Doctor Who (TV Series) The Web of Fear: Episode 1 (1968) User Reviews

Such a shame the other five episodes don't exist...

[poolandrews · 8/10 · 16 January 2008]

Doctor Who: The Web of Fear: Episode 1 starts where the previous story The Enemy of the World (1968) left off as Salamander is sucked out into space through the TARDIS doors & Jamie (Frazer Hines) manages to close them before himself, the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) & Victoria (Deborah Watling) suffer the same fate. Attempting to land the TARDIS it becomes engulfed in some sort of mysterious web like substance, after it clears the Doctor lands the TARDIS at Covent Green Subway Stataion which is deserted & locked up despite being the middle of the day. After finding the body of a man covered in some sort of web like substance they notice soldiers laying cables & the Doctor decides to investigate, meanwhile Jamie & Victoria are found by Staff Sgt. Arnold (Jack Woolgar) & taken to an army base as back in the underground tunnels the Doctor stumbles upon two evil robotic Yeti's...

Episode 23 from season 5 this Doctor Who adventure originally aired here in the UK during February 1968, The Web of Fear was the fifth story from Patrick Troughton's second season as the Doctor & it was a direct sequel to The Abominable Snowmen (1968) which was the second story from the fifth season. Now there's some good & some bad news, first the good news. The Web of Fear: Episode 1 is truly excellent & probably my favourite individual Troughton episode. Now the bad news, in their infinite wisdom the BBC junked most of Troughton's episodes & as a consequence The Web of Fear which originally was a six part story has parts two to six missing assumed permanently destroyed & it was down to sheer luck that a Hong Kong TV station still had, found & returned Episode 1 to the BBC in 1979 so all that is known to remain of The Web of Fear is this solitary opening episode as well as a few assorted clips that amount to about a minute. Directed by Douglas Camfield one has to say this is brilliant & I loved watching it, the story was great as it puts the Doctor in a mysterious, threatening & intriguing situation straight away as the TARDIS lands in the deserted tunnels of the London underground. The script by Mervyn Haisman & Henry Lincoln obviously takes it's inspiration from & shares many, many similarities with Quatermass and the Pit (1967) released the previous year with the American Professor Travers taking the Professor Quatermass role as he liaisons with the British army in the London underground after some alien threat is discovered & judging this opening episode along side Quatermass and the Pit the two are quite close in storyline & tone although I'm not sure how The Web of Fear develops over the next five episodes. This moves along at a great pace, it tells a story but never gives too much away as to leave you gripped wanting to watch the next episode & it also sees the return of the Yeti last seen in The Abominable Snowmen a couple of stories prior. The Web of Fear is terrific stuff actually & sets the scene for what looks like a great story that unfortunately we will never be able to see.

As well as having a fantastic Hammer horror feel story with plenty of monsters & mystery the production values on The Web of Fear are excellent & also try to take inspiration from Hammer films. The sequence in the museum at night as the Yeti comes back to life really does looks like something straight out of a Hammer horror film & is quite creepy. There is a famous story where the production team asked for permission from London Transport to film several scenes on location in the real London underground but due to a high fee demand it was decided to film everything on a set which ended up looking so realistic that London Transport wrote to the BBC claiming that they had filmed on their premises without permission! Without knowing that they were indeed sets I also would easily believe that they were filmed in the real thing, they really do look that good & add tons of atmosphere with the dark claustrophobic tunnels & echos. The Yeti's look OK actually & are slightly redesigned from The Abominable Snowmen, they now have sharp claws, roar, have bright piercing eyes, are more slimline & surprisingly effective & one could easily see young audiences back in 1968 being pretty scared of these things. Even the shot of the TARDIS suspended in space being slowly covered by the web is impressive. The acting is solid although Deborah Watling is terrible as usual, The Web of Fear was the first story for Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (here just a Colonel & he doesn't appear on screen until Episode 3) played by Nicholas Courtney who would go on to be a regular cast member for years to come.

The Web of Fear: Episode 1 was a brilliant mix of Doctor Who sci-fi & charm as well as Hammer horror atmosphere & it's extremely frustrating that I will never be able to see the remaining five episodes, there's a chance they still exist somewhere but it's almost zero. Yes, I know about the audio reconstructions but to me it's just not the same. As a one off episode I throughly recommend it. Available in the Lost in Time DVD set as a stand alone episode with beautiful restoration work on it.

Reconsidering "The Web"

[timdalton007 · 8/10 · 21 October 2018]

(Note: A review of all six episodes of the serial.)

Five years.

It was just five years ago that The Web of Fear was one of several mostly wiped stories featuring Patrick Troughton's Doctor. Dramatically, and seemingly overnight, that changed. The serial, which had gained an almost legendary status during the nearly five decades since its broadcast, had, alongside its proceeding story The Enemy of the World turned up in Nigeria. Though its third episode was (and remains) missing, it offered fans the opportunity to see it again. Could it live up to expectations set by decades of hype?

In some ways, it lived up to expectations. Directed by Douglas Camfield, one of the acknowledged best directors of Who, and set in the confined spaces of the London Underground system, it certainly had all the menace and atmosphere expected from previously surviving elements. The black and white visuals of the era lend themselves nicely to both the story and the direction, creating a world of shadows and gloom at every corner. Even the scenes set inside the makeshift headquarters aren't too brightly lit, adding to the sense of entrapment. Camfield and his camera crew further add to the sensation of claustrophobia by engaging in frequent close-ups of the cast, especially when they get into groups. It's something that further cements the director's reputation as one of the program's best directors.

What of the Yeti themselves? The giant furry robots with glowing eyes, claws, and web spraying guns certainly looked great in those surviving clips. Indeed, for much of the serial, they are towering and menacing as they alternate between rampaging roars and sneaking up on their victims. Indeed, it is to Camfield's credit as a director that they look as good as they do for so long. Once the big battle with them in episode four takes place, showing how powerful they are, they suddenly lose what made them so great. They become the center of a couple of gags and are reduced to merely being guards rather than the great force they had been. The limits of the costumes also show themselves on occasions throughout where they become more lumbering actors than threatening monster. It is here that both their reputation and that of the serial takes a hit.

The serial's other issue became apparent as well. For the first four episodes, the same ones in which the Yeti are at their best, the story moves along at a cracking pace. The Second Doctor, Jamie, and Victoria arrive in the London Underground where the Yetis are already a presence with a group of soldiers and scientists led by Professor Travers (Jack Watling reprising his role from the earlier Yeti serial The Abominable Snowmen in solid old age make-up) and his daughter Anne trying to stop them. It's all the hallmarks of a great "base under siege" story: small cast, confined space, menacing adversary, and the sense of a traitor within the ranks of the besieged. The latter is undermined somewhat by the fact that viewers know that Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart won't be the traitor (something which the writing does its best to imply here) but it works for the most part, leading up to the big action sequence in episode four. All seems to be going well, a genuine classic at hand.

Then the plot stalls. Writers Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln fall victim to the bane of Doctor Who six-parters: the need to stall out the plot in later episodes. Indeed, the Great Intelligence goes so far as to issues a timed ultimatum that (perhaps not-so-coincidently) lasts almost the same length as the episode and gets drawn out even more. From there until a long way into the final installment, all of the pace and menace the story worked so hard to build up until then dissipates. Once it does so, not even Camfield's direction can either hide the fact or get the pace back once plot begins moving again. The result becomes a frustrating conclusion to an otherwise first-rate story but, given the issues surrounding the duo's third and final Who story The Dominators which lost an episode due to comparable problems, perhaps this shouldn't come as too much of a surprise?

Where does that leave The Web of Fear? For much of its length, it's worthy of the reputation that fandom had bestowed upon it for the time in which it was missing. And yet, in the end, it suffers from issues of plotting and scripting that not even one of the show's best directors could help it overcome. The Web of Fear is a story that has greatness in its grasp and, yet, lets it slip away.

Thank god, this was found!

[wetmars · 7/10 · 8 December 2020]

The TARDIS narrowly avoids becoming engulfed in a cobwebby substance in space. It arrives in the London Underground railway system, the tunnels of which are being overrun by the web and by the Great Intelligence's robot Yeti.

The time travellers learn this crisis was precipitated when Professor Travers, whom they first met in the Himalayas some thirty years earlier, accidentally caused one of the Yeti to be reactivated, opening the way for the Intelligence to invade again.

The travellers work alongside army forces - led initially by Captain Knight, and then by Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart - as they battle the alien menace, hampered by the fact that one of their number has fallen under the Intelligence's influence and is a traitor in their midst.

Review of all six episodes -

Here we are, the return of the Yetis and the mighty Great Intelligence, and we also get to see our beloved "Brigadier" The opening episode was quite atmospheric yet so suspenseful, such a shame that only one episode is missing at though where it introduced the "Brigadier" plus we get to see the return of Professor Travers! At last, daughter-to-father time.

Funny enough that the BBC was not allowed to film in underground areas, they constructed their own make it so realistic that the London Transport accused the BBC of sneaking into a real station for filming without their permission granted, lol.

Victoria shined more of her character to recover from her trauma that her father got exterminated by the deadly Daleks and becoming social, wiping her shyness away. Jamie is the usual like he always is.

The entertaining parts were the atmospheric setting that makes the tone suspenseful and the "Brigadier" I am not fond of the Yetis and the Great Intelligence in this one because they felt dull but nothing terrorizing the army group, I feel bad for not liking the other parts.

7/10.

An incredible opening episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 4 June 2017]

The story pick up directly from the previous, The Enemy of the World, with the TARDIS doors open, when The Doctor, Jamie and Victoria land on Earth to discover something very wrong in the London underground, UNIT soldiers galore, and nobody about, just a cocooned newspaper man. The Doctor discovers learns exactly what is responsible for the menace.

One of the most wonderfully episodes of Doctor Who that I can think of, the beginning, with Silverstein and Travers is perfect in every way, the story, dialogue, music etc. Back story and attention to detail like this are things of the past. That moment when the Yeti comes to life, sensational, as are the creepy scenes in the London underground.

A fabulous set of characters, the TARDIS trio are a magical combination, but Travers, Anne, Silverstein, the UNIT troops etc are all genuinely brilliant, so well acted and written.

Growing up this serial was one of my favourite missing stories, I knew the audio word for word, every time I got tongue end of Part one I used to think to myself 'if only the could find it,' I can't even begin to comment about the feeling when I'd learned of the partial discovery.

Part one, an outstanding piece of 60's Dr Who horror. 10/10

Miracle Day Has Arrived And It Doesn't Disappoint

[Theo Robertson · 10/10 · 11 October 2013]

Dreams can come true . As a life long fan of DOCTOR WHO my knowledge of the show came via books on the show and found out about obscure aliens like the Sensorites and the Monoids in stories that were broadcast before I was born . Fondly remembered stories I did see remained in my memory with the sad knowledge that I'd probably never see them again . The advent of the video recorder meant the BBC did eventually release the show on video which was a dream come true to a fan , but the sad thing was the BBC have deleted so many master tapes of the stories from the 1960s so they'd be gone for good and my only taste of these lost classics would be relegated to the Target novelisation range . Of the missing stories the one I wanted to see was The Web Of Fear , a story in the tradition of QUATERMASS of which only the opening episode existed and one I'd never see in its entirety . Rumours went around the internet a few months ago that some episodes had been discovered in Africa and until a week ago nothing had been confirmed . Thank you to the efforts of one Philip Morris episodes 2, 4,5.and 6 had been found and released on ITunes

There might be a downside to this . I did enjoy The Tomb Of The Cybermen another lost classic found and released in 1992 , but due to obvious hype that had built up around it the finished product didn't really meet expectations and how could it ? A story combining atmosphere , imagery and body horror is sometimes let down by uneven directing , wooden performances and dated attitudes to race . It was a very good story but not really as good as its reputation among fandom suggested . Would my most wanted story The Web Of Fear suffer from the same fate being seen in the very cold light of day ?

In my own critical opinion no it doesn't . It lives up to everything I expected from it . From the outset where Professor Travers confronts Juluis Silverstien in his house this is no holds barred horror territory very similar to QUATERMASS , though slightly more incident driven and slightly less cerebral which is not in anyway a criticism . Director Douglas Camfield makes sure the child audience will be watching this from behind the sofa . So many things are worthy praise such as the use of stock music which greatly lends to the on screen action especially in the climax to episode six . Perhaps the greatest praise goes to set designer David Myerscough-Jones for recreating the London Underground . The production team were refused permission to film there so built their own sets only to receive an angry letter during broadcast from London Transport wanting an apology for filming in the underground without permission or payment. Notice how the sound mix is tweaked for the Underground scenes so there's a slight hollow echo . You can understand how London Transport were fooled

