Doctor Who: Terror of the Zygons (1975)
1h 40m | PG-13
When the Doctor, Sarah Jane and Harry arrive in Scotland, having received an urgent request for assistance from the Brigadier, they discover that the mysterious force which has destroyed three oil rigs has left giant teeth marks on the wreckage. The mystery deepens, leading them to the shores of Loch Ness where they find that the legendary monster really does exist – and is the murderous tool of the Zygons, aliens intent on overpowering the planet. The Doctor, his companions and UNIT must find a way to defeat the deadly Loch Ness Monster and its controllers, but the Zygons have the terrifying power to change shape. The Doctor's life has never been in more danger, as the line between allies and enemies is tested to the very limit...
Director: Douglas Camfield
Studio: BBC
Genre: Science Fiction, Drama, Adventure
Video: 720p
Cast
Tom Baker
as The Doctor
Elisabeth Sladen
as Sarah Jane Smith
Ian Marter
as Harry Sullivan
Nicholas Courtney
as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart
John Levene
as RSM Benton
John Woodnutt
as Duke of Forgill / Broton
Reviews
They are really useful, these space-time telegraph messages! It enables the flummoxed "Brigadier" (Nicholas Courtney) to summon the "Doctor" (Tom Baker), "Sarah Jane" (Elisabeth Sladen) and "Harry" (Ian Marter) back to Earth to help investigate the total destruction of some supposedly indestructible oil rigs off the Scottish coast. Any excuse for them all to don their finest Highland garb and head north where they meet the "Duke of Forgill" (John Woodnutt) who owns a castle near the sea that is soon embroiled in this really quite superior mystery that offers us quite an unique explanation as to the origins of "Nessie". Quickly, they also discover that there's quite a bit of cloning going on and that the eponymous creatures are, of course, bent on world domination. Can the team thwart this dastardly plan? This four-parter is one of the more entertaining with a solid script underpinning a good adventure story that maybe runs little too much to Scots' stereotype - people and weather, but with Baker at his most amiably tongue-in-cheek; Sladen and Courtney again proving useful in support and Lillias Walker also quite menacing (for 5pm) as a nurse I'd sooner not encounter - regardless of how sick I was, it flows along speedily. The visual effects are also quite effective, with plenty of creative licence used on the latex and rubber delivering an original and quite formidable baddie and a good watch.