Doctor Who - The Macra Terror
I watched the latest Loose Cannon reconstruction of this story, and it's one of their very best. Highly recommended. Also, I took some screen caps from the surviving clips, which can be found here:
http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z255/impossiblecase/Doctor%20Who/034_MacraTerror/
"The Macra Terror" was a four-part serial, first broadcast on BBC TV between 11 March 1967 - 1 April 1967. It was written by Ian Stuart Black, and directed by John Davies. It starred Patrick Troughton as the Doctor, Anneke Wills as Polly, Michael Craze as Ben Jackson, and Frazer Hines as Jamie McCrimmon.
"The Macra Terror" is a hugely enjoyable story that takes advantage of popular sixties' concepts such as brainwashing, propaganda and giant insects. The tale's dark and threatening atmosphere is enhanced by good use of sound effects and the nocturnal setting for the human colony, at first sight resembling an idyllic holiday camp - complete with garish tunes - only to be revealed as a secret workforce for the Macra, huge underground crustaceans.
By now Patrick Troughton has firmly established himself as the Doctor, oozing confidence in every scene he's in. He's perfect in both serious and humorous moments, refusing to accept the colony's happy facade and actively undermining the influence of Control, whilst at the same time discovering just what it truly is. I love the scene early on in which he emerges from a machine immaculately presented (much to his dismay!) and immediately roughs himself up again.
Ever since Jamie's late introduction into the series, he's had to share lines with Ben and other characters. But here the script manages to find the right balance for all three companions, giving each one a fair share of the action. Anneke Wills' Polly is very good, and although she falls back into screaming mode, she gives her all in one of the best cliff-hangers the series has ever seen. Namely Episode 2 as she cries out, "Macra! They're in control!" Curdles the blood, I tell you.
Meanwhile, as previously mentioned, Frazer Hines' Jamie has a bit more to do than in his earlier stories: mistrusting everything around him, exploring creepy mine tunnels and even doing the Highland fling! He would finally come into his own in the following adventure, "The Faceless Ones", and it's nice to see him starting to emerge from the shadows here.
But it is Michael Craze who really shines, Ben getting his chance in the limelight and putting in a superb performance as his mind has been influenced by the voices in his sleep. He does a terrific job, portraying Ben with the realistic defiance of someone who is tired of playing second fiddle. Of the Doctor he complains, "He thinks he knows best all the time!" The Doctor keeps on asserting that Ben isn't behaving like himself at all, but it sounds as if he's trying hard to convince himself. Ben struggling against the Macra conditioning makes for engaging viewing, especially as he has moments of clarity when his friends are in danger.
The supporting characters work well, particularly Terence Lodge's Medok, who's like an early Fox Mulder, screaming for those around him to realize the truth only to be met with disbelief. Special mention must also be made of Peter Jeffrey, who puts in a very strong performance as the Pilot. Gertan Klauber also performs the harsh, thuggish Ola well.
The Macra have always been ridiculed by the photo that exists showing one in clear light, but in the surviving clips and Telesnaps they come across as truly scary and never fully visible. The way in which they were kept in the background - swathed in mist and shadows - was clever, being used minimally to great effect.
The climax of the story is a little rushed, but it shows just how dependent the Macra truly were on their human slaves for survival. The ending is a little lightweight, showing a very similar scene to the start of the story rather than a true indication of how the colony has been freed and changed. However, "The Macra Terror" is an unnerving story that has it all. A creepy tale, humor in exactly the right places, and a great cliff-hanger. All in all, one of the best stories of Season Four.
4 / 5 stars
http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z255/impossiblecase/Doctor%20Who/034_MacraTerror/
"The Macra Terror" was a four-part serial, first broadcast on BBC TV between 11 March 1967 - 1 April 1967. It was written by Ian Stuart Black, and directed by John Davies. It starred Patrick Troughton as the Doctor, Anneke Wills as Polly, Michael Craze as Ben Jackson, and Frazer Hines as Jamie McCrimmon.
"The Macra Terror" is a hugely enjoyable story that takes advantage of popular sixties' concepts such as brainwashing, propaganda and giant insects. The tale's dark and threatening atmosphere is enhanced by good use of sound effects and the nocturnal setting for the human colony, at first sight resembling an idyllic holiday camp - complete with garish tunes - only to be revealed as a secret workforce for the Macra, huge underground crustaceans.
By now Patrick Troughton has firmly established himself as the Doctor, oozing confidence in every scene he's in. He's perfect in both serious and humorous moments, refusing to accept the colony's happy facade and actively undermining the influence of Control, whilst at the same time discovering just what it truly is. I love the scene early on in which he emerges from a machine immaculately presented (much to his dismay!) and immediately roughs himself up again.
Ever since Jamie's late introduction into the series, he's had to share lines with Ben and other characters. But here the script manages to find the right balance for all three companions, giving each one a fair share of the action. Anneke Wills' Polly is very good, and although she falls back into screaming mode, she gives her all in one of the best cliff-hangers the series has ever seen. Namely Episode 2 as she cries out, "Macra! They're in control!" Curdles the blood, I tell you.
Meanwhile, as previously mentioned, Frazer Hines' Jamie has a bit more to do than in his earlier stories: mistrusting everything around him, exploring creepy mine tunnels and even doing the Highland fling! He would finally come into his own in the following adventure, "The Faceless Ones", and it's nice to see him starting to emerge from the shadows here.
But it is Michael Craze who really shines, Ben getting his chance in the limelight and putting in a superb performance as his mind has been influenced by the voices in his sleep. He does a terrific job, portraying Ben with the realistic defiance of someone who is tired of playing second fiddle. Of the Doctor he complains, "He thinks he knows best all the time!" The Doctor keeps on asserting that Ben isn't behaving like himself at all, but it sounds as if he's trying hard to convince himself. Ben struggling against the Macra conditioning makes for engaging viewing, especially as he has moments of clarity when his friends are in danger.
The supporting characters work well, particularly Terence Lodge's Medok, who's like an early Fox Mulder, screaming for those around him to realize the truth only to be met with disbelief. Special mention must also be made of Peter Jeffrey, who puts in a very strong performance as the Pilot. Gertan Klauber also performs the harsh, thuggish Ola well.
The Macra have always been ridiculed by the photo that exists showing one in clear light, but in the surviving clips and Telesnaps they come across as truly scary and never fully visible. The way in which they were kept in the background - swathed in mist and shadows - was clever, being used minimally to great effect.
The climax of the story is a little rushed, but it shows just how dependent the Macra truly were on their human slaves for survival. The ending is a little lightweight, showing a very similar scene to the start of the story rather than a true indication of how the colony has been freed and changed. However, "The Macra Terror" is an unnerving story that has it all. A creepy tale, humor in exactly the right places, and a great cliff-hanger. All in all, one of the best stories of Season Four.
4 / 5 stars