C13S01 Terror of the Zygons
Synopsis
Returning to Earth, the Doctor, Sarah and Harry arrive in the Scottish Highlands to investigate the mysterious destruction of several oil rigs in the North Sea. Local superstition speaks of a deadly threat that lurks in the mists on Tulloch Moor, but the truth is even more disturbing: the legendary Loch Ness Monster is a terrifying cyborg beast which is controlled by the Zygons, an advanced alien race who are desperate to ensure their own survival, and any cost...
Cover notes
Opening Season 13, Terror of the Zygons marks a new direction for Doctor Who. Producer Philip Hinchcliffe and script editor Robert Holmes deliver a story which is more horror than Sci-fi, introducing a rich gothic quality to the established Letts/Dicks formula.
An evocative — if not entirely authentic — depiction of the Scottish Highlands provides the backdrop for this dark and eerie tale which had the cinematic tone of a Hammer movie. There is genuine, creeping unease as we are shown the Zygons spying on the humans at the Fox Inn, followed by the unnerving realisation that those you trust — and even your best friends — may not be what they seem...
Balancing this darkness is the warmth and camaraderie of the regular cast, in a story which allows them to shine: Sarah, investigating the mystery of Tulloch Moor and poking around at Forgill Castle; Harry, compassionate, brave and downright chilling as the doppelganger; and the Doctor, playful, incisive and reminding us yet again that he is not of this Earth. The story also delivers one last rousing hurrah for UNIT and the Brigadier, who is finally granted his wish for an alien menace that is not immune to bullets. Both UNIT and the Brigadier would reappear in Doctor Who of course, but with different, and arguably diminished, roles to play.
Terror of the Zygons is bold, confident storytelling, with atmospheric direction by Douglas Camfield, and impressive creature and set design by John Friedlander, James Acheson and Nigel Curzon.
Cast
| The Doctor | Tom Baker | listed as Doctor Who |
| Sarah Jane Smith | Elisabeth Sladen | |
| Harry Sullivan | Ian Marter | |
Crew
| Written by | Robert Banks Stewart | |
| Written by | ||
| Production Unit Manager | ||
| Production Assistant | ||
| Title music | Ron Grainer and BBC Radiophonic Workshop | |
| Title sequence | Bernard Lodge | |
| Incidental music | Geoffrey Burgon | |
| Special sound | Dick Mills | |
| Visual effects designer | ||
| Visual effects designer | ||
| Costume designer | ||
| Make-up | ||
| Studio Lighting | ||
| Studio Sound | ||
| Fight arranger | ||
| Film Cameraman | ||
| Film Sound | ||
| Film Editor | ||
| Script Editor | Robert Holmes | |
| Designer | ||
| Designer | ||
| Producer | Philip Hinchcliffe | |
| Director | Douglas Camfield |
DVD Extras
| Philip Hinchcliffe Robert Banks Stewart George Gallaccio Sylvia James Dick Mills |
commentary track | |
| Scotch Mist in Sussex | Cast and crew look back at the making of this story. | |
| Remembering Douglas Camfield | The life and work of respected director Douglas Camfiled is remembered in this documentary. | |
| The UNIT Family - part three | The concluding part of the series looking at the stories featuring the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce. | |
| Doctor Who Stories: Tom Baker [2003] | Tom Baker talks about his work on the series in this interview originally recorded for 2003's The Story of Doctor Who. | |
| Doctor Who Stories: Elisabeth Sladen [2003] | Elisabeth Sladen remembers her time as Sarah Jane Smith in this interview recorded for The Story of Doctor Who. | |
| Merry-Go-Round: The Fuel Fishers [1977] | Elisabeth Sladen flies out to visit North Sea oil rigs and learn about the process of oil exploration in this schools programme from 1977. | |
| South Today | Tom Baker interviewed on location in Sussex during the Terror of the Zygons filming by the BBC's regional news programme South Today. | |
| Coming Soon: | A trailer for a forthcoming Doctor Who DVD release | |
| photo gallery | ||
| Radio Times listings |
Special Edition DVD Extras
BluRay Extras
Commentary
| serial code : | 4F |
| episode count : | 4 |
| initial broadcast date : | 1975-08-30 |
| DVD release date : | |
| DVD SE release date : | |
| BluRay release date : | |
| part of The Fourth Doctor Time Capsule boxset | |