Doctor Who: The War Games

The TARDIS materializes in World War I, in a world of trench warfare, barbed wire and poison gas. Surrounded by chaos and paranoia, the second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and his companions are separated from their ship, captured and court-martialed. Facing impossible odds, the Doctor seeks help from his own race-the Time Lords, who make their first appearance here. Hours of extras include audio commentary and "making-of" featurettes.

The TARDIS arrives on a planet where a race known only as the Aliens have gathered soldiers from a number of different wars in Earth's history, brainwashed them and put them to battle. Their aim is to form an invincible army from the survivors and use this to take over the galaxy.
The War Lord is assisted by a Security Chief and a War Chief, the latter of whom the Doctor quickly recognises as a member of his own race, the Time Lords. The War Chief has provided the Aliens with the time vessels, SIDRATs, that are essential to their scheme; but he secretly plans to double-cross them and seize power for himself.
When the War Lord learns of the War Chief's duplicity he has him shot down by guards. By this time, however, the Doctor, aided by a band of human resistance fighters who have shaken off the Aliens' control, has already managed to put a stop to the war games. Unfortunately he has no way of returning all the human soldiers to their proper times and places and so has to call on the Time Lords for help.
Having thus revealed his position to them, he is taken prisoner, placed on trial for the crime of interfering in the affairs of other races and subsequently sentenced to a period of exile on Earth. Jamie and Zoe, meanwhile, are sent back to their own respective points of origin. Before being dispatched to begin his exile, the Doctor is told that he must again take on a new appearance...

1 - 19/04/1969 17:15
2 - 26/04/1969 17:15
3 - 03/05/1969 17:15
4 - 10/05/1969 17:15
5 - 17/05/1969 17:15
6 - 24/05/1969 17:15
7 - 31/05/1969 17:15
8 - 07/06/1969 17:15
9 - 14/06/1969 17:15
10 - 21/06/1969 17:15

The story title, episode number and writers' credits for each episode are shown over a stock footage montage of explosions and gunfire.

Producer Derrick Sherwin's then wife Jane appears in the role of Lady Jennifer Buckingham.

A real First World War ambulance is used in the location scenes.

Patrick Troughton's son David (who had previously been an extra in The Enemy of the World) appears in the minor speaking role of Private Moor.

There is the first mention by name, and ultimately the first appearance, of the Doctor's own race, the Time Lords.

Short clips in Episode Ten were taken from the opening episodes of The Web of Fear, Fury from the Deep and The Wheel in Space.

There is a tear-jerking departure scene for popular companions Jamie and Zoe.

Directed by David Maloney
Costumes by Nicholas Bullen
Film Editing by Chris Hayden
Produced by Derrick Sherwin
Script Editing by Terrance Dicks
Title Music by Ron Grainer and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, arranged by Delia Derbyshire
Visual Effects by Michealjohn Harris
Written by Terrance Dicks, Malcolm Hulke