Rate & Discuss: An Adventure in Space and Time
Doctor Who will turn 50 years young this Saturday and tonight BBC Two honoured half a century of the Time Lord by going back in time to see how his life began. The year was 1963 and the Doctor was nothing but a twinkle in Auntie Beeb’s eye. But not for long…
It is no exaggeration when we say that television changed forever when the Doctor first appeared on our screens on Saturday 23rd November 1963 and this one-off docudrama, written by Mark Gatiss, explored how the show’s early beginnings ensured its longevity and stapled its status within British culture as the longest running sci-fi series of all time.
With a stellar cast ensemble led by David Bradley as William Hartnell, An Adventure in Space and Time served as the perfect reminder of just why Doctor Who continues to captivate generations of fans all around the world. This simple idea has become a global phenomenon and it’s all thanks to the First Doctor and the undisputed legacy he has left behind. Thank you, William Hartnell. And thank you, Mark Gatiss, for retelling his story.
So, what did YOU think of An Adventure in Space and Time? Rate and discuss it below…
The show’s golden celebrations will culminate this Saturday in The Day of the Doctor.
How to put into words what I’ve just watched?
The first word that comes to mind is beautiful. The emotion of the story was surprising, as was how fully I accepted David Bradley as William Hartnell, who acted so beautifully.
I found myself smiling through the first half without even realising I was doing so and then the emotion when Hartnell started to get ill and forget his lines and they lowered the boom that he’d lost Doctor Who.
I don’t know if it’s strange or not, but I really felt for him.
**Spoiler Below This Line**
To cap off this beautiful docudrama, Mark Gattis having William Hartnell see Matt Smith as the 11th Doctor was, I admit, sentimental but also a truly emotional and beautiful moment that I could only wish was real.
Although I’m sure it missed a lot of stuff out and we may not have seen the full picture, I’ve come away from An Adventure In Space and Time with a much greater respect for the 1st Doctor than I did before.
I am now officially a proud Doctor Who fan. That story “An Adventure In Space and Time” was undoubtedly magnificent and so very detailed. And makes me want to study about William Hartnell even more than I already and I am so pleased I was born now rather than 50 years later, god.. All of that Doctor Who I would have missed. I really am so proud of the actors who portrayed the original cast and crew behind Doctor Who during the special! My favorite part was seeing Matt Smith on the show, It was so beautiful to see William Hartnell (of course portrayed by David Bradley) staring at the actor who now plays his role 50 YEARS ON. Wonderful story from Mark Gatiss, But I do wish this was a series, meaning like a series of all the years from 1963-2013 where each ep is based on a different actor, so 11 episodes! Of course this would never have happened, but to hear Troughton’s story or Pertwee’s story would have been great, because we still have Doctors 4-11 with us, so to hear the Classic Doctor stories even more, would have been so amazing.
Oh how I dream! It was beautiful too seeing Verity Lambert, the actress who played her Jessica Raine was a FANTASTIC choice for the role and she did it so well, now millions of fans across Britain will know the truth, know how Doctor Who really made a success.
“One Day, I shall come back, yes I shall come back..” beautiful line, shall never be forgotten.
Mark Gatiss has done a superb job, it was brilliantly written and even at 33 had a few tears in my eyes at the end.
I fully accepted all the characters and am currently sat watching An Unearthly Child on BBC 4.
I honestly can’t think of a better way to kick off the 50th anniversary. Mr Gatiss on behalf of Whovians everywhere THANK YOU.
Although I did watch Doctor Who episodes from their outset in 1963, aside from the general concept some of the detail has faded for me. An Adventure in Space and Time filled in those gaps, illustrating if nothing else, how important the role became to William Hartnell. Also just how stressful at can be working in ‘the industry’, especially
with a show as evenutally successful as Doctor Who. I only returned to watching the program from around 2009. The following has extended to so many viewers probably because content can mean something to everyone. I just wonder how The Doctor will be seen, in 2055 ????
Although I already knew a lot about those early years and about how the Doctor had been fighting not only space monsters but even harder the officials at the BBC and low budgets, I loved every minute of the Adventure. (And of course I was in tears at the end of it.)
BUT … – I really wish they had appreciated the works of the Radiophonic Workshop and especially of Delia Derbyshire a little bit more. Another story left to be told. :-(
I loved it, it brought a tear to my eye near the end, fantastic as always from Mark Gatiss, if Steven even left Doctor who then Mark would be the only person I would see as the replacement
Just to echo what everyone else has already said. A wonderful 90 minutes. Television doesn’t get any better, and Jessica and David’s performances were fantastic. A touching tribute to Doctor Who, William Hartnell, Verity Lambert and, indeed, BBC TV Centre. Bravo Mark Gatiss.
I loved this more than the actual 50th episode. It honoured William Hartnell and even though i already knew the facts it brought life and character to them.