View source for Dr. Who and the Daleks

{{short description|1965 British science fiction film by Gordon Flemyng}}
{{use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Dr. Who and the Daleks
| image          = Dr. Who and the Daleks Poster.jpg
| alt            =
| caption        = Original theatrical banner
| director       = [[Gordon Flemyng]]
| screenplay     = [[Milton Subotsky]]
| based_on       = {{Based on|''[[The Daleks]]''|[[Terry Nation]]}}
| producer       = {{Plainlist |
* Milton Subotsky
* [[Max Rosenberg|Max J. Rosenberg]]
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Peter Cushing]]
* [[Roy Castle]]
* [[Jennie Linden]]
* [[Roberta Tovey]]
}}
| cinematography = [[John Wilcox (cinematographer)|John Wilcox]]
| editing        = [[Oswald Hafenrichter]]
| music          = {{Plainlist|
* [[Malcolm Lockyer]]
* [[Barry Gray]] {{small|(electronic music)}}
}}
| studio         = {{plainlist|
* AARU Productions
* [[BBC|BBC-TV Productions]]
* [[Amicus Productions]]
}}
| distributor    = Regal Films International
| released       = {{Film date|1965|08|23|df=y}}
| runtime        = 82 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 82:28--><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/dr-who-and-the-daleks-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0yndgwmtu | title=''Dr. Who and the Daleks'' (U) | work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=16 June 1965 | access-date=29 June 2023}}</ref>
| country        = United Kingdom
| language       = English
| budget         = £180,000<ref name="amicus">{{cite book |editor-last=Bryce|editor-first=Allan|date=2000 |title=Amicus: The Studio That Dripped Blood|publisher=Stray Cat Publishing|pages=32–36|isbn=978-0-95332-613-6 }}</ref>  or £159,054<ref name="money">Chapman, J. (2022). The Money Behind the Screen: A History of British Film Finance, 1945-1985. Edinburgh University Press p 360</ref>
}}

'''''Dr. Who and the Daleks''''' is a 1965 British [[science fiction film]] directed by [[Gordon Flemyng]] and written by [[Milton Subotsky]], and the first of two films based on the British science-fiction television series ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It stars [[Peter Cushing]] as [[Dr. Who (Dalek films)|Dr. Who]], [[Roberta Tovey]] as Susan, [[Jennie Linden]] as Barbara, and [[Roy Castle]] as Ian.<ref name="BFIsearch">{{Cite web |title=Dr. Who and the Daleks |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150018315 |access-date=10 August 2024 |website=British Film Institute Collections Search}}</ref> It was followed by ''[[Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.]]'' (1966).

The story is based on the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' television serial ''[[The Daleks]]'', produced by the BBC. Filmed in [[Technicolor]], it is the first ''Doctor Who'' story to be made in colour and in a widescreen format. The film was not intended to form part of the ongoing story-lines of the television series. Elements from the programme are used, however, such as various characters, the Daleks and a [[police box]] time machine, albeit in re-imagined forms.

==Plot==
[[Dr. Who (Dalek films)|Dr. Who]], his granddaughters [[List of Doctor Who spin-off companions#Susan|Susan]] and [[List of Doctor Who spin-off companions#Barbara|Barbara]], and Barbara's boyfriend [[List of Doctor Who spin-off companions#Ian Chesterton|Ian]] are accidentally transported to another planet by Dr. Who's latest invention, a [[Time travel|time and space machine]] called [[Tardis]].

While exploring, the travellers see a city in the distance. They also find a small container of drugs which they take aboard Tardis. Wishing to investigate further, Dr. Who fakes a leak in a fluid link, a vital component of Tardis, to ensure that the group will go to the city to search for the [[Mercury (element)|mercury]] supposedly needed to refill the component. Once in the city, they are captured by [[cyborg]] creatures which refer to themselves as "[[Dalek variants#Mark 1 Movie Daleks|Daleks]]", who seize the fluid link for examination. Dr. Who then realises that the group have contracted [[radiation sickness]], and that the drugs which they discovered earlier may be their only hope of survival.

While covertly observing the captives, the Daleks discuss their own plight. They are trapped inside their metal casings, and within the city, by the radiation. They wish to leave so that they can destroy all other life and claim the planet for themselves. Hearing the captives discussing the drugs, the Daleks make a proposal to them. If the humans bring the drugs they found to them, they will allow them enough to treat themselves. Susan goes, being the only one still strong enough to undertake the task.

Reaching Tardis, Susan collects the drugs and then encounters Alydon, leader of the Thals, a species that fought the Daleks in an atomic war centuries previously. Alydon gives Susan a second container of anti-radiation drugs to use if the Daleks break their promise.

When Susan returns, the Daleks discover the second drug supply, but allow the humans to treat themselves with it. Susan explains to the others that, according to Alydon, the Thal crops have failed and they have come to the Dalek city, hoping to trade the anti-radiation drug formula for food. Again overhearing this conversation, the Daleks decide that they no longer need the Thals now that they have a sample of the drug. They get Susan to write a letter which they will leave for the Thals, stating that they will provide food, to be collected from the city, as an act of friendship. When Susan finishes the letter, the Daleks reveal that they plan to kill all of the Thals when they arrive.

When a Dalek enters their cell, the travellers manage to disable it. Once free, they are able to warn the Thals who are entering the city, and escape with them into the jungle. The Daleks then test the Thal anti-radiation drug but find that it causes disastrous side effects. Thwarted, they decide to detonate a [[neutron bomb]] to increase the planet's radiation to a level which even the Thals cannot survive.

Back at the Thal camp, Dr. Who realises that the travellers are trapped on the planet as the Daleks still have the fluid link, and he will need the Thals' help to recover it. He urges Alydon to fight the Daleks to save his species but he refuses, insisting that the Thals are now peaceful. In response, Dr. Who pretends to order Ian to take a Thal woman to the Daleks in exchange for the confiscated component. Horrified, Alydon attacks Ian, then realises that the Thals ''can'' fight for things they care about. Alydon, Dr. Who and Susan then lead the Thals in an attack on the city, but the Daleks repel the assault; in the commotion, Dr. Who and Susan are recaptured.

Meanwhile, Ian, Barbara and a small group of Thals infiltrate the Dalek city from the rear. Once inside, they join the rest of the Thals, who have mounted a frontal assault to rescue Dr. Who and Susan. The Thals and humans enter the control room, where the Daleks have started the bomb countdown. During the ensuing struggle the Daleks inadvertently destroy their main control console, which kills them by cutting their power and stops the bomb detonation.

Back in the jungle, with the fluid link recovered, the travellers depart in Tardis to return home, with some Thal capes as presents.

==Cast==
{{cast list|
* [[Peter Cushing]] as [[Dr. Who (Dalek films)|Dr. Who]]
* [[Roy Castle]] as [[List of Doctor Who spin-off companions#Ian Chesterton|Ian Chesterton]]
* [[Jennie Linden]] as [[List of Doctor Who spin-off companions#Barbara|Barbara]]
* [[Roberta Tovey]] as [[List of Doctor Who spin-off companions#Susan|Susan]]
* [[Barrie Ingham]] as Alydon
* [[Michael Coles (actor)|Michael Coles]] as Ganatus
* [[Yvonne Antrobus]] as Dyoni
* [[Geoffrey Toone]] as Temmosus
* [[John Bown]] as Antodus
* Mark Petersen as Elyon
* Ken Garady, Nicholas Head, Michael Lennox, Jack Waters, Virginia Tyler, [[Jane Lumb]], [[Bruce Wells]], [[Martin Grace]], Sharon Young, Gary Wyler as the Thals (uncredited)
* Michelle Scott as Thal Child (uncredited)
* Bruno Castagnoli, Michael Dillon, Brian Hands, [[Robert Jewell]], [[Kevin Manser]], Eric McKay, Len Saunders, Gerald Taylor – Dalek operators
* [[David Graham (actor)|David Graham]], [[Peter Hawkins]] – Dalek voices (uncredited)
}}

==Production==
Amicus bought an option to make the story and two sequels from [[Terry Nation]] and the BBC for £500.<ref name="amicus"/> [[Principal photography]] commenced at [[Shepperton Studios]], England in April 1965 and took six weeks. The film was produced on a budget of £180,000,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/the-dalek-movies-from-the-sfx-archives/ |title=The Dalek Movies |first=Steve |last=O'Brien |website=GamesRadar |publisher=FutureUS, Inc |date=26 May 2013 |access-date=29 July 2017}}</ref> or about £{{Inflation|UK|0.18|1965|fmt=c|cursign=£|r=2}} million in {{Inflation-year|UK}}.{{Inflation/fn|UK}}

Eight Dalek props were built at a cost of £350 each.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/rise-dalekmania-doctor-who-craze-made-suckers-us/|title=The rise of Dalekmania, the ''Doctor Who'' craze that made suckers of us all|first=Tom|last=Fordy|date=6 July 2022|website=[[telegraph.co.uk]]|access-date=13 July 2025}}</ref> The [[Dalek variants#Dalek variants in films|Daleks]] were redesigned slightly for the film. They had larger base sections and dome lights than the TV Daleks of the time, making them more imposing,<ref name="BFI Article">{{cite web |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/doctor-who-peter-cushing-dr-who-daleks-turns-50 |title=Doctor who? Peter Cushing's Dr Who and the Daleks turns 50 |author=Andrew Nette |date=2015 |website=[[British Film Institute]] |publisher=British Film Institute |access-date=8 April 2019 }}</ref> and some were fitted with a two-jawed mechanical claw instead of a plunger. They also had more colourful paint schemes, with two Dalek leaders being painted respectively in black and red. Originally, the Daleks were to be armed with [[flamethrower]]s, but these were vetoed on health and safety grounds and because they were considered too frightening for a young audience.<ref name="BFI Article"/> Instead, the guns produced jets of CO<sub>2</sub> gas from internally mounted fire extinguishers. The actor [[Barrie Ingham]] discussed the production in an interview in Australia in 1976 for the ''Doctor Who'' fanzine ''[[Zerinza]]''.<ref name="Zerinza Barry Ingham Interview">{{cite journal | last = Howe | first = Antony | title = Interview: Barry Ingham | journal = [[Zerinza]] | issue = 5/6 | publisher = Antony Howe | date = 1977 }}</ref>

In 1995, a documentary about the two Dalek films, ''[[Dalekmania]]'', was released on video. It revealed details about the productions, spin-offs, and publicity campaigns.<ref name="Dalekmania">{{cite AV media | people = [[Kevin Davies (director)|Kevin Davies]] (director), John Farbrother (producer), Nick Elborough (editor) | date = 24 July 1995 | title = Dalekmania | medium = Video | language = en | publisher = Lumiere Films | id = LUM2221 | asin = B00008T63Q }}</ref> It was later included as an extra in many of the home media video releases of the two Dalek films.

Although the planet on which the action takes place is not named in the film, it is retroactively identified as [[Skaro]] in the [[Daleks – Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D.|sequel]], matching the name given in the television series.

==Release==
The film [[premiere]]d in London on 23 August 1965.<ref name=Dalekmania /> The film was the twentieth biggest British box office moneymaker in 1965. It did not perform as well in the US, however, where the ''Doctor Who'' television series and the Daleks were relatively unknown.<ref name="amicus"/>

==Marketing==
As part of the promotional campaign, a number of Daleks were displayed at the 1965 [[Cannes film festival]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/5324276/The-golden-age-of-the-Cannes-Film-Festival.html?image=16 |title=The golden age of the Cannes Film Festival |work=The Telegraph|date=14 May 2009 |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> Single Daleks were also sent further afield, one making an appearance at a cinema in Sydney, Australia. Souvenir Press published a tie-in colouring book for children in 1965, with colour photographic illustrations from the film on both the front and rear covers.

