Serial BB, in 4 parts
Written by: Ian Stuart Black, based upon original ideas by Kit Pedler and Pat Dunlop
Produced by: Innes Lloyd
Directed by: Michael Ferguson
"What the production team were trying to do, I believe, was to find a middle path between pure fantasy and a kind of realistic projection of future technology - and of course they had brought in the scientist Kid Pedler to advise them. The story revolved around computers, and the feeling was that this gave it a basis in reality - computers exist, they're not something fictional. The question was, what would happen if computers had so much power that they were able to take over? At the time, I remember, this wasn't seen as a fanciful idea; it was quite a common fear." - Michael Ferguson, Director, quoted in The Handbook: The First Doctor by Howe, Stammers, and Walker (Virgin: 1994).
"[The character of] Doctor Who was not called Doctor Who, but 'the Doctor.' Doctor Who is the title of the program, meaning Doctor Who? In one story called The War Machines, [Wotan said] 'Doctor Who is required. Bring him here.' That is just one of the most unforgiveable things..." - fan, historian, and general Doctor Who guru Ian Levine quoted in Doctor Who: The Unfolding Text by John Tulloch and Manuel Alvarado (St. Martin's Press: 1983).
The War Machines was revolutionary. Previous Doctor Who episodes tended to fall into one of two molds; they either took place on distant alien planets or in Earth's past. The "historical" mold of episode lost popularity over time, and was gradually replaced by stories that took place on contemporary Earth. The War Machines is the earliest example of a "present-day" story, and it set the standard for the later Troughton and Pertwee eras.
Okay, so it was revolutionary. But was it any good? For the most part, I'd have to say no. The first two parts set up a fairly interesting scenario, as the super-computer Wotan decides that humanity is superfluous and schemes to hypnotize and dominate the population of London. However, this fascinating concept builds up to a very pedestrian conclusion. Wotan orders the construction of some very big robots - you guessed it, the War Machines - and dispatches them to sow terror amongst the good people of London.
The War Machines simply don't work. The script claims that there are 12 of the machines wreaking havoc in the city, but we only get to see one at a time, so it's painfully obvious that the prop boys only had enough dough to build a single robot suit. Director Michael Ferguson tries hard to make the War Machines look impressive by making them crash through various flimsy wooden structures, but the action scenes are lacklustre overall and the machines are too dull-looking to really impress. Obviously an attempt to cash in on the popularity of the Daleks, the War Machines look bigger than their famous ancestors, but they aren't designed with half the imagination.
To the episode's credit, the production values as a whole are impressive. The sets are convincing, looking like they come from a bigger budget show like The Avengers, and good use is made of extras. Ferguson's direction, though flat in the studio, is somehow excellent on location. He shoots Hartnell from angles that emphasize the old man's powerful and mysterious nature (in other words, close-ups and worm's-eye shots).
The introduction of new companions Ben and Polly is handled well. In a strange touch of social realism, they meet by flirting in a nightclub, and Ben beats up an obnoxious guy who starts hitting on Polly. Dodo is given an unceremonious boot from the series, as her character is phased out off-screen. Before she leaves, however, Jackie Lane gets to give one of her more accomplished performances as a hypnotized Dodo in Wotan's thrall. Hartnell gives a charming performance as the Doctor, though he's clearly going more than a little senile. He obviously struggles with his technical dialogue, and he bursts into strange fits of anger for no apparent reason.
Wotan the super-computer is an early version of the Internet; it threatens to hook up to all of the other computers in the world and create a global network of, um, terror and dominance I suppose. Too bad it's got an annoying voice, and it takes a back seat to its creations, the War Machines. Perhaps the most interesting thing about Wotan is that it utters the much-loathed line "Doctor Who is required, bring him here," but surely the computer is saying that the TV show is mandatory viewing and not, in fact, referring to its main character...
Maybe it's unfair to compare The War Machines to later, copycat episodes, but I can't help myself. The Green Death has an identical plot but is much more human and engaging; Remembrance of the Daleks is very similar but more exciting and socially aware; Spearhead from Space explores related themes but is a lot scarier.
By the way, the Doctor Who Restoration Team did a splendid job restoring this serial to broadcast quality; it looks lovely. Too bad it's not just a little better...
OVERALL RATING: C+
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