Site Menu

November 3rd, 2023 16 comments

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Classic Doctor Who Story to be Released in Spectacular Colourisation

From the BBC Media Centre

It’s been my absolute pleasure to spend this past 12 months working with such a talented team to breathe new life into this classic adventure – a story that is literally the foundation stone of all that Doctor Who has become. The original is a masterpiece of 1960’s television drama and this new version stands on the shoulders of the pioneering spirit of 1960’s Doctor Who.
— Phil Collinson, Executive Producer

It’s time to encounter the Daleks once again, but this time in a way you’ve never seen them before. As part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of iconic series Doctor Who, one of the show’s most renowned tales is undergoing an out of this world update as it receives an artistic colourisation.

Originally transmitted in December 1963 to February 1964, The Daleks were introduced to audiences and soon became one of the Doctor’s most formidable and enduring foes. The story follows the very first crew of the TARDIS as they land in a petrified forest on an alien planet. Determined to explore, the Doctor (William Hartnell) leads his companions into the metal city, where they discover danger at every corner and what will become his deadliest enemy, the mutant Daleks.

These seven original 25 minute episodes have now received a cosmic makeover, having been dazzlingly colourised and weaved together into a 75 minute blockbuster to appeal to today’s modern audiences. With brand new sound, a brand new score – created by Mark Ayres – The Daleks has been gloriously updated, whilst ensuring the original classic story remains as thrilling as it was when it began in 1963. And, whilst viewers can enjoy watching the colourised version of The Daleks when it arrives on 23rd November on BBC Four, it will also sit within The Whoniverse where viewers can also watch the seven part story in its original form.

Phil Collinson, Executive Producer says: “It’s been my absolute pleasure to spend this past 12 months working with such a talented team to breathe new life into this classic adventure – a story that is literally the foundation stone of all that Doctor Who has become. The original is a masterpiece of 1960’s television drama and this new version stands on the shoulders of the pioneering spirit of 1960’s Doctor Who.”

This special episode is one of the many highlights set to commemorate Doctor Who’s outstanding 60 year anniversary,– shortly before David Tennant takes back the reigns of the TARDIS for three highly anticipated specials.


Adverts/Affiliates

16 comments

  • Ginger Doctor

    March 23rd, 2024 - 8:43pm

    Loved it,

    Do we know what the next classic to be colourised

  • Andy

    March 7th, 2024 - 11:30am

    Is there any chance the lists will be updated with the latest releases. Daleks in Colour and I think one or two others are missing now.

  • M Eaton

    February 18th, 2024 - 3:05pm

    Just watched Blueray in colour.
    Lound music and background sounds, not as sharp picture as I hoped.
    Story jumps about a lot. Due to missing 100 minutes.
    Think I would rather watch original B&W!

  • The Moffat Paradox

    November 24th, 2023 - 3:22pm

    Well I appreciated things like the new but not over the top Dalek extermination effects and if we’re getting more colourised Hartnell/Troughton Who I hope we get more of that and anything similar with the Cybermen/Ice Warriors.

  • More then 2 alphabets

    November 23rd, 2023 - 9:04pm

    Dalek colourisation:

    10/10 for colour and effects

    10/10 for effort, they really tried to give a more friendly version for 2023 audience

    7/10 sound, new music great but frankly I had a headache by the end as the mono sounds were there overlapping, new music a little too loud.

    6/10 for the edit, so much chopped out it made it very confusing. Didn’t really showcase the doctor.

    I think it wasn’t the best story to do this for but it was still fun.

  • Pats86

    November 18th, 2023 - 7:05pm

    This will be first shown on BBC 4 7:30pm Thursday 23rd November.
    Some great documentaries and the classic series on iplayer.

  • atl

    November 14th, 2023 - 11:21am

    can t wait for the dvd

  • RPG74

    November 5th, 2023 - 6:37pm

    I’ll still watch it of course. I’m not keen on people doing a Ted Turner and colourising stuff that was always meant to be B/W, but if this look pretty convincing then hopefully we’ll see a decent recolourisation of Dinosaurs episode one, and Ambassadors of Death.

  • RPG74

    November 4th, 2023 - 11:24pm

    Excising the opening and closing credits of 2-7, the closing credits of 1 and all the reprises could probably shave around 30 mins of running time, if that. So there’s at least another hour and ten minutes of total running time missing. That’s a Hell of a lot, and it can’t all comprise of scenes of hiding as Pats86 suggests. Wish it had been longer.

  • Obi-Jiff Kenobi

    November 4th, 2023 - 8:19am

    Ah, thanks for the clarification, booboo.

  • Ian

    November 3rd, 2023 - 10:27pm

    But we already have a 75 min colour version of The Daleks. It’s got Peter Cushing in it!

  • Pats86

    November 3rd, 2023 - 8:57pm

    That’s good, there was a lot of scenes with nothing going on other than hiding.
    Still great though.

  • SV7

    November 3rd, 2023 - 7:54pm

    Hope this comes out on DVD and Blu-ray!

  • Darren collier

    November 3rd, 2023 - 7:26pm

    Will we’re get it on. Blu-ray or. Season one. Box set. Hopefully

  • booboo

    November 3rd, 2023 - 6:48pm

    the 7 episodes condescend into 75 mins and colourised

  • Obi-Jiff Kenobi

    November 3rd, 2023 - 6:25pm

    Hmm, seems great news, but it’s not clear whether it’s the entire 7-episode story or only one episode that’s being colourised.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

By clicking submit you agree to our terms and conditions (below), we reserve the right to edit or delete inappropriate messages.

Comment rules

The Doctor Who site welcomes constuctive comments related to the news article in question. Links posted in comments may not be displayed. We reserve the right to delete or edit any post entirely at our discretion. If you leave unacceptable comments your IP address will be banned and reported

Click here to read full comments terms and conditions

Twitter

Facebook