==Critical response==
''[[Halliwell's Film Guide]]'' described the film as "limply put together, and only for indulgent children".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Walker|first1=John|edition=13|date=1998|title=Halliwell's Film Guide|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|isbn=978-0-00638-868-5 }}</ref> [[John Clute]], in the book ''Science Fiction: The Illustrated Encyclopedia'', gives the film one star out of three, stating: "Many people would like to see the [''Doctor Who''] television series back; few mourn the long-gone films".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Clute|first1=John|edition=1|date=1995|title=Science Fiction: The Illustrated Encyclopedia|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]|page=268|isbn=978-0-77157-317-0 }}</ref> ''[[Radio Times]]'' was more favourable, awarding the film three stars out of five, commenting: "this spin-off lacks the bite and inventiveness that set the landmark series apart, unwisely injecting humour into the sparse scenario, and the cheap art direction is strictly '101 Uses for Pink Plastic Sheeting'. However, despite the many faults, it's still a fun ride for both the uninitiated and die-hard fans alike".<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.radiotimes.com/film/5gsn/doctor-who-and-the-daleks|title= Doctor Who and the Daleks|work=Radio Times|access-date=11 May 2013}}</ref>

In ''[[The Guardian]]'' in 2013, Stuart Heritage stated: "Cushing does his best, but he's not exactly given a lot to work with." He described the Daleks as "so pointlessly toothless here" and also criticised the "incredibly tedious" amount of Dalek dialogue to explain their motives, the portrayal of the Thals, and Roy Castle's performance, saying "to call him hammy would be to provide the greatest disservice to pigs."<ref name="heritage">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/nov/23/dr-who-and-the-daleks-film-recap|title=Dr Who and the Daleks recap: the non-canon version with doddery Doctor|website=[[The Guardian]]|first=Stuart|last=Heritage|date=23 November 2013|access-date=22 October 2019}}</ref> Andrew Nette of the [[British Film Institute]] stated the film was "widely derided by many fans and critics", adding it is "certainly an uneven affair. Some scenes [...] still have the capacity to thrill. Others, like the final victory over the Daleks, feel rushed and flat. The Doctor's granddaughters are largely one-dimensional... The aspect of the movie that most antagonises purists is Cushing's Doctor." Nette described the film as having a "wonderfully pulpy sci-fi atmosphere", saying: "The highlight of the movie is its look... Many of the sets [...] are impressive" and "the movie Daleks are more impressive than their small screen counterparts".<ref name="BFI Article"/>

According to the BFI, the Cushing films "are often forgotten in the ''Doctor Who'' pantheon".<ref name="BFI Article"/> Similarly, Stuart Heritage commented in ''The Guardian'' in 2013 that "people don't talk about ''Dr Who and the Daleks'' any more".<ref name="heritage"/> In 1975, actor [[Tom Baker]], who was playing the [[Fourth Doctor]] in the television series, commented on the flaws of the film and its sequel while discussing another proposed ''Doctor Who'' film, saying "There have been two ''Doctor Who'' films in the past, both rather poor... There are many dangers in transporting a television series onto the big screen.. a lot of things that you could get away with on the small screen wouldn't wash in the cinema."<ref>{{cite book|author=John Kenneth Muir|title=A Critical History of Doctor Who on Television|year=2008|page=407|publisher=McFarland and Co|isbn=978-0786437160}}</ref>

==Home media==
{{div col begin}}
'''Super 8 film'''
* Released in the UK by Walton Sound and Film Services in 1977.

'''VHS'''
* Released in the UK by [[Thorn EMI]] in 1982 and by [[Warner Bros. Home Entertainment|Warner Home Video]] in 1988 and 1996.
* Released in the US by Thorn EMI in 1985, by [[GoodTimes Entertainment|GoodTimes Home Video]] in 1989 and by Lumiere in 1994.
* Released in Australia Thorn EMI in 1983 and by Universal in 1990.

'''Betamax'''
* Released in the UK by [[Thorn EMI]] in 1982.
* Released in Australia Thorn EMI in 1983.

'''DVD'''
* Both films, plus the ''[[Dalekmania]]'' documentary, released in the US by [[Anchor Bay Entertainment]] as a boxset in 2001 and by [[Lionsgate Films|Lionsgate]] as a two-disc set in 2012.
* Both films, plus the ''Dalekmania'' documentary, released in Australia by [[StudioCanal]] as a two-disc boxset in 2001.
* Both films, plus the ''Dalekmania'' documentary, released in the UK by StudioCanal as a two-disc boxset in 2002 and 2006.

