C13S04 The android invasion
Synopsis
When the TARDIS lands in the sleepy English village of Devesham, Sarah thinks the Doctor has finally got her back home. But all is not as it seems - the village is unusually deserted and deadly white-suited spacemen patrol the countryside. When the dead being to come back to life, the Doctor decides to contact UNIT. But their UNIT friends are also dangerously changed.
Who is Senior Defence Astronaut, Guy Crayford, and why is he in charge of UNIT? Who are his true masters, the Kraals and what insidious plans are they concocting behind the scenes? The Doctor soon discovers the invasion of Earth has already begun, and if he doesn't stop it, mankind will be utterly wiped out...
Cover notes
The Android Invasion is Terry Nation's second script for the series not to feature the Daleks (the first being the 1964 William Hartnell story The Keys of Marinus). Despite this, it is a quintessentially Nation experience, containing many of his usual obsessions - radiation, countdowns, viruses and duplicates. Sandwiched between two Season Thirteen classics the story is rather incongruous, seeming to hark back to the Jon Pertwee era, with a quaint English village, UNIT playing a large role in the story, alien threat via the British Space Program, and even Pertwee producer Barry Letts as director.
The concept of duplication is nothing new for Doctor Who, indeed it is a staple, with Autons or Daleks seemingly trying it on every second week. Yet there is something particularly eerie about The Android Invasion that takes it beyond its clichés and formulaic plot and produces some iconic Doctor Who moments. Much of this is due to the beautiful yet sinister location filming and the intriguing set-up. Clearly based on Invasion of the Body Snatchers, it takes the threat of replacement and doubles and twists it neatly. It is always unsettling to see the moral Doctor or his companions playing the villain.
Unfortunately it does fall down somewhat as, despite their technology and intelligence, the Kraals' plans are convoluted and full of logical holes. UNIT's last hurrah is also a bit limp without Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney was unavailble to play the role). But amidst the rather stern stories that surround it, The Android Invasion is a refreshing, fun, and often surprising adventure.
Cast
| The Doctor | Tom Baker | listed as Doctor Who |
| Sarah Jane Smith | Elisabeth Sladen | |
| Harry Sullivan | Ian Marter | |
Crew
| Written by | Terry Nation | |
| Written by | ||
| Production Unit Manager | ||
| Production Assistant | ||
| Title music | Ron Grainer and BBC Radiophonic Workshop | |
| Title sequence | Bernard Lodge | |
| Incidental music | Dudley Simpson | |
| 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 | Barry Letts |
DVD Extras
| Milton Johns Martin Friend Marion McDougal Philip Hinchcliffe |
commentary track | |
| The Village That Came To Life | Cast, crew and local residents look back at the making of The Android Invasion in this documentary presented on location by actor, writer and Dalek voice artist Nicholas Briggs. | |
| Life after Who - Philip Hinchcliffe | Celina Hinchcliffe takes her father Philip on a trip down memory lane to recall his distinguished career in British television and film. | |
| Weetabix Advert | A TV advert publicising a Doctor Who themed promotion for this breakfast cereal. | |
| Weetabix Doctor Who cereal packet promotions [1975], [1977] | ||
| photo gallery | ||
| Radio Times listings |
Special Edition DVD Extras
BluRay Extras
Commentary
