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Doctor Who: BBC Radio Collection
Doctor Who: The Enemy of the World
Patrick Troughton plays a double role, as both the second Doctor and the ruthless Salamander, in this six-part adventure of political intrigue from 1967. The TARDIS arrives in a futuristic Australia, where the genius Salamander has found a way to end starvation by harnessing the sun's energy and preventing natural disasters on a global scale. But there are those who believe Salamander's office is moving towards dictatorship. One such person is Giles Kent, and he is immediately struck by the Doctor's remarkable likeness to the great man. The Doctor and his companions infiltrate Salamander's top secret research station and uncover a web of lies on a massive scale. Unless the wholesale deception can be revealed, global war looks set to break out...
3 pages, Audio CD
First published October 31, 2002
31 people want to read
About the author
David Whitaker
50 books27 followersDavid Whitaker was an English screenwriter and novelist best known for his work in the early days of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He served as the series' first story editor working on the programme's first fifty one episodes in this capacity.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 11, 2024
I absolutely love the idea of turning the soundtracks for beloved tv shows into radio audio-dramas, and as someone who loves Old Time Radio shows, I am so excited that this kind of thing even exists, much less for something I already love like Classic Doctor Who.
I can see everything so clearly in my mind's eye when I listen to these episodes, but like I've said elsewhere, I'm not sure that this should be someone's first exposure to Classic Doctor Who. A television show, especially a sci-fi one, is so visually based, and while there is narration to help fill in the gaps between what is said and what is shown on the show, I don't think it is quite enough for someone who isn't already familiar. I think this is perfect for fans of Doctor Who.
I can see everything so clearly in my mind's eye when I listen to these episodes, but like I've said elsewhere, I'm not sure that this should be someone's first exposure to Classic Doctor Who. A television show, especially a sci-fi one, is so visually based, and while there is narration to help fill in the gaps between what is said and what is shown on the show, I don't think it is quite enough for someone who isn't already familiar. I think this is perfect for fans of Doctor Who.
December 19, 2018
Great to listen to but nit watch.
July 26, 2011
Arriving in Australia in the near future, the travellers meet Giles Kent, and discover that the Doctor is the physical double of the globally famous Mexican politician, Ramon Salamander. Most of the world regards Salamander as a philanthropic hero - he has devised a means of storing and supplying solar energy, thereby ending famine, and preventing natural disasters is his next aim.
Kent however, believes that Salamander is a would-be dictator, and the Doctor uncovers the truth by impersonating his doppelganger. Gaining access to Salamander's base, the Doctor finds a bunker where scientists have been undergoing an endurance test for the past 5 years (a concept reworked for Invasion of the Dinosaurs).
Salamander had convinced his team that a war had broken out on the surface, and had them engineer the apparent natural disasters against their unseen enemy. Kent is exposed as a traitor and destroys the station. Salamander then tries to escape in the TARDIS by pretending to be the Doctor, but is ejected into the vortex.
Written by David Whitaker, this story is a break from the popular monsters and 'bases-under-siege' format of season 5. This 6 part serial is considered the weakest link of the season, with a markedly different style, and it's obvious lack of monsters, but the highlight is Patrick Troughton's dual role.
This political thriller is the closest the show ever got to the James Bond films (and could even be compared to The Avengers). The action spans continents, features glamorous girls, and sees a villain, complete with underground base, intent on ruling the world (footage of an exploding helicopter is courtesy of From Russia With Love).
The Radio Times sets the adventure in the year 2017
Screened in 1967/68, only 3 episodes exist, and was released on The Troughton Years video. Fraser Hines provides the linking narration on the CD version. The story was placed at No. 139 in the DWM Mighty 200 Poll (Issue 413, September 2009).
Kent however, believes that Salamander is a would-be dictator, and the Doctor uncovers the truth by impersonating his doppelganger. Gaining access to Salamander's base, the Doctor finds a bunker where scientists have been undergoing an endurance test for the past 5 years (a concept reworked for Invasion of the Dinosaurs).
