Peter Purves Movies

In the third episode of the four-part story "The Time Meddler," the efforts of the Doctor (William Hartnell) to prevent a renegade Time Lord (Peter Butterworth) from altering the course of history in 11th century England are complicated when the TARDIS vanishes from sight. Sadly, there are even more pressing problems at hand: The Battle of Hastings has begun and the villain intends to disastrously redirect the outcome. Written by Dennis Spooner, Doctor Who: A Battle of Wits first aired on July 17, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Written by Dennis Spooner, the four-part story arc "The Time Meddler" began on July 3, 1965, with its first episode, Doctor Who: The Watcher. The Doctor (William Hartnell) discovers that a member of his own race has become a dangerous outlaw. This realization leads the Doctor and his friends into embarking upon an incredible adventure in 11th century England -- and, incidentally, causes a surprising amount of friction between the Doctor and Vicki (Maureen O'Brien). Peter Butterworth makes his series debut as the renegade time lord known as "The Meddling Monk." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The third season of Doctor Who began on September 11, 1965, with "Four Hundred Dawns," episode one of the four-part adventure "Galaxy 4." The TARDIS' arrival on the planet Galaxy coincides with the crash landings of spaceships carrying members of two alien races, the Rills and the Dravins. Knowing that the planet will explode within a matter of days, the two races battle over who will seize control of the TARDIS and escape -- which would spell the doom of the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions. This and the remaining three chapters of "Galaxy 4" were written by William Emms; unfortunately, except for a brief fragment, none of these episodes is presently known to exist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the 12-part story "The Dalek Masterplan," the Doctor and his companions have landed in the jungles of Kembel, in hopes of thwarting the latest mass-destruction scheme of the mutant Daleks. The story takes an unexpected turn when the Doctor appears to align himself with the Dalek hordes, who promptly burn down the jungle. Taken aback, Bret Vyon (Nicholas Courtney) nonetheless struggles to keep the original mission alive. Written by Terry Nation, "Day of Armageddon" originally aired on November 20, 1965; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

"The Dalek Masterplan" was the longest of the early Doctor Who adventures, running a full 12 episodes and beginning on November 13, 1965. In the first episode, "The Nightmare Begins," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions act upon evidence gleaned by Special Agent Marc Cory in the previous episode "Mission to the Unknown," that the dreaded Daleks intend to utilize their own doomsday weapon, the Time Destructor. Accompanied by Cory's colleague Bret Vyon (Nicholas Courtney), the crew of the TARDIS blasts off to thwart the Dalek's plans. The vessel crash-lands in the jungles of Kembel, where the Doctor, seeking help for the ailing Steven (Peter Purves), runs into a gaggle of old enemies. Among the guest performers in this story arc is future Upstairs Downstairs regular Jean Marsh as Sara Kingdom. Written by Terry Nation, "The Nightmare Begins" is one of ten episodes of "The Dalek Masterplan" that have apparently vanished from the earth. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the six-part story "The Chase," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions are fully aware that the infamous Daleks intend to go on a rampage of destruction throughout space. Alas, the TARDIS has been immobilized, rendering the Doctor helpless. Even so, he tries to determine the next destination of the Daleks, in hopes of at least warning the victims-to-be. Written by Terry Nation, "Flight Through Eternity" was originally telecast June 5, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the concluding episode of the four-part story "Galaxy 4," time is running out on the planet Galaxy, as it edges even closer to its inevitable destruction. If he hopes to escape with the lives of himself and his traveling companions, the Doctor (William Hartnell) must quickly negotiate a truce between the planet's two warring factions. The climax of the story serves as a logical lead-in to the next episode, "Mission to the Unknown." Written by William Emms, "The Exploding Planet" originally aired on October 2, 1965; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "The Myth Makers," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his friends are still trying to find a way out of their present dilemma, in which their actions may well determine the outcome of the Trojan War. Mistaken for the Greek god Zeus, the Doctor hatches a scheme, that, if successful, will benefit everyone concerned. Unfortunately, his best-laid plans go disastrously awry. Written by Donald Cotton, "Death of a Spy" first aired on October 30, 1965; unfortunately, this episode is no longer in existence. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first episode of the four-part story "The Myth Makers," the TARDIS lands on a sandy plain somewhere in Greece. Disembarking, the Doctor (William Hartnell) soon learns that his ship has been plunked in the middle of the Trojan War. Even sooner, the Doctor is mistaken for the great god Zeus -- and his travelling companion, Steven (Peter Purves), is thrown into prison. Adrienne Hill joins the cast as the Doctor's new travelling companion, Katarina. Written by Donald Cotton, "The Temple of Secrets" first aired on October 16, 1965; unfortunately, only a brief fragment is known to presently exist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the sixth episode of the 12-part story "The Dalek Masterplan," the Doctor (William Hartnell) has aligned himself with the valiant Sara Kingdom (Jean Marsh) in his efforts to foil the mass-destruction plans of the dreaded Daleks. Things come to a head when the crew of the TARDIS is forced into a showdown with a full complement of Dalek warriors. In a disturbing turn of events, the Doctor and Sara are compelled to leave Steven (Peter Purves) to face the Daleks all alone. Written by Dennis Spooner, "Coronas of the Sun" originally aired on December 18, 1965; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the fourth episode of the 12-part story "The Dalek Masterplan," the TARDIS crew persists in its efforts to prevent the Daleks from unleashing their doomsday weapon, the Time Destructor. Captured by the villains, Katarina (Adrienne Hill) nonetheless manages to save the lives of her traveling companions. Meanwhile, Bret (Nicholas Courtney) is faced with a decision that profoundly alters his relationship with the rest of the crew members. Written by Terry Nation, "The Traitors" originally aired on December 4, 1965; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "The Ark," the Doctor (William Hartnell) continues to trace the origins of a plague that threatens to wipe out the last remaining denizens of Planet Earth. Unfortunately, he need not look any farther than the interior of the TARDIS. It turns out that the Doctor's companion, Dodo (Jackie Lane), has a bad head cold -- and this alone is the cause of all the death and devastation to come. Written by Paul Erickson and Lesley Scott, "The Plague" originally aired on March 12, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide