Do the Scripts for Classic Doctor Who Still Exist?

The question "Do the scripts for Classic Doctor Who still exist?" has been a subject of much interest among fans and scholars alike. The answer is yes, in many cases, they do. These scripts have played a crucial role in the restoration and recreation of lost episodes, as well as the production of novellizations.

The Existence of Scripts

Each script for Doctor Who has multiple copies, distributed to various members of the production team, including actors, directors, and other key personnel. While some copies were discarded once no longer needed, many were kept by individuals, conserving this valuable piece of television history.

For some stories, both rehearsal and shooting scripts still exist, offering insights into the creative process. This is particularly useful for understanding the changes made during the rehearsal process, providing a fascinating look into the behind-the-scenes work that goes into producing a classic episode.

The Role of Scripts in Novellizations and Anthologies

Almost every story from Classic Doctor Who was later published as a novel, often expanded from the original script. While the novels sometimes incorporate additional content written by the original author or a different writer, the scripts remain the primary source material. This has helped maintain the integrity of the stories and provided further ways for fans to engage with the classic episodes.

Recreating Lost Episodes

With the original scripts and audio recordings of the episodes, it is theoretically possible to recreate lost episodes. While a few overly enthusiastic fans might attempt this feat, the practical limitations make such recreations challenging. The cost and time required to recreate the original sets and locations (which often no longer exist) would be prohibitive. Additionally, even with skilled actors, directors, and production teams involved, the recreation would always fall short of the original, merely serving as a worthy copy rather than an exact replica.

Soundtracks and Animated Episodes

Not only do the scripts exist, but the soundtracks for every episode are also preserved. These soundtracks have been invaluable in the recreation of animated versions of lost episodes. The BBC has used these soundtracks to create animated versions of missing episodes, primarily focusing on re-creating 1 or 2 episodes from a particular story to enable the full release of that story on DVD. Some notable examples include:

The Invasion - 2 out of 8 episodes The Ice Warriors - 2 out of 6 episodes The Tenth Planet - 1 out of 4 episodes The Reign of Terror - 2 out of 6 episodes The Moonbase - 2 out of 4 episodes

In the case of The Web of Fear and The Underwater Menace, single or double missing episodes were animated using the soundtracks set to a slideshow of still photographs for DVD release. This method has provided fans with valuable animated versions of these lost episodes, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

One of the most ambitious projects involves the animated release of The Power of the Daleks. If successful, this could pave the way for a series of animated Doctor Who episodes, fulfilling a long-standing desire of fans to reintroduce their favorite series to a modern audience.

The preservation and use of these scripts and soundtracks have been instrumental in revitalizing the Doctor Who universe and ensuring that fans can enjoy the full range of stories originally aired. From the meticulous restoration of lost episodes to the creation of engaging novellizations, the legacy of Classic Doctor Who continues to thrive, thanks to the resilience and dedication of the archival community.