Salamander had convinced his team that a war had broken out on the surface, and had them engineer the apparent natural disasters against their unseen enemy. Kent is exposed as a traitor and destroys the station. Salamander then tries to escape in the TARDIS by pretending to be the Doctor, but is ejected into the vortex.
Written by David Whitaker, this story is a break from the popular monsters and 'bases-under-siege' format of season 5. This 6 part serial is considered the weakest link of the season, with a markedly different style, and it's obvious lack of monsters, but the highlight is Patrick Troughton's dual role.
This political thriller is the closest the show ever got to the James Bond films (and could even be compared to The Avengers). The action spans continents, features glamorous girls, and sees a villain, complete with underground base, intent on ruling the world (footage of an exploding helicopter is courtesy of From Russia With Love).
The Radio Times sets the adventure in the year 2017
Screened in 1967/68, only 3 episodes exist, and was released on The Troughton Years video. Fraser Hines provides the linking narration on the CD version. The story was placed at No. 139 in the DWM Mighty 200 Poll (Issue 413, September 2009).
October 23, 2019
Considering my passion for this story, I thought I might as well write a review here as well.
1960s Doctor Who is my favourite era of the show. It was the most boundary pushing, most imaginative, and even most profound. It's science fiction that can be epic, very well done and even mind boggling for the most part (as you do get the great pure historicals).
The Enemy of the World not only succeeds in ticking all the boxes as to why I love this monochromatic era so much, but it also succeeds in being simply incredible, and near perfect.
The characters and characterisation is a very key component to this story and it is done to perfection.
The main trio are all fantastically played by Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, and Deborah Watling, and are on fine form here. Perfectly captured and executed here.
Salamander as played by Patrick Troughton is an incredible villain for this story that really holds nothing back and is an amazing evil character that this story contains. One of my favourite Doctor Who villains.
All the supporting characters as well are very well played and written, Particularly Astrid and Benik (with Benik being one of the most slimiest and easiest to hate people the show has ever created).
Everything comes together in this story and is held together wonderfully by brilliant structure, pacing, and music.
And let's not forget the awesome beach scenes in episode 1 and the cataclysmic finale in the 6th.
This is without question one of my all time favourite Doctor Who stories. I wouldn't even be surprised if this IS my favourite at some point.
Maybe not the best 1960s story to start off with as it is not the norm of what I think most people would call or consider a typical Doctor Who story, but it is one that I would definitely reccomend checking out regardless.
I am so happy that this exists. A very near perfect justification as to why I love my favourite era of my favourite show.
10/10
... Simply the best(?).
1960s Doctor Who is my favourite era of the show. It was the most boundary pushing, most imaginative, and even most profound. It's science fiction that can be epic, very well done and even mind boggling for the most part (as you do get the great pure historicals).
The Enemy of the World not only succeeds in ticking all the boxes as to why I love this monochromatic era so much, but it also succeeds in being simply incredible, and near perfect.
The characters and characterisation is a very key component to this story and it is done to perfection.
The main trio are all fantastically played by Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, and Deborah Watling, and are on fine form here. Perfectly captured and executed here.
Salamander as played by Patrick Troughton is an incredible villain for this story that really holds nothing back and is an amazing evil character that this story contains. One of my favourite Doctor Who villains.
All the supporting characters as well are very well played and written, Particularly Astrid and Benik (with Benik being one of the most slimiest and easiest to hate people the show has ever created).
Everything comes together in this story and is held together wonderfully by brilliant structure, pacing, and music.
And let's not forget the awesome beach scenes in episode 1 and the cataclysmic finale in the 6th.
This is without question one of my all time favourite Doctor Who stories. I wouldn't even be surprised if this IS my favourite at some point.
Maybe not the best 1960s story to start off with as it is not the norm of what I think most people would call or consider a typical Doctor Who story, but it is one that I would definitely reccomend checking out regardless.
I am so happy that this exists. A very near perfect justification as to why I love my favourite era of my favourite show.
10/10
... Simply the best(?).
February 7, 2016
I didn't know how the story would end up, which is kinda unusual (and good!). One of my favorite "narrate over the audio of the TV show" adventures.
October 26, 2020
Not one of my favorite classics, but still great to revisit it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews