Dr. Who and the Daleks

Dr. Who and the Daleks is a 1965 British science fiction film directed by Gordon Flemyng and written by Milton Subotsky, and is the first of two Doctor Who films made by Amicus Productions in the 1960s. It stars Peter Cushing as Dr. Who, a character based on the television series' iconic Time Lord, though in this adaptation, Dr. Who is portrayed as a more conventional human character, an eccentric inventor who has created the TARDIS—a time machine that resembles a British police box—on his own.

The film opens with Dr. Who's granddaughters, Barbara (played by Jennie Linden) and Susan (played by Roberta Tovey), visiting his home alongside Barbara's clumsily endearing boyfriend, Ian Chesterton (played by Roy Castle). The true showpiece of Dr. Who's home is a remarkable creation—an elaborate and seemingly otherworldly contraption named TARDIS. Through a series of unexpected events, the group finds themselves inside the TARDIS and, due to a clumsy mistake, they are transported away from Earth.

Upon landing on a mysterious and desolate alien planet overrun by a toxic environment, the travelers soon discover that they are not alone. They encounter the infamous Daleks—menacing armored creatures with a single mechanical eye-stalk, a plunger-shaped manipulator arm, and gunstick appendage. The Daleks are set on the path of conquest and destruction, possessing a sinister motive that threatens not only the alien world but also the universe at large.

Interestingly, aside from the Daleks, the group also comes across the Thals—peaceful humanoid inhabitants of the planet who are the polar opposites of the malevolent Daleks. The Thals paint a tragic canvas, having suffered greatly at the hands of the Daleks, living now in the aftermath of a catastrophic war that had devastating effects on their world. They represent the enduring spirit of hope and kindness amidst a backdrop of despair and ruins.

In this feature, Dr. Who stands as a character significantly different from the television’s ambiguous, complex Time Lord. Here, Cushing's portrayal of Dr. Who is that of a loveable and slightly absent-minded scientist, earnest and benevolent, with a strong moral compass that guides his actions throughout the narrative. His interactions with his granddaughters and Ian bear a familial charm, which is in contrast to the sometimes detached Doctor portrayed on television.

Roy Castle's Ian, though the comic relief of the film, also exhibits bravery and loyalty. His character provides an accessible point of entry for viewers, being the relatable 'everyman' caught up in the extraordinary circumstances that define Dr. Who's adventures. Barbara and Susan also hold their ground as strong, capable individuals who consistently step up to the various challenges they encounter.

The distinctive feature of the film is its approach to the universe of Doctor Who. While it incorporates crucial elements from the show, it reinterprets them with a fresh lens—aiming to captivate both fans and newcomers alike without relying on entrenched continuity. Its take on the Daleks is particularly engaging, giving the silver screen its first color rendition of the iconic villains, a shift from the black-and-white portrayal audiences were accustomed to from the television series.

The film's pacing is reflective of its era, taking time to develop the otherworldly setting and the relationships between characters before delving into the high-stakes action that defines their struggle against the Daleks. It makes extensive use of vibrant technicolor, giving the alien landscape and the Daleks a visually compelling stage, a striking difference from the monochromatic shades of the television program.

Dr. Who and the Daleks is underscored by a sense of adventure and innocence, tying together elements of exploration, discovery, and thematic conflict between good and evil. It draws on the scared-yet-curious responses of its protagonists to reflect the audience’s own sense of wonder at what lies beyond our ken.

As a mid-60s science fiction film, Dr. Who and the Daleks is marked by the conventions of the time: elaborate sets, special effects that mix practical models with trick photography, and a certain theatricality in the performances—all of which combine to create an atmosphere that is at once imaginative and nostalgic.

Ultimately, the film stands as a distinct piece of the broader Doctor Who lore, appealing for its historical value to fans of the franchise and as a standalone spectacle to those just encountering the wonders of Dr. Who, the Daleks, and the TARDIS. It reflects both the creative spirit that the series has always embodied and a unique interpretation that distinguishes itself from the myriad ongoing adventures in the Doctor Who universe.