'''Blu-ray'''
* The film, plus the ''Dalekmania'' documentary, released in the UK by StudioCanal in 2013.
* Both films, released in the UK by StudioCanal as a two-disc box set in 2013.
* Released in the UK by StudioCanal as a Zavvi exclusive [[Optical disc packaging#SteelBook|'SteelBook']] limited edition in 2015.
* The film, plus the ''Dalekmania'' documentary, released in the US by [[Kino Lorber]] in 2020.
* A restored and remastered version released on 4K UHD disc by StudioCanal, in both Limited Edition and standard Steelbook formats in 2022.{{div col end}}

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name       = Dr. Who & the Daleks
| type       = soundtrack
| artist     = [[Malcolm Lockyer]], [[Bill McGuffie]], [[Barry Gray]]
| cover      = Dalek film soundtrack.jpg
| alt        =
| released   = 5 October 2009
| recorded   =
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Soundtrack]]
| length     =
| label      = Silva Screen Records
| producer   = [[Mark Ayres]]
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title =
| next_year  =
}}

Music from both ''[[Dr. Who and the Daleks]]'' and ''[[Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.]]'' was released by Silva Screen Records on a CD entitled ''Dr. Who & the Daleks'' in 2009 and on a limited edition double vinyl LP in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=OST (1) - DR WHO AND THE DALEKS |url=http://recordstoreday.co.uk/exclusive-releases/rsd-2016/ost-1/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310014910/http://recordstoreday.co.uk/exclusive-releases/rsd-2016/ost-1/ |archive-date=10 March 2016 |access-date=9 March 2016 |publisher=[[Record Store Day]]}}</ref> Selected tracks from both films were released by Silva Screen Records as a limited edition 7-inch EP in 2011. Music from the film was released on an LP by StudioCanal in 2022 as part of a package also including [[4K UHD]] and [[Blu-ray]] discs of the film.

===Track listing===
{{Track listing
| headline      = ''Dr. Who and the Daleks'' ([[Malcolm Lockyer]])

| title1  = Fanfare and Opening Titles
| length1  = 1:48

| title2  = Tardis
| length2  = 0:48

| title3  = The Petrified Jungle
| length3 = 1:58

| title4 = The Petrified Creature and the City
| length4 = 0:52

| title5 = Four Return To Tardis
| length5 = 1:05

| title6 = The Medicine Box and the Climb to the City
| length6 = 2:24

| title7 = City Corridors
| length7 = 1:54

| title8 = Captured by the Daleks
| length8 = 1:18

| title9 = Susan Leaves the City
| length9 = 1:17

| title10 = The Jungle at Night
| length10 = 2:13

| title11 = Susan Returns to the City
| length11 = 1:12

| title12 = Escape from the Cell
| length12 = 3:05

| title13 = The Trap
| length13 = 3:44

| title14 = The Swamp
| length14 = 2:37

| title15 = The Mountain
| length15 = 2:34

| title16 = The Cave
| length16 = 1:57

| title17 = The Jump
| length17 = 0:54

| title18 = The Thals Approach the City
| length18 = 1:40

| title19 = The Countdown
| length19 = 2:38

| title20 = The Countdown Stops
| length20 = 2:17

| title21 = Finale and End Titles
| length21 = 1:11
}}
{{Track listing
| headline      = ''Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.'' ([[Bill McGuffie]])

| title22 = Smash and Grab
| length22 = 1:43

| title23 = Tardis Departs
| length23 = 0:12

| title24 = Opening Titles
| length24 = 1:59

| title25 = Tardis
| length25 = 1:15

| title26 = London, 2150 A.D.
| length26 = 0:50

| title27 = Daleks and Robomen
| length27 = 5:01

| title28 = Message to Grandfather and the Dalek Saucer Takes Off
| length28 = 1:26

| title29 = The Mine Workings and the Cottage
| length29 = 1:25

| title30 = Preparing the Bomb Capsule
| length30 = 1:22

| title31 = Smash and Grab (Reprise) and End Titles
| length31 = 2:09
}}
{{Track listing
| headline      = Bonus tracks

| title32 = The Eccentric Doctor Who
| length32 = 2:25
| writer32 =  Lockyer

| title33 = Daleks and Thals
| length33 = 2:09
| writer33 =  Lockyer

| title34 = Fugue for Thought 
| length34 = 2:16
| writer34 =  McGuffie

| title35 = Fanfare and Opening Titles 
| note35 = with effects
| length35 = 1:48
| writer35 =  Lockyer

