanbedr.[5] The Yeti costume used in the serial was last used in The Web of Fear in 1968. It had decayed badly in 15 years of storage, requiring dim lighting and selective camera angles during filming.[6]

The story was prepared in two formats: the ninety-minute version and a four-part version, the latter designed for international distribution or repeat broadcasting in the ordinary series run. The episode breaks were, respectively, Sarah falling down the slope, the Cybermen placing their bomb outside the TARDIS while Susan and Turlough watch, and the Master appearing behind the First Doctor and Tegan while in the Dark Tower. This is the only programme from the classic series of Doctor Who for which all recorded and filmed material, including alternative and unused takes, fluffed scenes and so forth, still exists in broadcast-quality format. This allowed for the creation of a Special Edition of the story in 1995. "The Five Doctors" was recorded in four-channel stereo but broadcast in mono. The later DVD releases had a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack.

In the various publicity photos of the five Doctors from this story, a waxwork model of Tom Baker from a 1980 Doctor Who Exhibition in Madame Tussauds was used. According to producer John Nathan-Turner, Baker had agreed to do the photocall for the 20th anniversary but, suspecting that he might not turn up, Nathan-Turner arranged for the waxwork to be on location.[7][4]

The end credits featured a specially-mixed version of the theme music, which began with Delia Derbyshire's original 1960s arrangement and then segued into the Peter Howell arrangement being used by the series at the time (the former being played at a slightly higher speed to match the tempo and pitch of the latter). This arrangement was only used on this one occasion[8] and was the last time that the Derbyshire version was heard during the show's original run. A unique arrangement of the opening credits music was also used, which ended in a brief coda phrase that was never used in any other serial.

Cast notes

[edit]
Three actors who led the series filmed for "The Five Doctors". From left to right: Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison

The First Doctor was played by Richard Hurndall, replacing William Hartnell, who died in 1975. Hartnell makes an appearance in a pre-titles clip taken from the end of The Dalek Invasion of Earth (1964).[8] After initially agreeing to take part, Tom Baker declined to return so soon after his departure from the series two years before, saying in 2014, "I didn't want to play 20 per cent of the part. I didn't fancy being a feed for other Doctors—in fact, it filled me with horror."[9] His appearance was pieced together with footage from the unaired serial Shada.[4]

In early drafts of the script, some of the Doctor and companion combinations were different. Originally, the Fourth Doctor would have been paired with Sarah Jane Smith, the Third Doctor with Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart and the Second Doctor with Jamie McCrimmon.[10] When Frazer Hines proved unavailable to reprise the role of Jamie for more than a cameo appearance, the script had to be altered, pairing the Second Doctor with Victoria Waterfield. This was revised again when Deborah Watling became unavailable to play Victoria and Baker decided not to appear, resulting in the pairings of the First Doctor with Susan, the Second with the Brigadier, the Third with Sarah Jane Smith, and the Fifth with Tegan and Turlough. Instead of meeting phantoms of Jamie and Zoe (Wendy Padbury), the Second Doctor and the Brigadier were originally scripted to meet Zoe and Victoria. The Doctor would have realised the truth about them when Victoria called Lethbridge-Stewart "Brigadier", when she only knew him as a Colonel (in The Web of Fear). Deborah Watling was unable to make the recording dates but Frazer Hines was able to free himself up for a day's shooting, so Jamie was written in instead.

John Levene was invited back as Sergeant Benton but objected to the script requiring Benton to not recognise the Second Doctor. Levene felt this was unfaithful to his character, who he felt would not forget the Second Doctor, and he declined to participate. The scene was filmed with actor Ray Float portraying an unnamed UNIT Sergeant.[11]

In April 2013, Carole Ann Ford said John Nathan-Turner had initially insisted that Susan not refer to the Doctor as her grandfather: "You will not believe why. They said, 'We don't really want people to perceive him as having had sex with someone, to father a child.' I just screamed with hysterical laughter and said, 'In that case, I'm not doing it.'" The script was changed to include mentions of the characters' relationship.[12]

Broadcast and reception

[edit]
EpisodeTitleRun timeOriginal release dateUK viewers
(millions) [13]
1"The Five Doctors"90:2325 November 1983 (1983-11-25)7.7

"The Five Doctors" was first broadcast in the United States on the actual date of the programme's 20th anniversary. The broadcast in the United Kingdom was delayed two days so it could coincide with the BBC's Children in Need charity night, with an outro in character by Peter Davison.

