DOCTOR WHO

DOCTOR WHO fans often moan about the BBC's junking of the series during the 1970s, but the series probably has a survival rate that's better than most. And, thanks to the efforts of those fans who recorded off-air copies of the episodes, we at least have a record of every single episode. Few 1960s UK series can say that.

THE MASSSACRE OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S EVE (to give its full title) is one of those stories that are totally lost. Of those stories that are lost, it's often the historicals that work better when we've deprived of a visual reference, and THE MASSACRE is not exception.

The story itself is unusual for several reasons.

Firstly, while many of the early historicals tapped into a well-known setting (MARCO POLO, THE REIGN OF TERROR and so on), the massacre of the Huguenots in Paris in 1572 would have been largely unknown to its audience. It's also unknown to Steven, whose ignorance of events adds to the story.

Secondly, the story allows for William Hartnell to play two roles - the Doctor and the Abbot of Amboise. Or, as Steven suspects, are they one and the same? Donald Tosh's rewriting and the obvious technical limitations of the time mean that the Doctor is absent for the two middle episodes, so the viewer (or, in this case, the listener) is as much in the dark as Steven.

Finally, Hartnell's dual role means that Steven gets to carry the story in the Doctor's absence. Like other companions from seasons three and four (e.g. Ben and Polly), many of his episodes are lost and consequently he's a rather underrated companion, in my book. Here he gets the chance to shine and Peter Purves rises to the challenge magnificently, with an excellent performance.

William Hartnell is equally excellent. His performance as the Abbot demonstrates how much of the Doctor was characterisation and not just how he was in real life.

The story's "missing"

Although the story still works well on audio only, its status as a lost piece of television means that it's not nearly as well known as, say, THE AZTECS. However, it's easily up to the standards of John Lucarotti's other stories for the series. To describe it as one of the best Hartnell stories would not be an exaggeration.

It's grimmer than most other DOCTOR WHO stories, with the horrific sounds of the massacre and the Doctor's incredibly harsh treatment of Anne Chaplet. Steven's rounding on him is hardly surprising, although the arrival of Dodo in the final moments helps things end on an unbeat moment.

Mark Ayres' remastering of the off-air recordings has produced more than acceptable results, despite the sleeve's warning about the quality of episode four. Peter Purves' narration fills in for the missing pictures and manages to do the job succintly and unobtrusively.

It's depressing that episodes of this quality have been junked, but at least we're still able to enjoy them in one form or another. A definite highlight of the black and white era. BACK TO THE TOP

THE MASSACRE OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S EVE

Written by JOHN LUCAROTTI
and DONALD TOSH

Starring WILLIAM HARTNELL,
PETER PURVES and JACKIE LANE

Narrated by PETER PURVES

BBC RADIO COLLECTION CD

RATING: 9/10