Iconic Dalek Episodes of Doctor Who to Celebrate 60th Anniversary with Color Restorations

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The Doctor's first encounter with the Daleks will be colorized and re-edited for Doctor Who's 60th anniversary.

The Daleks played a crucial role in expanding the audience of Doctor Who and implementing important aspects of the series. Celebrating the significance they hold in Doctor Who, it is only appropriate to colorize and rebroadcast their debut.

To commemorate Doctor Who's 60th anniversary, the Doctor's initial encounter with the Daleks will be colorized and re-edited. The Daleks, which served as the second serial of Doctor Who, follows the First Doctor (William Hartnell), his granddaughter Susan (Carole Ann Ford), and companions Ian (William Russell) and Barbara (Jacqueline Hill) as they embark on a journey to Skaro and confront the hazardous mutated beings. The Daleks not only garnered positive acclaim but also contributed to the show's expanding audience.

As the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials commence airing on November 25, just two days after the series' debut, the official Doctor Who Twitter account and website have disclosed that a fresh reinterpretation of the Daleks' inaugural appearance will be televised in commemoration of this significant milestone.

The Daleks has undergone a transformation, with its original 7-part 25-minute-per-episode serialized format being revamped into a cohesive 75-minute story. This enhanced version will be aired on BBC Four, while the original rendition will be included in the recently unveiled Whoniverse collection on iPlayer. Additionally, the new edit will incorporate fresh visual effects (VFX) and a captivating musical score by Mark Ayres.

The Daleks Helped Doctor Who Grow As A Series

Although not Doctor Who's initial story, The Daleks holds significant importance in solidifying the series as a popular sci-fi phenomenon. This serial not only showcases the first use of the TARDIS to transport the characters to distant worlds, but also exemplifies the show's ability to convey profound messages. The Doctor's relentless battle against the hate-driven regime of the Daleks, who wage war against the Thals, establishes the core themes that resonate with audiences throughout the series. Consequently, The Daleks, aside from its iconic monsters, played a pivotal role in shaping the enduring elements of Doctor Who.

Viewership increased during the broadcast of the serial, indicating the Daleks' role in raising Doctor Who's popularity. Although co-creator Sydney Newman initially hesitated to include "bug-eyed monsters" like the Daleks, these creatures, created by Terry Nation and Raymond Cusack, quickly became iconic characters and one of the show's first recurring enemies, making a comeback in 1964's The Dalek Invasion of Earth. The Daleks gained even more recognition through the marketing efforts in the 1995 documentary Dalekmania, solidifying their place in pop culture.

The Daleks, known as the Doctor's deadliest foes, are just as integral to Doctor Who as the Time Lord and the TARDIS. It is understandable, then, that their debut was chosen to be colorized and re-aired as a classic story to commemorate the anniversary. The newly edited version, in vibrant colors, allows for a revisiting of the tale, appealing to both long-time fans and newer viewers who can experience the story in a refreshed, modern format.

The original 7 black-and-white episodes of "The Daleks" and other classic Doctor Who stories are available on BritBox.

Source: Doctor Who

Editor's P/S

As a long-time fan of Doctor Who, I am thrilled to see that the iconic Dalek episodes will be colorized and rebroadcast to celebrate the show's 60th anniversary. The Daleks are one of the most iconic and recognizable villains in science fiction history, and their debut in the second story of the series, "The Daleks," was a major turning point for the show. The Daleks were a huge hit with audiences, and they quickly became one of the most popular and enduring aspects of Doctor Who.

The decision to colorize and rebroadcast the Dalek episodes is a great way to celebrate the show's history and to introduce new fans to the classic era of Doctor Who. The colorization process will bring new life to the episodes, and it will allow fans to see the Daleks in a whole new way. The rebroadcast of the episodes will also give new fans a chance to experience the classic stories that helped to make Doctor Who the iconic show that it is today.

I am very excited to see the colorized Dalek episodes, and I think that they will be a great way to celebrate the show's 60th anniversary. I am also hopeful that the rebroadcast of the episodes will help to introduce new fans to the classic era of Doctor Who.