A four-part-serial version of the story was shown on BBC1, nightly between 14 August and 17 August 1984 at 6:15 p.m., achieving viewing figures of 4.7, 4.5, 3.7 and 4.8 million, respectively.[14]

Paul Cornell, Martin Day and Keith Topping wrote of the special in The Discontinuity Guide (1995), "A fine anniversary tale, although don't analyse the plot too closely as it's largely a collection of set pieces without a great deal of substance. This is Terrance Dicks' loving tribute to a series that he helped to mould and, as such, contains everything that it should."[15] In The Television Companion (1998), David J. Howe and Stephen James Walker stated that "The Five Doctors" "is not as bad as it could have been ... [but] the story fairly groans at the seams with the inclusion of so many 'old favourites'." Still, they felt that it worked as a one-off fun celebration.[16]

In 2012, Patrick Mulkern of Radio Times gave the serial four stars out of five. He found the serial fun and made with a lot of love, though he noted the Third Doctor and Sarah Jane fared less well than some of the others. He also called it "Anthony Ainley's most effective outing" and praised the efficient scripting and other aspects of production aside from Moffatt's "sedate" direction.[4] DVD Talk's Stuart Galbraith gave the story four out of five stars, finding Hurndall's performance as the First Doctor "the show's biggest, most delightful surprise".[17] Writing for io9, Alasdair Wilkins said that the special was "far from perfect" and "a big, silly adventure", but worked "much better if you can selectively switch your brain off".[18] Digital Spy's Morgan Jeffery gave the story three out of five stars, writing that it was "not the show's finest hour" but adding that it was "fun if enjoyed in the right frame of mind."[19]

Commercial releases

[edit]

In print

[edit]

A novelisation of this serial, written by Terrance Dicks, was published by Target Books in November 1983; it was the only Target novelisation to be published before its story was aired. The novelisation features numerous deleted scenes that subsequently turned up on the special-edition DVD release of this story.

Key Information

Home media

[edit]

"The Five Doctors" was first released on VHS and Betamax in September 1985, using a unique to home video edit trimmed to allow the release to use a 90m cassette. In 1990, the story was re-released, on VHS only, using the original UK broadcast edit. This version was also released on US LaserDisc in 1994.

A Special Edition of the episode (originally called the Collector's Edition), with updated special effects, surround-sound compatibility and an alternate editing of the raw material was released on VHS in 1995 in a box set with the video of The King's Demons and a limited-edition postcard album. This version also features a special BBC video ident, showing said ident being whisked away by the Time Scoop. The Special Edition was the first Doctor Who story to be released on DVD, on 1 November 1999. The Region 1 version has a commentary track by Peter Davison and Terrance Dicks. This would later be carried over to the 2008 re-release in Region 2.

On 22 August 2005 it was announced that "The Five Doctors" would be the first Doctor Who story to be made available to download to mobile phones, in a deal between BBC Worldwide and the technology firm Rok Player. The story was re-released as a 25th anniversary edition DVD on 3 March 2008. This release contains both the original broadcast version and the special edition. The special was a free gift in issue four of the Doctor Who DVD Files.

On 28 August 2015, "The Five Doctors" was released in Germany—with the German title Die Fünf Doktoren.[20]

In September 2023, the story was released again in an upgraded format for Blu-ray, being included with the other stories from Season 20 in the Doctor Who - The Collection Box Set. This release featured the original 1983 version, updated with new special effects. The only change retained from the 1995 version was Rassilon's voice.[21]

Special Edition differences

[edit]

There are many differences between the original 1983 version of the episode and the 1995 special-edition version.[22] Many of these changes were not carried over to the 2023 version.

  • Several scenes have been extended with previously unused footage. Some scenes also have new musical cues.
  • Some scenes are re-ordered to match the original script.
  • At the beginning there are added scenes of the Dark Tower's exterior and interior.
  • The Time Scoops' black triangles have been replaced with a new effect, resembling an upside-down whirlwind.
  • The Time Scoop sent to capture the Fourth Doctor turns black before capturing him, visibly indicating a malfunction.
  • Thunder sound effects have been added to the scenes of the First Doctor trapped in the mirror-maze as well as to the scene of him outside the front gate.
  • There is a visual-effect added onto the Dalek in the mirror-maze after it is struck by its own weapon to suggest intensifying heat prior to it exploding.
  • The Dark Tower slowly becomes visible through the destroyed wall panel after the Dalek explodes.
  • All beam effects, including the boobytrapped checkerboard floor, have been redone.
  • The effect of the Fifth Doctor and the phantoms fading away have been altered to look less similar.
  • The image and visual effect of the Fourth Doctor stuck in the time-vortex has been changed: it no longer includes Romana.
  • Rassilon's voice has been altered to sound more dramatic.
  • The last scene of the Fourth Doctor returned to his proper place in space and time has been changed to a different clip from Shada.
  • The scene at the end in which the various Doctors depart in their TARDISes has been replaced with "Time Scoops" departing instead.
  • Whilst the Fifth Doctor and the Master are talking (having just met), the Cyberman who catches sight of them no longer says "Ah!" to himself.
  • The music, dialogue and sound effects are re-mixed in stereo, with two exceptions: The pre-credits clip of William Hartnell, and the Delia Derbyshire arrangement of the theme tune during the first half of the credits.

Soundtrack

[edit]
Doctor Who: The Five Doctors
Soundtrack album by
Peter Howell and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop
Released14 September 2018[23]
Recorded1983, 1995
GenreSoundtrack
Length1:17:54
LabelSilva Screen
ProducerMark Ayres
Doctor Who soundtrack chronology
Doctor Who: The Invasion
(2018) 		''Doctor Who: The Five Doctors''
(2018) 		Doctor Who: Series 11
(2019)
BBC Radiophonic Workshop chronology
The Changes
(2018) 		Doctor Who: The Five Doctors
(2018) 		Possum
(2018)

The complete original and special edition scores, as well as a selection of effects by Dick Mills was released on 14 September 2018.[24][23] It was also released on 2-LP 28 September 2018, omitting the effects.[25][26]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Peter Howell, except where noted[23]

No.TitleLength
1."Doctor Who – Opening Theme (The Five Doctors)" (Ron Grainer arr. Peter Howell)00:36
2."New Console"00:24
3."The Eye of Orion"00:57
4."Cosmic Angst"01:18
5."Melting Icebergs"00:40
6."Great Balls of Fire"01:02
7."My Other Selves"00:38
8."No Coordinates"00:26
9."Bus Stop"00:23
10."No Where, No Time"00:31
11."Dalek Alley and The Death Zone"03:00
12."Hand in the Wall"00:21
13."Who Are You?"01:04
14."The Dark Tower / My Best Enemy"01:24
15."The Game of Rassilon"00:18
16."Cybermen I"00:22
17."Below"00:29
18."Cybermen II"00:58
19."The Castellan Accused / Cybermen III"00:34
20."Raston Robot"00:24
21."Not the Mind Probe"00:10
22."Where There's a Wind, There's a Way"00:43
23."Cybermen vs Raston Robot"02:02
24."Above and Between"01:41
25."As Easy as Pi"00:23
26."Phantoms"01:41
27."The Tomb of Rassilon"00:24
28."Killing You Once was Never Enough"00:39
29."Oh, Borusa"01:21
30."Mindlock"01:12
31."Immortality"01:18
32."Doctor Who Closing Theme – The Five Doctors Edit" (Ron Grainer arr. Delia Derbyshire and Peter Howell)01:19
33."Death Zone Atmosphere"03:51
34."End of Episode 1 (Sarah Falls)"00:11
35."End of Episode 2 (Cybermen III variation)"00:13
36."End of Episode 3 (Nothing to Fear)"00:09
37."The Five Doctors Special Edition: Prologue (Premix)"01:22
38."Doctor Who – Opening Theme (The Five Doctors Special Edition)" (Ron Grainer arr. Peter Howell)00:35
39."The Five Doctors Special Edition: Prologue"01:17
40."The Eye of Orion / Cosmic Angst (Special Edition)"02:22
41."Melting Icebergs (Special Edition)"00:56
42."Great Balls of Fire (Special Edition)"00:56
43."My Other Selves (Special Edition)"00:35
44."Nothing Can Go Wrong (Special Edition)"00:35
45."Bus Stop (Special Edition)"00:22
46."No Where, No Time (Special Edition)"00:36
47."Enter Borusa (Special Edition)"00:28
48."Enter The Master (Special Edition)"00:14
49."Dalek Alley and The Death Zone (Special Edition)"03:06
50."Hand in the Wall (Special Edition)"00:20
51."Recall Signal (Special Edition)"00:34
52."Who Are You? / Tell Me All About It (Special Edition)"00:49
53."Thunderbolts (Special Edition)"00:33
54."The Dark Tower (Special Edition)"00:25
55."My Best Enemy (Special Edition)"01:11
56."The Game of Rassilon (Special Edition)"00:17
57."Cybermen I (Special Edition)"00:22
58."Below (Special Edition)"00:43
59."Cybermen II (Special Edition)"01:12
60."The Castellan Accused / Cybermen III (Special Edition)"00:35
61."Raston Robot (Special Edition)"00:24
62."Not the Mind Probe (Special Edition)"00:32
63."Where There's a Wind, There's a Way (Special Edition)"00:31
64."Cybermen vs Raston Robot (Special Edition)"02:04
65."Above and Between (Special Edition)"01:41
66."The Fortress of the Time Lords (Special Edition)"01:04
67."As Easy as Pi (Special Edition)"00:22
68."I Hope You've Got Your Sums Right / Phantoms (Special Edition)"02:29
69."The Tomb of Rassilon (Special Edition)"00:29
70."Killing You Once was Never Enough (Special Edition)"01:26
71."Oh, Borusa (Special Edition)"01:21
72."Mindlock (Special Edition)"01:11
73."Immortality (Special Edition)"01:17
74."Doctor Who Closing Theme – The Five Doctors Edit (Special Edition)" (Ron Grainer arr. Delia Derbyshire and Peter Howell)01:16
75."The Eye of Orion Atmosphere" (Dick Mills at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop)03:07
76."Time Scoop" (Dick Mills at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop)00:24
77."Transmat operates" (Dick Mills at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop)00:09
78."Rassilon background" (Dick Mills at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop)03:49
79."Borusa ring sequence" (Dick Mills at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop)00:37
80."The Five Doctors Titles Zap"00:10
Total length:01:17:54

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Five Doctors

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Five Doctors is a 90-minute special episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, produced in celebration of the programme's 20th anniversary. Originally broadcast on BBC One on 25 November 1983 at 19:20, it features the first five incarnations of the Doctor uniting to thwart a deadly scheme on their home planet of Gallifrey. In the story, the Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) and his companions Nyssa (Sarah Sutton) and Tegan (Janet Fielding) experience a time rift that separates them, while previous Doctors are abducted from their timelines: the Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and his companion Jamie (Frazer Hines), the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney), and the First Doctor (Richard Hurndall, standing in for the late William Hartnell). The Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) appears briefly via archive footage before being trapped in a time eddy. They are transported to the Death Zone, a forbidden area on Gallifrey filled with ancient dangers like Daleks, Cybermen, and Yeti, where they must navigate traps and reunite to confront the Master (Anthony Ainley), who has allied with the scheming Lord President Borusa (Philip Latham) in a bid for immortality within Rassilon's Tomb. Written by (after an initial script by Robert Holmes was abandoned) and directed by Peter Moffatt, the episode was produced by as a charity special, incorporating returning guest stars and classic monsters to honour the series' history. It achieved high viewership of 7.7 million in the UK and has since been re-edited with enhanced effects for home video releases, solidifying its status as a landmark multi-Doctor adventure.

Synopsis and Characters

Plot Summary

The story opens inside the , where the sets a course before succumbing to a mysterious illness induced by a transposition beam, collapsing as his companions and rush him outside—only for the beam to abduct him, leaving them stranded. Concurrently, the and his granddaughter are snatched from a peaceful stroll in shortly after parting ways on Earth; the Second Doctor is pulled from a chess match with Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart at a retreat; and the Third Doctor is taken mid-drive in his vintage car Bessie; separately, is abducted from outside her home. The , meanwhile, becomes trapped in a time eddy while riding with Romana II and K9 Mark IV, preventing his abduction. On Gallifrey, the Time Lords' High Council—comprising President Borusa, Chancellor Nyssa Flavia, and Castellan Kelner, with Chancellery Guard Andred—detects unauthorized activity in the long-forbidden Death Zone, a wasteland once used for deadly Games. The Fifth Doctor, Tegan, and Turlough materialize at the Citadel via a summons, where K9 arrives separately to aid them; the High Council—President Borusa, Chancellor Nyssa Flavia, and Castellan Kelner—briefs them on the crisis, with assistance from Chancellery Guard Andred. Kelner is later killed during a mind probe as the traitor is sought. The revived Master then contacts them via viewscreen, claiming resurrection by the ancient Time Lord founder Rassilon and revealing his theft of the Great Key of Rassilon—a relic needed to access the Dark Tower at the Zone's heart. Posing as an ally against Rassilon's scheme to lure the Doctors there, the Master promises to guide the Fifth Doctor into the Zone in exchange for his freedom from Gallifreyan exile. In the Death Zone's harsh terrain, scattered with remnants of ancient foes, the abducted Doctors and companions face peril. The Second Doctor and Brigadier evade a patrol of Cybermen, taking shelter in a metallic tower where they deduce the Zone's reactivation for Rassilon's deadly Game. The Third Doctor and Sarah Jane battle a rogue Yeti manipulated by the Great Intelligence's lingering influence, fleeing after disabling it. The First Doctor and Susan dodge attacks from a lone Dalek, seeking refuge in nearby caverns. The Fifth Doctor's party enters the Zone, encountering the duplicitous Master who leads them to the First Doctor and Susan; en route, they observe a lethal Raston Warrior Robot—a Time Lord-engineered assassin—systematically eliminating a Cyberman squad. Illusions of past companions briefly appear to the Fifth Doctor, testing his resolve. As the groups converge, the Master betrays the to the Cyber Leader, who seeks the Great Key to conquer Gallifrey; the Second and Third Doctors intervene, rescuing their successor and using the Key to breach the Dark Tower's defenses. Inside the Tower's labyrinthine corridors, deadly traps claim the lives of and the Master temporarily, while the Doctors reunite with their companions. They uncover Borusa as the mastermind, having coerced the Master and reactivated the Game to reach Rassilon's Tomb and claim eternal life via the founder's secrets. The Master, double-crossed, attempts to seize power himself but is subdued. In the Tomb, the spectral summons the Doctors and tests their unity with riddles and visions. He offers the Ring of , promising immortality through the Eye of Harmony—the powering all and technology—but warns it destroys the unworthy. Borusa dons the Ring in desperation, only to be petrified as punishment for his ambition. Deeming the Doctors pure of intent, banishes the Master to eternal peril and returns all to their original timelines via the transposition beam: the First, Second, and Third Doctors resume their interrupted moments; the awakens cured in the with and Turlough; and the emerges from the time eddy, unknowingly preserved from the ordeal.

Cast and Characters

The multi-Doctor narrative of The Five Doctors features five incarnations of the Doctor, portrayed by a combination of returning actors and archival material, allowing for interactions that highlight generational contrasts among the . Peter Davison reprises his role as the , the incumbent incarnation at the time, who serves as the central figure navigating the crisis on Gallifrey and in the . Jon Pertwee returns as the Third Doctor, emphasizing his action-oriented, Venusian expertise during team-ups with old allies, while Patrick Troughton embodies the Second Doctor's cunning and flute-playing whimsy in pairings that showcase his strategic mind against traps. Richard Hurndall steps in as the , recast due to William Hartnell's passing in 1975, delivering a portrayal noted for its grandfatherly authority and moral steadfastness in guiding the group. Tom Baker's appears solely through edited archive footage from the unfinished serial Shada, limited to a brief scarf-trailing sequence in the , reflecting the actor's reluctance to participate in the anniversary special.
ActorCharacterRole Description
Leads the main adventure, coordinating with past selves amid the ' scheme.
Reunites with , leveraging his scientific ingenuity in the .
Partners with the , using clever diversions against and other threats.
Advises on Gallifreyan history, interacting protectively with granddaughter .
(archive)Brief cameo via Shada footage, trapped in a time eddy before rescue.
Companions and allies enrich the ensemble dynamics, drawing on the Doctor's expansive history to facilitate emotional reunions and collaborative problem-solving in the multi-Doctor framework. returns as , whose investigative journalism background aids the Third Doctor in a poignant catch-up that underscores her enduring independence post-companionship. Nicholas Courtney's , the commander, teams with the Second Doctor for military tactics against and , highlighting their established rapport from past Earth-bound crises. and portray and , the Fifth Doctor's current companions, whose modern skepticism contrasts with the era-spanning allies, adding tension during separations in the Games. reprises , the Doctor's granddaughter, in a heartfelt grandfather-granddaughter moment with the recast First Doctor, emphasizing familial bonds rarely revisited. John Leeson's voice provides K9's robotic assistance, deploying gadgets in support of Sarah Jane during chases. Antagonists drive the episode's intrigue, with their schemes intersecting the Doctors' alliances to reveal deeper Gallifreyan lore. plays the Master, the Doctor's arch-nemesis, who manipulates events from exile, allying temporarily with Borusa while scheming personal gain, his interactions with multiple Doctors amplifying his duplicitous charm. portrays President Borusa, initially appearing as a loyal advisor but transforming into the true villain through his obsessive quest for immortality via the immortality conferred by 's ring, a arc that culminates in ironic punishment and underscores themes of among the Doctor's people. Richard Matthews embodies , the legendary founder of Time Lord society, intervening as a spectral judge in the Tower of Rassilon to expose Borusa's betrayal and restore order, his authoritative presence facilitating the Doctors' escape from the manipulated game.

