[daveyboy7472]

I find this story very similar to The Myth Makers in that listening to it on audio only involves listening to several dialogue heavy scenes which invokes boredom. What The Myth Makers has over this story though is that it has a historical subject I am least familiar with even only very vaguely.

However, what makes The Massacre a better story than The Myth Makers is that for me, it is a much more interesting and well written one. This is due mainly to both Hartnell's dual role and the is he/isn't he The Doctor aspect regarding The Abbot Of Amboise.

I think Peter Purves excels as Steven as he has to take the lead in the absence of The Doctor for most of the story. And Hartnell shows just how much of a performance he puts into playing the First Doctor by playing The Abbott with utter seriousness and not a hint of a high pitched chuckle anywhere.

Also this was the most strangest debut of a companion ever with Dodo joining the TARDIS crew at the story's conclusion. At least it was more entertaining than her departure.......

I think unlike The Myth Makers there are some telesnaps available for this story and I will be watching asap to see if they make a difference to my pleasure of it, because it's not a story that currently ranks very highly in the Hartnell Era for me.

[gwalker94]

Originally Posted by daveyboy7472

I think unlike The Myth Makers there are some telesnaps available for this story

I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, there is very little material associated with The Massacre - aside from the soundtracks, there are a few publicity photos and little else. Still, I agree it is a very good story, and very bold

[daveyboy7472]

Originally Posted by gwalker94

I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, there is very little material associated with The Massacre - aside from the soundtracks, there are a few publicity photos and little else. Still, I agree it is a very good story, and very bold

Well someone has made an effort to recreate some kind of reconstruction. Haven't watched this right through yet but the publicity shots you mentioned are very much in evidence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4b6YhVscVc

[CoalHillJanitor]

Originally Posted by gwalker94

I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, there is very little material associated with The Massacre - aside from the soundtracks, there are a few publicity photos and little else. Still, I agree it is a very good story, and very bold

I think that's right. No actual telesnaps for this one either.

Very touching scene in the last episode when the Doctor thinks Steven has left him and he has the little soliloquy in the TARDIS. Quite modern in its theme about the Doctor's loneliness.

[daveyboy7472]

Originally Posted by CoalHillJanitor

I think that's right. No actual telesnaps for this one either.

Very touching scene in the last episode when the Doctor thinks Steven has left him and he has the little soliloquy in the TARDIS. Quite modern in its theme about the Doctor's loneliness.

I wasn't disputing the telesnaps thing by the way, I have double checked and you're both right.

Agree with you about The Doctor's speech at the end, probably one of the best bits of dialogue Hartnell ever had. The argument he had with Steven was a very rare sort of argument, almost the sort you would expect from the Series during Season 19.

[chuffnobbler]

The Massacre is absolute GOLD.

It's complex, thought-provoking, intelligent, shocking and unforgettable. Such a shame that none of us will see it. The soundtrack CD is one of the very best, and has kept Mrs Chuff and me occupied on car journeys on several occasions.

Bill Hartnell gives one of his best performances ... actually, make that two of his best performances.

[gslam2]

A very unusual story for Who, more than any other historical you feel like you're in a drama about the period rather than a Who story. Thankfully the writing and acting is top notch and this stands out as one of the best stories of the 60's, I love the Massacre.

[chuffnobbler]

You're right: it feels like a drama about the period, rather than a DW story. It's as if the Doctor and Steven are caught up in events, and that's not a feeling I get from a lot of the other historicals. There's a sense of inevitability about The Massacre, which makes it very grim.

[Larry1971]

can only judge this story from the Target novel which was very good certainly after DMP, The Massacre would be next on my wish list for missing episodes to be recovered.