| title36 = Tardis Effects 
| length36 = 3:06
| writer36 =  [[Barry Gray]]

| title37 = Dalek City Effects
| length37 = 6:31
| writer37 =  Gray
}}

==Dr. Who & the Daleks: The Official Story of the Films==
{{Infobox book
| name          = Dr Who and the Daleks: The Official Story of the Films
| image         = Dr Who and The Daleks The Official Story of the Films book cover.jpg
| author        = [[John Walsh (filmmaker)|John Walsh]]
| country       = United Kingdom
| language      = English
| genre         = [[Science fiction film]]
| publisher     = [[Titan Publishing Group|Titan Books]]
| pub_date      = December 5, 2022
| media_type    = Print (hardcover)
| pages         = 160
| isbn          = 978-1-80336-018-8
}}

'''Dr. Who & the Daleks: The Official Story of the Films''' is a book by [[John Walsh (filmmaker)|John Walsh]]. It is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the films ''Dr. Who and the Daleks'' and [[Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.]] The large format coffee table style book<ref name="sffworld"/> tells the story of how the original television series [[Doctor Who]] was adapted twice for cinema audiences.

The book includes previously unpublished images and images which had long been out of circulation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/dr-who-and-the-daleks-the-official-story-of-the-films/|author=Martin Unsworth|title=DR WHO AND THE DALEKS: THE OFFICIAL STORY OF THE FILMS|date=May 29, 2023|website=[[Starburst (magazine)|Starburst]]}}</ref> It also contains interviews conducted for the book, and previously published commentary by people no longer alive such as star [[Peter Cushing]], co-stars [[Roy Castle]] and [[Barrie Ingham]], and writer [[Terry Nation]], together with various film crew members.<ref name="borg.com">{{cite web | url=https://borg.com/2022/11/23/doctor-who-peter-cushings-doctor-and-his-dalek-movies-are-the-focus-of-new-behind-the-scenes-book/ | title=Doctor Who–Peter Cushing's Doctor and his Dalek movies are the focus of new behind-the-scenes book | date=23 November 2022 }}</ref> In an interview with the author, [[Forbidden Planet (bookstore)|Forbidden Planet]] TV's [[Andrew Sumner]] commented on the complexities of the book’s production and publication.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gDvVQqBzDA|title=John Walsh digs deep into Doctor Who's movie history with DR. WHO & THE DALEKS!|date=7 December 2022 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>

===Reception===
Paula Hammond, reviewing for ''Film Juice'' website, remarked on the size and scale of the book Walsh had written: "The result is 160-pages of glorious, fan-pleasing information on the production, design, casting and special effects about these much-loved films. Each chapter is packed with full colour illustrations, including up-close views of props, posters and, of course, lots of fascinating behind-the-scenes photography."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmjuice.com/features/dr-who-and-the-daleks-the-official-story-of-the-films-features/|title=Dr. Who and the Daleks: The Official Story of the Films &#124; FilmJuice|website=www.filmjuice.com|date=26 November 2022 }}</ref>

''Future of the Force'' commented on the detail of the book's investigation of the films. "Every aspect of the two films is examined in detail. Whether it's the model effects, the set designs, the stunts, or even the editing, it is all placed under the microscope here. Even how they accomplished the destruction of some of the Daleks seen in the films is investigated along the way. The music is scrutinized, and the posters for the films from around the world are revealed. Even the VHS cassette covers."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thefutureoftheforce.com/2022/12/02/book-review-dr-who-and-the-daleks-the-official-story-of-the-films/|title=Book Review &#124; Dr. Who and the Daleks: The Official Story Of The Films|first=Carl|last=Roberts|date=December 2, 2022|website=Future of the Force}}</ref>

Mark Yon of ''SFF World'' described the book as oddly ordered, with each section containing a "random miscellany of articles on disparate topics... a hodge-podge of interviews and material".<ref name="sffworld">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sffworld.com/2022/12/dr-who-and-the-daleks-the-official-story-of-the-films-by-john-walsh/|title=Dr. Who and the Daleks – The Official Story of the Films by John Walsh – SFFWorld|first=Mark|last=Yon|date=December 10, 2022}}</ref>