The characters are very well drawn by Haisman and Lincoln's script . Soldiers in these type of stories are fairly non descript and the script probably tries a little too hard to make private Evans a little too colourful and cowardly not helped by a slightly over enthusiastic performance by Derek Pollitt but the rest of the guest cast are fine especially the smary and insincere journalist Chorley played by Jon Rollason . The story also sees the debut of the character of Lethbridge-Stewart who'd become such a mainstay in the show later on he'd be as much as part of the show as any of the Doctors . Courtney is absolutely fascinating to watch compared the caricature he'd later become and it's something of a shock to watch an air of defeat come from the character towards the end of episode four . Interesting too that he comes under suspicion as being the agent of The Great Intelligence which the last two episodes of the plotting concerns itself with . The climax is a bit too easily resolved but not enough to ruin the story in anyway

" So is there anything you actively disliked about this much wanted story Theo ? "

To be honest no there isn't . I read the novelisation as a child , knew how the story played out but I still constantly found myself being close to be shock as to how well everything was done . Even watching it in the context of Season five where the " base under siege " plot is in danger of being over used this is still the stand out story of its era and anyone with a passing interest in DOCTOR WHO or the horror genre will want to check out this story . As the 50th anniversary of the show counts down this fan will remember the return of The Web Of Fear as being their 50th anniversary highlight more than The Day Of The Doctor or the casting of Peter Capaldi . Thank you very much Philip Morris

"We're the flies, all right. But where is the spider?"

[pmullan-54285 · 10/10 · 16 June 2015]

The Web Of Fear is a story I have admired for many years. I knew it was considered a classic and rightfully so. But, I never quite came to appreciate it when it was found and released to the world in time for the 50th anniversary! I loved every minute of it! I can't say much more. You must see this Doctor Who story! Almost all of the story is intact and ready to be viewed. It's a great thrill ride with enough mystery and action to keep you interested. Patrick Troughton is on the top of his game and so are Frazer Hines and Deborah Watling. They aren't given as much to do here but are still fantastic to watch. I'd recommend to anyone.

The Joy of Fear. One of the very best, a terrific classic

[A_Kind_Of_CineMagic · 10/10 · 2 September 2014]

Review of all 6 parts:

This has been acclaimed as an all time classic for many years and deservedly so. It is terrific in every department.

The story involves the Great Intelligence, the villain introduced earlier in season 5 and which would return some 45 years later, shortly before and during the shows 50th anniversary season. The threat posed by this villain and the actions of his minions the Yeti, provide cracking entertainment and thrills.

The Great Intelligence causes the TARDIS to go to Earth where the evil power is carrying out an attack on London including robot Yeti marauding through the London underground.

There is plenty of action, there is mystery as to who is under the influence of the Intelligence and consistently great dialogue supporting a tremendously high standard of story (written brilliantly by Mervyn Haisman & Henry Lincoln) throughout the 6 episodes. The number of great characters is incredible with Nicholas Courtney as Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart (later to be Brigadier, regular 'companion' to The Doctor) making his notable debut, the return of Professor Travers (Jack Watling) and the addition of Anne Travers (Tina Packer), the journalist Chorley (Jon Rollason) and some excellent soldiers especially Sgt. Arnold (Jack Woolgar). Great villains, brilliant acting from the whole cast (including regulars Pat Troughton, Frazer Hines and Deborah Watling), great direction from Douglas Camfield, quality production values and set design with a fine script and effects make this pretty flawless.

This is a true all time classic with an atmosphere and a magic which make it one of the best Who stories ever and therefore as good as TV gets! All 6 episodes 10/10.

Review for the whole serial

[laurawanco · 6/10 · 18 April 2021]

Due to a lot of the missing episodes not being on Britbox I often feel like I'm missing something, no where is that more problematic than here. This is a sequel any episode (I don't know how many there were before this) with the Great Intelligence (a character I really wanted to know more about since he only appears once in the revival and they never really say what his deal is), and a lot of it they expect you to already know. On the one hand they seem to be setting up more interconnected stories which is awesome, on the other I haven't seen the previous stories so I had no idea what they were talking about half the time. That won't be a problem most people watching this story will have I'm sure, but it definitely was for me as this was the first time I had to turn to the internet for context. It really is annoying when you know a lot of these serials have been reconstructed in one way or another so I don't know why Britbox just doesn't include them. All that aside this is still a pretty strong story, I noticed they're using the length of these serials to breath a bit more. In peculiar with some of the one-off side characters, it's a trend I hope they keep up as it excuses the length somewhat and adds a lot more tension to the situation if you care about even the least important character. This is also the first appearance of Lethbridge Stewart and I can't wait to see more of him. He immediately picks up on what's going on in this situation and gets to work getting it under control. On a totally unrelated note Professor Travers swears a lot, I respect that.