Sandwiched between two highly regarded Doctor Who serials in the form of “Terror of the Zygons” and “Pyramids of Mars”, “Planet of Evil” is often discussed with very little fanfare. However this does a huge disservice to what is a fantastically dark story and Britsh Sci Fi at its very best.
One would expect the tone to be sombre and sinister throughout being brought to the screens by the team of Phillip Hinchcliffe as Producer and Robert Holmes as Script Editor. Often regarded as the true golden era of classic Doctor Who, the men behind the programme were very much in favour of bringing horror pastiches into the world of the travelling Gallifreyan.
Planet Of Evil Doctor Who DVD Storyline
Here we have an homage to Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The premise of the story is simple- the Doctor and friend Sarah Jane Smith answer a distress call which brings them to Zeta Minor- the planet referred to in the title. This planet has rare minerals that are constructed from anti-matter, and they are guarded by a creature made from the same stuff. When a team of scientists try to remove these minerals the creature attacks. Upon communion with the Doctor, using his intergalactic powers of reason, the creature is persuaded to allow them to leave.
However some anti matter minerals have stowed away on the ship. And unfortunately when one comes into contact with these minerals one evolves into a feral beast and eventually anti matter themselves. The killing and the carnage on board the ship then commence.
Planet Of Evil Doctor Who DVD Stars
Tom Baker was at the absolute top of his game by this point having got his first full season under his belt. He is never more alien than in this story, and when he encounters the creature it shows just how far removed from everyone else he really is. Lis Sladen is wonderful as always and looks particularly stunning in this story, especially the close ups of her as she senses an alien presence near by.
Perhaps the star guest turn is that of Frederick Jaeger as the tortured Professor Sorenson. A man dedicated to salvaging some of the minerals to take back to his home planet to extract as many benefits from it as he can, he pays the ultimate price when he becomes possessed and begins to change. The scene when the Doctor talks him into committing suicide is arguably one of the most sinister and adult scenes the show ever attempted. Fortunately at the end he is redeemed and cleansed of the infection, a surprise considering at this time not many people survived these weekly massacres. Perhaps Hinchcliffe/Holmes went soft for once.
Special mention must also go to Roger Murray-Leach for creating one of the most believable alien jungles ever seen on TV. This really adds to the air of suspense.
Planet of Evil Doctor Who DVD Extra’s
A fantastic commentary is available here with Tom Baker, Lis Sladen, Phillip Hinchcliffe and Prentis Hancock who played the unhinged commander of the ship, Salamar. These four share many interesting anecdotes and Baker is wonderfully eccentric as always.
Featurettes A Darker Side and Planetary Performance look at the creation and development of the story. We are also treated to interviews from as many of the surviving cast as possible which is always fascinating for a sci fi fan.
There are also some brief excerpts of original studio recording material.
All in all Planet of Evil will no doubt remain as won of the lesser celebrated stories of the era but nevertheless is a real gem. It has often been criticised of being a simply re-enactment of Forbidden Planet and the similarities are blatantly evident but it is still distinctly classic Doctor Who. Buy it for any DVD collection will simply be enhanced with this addition.