Production

Development

The Five Doctors was commissioned by the in 1982 as a special episode to celebrate the 20th anniversary of in 1983. Producer oversaw the project, with serving as the principal writer. Initially, writer Robert Holmes was approached to write the story, but when he struggled to deliver a workable draft, Nathan-Turner commissioned Dicks on November 10, 1982, to develop a replacement under the title The Five Doctors. Dicks originated the concept of reuniting multiple incarnations of the Doctor, drawing inspiration from fan enthusiasm for multi-Doctor narratives like the 1973 story The Three Doctors. His initial plans aimed to feature all prior actors who had portrayed the Doctor, but these were constrained by availability issues among the cast. The script underwent significant evolution, with early drafts providing more prominent roles for the earlier Doctors; however, these were scaled back due to the 90-minute runtime limitations, shifting greater focus to the . Dicks incorporated classic monsters such as , , and to heighten the celebratory tone, successfully advocating for their inclusion despite initial resistance from Nathan-Turner and script editor Eric Saward. The production was structured as a 90-minute feature-length special, approved with an expanded budget to accommodate its ambitious scope compared to standard episodes. Key creative decisions included setting much of the story on Gallifrey, the Doctor's home planet, which allowed exploration of politics and connected to prior narratives like the 1976 serial . Development faced notable challenges, particularly with . , who had played the , expressed reluctance to return and ultimately declined, resulting in his character's appearance being limited to archive footage from the unfinished Shada serial. This necessitated substantial rewrites by Dicks to adjust the plot around the absence. Additionally, original actor had passed away in 1975, requiring the role to be recast with to maintain the multi-Doctor ensemble.

Filming and Post-Production

Principal photography for The Five Doctors commenced with location filming in during March 1983, capturing exterior sequences at sites including Plas Brondanw in Llanfrothen for the Eye of Orion and the First Doctor's abduction, Carreg y Foel Grom and Manod Quarry near to represent the on Gallifrey, and Cwm Bychan lake near Llanbedr for additional outdoor scenes. Additional location work occurred at Denham Green in and Uxbridge in , while interior and effects-heavy segments were filmed at Film Studios in on 18 March 1983. Studio recording took place at Centre Studio 6 in , from 4-8 and 11-15 July 1983, allowing for the coordination of multi-Doctor reunion sequences that required precise scheduling among the returning actors. Production faced several logistical challenges, particularly with period costumes and props. The Yeti costume, originally used in 1968's , had deteriorated significantly and required a new pair of feet to be fabricated for usability. suits, reused from prior serials, restricted actor mobility, exacerbated by studio heat during July sessions, leading to slower movements in action scenes. The robot dog K9's design proved impractical for rugged Welsh terrain, limiting its appearances to studio interiors and necessitating script adjustments to minimize location involvement. Multi-Doctor interactions relied on stunt doubles for physically demanding sequences, such as the Third Doctor's encounters in the , while actor performed several stunts himself but refused a planned hang-glider scene opposite the Raston Warrior Robot due to an unconvincing prop from the Visual Effects Department. Richard Hurndall, cast as the in place of the late , prepared by studying Hartnell's performances and drawing on prior collaborations with co-stars like to capture the character's mannerisms without direct mimicry. A proposed hang-glider stunt for Pertwee's was ultimately abandoned owing to visual effects limitations. Location reshoots were required for the Eye of Orion scenes after original footage was damaged, though actor was initially unavailable, prompting minor script tweaks. In , the episode was edited down to a 90-minute runtime to fit broadcast requirements, incorporating from untransmitted Shada sequences featuring as the , who had declined to participate. Additional archival clips from 1964's provided brief glimpses of Hartnell's original portrayal. Visual effects were handled by the Visual Effects Department, with designers John Brace and Mike Kelt creating key elements including a new console prop that blended classic and contemporary aesthetics for the multi-era narrative. Video effects by Dave Chapman enhanced transitions like the Time Scoop, while film editor M.A.C. Adams and videotape editor Hugh Parson ensured seamless integration of studio and location material. A remixed theme tune, combining Peter Howell's synthesiser arrangement with Delia Derbyshire's original 1963 realisation, was added to underscore the anniversary tone.

Release

Broadcast

The Five Doctors premiered on on 25 November 1983 as a 90-minute special to mark the 20th anniversary of . Aired as part of the annual hosted by , it featured periodic donation updates via on-screen captions in certain regions. The special was scheduled shortly after season 20, bridging the Fifth Doctor's era and tying into broader anniversary programming that highlighted the series' history. It garnered 7.7 million viewers in the UK, the highest-rated programme of the week. Internationally, the story debuted in the United States on stations like in on 23 November 1983, ahead of the airing, marking the first Doctor Who production to premiere overseas. Subsequent syndication in other countries began in , often with minor time-related edits to fit local schedules, though no significant controversies arose upon release. Unlike standard episodes of the era, which typically ran per installment with more constrained budgets, The Five Doctors benefited from elevated production values and extended runtime as a commemorative event.

Commercial Releases

The novelisation of The Five Doctors, written by and expanding on the original television script with additional scenes and character insights, was first published by on 24 November 1983. Later editions were released by , including a 2017 paperback reprint that maintained the expanded narrative while updating the cover art to align with modern branding. Home video releases began with a VHS edition in 1990, presenting the full broadcast version of the 90-minute special for the first time on home media in the UK. A Special Edition VHS followed in 1995, featuring new computer-generated imagery (CGI) effects created by The Mill, such as enhanced Dalek cityscapes and Rassilon's throne room, which extended the runtime by approximately six minutes to 96 minutes while omitting some original audio elements like the Master's laughter in certain scenes. The Special Edition received a standalone DVD release in 2001, while the original broadcast version received its first DVD release in 2008 as part of the 25th Anniversary Edition DVD bundling both the original and Special Edition cuts, along with behind-the-scenes features. In 2023, The Five Doctors was included in the Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 20 Blu-ray set, featuring a new restoration of the original 1983 visuals upscaled to HD from film elements, the 1995 Special Edition (marking its Blu-ray debut), and a new 40th Anniversary Edition with updated visual effects, along with a new Dolby Atmos audio mix and an updated audio commentary track. In September 2025, a standard edition of the Season 20 Blu-ray set was released, containing the same video and audio content as the 2023 limited edition but in more accessible packaging. Other formats include the 2018 vinyl release of the original television soundtrack by Silva Screen Records, a double LP compiling Peter Howell's score from both the 1983 broadcast and 1995 , complete with on the composition process. As of November 2025, the episode is available for streaming on in the UK. Internationally, availability varies by region, including Disney+ in select markets and other platforms like . These commercial releases have emphasized anniversary milestones, with the 2023 Blu-ray forming part of limited-edition bundles celebrating the 40th of the story's original broadcast on 25 1983.

Music

Composition

Peter Howell, a , created the electronic incidental score for The Five Doctors at the . Drawing on synthesizers such as the and Roland System 100M modular system, Howell blended his original compositions with classic elements, including samples of Ron Grainer's theme as realized by . This integration preserved the series' atmospheric heritage while introducing a modern, synthesized suited to the 20th special. Key musical cues enhanced the episode's tension and action, featuring ominous motifs for the Dark Tower sequences—crafted with Fairlight CMI-generated time-based effects and metronome-like pulses for Borusa's scenes—and dynamic action themes for monster encounters, such as the percussive, rasping sounds for pursuits and the rhythmic march for , derived from sampled metallic objects like tape reels and waste bins. A distinctive theme underscored the Fifth Doctor's regenerated state, using layered lines to evoke renewal amid crisis. These elements, totaling approximately 35 minutes of score, emphasized the multi-timeline narrative without overpowering dialogue. Sound design was handled collaboratively by the Radiophonic Workshop, incorporating iconic effects like the materialization, modulated voices, and ethereal Gallifreyan ambiences, alongside archive sounds from prior serials such as a effects disc hooter for the Horn of . Howell's innovations included the for simulating orchestral textures through early digital sampling, allowing unique sonic identities for each storyline strand—such as evolving percussive layers for the . Challenges arose from the tight production schedule, requiring rapid composition of extensive cues with the Fairlight's limited preset memory, leading to some repetitive motifs toward the episode's latter third; syncing was further complicated by variable location audio from filming, necessitating adjustments.

Soundtrack Release

The music from The Five Doctors, composed by Peter Howell at the , first appeared commercially in 1985 on the vinyl album Doctor Who - The Music II, where it was presented as an 8:44 suite amid tracks from other stories. The first dedicated release arrived in 1992 via Silva Screen Records as the CD Doctor Who - The Five Doctors (also issued on cassette), reissuing the 1985 material with bonus tracks such as additional cues from Enlightenment and . A comprehensive expanded edition followed in 2018 from Silva Screen Records, titled Doctor Who: The Five Doctors (Original Television Soundtrack) and released on CD and gatefold double vinyl to mark the story's 35th ; this version compiles 80 short cues originally recorded in 1983, plus 1995 additions created by Howell for the Special Edition's enhanced effects and audio. Tracks encompass opening and closing themes, incidental pieces like "Abduction," "Dark Tower," and "Rassilon's Chamber," multiple reprises of "The Doctor's Theme," and isolated sound effects including dematerialization and voices. Bonus content in the 2018 edition features outtakes, alternate mixes from the mono original sessions, and Howell's explaining his use of synthesizers and sampling techniques during production. The expanded soundtrack entered the digital streaming market in 2018 on services such as , while the 2023 Blu-ray set Doctor Who: The Collection - Season 20 incorporates audio extras with isolated score elements and remixed sound design.

Reception and Legacy

Initial Reception

The Five Doctors garnered solid audience metrics in the upon its broadcast on 25 November 1983, attracting 7.7 million viewers. Contemporary press coverage highlighted its nostalgic appeal while pointing to shortcomings in pacing; the lauded it as a "remarkable achievement" by producer for assembling multiple Doctors in a celebratory format, though it noted the story's rushed narrative flow amid the ensemble cast. Fan responses were mixed: enthusiasts celebrated the rare reunions of past Doctors and companions, viewing it as a heartfelt to the show's legacy, while others expressed disappointment over the limited screen time and shallow portrayals of earlier incarnations like and Third Doctors. Internationally, the received a warm reception through its syndication on stations in the United States, where it premiered two days earlier on 23 November 1983, helping to elevate the series' profile among American audiences. The special earned no major awards, though it was nominated for the for Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form) in 1984, contributing to broader recognition of where science fiction achievements were highlighted. The production faced challenges in catering to longtime fans through cameos and references while ensuring accessibility for newer viewers unfamiliar with the series' history.

Critical Analysis and Legacy

The multi-Doctor format introduced in The Five Doctors has been widely praised by critics for establishing a celebratory template that influenced subsequent anniversary stories, such as the 2013 special , where showrunner drew on its structure to unite multiple incarnations while addressing logistical challenges like actor availability. Fan polls and retrospective analyses often rank it as the second-best multi-Doctor tale after , highlighting its success in blending nostalgia with action despite narrative constraints. However, the special has faced criticism for its campy tone and numerous plot holes, with reviewers noting inconsistencies like the illogical use of the time scoop and underdeveloped character motivations, which dilute the story's cohesion. These flaws, while endearing to some as part of its lighthearted anniversary spirit, underscore a broader tension between and rigorous storytelling. The episode's legacy endures as a of Doctor Who's tradition, setting a for specials that reunite past Doctors and companions to reflect on the series' history, a model echoed in the 50th scripting that balanced reverence with innovation. In 2023, for the show's 60th , a newly restored version of The Five Doctors was included in the Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 20 Blu-ray set, featuring HD upgrades to film elements, optional updated , and new tracks by cast members, which emphasized its enduring appeal and production anecdotes. This restoration was showcased in theatrical screenings and documentaries marking the milestone, reinforcing its role in preserving Doctor Who's archival heritage. Culturally, The Five Doctors holds iconic status in fandom for its poignant tribute to William Hartnell, the original Doctor, through archival footage from The Dalek Invasion of Earth and Richard Hurndall's respectful portrayal, symbolizing the series' evolution and the irreplaceable legacy of its founder. The story's exploration of Borusa's arc—his corruption by the pursuit of immortality via Rassilon's crown—serves as a commentary on the perils of unchecked power within Time Lord society, a theme that resonates in academic discussions of Doctor Who's lore on regeneration and authority. In modern reevaluations during the 2020s, particularly in anniversary podcasts, the special has been critiqued for its limited depth in female roles, with companions like Sarah Jane Smith and Tegan relegated to supportive functions amid a male-dominated narrative, prompting reflections on the era's gender dynamics in light of the series' growing inclusivity.

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