Doctor Who's DARKEST Hour - Doctor Who: The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve (1966) - REVIEW 

I dont often ask to this extent, but please "like", comment and share this video around! I'm incredibly proud of this video, my single-longest review to date and also has some surprise appearances towards the end so stick around!

My interpretation of that ending is that the Doctor had recently saved a young woman from a historic massacre, taking Katarina away from the siege of Troy, she saw him as a god and put instant and untmost faith in him only to die horribly shortly after, her life was barely any longer or less brutal than it would have been had he left her behind. I think this is kind of the inescapable flow of time he alludes to, the flood mentioned in the reign of terror, some final-destination type notion of being unable to escape a fate that is already set in time. He sees Anne Chaplet and Steven wants him to save her, but from that perspective she might be taken to some greater danger, much though there seemed unlikely to be such a thing when there is a massacre going on around her where they leave her. It's maybe reading too much into it, but that's how I take the end of the story.

Mood whiplash aside, Dodo not reacting at all to the TARDIS and instead just being upset that she can't find the phone or a police officer is a perfect introduction to her character. She is very single minded, and I love it. She definitely deserved better and I'm so glad Big Finish is giving the character some more life.

Fun Fact: This story was directed by the late Paddy Russell who later on also directed Invasion of the Dinosaurs 'Yes the cheesy stop motion Dinosaurs' Pyramids of Mars 'A personal favourite of mine' and Horror of Fang Rock.

My favourite Hartnell story! So wish it still existed...😢

I dont think the tonal shift of dodo arriving out of nowhere is bad, i think the same happens with donna in the runaway bride after rose s farewell and the boat crashing/or time crash after martha

That scene in the TARDIS in episode 4 where The Doctor saying “perhaps I should go home, back to my own planet, but I can’t” would have been a fantastic way to set up the following story set on gallifrey!

Absolutely LOVE this serial. One of the standouts, and for sure one of my most hoped for a return

Have listened to the soundtrack so many times and still cannot fathom the loss. Episode 4 is more of a loss than Tenth Planet 4 for how it shows so much character development. As always some wonderful insight from yourself.

Brilliant review MrTardis! It annoyed me too that the massacre has a fair few plot holes and discrepancies. I actually made my own fan film on my channel that explains WHERE THE HELL THE DOCTOR WAS 😂 I tried to tie up all the loose ends like why no one recognises the doctor as the abbot and why the abbot looks like him to begin with. But yeah I’m a big fan of this story, just thought fans of this story might enjoy my fanfilm 🤪 awesome review!

We are so incredibly lucky that clever, passionate people recorded all the soundtracks! No story is completely lost to us thanks to those wonderful, wonderful people!

This might be my favorite review of yours yet! I've always thought about giving this story a go, I may have to put off that procrastination now. Peter Purves is such an amazing performer, just when I think he can't surprise me, he does. Also, loved the Brief Encounters bit, so cool to hear Stephen Noonan take part in this! Made me sit upright in my seat when I heard his voice.

So, putting aside the clumsy mess that is the TARDIS epilogue… I adore this story. The logistical issues never really broke the story for me because I was enamoured by the mood setting. It’s a grim af story that never lets up on the building dread and, though we have no video surviving, Peter Purves is just tremendous. If I could save any of the missing stories, it would be this one.

I like the idea that this established the precident of other characters looking like the Doctor. As jarring as the ending of the final episode is, it reminds me of a number of the endings of Tennant's run (e.g. dramatic ending leads to Donna showing up; dramatic ending leads to the space Titanic crashing; etc.). It is silly that instead of Anne Chaplet we get Dodo, whom the Doctor immediately accepts onto the team. The idea of her being a descendant of Anne would have worked had Anne been already pregnant as a widow when Steven found her. This would also give the Doctor more of a reason to leave her behind, giving the idea that a pregnancy developing within the Tardis could have side effects. Then Dodo is the vindication that Anne made it (or her child did at least). Lastly in retrospect comparing this to the Fires of Pompeii does add to his character, where he does decide to same a few from certain doom.

Honestly, if you leave the episode right at the end where The Doctor’s alone in the Tardis before Steven and Dodo appear, that would probably rank very high in a top 20 or 25 Hartnell era moments if that will happen after the marathon. It’s a beautiful moment and while I think the Steven and Dodo appearance would be better at the start of the next episode, it still undercuts the drama we’re supposed to be feeling.

If I had a nickel for every time the Doctor met someone who looked exactly like him...I'd have two nickels but it's still weird it happened twice

I cannot WAIT to watch this review. I'm so desperate to see this returned somehow - I'd gladly lose many existing 60s stories just to see this. It's so unique in the annals of Doctor Who - just a dangerous drama with no aliens and an intense aura of death all around. Peter Purves has said he's very upset this one is lost to time and I agree - it should be preserved.

This was an incredible review, so in-depth and paced to perfection. Makes me wonder what the Dalekcember reviews would look like if you reviewed them today.

Great review! Keep em coming!

Damn, they just loved throwing John Lucarroti's stories on the bonfire, huh?

Interesting that you used a clip from The Five Doctors when talking about Lucarotti's novelisation. I've long thought that the events of The Five Doctors - prior to that, The Three Doctors - occurred for the Doctor during this story. In essence, after delayed effects of the Time Destructor on the Doctor, he recuperates in a French garden somewhere. It's here that he's removed by the Time Lords to aid his next two selves (Fugitive notwithstanding). Once he's returned to France, he again is removed, although this time by the Time Scoop. I also think I could put the John and Gillian stories within this gap as well. It's not perfect as solutions go, but I think it's neat enough.

Wow. Great review!

I had no idea about the ending of 'The Massacre' and as much as it has no logic to how it works. Even the description of it just had me hooked. Never seen the show do something like that. I love that idea. That in the end she survived because they meet a descendant by pure coincidence. Wow.

Thank you so much for this. I knew so little about this story and it is truly fascinating. Excellent work as always!

Wow- Stephen Noonan- you are well connected Mr Tardis!

Funny how two seasons later, The Enemy of the World would have the actor of The Doctor play the antagonist of that story in Salamander which Troughton gives a terrific performance.

I started watching through the Hartnell era as you started this series. So glad you’re doing these

One of my favourite Hartnell's on my birthday? You're spoiling me, Mr Tardis.

I like to think this story showcases the best acting Hartnell gave to Dr Who ever. He just sounds so expressive in the surviving audio.

A "we'll never know" moment, I guess. It would have been interesting to see how the 1st Doctor would have fared on his own. If only just for one episode.

Hello mr tardis! Can I just say this is an amazing review absolutely loved it! Just wondering where I can find the original camera scripts that you mentioned in this video, I have not been able to find them online 🤪

Absolute brilliant video mrtardis! As a history and 60s dr who buff you did a fantastic job on this you are truly the best dr who reviewer on RU-vid

Omg it's almost an hour long.... *presses play* 😊

Great work! Quite probably my very favourite story from the First Doctor's era.

Doctor Who history is never simple? History in general is never simple.

Great video. The Massacre is fascinating for sure. I'd be so happy if even a single episode turned up, so we could have actual footage of it... I do find it a pretty decent watch if you don't think about the plot too much haha. The sense of dread surrounding Steven throughout is pretty intense. Though, yeah, the absolute lack of explanation from the Doctor in the fourth episode is dumb. I do wish someone would novelize this story as broadcast, just to see what the Doctor was actually up to while he was gone and whatnot (though I'd imagine it'd just be him experiencing The Five Doctors or whatever).

This is my introduction to this story, and wow, brilliantly reviewed!

Good research! It's nice to know more about a missing episode, since that makes us all curious.

Hartnell's first appearance as the Abbott has him mimicking the speech rhythms of a Dalek!

18:15 You took the words out of my mouth, Benoit Blanc. God, I love "Knives Out".

18:16 - Knives Out?

36:28. The uhhhhhhhhhhhh subtitles have absolutely broken me. That's such a good scene and those subs do that. Oh...boy.

this was a very intrestinf video, keep up the good work

The Doctor had been there before this story and saw the Abbot, then chose to wear his face for some reason.

Did you take away the save to playlist feature? I need this in my favourites!

Honestly this just reminds me of the Classic Doctor Who Twitch Streams. They couldn’t show unfinished episodes so they showed Time Meddler which established Steven and Vicki as the new companion team then suddenly jumped multiple stories straight to The Ark where suddenly Vicki’s gone and Dodo is there with zero explanation, it was weird

Yesss

Curious enough, I have seen quite some similarities (maybe accidental?) with the modern era of the show, particularly the David Tennant one. A historical where a companion asks the Doctor to save 'someone' from a bad thing that 'has to' happen (Fires of Pompeii), a tonal whiplash after a dramatic moment with the Doctor alone in the TARDIS (Doomsday).

@mrtardis great video glad I found your channel

Another possibility is that Anne had a son out of wedlock who then kept her surname

Great review MrT, matches my thoughts on the story perfectly. Some great characterisation and overall very emotional and daring but so so dull at times. I also agree completely that the Abbot subplot is so poorly done.

It would have been interesting if instead of Dodo rushing in the Doctor considers following Stevens lead and tries staying in 20th Earth for a little and even trying to live a regular life. Could you imagine the doctor going out on the streets of 1960s England, going to stores, restaurants, trying to find a job, getting an apartment. Meanwhile Steven does the same and as he does he learns to forgive the Doctor. It's a bit silly but it'd be fun enough I think

Great analysis. I remember watching this as a 7 year old. Having Peter Pervie play such a major (and different) role was a master stroke. You are right about the complexity of the plot - I remember losing interest after the first episode when Daleks or Cybermen didn’t suddenly appear

Great vid, no notes 🙂

“ Perhaps I should Go Home…Back to My Home Planet…But I Can’t… *I-I Can’t!* “

the massacre had really interesting stuff going on but i couldn't follow the story at all when i watched it. the lack of visual information available for the reconstruction probably did a lot on that front, but it's nice hearing a review that explains why i was as lost as i was.

I hope when/if they do animate this one, they use artwork for the finale, 'cause that was a master stroke.

very exciting to let me hear this series ....i was there

i'll be honest, this is a story i would love to see return, partially at the least, maybe episodes 3 and 4, i do feel Anne would have made an interesting companion, we know it works with Victoria and Jamie

22:38 - Basically William Hartnell playing as the Abbot is almost foreshadowing Patrick Troughton’s role as Salamander in The Enemy of the World

I was going to say how much I adore this story, but my mind has been blown by the fact Dougal said "Vote Conservative".

Jackie Lane (RIP she passed away in 2021) spends the rest of her life avoiding the Dodo character post- Doctor Who. She only made one full TV interview related to Dodo, and that was it. She stated her reason is "I don't want to be a dodo".

WHO ARE YOU? I NEED TO USE THE TELEPHONE LOL

The Novelisation of this story is superb. John Lucarotti essentially retold the story without all the behind the scenes issues. The First Doctor has a greater role, and it flows a lot neater than the televised version did.

Yeah... the ending could have been better written, Why bother give Steven a departure when he's just gonna come back anyway for a couple more stories? It seems a bit pointless, It's Jenna Coleman all over again before she was born.

fantastic - and the only serial I own on vinyl

I don't get the love for this one and it's modern who equalivant is Vincent and the Doctor where the final moments are leagues better than the rest of the story. My opinion of this would need something visual like recovery or animation to enjoy. As a recon is so hard to follow. It's an obscure period that isn't taught which makes it more confusing. I struggle to get into this one and it's actually low down on list of stories for me.

Anyone else listen to these reviews in the gym?? Excellent content

If I could change anything in 60s Who it would be keeping Anne Chaplet in the TARDIS

You know, at the end of the Massacre, Ian and Barbara were to make a cameo appearance, watching the TARDIS dematerialise

41:43 - "AUTLOC!!"

