Doctor Who: The Myth Makers (TV Soundtrack)

THE PROGRAMME: Sandwiched in Season 3 between the one-episode Mission to the Unknown and its hard-core SF parent The Daleks' Master Plan, The Myth Makers carries the standard for that splendid diversity of styles for which Doctor Who is beloved. Veering ever so slightly from the 'history as education' brief agreed at the programme's inception, veteran TV and radio writer Donald Cotton chose to re-tell ancient Greek myths as high comedy. While the storyline of The Myth Makers is based on Homer and Virgil's Trojan War legends, Cotton used his own artistic licence freely. According to Shakespeare's version, Troilus is killed by Achilles - and whether the Bard (or the ancient Greeks) would have approved of Cotton's own take on events is something we will, perhaps fortunately, never know. The serial features an impressive cast list, and the actor's own interpretation and enjoyment of the lines undoubtedly brings lightheartedness to the fore. Playing King Priam was Max Adrian, a renowned and charismatic film actor, whilst experienced comedy player Francis de Wolff portrayed Agamemnon. With William Hartnell's own considerable acting prowess thrown into the mix, there were reputedly some towering egos strutting around the set during recording! Location filming took place in August 1965, with Frensham Ponds in Surrey doubling as the arid plains of Troy. Studio recording then continued in September at the BBC's Riverside studios in London. One of the most impressive visual components of The Myth Makers was the famous Trojan Horse, created as a model along with the exterior of Troy itself. In keeping with the tradition begun at the series' inception, each story episode was individually titled. Alas, Cotton's original names for episodes one and three ('Deus ex Machina' and 'Is there a Doctor in the Horse?') were changed during production. The final episode sees a noticeable change in tone, as the horror of the ensuing massacre is blatantly portrayed. Not even the TARDIS crew emerges unscathed, and if the departure of one companion and serious wounding of another left 1960s viewers shell-shocked, further excitement was in store. Out there in space, the Daleks were waiting...

THE PROGRAMME: Sandwiched in Season 3 between the one-episode Mission to the Unknown and its hard-core SF parent The Daleks' Master Plan, The Myth Makers carries the standard for that splendid diversity of styles for which Doctor Who is beloved. Veering ever so slightly from the 'history as education' brief agreed at the programme's inception, veteran TV and radio writer Donald Cotton chose to re-tell ancient Greek myths as high comedy. While the storyline of The Myth Makers is based on Homer and Virgil's Trojan War legends, Cotton used his own artistic licence freely. According to Shakespeare's version, Troilus is killed by Achilles - and whether the Bard (or the ancient Greeks) would have approved of Cotton's own take on events is something we will, perhaps fortunately, never know. The serial features an impressive cast list, and the actor's own interpretation and enjoyment of the lines undoubtedly brings lightheartedness to the fore. Playing King Priam was Max Adrian, a renowned and charismatic film actor, whilst experienced comedy player Francis de Wolff portrayed Agamemnon. With William Hartnell's own considerable acting prowess thrown into the mix, there were reputedly some towering egos strutting around the set during recording! Location filming took place in August 1965, with Frensham Ponds in Surrey doubling as the arid plains of Troy. Studio recording then continued in September at the BBC's Riverside studios in London. One of the most impressive visual components of The Myth Makers was the famous Trojan Horse, created as a model along with the exterior of Troy itself. In keeping with the tradition begun at the series' inception, each story episode was individually titled. Alas, Cotton's original names for episodes one and three ('Deus ex Machina' and 'Is there a Doctor in the Horse?') were changed during production. The final episode sees a noticeable change in tone, as the horror of the ensuing massacre is blatantly portrayed. Not even the TARDIS crew emerges unscathed, and if the departure of one companion and serious wounding of another left 1960s viewers shell-shocked, further excitement was in store. Out there in space, the Daleks were waiting...