Planet of Giants "The Urge to Live" (lost unaired forth part episode of Doctor Who serial; 1964): Difference between revisions

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|status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
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''Doctor Who'' is an immensely popular British science fiction television series that began airing in 1963, with uninterrupted broadcasting until 1989 (with a still ongoing revival happening since 2005). However, as was the case with many British television shows at that time, many episodes of ''Doctor Who'' were wiped or destroyed in order to make room in the archives for newer shows. This has resulted in 97 episodes from the 1960s, or first six seasons, of the show being missing. The count was once much, much higher, and it is only thanks to the dedication of fans of the show we have any of them to watch at all.
''Doctor Who'' is an immensely popular British sci-fi television series in serial (self-contained but multi-part stories) format that began airing in 1963, ran with various different Doctors until 1989 and as of 2005 is enjoying a successful revival.  


However, there is one episode from the second season serial ''Planet of Giants'' that is unlikely to ever see the light of day, mostly because it never went to air. ''Planet of Giants'' began life as the story that was supposed to be the series premiere for the show (instead of "An Unearthly Child") but was pushed back to the second season opener when then producer Verity Lambert decided that the serial didn't provide enough characterization for a series opener. Still, a four-part series at this point, ''Planet of Giants'' was filmed as the ninth serial in the first production block (of ten) and was held over for the second series premiere.
However, as was the case with much of British TV in the 1960's and early 70's, many episodes of ''Doctor Who'' were wiped or destroyed in order to make room on their master tapes for newer shows, as a cost-cutting measure. This has resulted in 97 episodes from first six seasons of the show being missing. The count was once much, much higher, and it is only thanks to the dedication of fans of the show we have any of them to watch at all.


That is until Donald Wilson, who was the head of BBC serials at the time, got a look at it. Wilson was not a fan of this serial, as he found it a weak series opener, and thought the following story ''The Dalek Invasion of Earth'' would be a far superior opener. However, one reoccurring character (Susan Foreman, portrayed by Carol Ann Ford) who was featured in ''Planet of Giants'' departed at the end of ''The Dalek Invasion of Earth'', meaning switching the two serials around was an impossibility. Donald Wilson then decided the solution was editing the last two parts (dubbed "Crisis" and "The Urge to Live") together to form one episode, keeping the onscreen name "Crisis" <ref> [https://web.archive.org/web/20180921230413/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2008-11-13/planet-of-giants/ Radio Times review that briefly discusses the editting] Retrieved 6th Jan '22 </ref>.
All that being said, though, there is one episode from the second season serial ''Planet of Giants'' that is unlikely to ever see the light of day - '''mostly because it never went to air.'''


The end result was an episode, while having somewhat of a rushed feel to it, still had a fair amount of positives to it-of particular note was the newfound focus on the four core cast members (William Hartnell as The Doctor, William Russell as Ian Chesterton, Jacquelin Hill as Barbra Wright, and Carol Ann Ford as Susan Foreman) instead of one-off characters Hilda and Bert. At the same time though, the editing resulted in the loss of most of famous British television director Douglas Camfield's first work on the show, as he only directed episode 4 whereas episodes 1-3 were directed by Mervyn Pinfield (Camfield was credited as the director of the newly edited together version of "Crisis", whereas Pinfield went uncredited). On top of that, the editing together of the two episodes left a one episode gap at the end of the production block. Rather than tack on an extra episode to any of the other serials already produced/commissioned, Donald Wilson decided to commission a prologue stand-alone episode to the massive twelve-part serial ''The Dalek's Master Plan'', known as "Mission to the Unknown".
==Background==
The four-part ''Planet of Giants'' began life as the proposed series premiere (instead of "An Unearthly Child") but was pushed back to the second season opener when then producer Verity Lambert felt it didn't provide enough characterization. It was duly filmed as the ninth serial of ten in the first production block and held over.


While parts of "The Urge to Live" were used in the final broadcast version of "Crisis", '''most of the material filmed for the episode went unused and destroyed''' as part of BBC's policy. The original recorded version of "Crisis" suffered the same fate, with its unused material being thrown out. With the material never being used on air, and therefore never telerecorded, it is likely this material will suffer the same fate as the infamous lost episode "The Feast of Steven" and the affortioned "Mission to the Unknown" and will never be found. A reconstruction, using production stills from the lost material and bringing in the surviving actors to reprise their roles (William Russell and Carol Ann Ford) does exist and gives us a taste of what could have been<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9IdlK339js Mini documentary about the reconstruction] Retrieved 6th Jan '22</ref>.
This set up a problem heading into production for the second season, since then-Head of BBC serials Donald Wilson felt that new serial ''The Dalek Invasion of Earth'' would make a far superior opener. Unfortunately, one of the show's main characters, Susan Foreman (Carol Ann Ford) was featured in ''Planet of Giants'' and departed at the end of ''The Dalek Invasion of Earth'', meaning switching the two serials' airdates would be impossible. As a compromise, Wilson and Lambert decided to speed ''Giants'' along a bit by editing the last two parts ("Crisis" and "The Urge to Live") into one episode, keeping the onscreen name "Crisis".<ref> [https://web.archive.org/web/20180921230413/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2008-11-13/planet-of-giants/ Radio Times review that briefly discusses the editting] Retrieved 6th Jan '22 </ref>
 
The result was an episode that, while slightly rushed, was still well-received - in particular the newfound focus on the core cast (Ford along with William Hartnell as The Doctor, William Russell as Ian Chesterton and Jacquelin Hill as Barbara Wright) instead of one-off characters. The edit did unfortunately result in the loss of most of famous TV director Douglas Camfield's first work on the show, as he had directed only "The Urge to Live", "Crisis" having been helmed by Mervyn Pinfield along with the other two parts of the serial. Camfield was, however, credited as the sole director of the merged episode.
 
Meanwhile, to fill the gap thus created at the end of the production block, a self-contained prologue, "Mission to the Unknown", was tacked onto the massive twelve-part serial ''The Daleks' Master Plan''. Ironically enough, "Mission" was not sold overseas with the rest of that serial and thus would later become one of the most sought-after of the lost episodes.
 
==Availability==
Parts of both "The Urge to Live" and "Crisis" were used in the final broadcast version, but any unused footage was promptly wiped as per policy, and most likely this material is permanently lost. A reconstruction of the original storyline does exist, using production stills and bringing in the surviving actors (Russell and Ford) to re-enact their performances, and gives a taste of what could have been.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9IdlK339js Mini documentary about the reconstruction] Retrieved 6th Jan '22</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 16:39, 26 June 2023

Dr who planet of giants title.jpg

The serial's title card.

Status: Lost

Doctor Who is an immensely popular British sci-fi television series in serial (self-contained but multi-part stories) format that began airing in 1963, ran with various different Doctors until 1989 and as of 2005 is enjoying a successful revival.

However, as was the case with much of British TV in the 1960's and early 70's, many episodes of Doctor Who were wiped or destroyed in order to make room on their master tapes for newer shows, as a cost-cutting measure. This has resulted in 97 episodes from first six seasons of the show being missing. The count was once much, much higher, and it is only thanks to the dedication of fans of the show we have any of them to watch at all.

All that being said, though, there is one episode from the second season serial Planet of Giants that is unlikely to ever see the light of day - mostly because it never went to air.

Background

The four-part Planet of Giants began life as the proposed series premiere (instead of "An Unearthly Child") but was pushed back to the second season opener when then producer Verity Lambert felt it didn't provide enough characterization. It was duly filmed as the ninth serial of ten in the first production block and held over.

This set up a problem heading into production for the second season, since then-Head of BBC serials Donald Wilson felt that new serial The Dalek Invasion of Earth would make a far superior opener. Unfortunately, one of the show's main characters, Susan Foreman (Carol Ann Ford) was featured in Planet of Giants and departed at the end of The Dalek Invasion of Earth, meaning switching the two serials' airdates would be impossible. As a compromise, Wilson and Lambert decided to speed Giants along a bit by editing the last two parts ("Crisis" and "The Urge to Live") into one episode, keeping the onscreen name "Crisis".[1]

The result was an episode that, while slightly rushed, was still well-received - in particular the newfound focus on the core cast (Ford along with William Hartnell as The Doctor, William Russell as Ian Chesterton and Jacquelin Hill as Barbara Wright) instead of one-off characters. The edit did unfortunately result in the loss of most of famous TV director Douglas Camfield's first work on the show, as he had directed only "The Urge to Live", "Crisis" having been helmed by Mervyn Pinfield along with the other two parts of the serial. Camfield was, however, credited as the sole director of the merged episode.

Meanwhile, to fill the gap thus created at the end of the production block, a self-contained prologue, "Mission to the Unknown", was tacked onto the massive twelve-part serial The Daleks' Master Plan. Ironically enough, "Mission" was not sold overseas with the rest of that serial and thus would later become one of the most sought-after of the lost episodes.

Availability

Parts of both "The Urge to Live" and "Crisis" were used in the final broadcast version, but any unused footage was promptly wiped as per policy, and most likely this material is permanently lost. A reconstruction of the original storyline does exist, using production stills and bringing in the surviving actors (Russell and Ford) to re-enact their performances, and gives a taste of what could have been.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Radio Times review that briefly discusses the editting Retrieved 6th Jan '22
  2. ↑ Mini documentary about the reconstruction Retrieved 6th Jan '22

See Also

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