One of my favourite stories! I love the recons and I recently purchased the vinyl release (which is gorgeous). I’d love to see it animated, keeping my fingers crossed 🤞🏻 Yes, holes can be picked in it; I think the issues during scripting caused huge issues with the Doctor/Abbot scenario, which feels unfinished. But to be honest, that's the least part of the story for me. The political intrigue, the performances, the music, the dialogue and Steven all add up to more than compensate for the shaky 'duel identity' part, which is just a gimmick in my opinion.

This story is I think the only story with-in the classic era,anyway-with only a male companion (I discount the brief debut by Dodo at end).After the individually episode title Hartnell stories were given overall titles in 1973 was known as just "The Massacre",changed later to the longer title we use today🎩

You count Sara's brother as a companion?!?🎩

Fifty thousand Huegonauts fled France and moved to England because of events like St Bartholomews day massacre.Think Tom baker was my first Dr but not 100 percent as Tom and Jon Pertwee looked similiar in 1974 and watching in black and white at 7 years of age has left me wondering.I only think of Tom Baker though with the giant scarf as my 1st docter.

Personally, I don't think Dodo was stupid, I think she had slight tunnel vision, slight shortsightedness, & maybe she just rolls with whatever.

Considering the extended lenth of the Titel of this story, this must have been some stor to whatch, Considering most, infact. nearly all of this episode {only the story has"nt yet been Animated}.

THIS WAS GREAT!!😁😁

36:25 subtitles 💀💀💀

I love this doctor who story because I directed by Pandy Russell who would later directed the invasion of the dinosaurs and the and my second favourite tom baker doctor who story the prymids of mars and honor of fang rock which is one of my favourites tom baker doctor who story

Anything with Andre Morell and Erik Chitty is worth watching.

Too inaccurate with the fact that germ theory wasn't until another 300 years later. To think that Ann would be the same as Katarina is just dumb because Tudor women were significantly different from a figure like Plato or an ancient Babylonian.

Actually, this is one of my least favourite Hartnell stories. Most of the reason is that it is very dialogue driven and I agree with Mr Tardis that the dialogue itself doesn’t advance the plot that much and comes across as rather tedious. It doesn’t help that there’s only audio, so this makes the problem worse. Not sure if I were able to view the story in full it would be better. I will say that Peter Purves shines in the absence of Hartnell. I agree that Hartnell’s turn as the Abbot is too brief. However, it does show how much of those vocal inflections and doddery behaviour he put into the First Doctor as he played the Abbot dead straight.( Forgive the unintentional pun). Finally, I think the subject matter is another reason I dislike this story. All the previous historical had something to like in them. This one…not so much.

Doctor Who's DARKEST hour! A Good Man Goes to Wa.... I mean The Massacre!

It's funny to me that nowadays when the doctor sees anyone that looks like him he goes all identity crisis mode but in classic who that just happened and it concerned nobody

I think any true historical Dr Who scripts will be truly horrifying because all true historical history is horrible …. I’m not sure anybody survived those past times. We today are survivors descendants.

And there hastily write her out later in 2 and gone

I think the way the show bounced backwards and forwards between Sci fi and period drama was highly original and very brave. Shame they dropped the idea

They saved ppl in pompa and other stories

Hang on... stephen noonan!?!

... Ain't no way youtube heard what Hartnell says at 36:25 as "to have sex with Google" like, how the hell?

Can't believe Dougal from Magic Roundabout was a Tory

this ep sounds like a clusterfuck omg, i've been way too harsh on the worst moffat episodes, some interesting ideas as you say but from the sounds of it it's a total mess, but it'd be surprising if it wasn't given all the behind the scenes issues

👍

500thLike!

15:45 Dougal wants us to vote Conservative?! What next, the Doctor being a d1ck and not caring about "the little people" like Anne?! Anyway, great video and you deserve this Like.

Why can't they take Anne? Because she's meant to die and would have to be dropped there to die anyway. Why can they take dodo? She isn't meant to die and can be dropped back there without moral dilemma. Most of your issues aren't even really that major, which confuses me considering how you worship the new specials like a zealot

Uh, that transcription at 36:25?