''Pop Culture Squad''{{'}}s Ed Catto] chose the book as recommended purchase in December 2022 describing it as "spectacular."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://popculturesquad.com/2022/12/14/with-further-ado-228-2022-annual-gift-giving-guide-part-2/|title=With Further Ado #228: 2022 Annual Gift Giving Guide - Part 2|first=Ed|last=Catto|date=December 14, 2022}}</ref>

‘Borg.com’ discussed the more obscure nature of the films covered in this book. “Unless you’re a major fan or followed Doctor Who for all of the past 59 years, you may not be aware that the late [[Peter Cushing]] played the Doctor in not just one, but two, major theatrical movies.” <ref name="borg.com"/> Borg went on to say that efforts to find those who worked on the film had been taken. “As for interviews, for those no longer living Walsh pulled together commentary from the past, including for stars [[Peter Cushing]], writer [[Terry Nation]], the first film’s co-star and companion [[Roy Castle]] and [[Barrie Ingham]], who played the principal alien, as well as film crew members who have passed.” <ref name="borg.com"/>

''[[Starburst (magazine)|Starburst]]''’s Martin Unsworth said the book had many unpublished images but recognised some fans of the television series didn’t not hold the films in high regard. “It’s a shame the films are derided by some because they are not official Who canon, but they are lots of fun and hold up well today. Peter Cushing was a wonderfully whimsical Dr (actually called Who), and it’s a shame he didn’t take up the offer of reprising the role in the series proper.” <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/dr-who-and-the-daleks-the-official-story-of-the-films/ | title=Dr Who and the Daleks: The Official Story of the Films }}</ref>

On the ‘Filmumentaries’ with Jamie Benning he discussed the rare images found for the book “You have found many photographs that have not been around for decades. I always want to see those photos that are the iconic one you know but at a few frames earlier or later. I also like that you dig out these insights and facts. I had no idea that Peter Cushing was offered Dr Who.” <ref>{{cite web | url=https://filmumentaries.com/2022/11/60-john-walsh-author-of-dr-who-and-the-daleks-the-official-story-of-the-films/ | title=60 – John Walsh – Author of "Dr Who and the Daleks – the Official Story of the Films" – Filmumentaries }}</ref>

''[[SFX Magazine]]'' commented on the detailed approach by Walsh. "Weaving a captivating story about them is tricky. They've been well-documented."<ref>HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2022 SFX MAGAZINE pg.101</ref>

The book received an 'Honourable Mention' in the 2023 [[Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://rondoaward.com/rondoaward.com/blog/ | title=The Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards – Honoring the best in classic horror research, creativity and film preservation }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* [[John Walsh (filmmaker)|John Walsh]] (2022) ''Dr Who and the Daleks: The Official Story of the Films'', [[Titan Books]], {{isbn|978-1-80336-018-8}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Doctor Who|Television|Film}}
* {{IMDb title|0059126}}
* {{TCMDb title|id=73315}}
* ''[https://tardis.wiki/wiki/Dr._Who_and_the_Daleks_(theatrical_film) Dr. Who and the Daleks]'' at [https://tardis.wiki TARDIS WIKI], an external wiki
* {{Screenonline title|1273075}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|id=dr-who-and-the-daleks}}

{{Doctor Who}}
{{Doctor Who supplementary episodes}}
{{Dalek stories|selected=Films}}

{{Amicus Productions}}
{{Gordon Flemyng}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Doctor Who and the Daleks}}
[[Category:Films based on Doctor Who]]
[[Category:1965 films]]
[[Category:1960s English-language films]]
[[Category:British science fiction films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Gordon Flemyng]]
[[Category:Dalek stories]]
[[Category:Films based on television series]]
[[Category:Amicus Productions films]]
[[Category:British space adventure films]]
[[Category:Films adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Films set on fictional planets]]
[[Category:Films scored by Malcolm Lockyer]]
[[Category:1960s British films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction films]]
[[Category:1965 science fiction films]]
[[Category:1960s films about time travel]]