Doctor Who: Fury From The Deep by Victor Pemberton (DVD review).
I recall watching the original ‘Fury From The Deep’ in 1968. The sentient, foam-covered seaweed, two men exhaling poisonous gas, and the controlled human emerging threateningly from the foam towards the Doctor were unforgettable. This homegrown alien threat was unlike any other, and it’s surprising that kids weren’t forever scared of seaweed.
Being one of the lost stories, I hesitated to watch the animated version. Of all the lost stories, I remembered this one distinctly for its particularly scary scenes. The animated release features two versions across different discs—both the same story, with one in black and white on the first disc and the other in color on the second, both sharing the same audio commentary. I’ll discuss both versions, the original and the animated, and I’ll be watching in color.
The TARDIS materializes mid-air, landing in the sea, and the Doctor (Patrick Troughton), Jamie (Frazer Hines), and Victoria (Deborah Watling) must row ashore. How they managed to get the dinghy out of the TARDIS without flooding it is a mystery, but presumably, this was accounted for in recent regenerations.
Upon discovering a gas pipeline from the ocean and detecting a pulse, the Doctor wields his sonic screwdriver for the first time to open a vent. The trio is tranquilized as intruders but later regain consciousness in a refinery, where they are briefly interrogated by the boss, John Robson (Victor Maddern), and confined. Robson dismisses the Doctor’s warnings about something in the pipeline, but another scientist, Frank Harris (Roy Spencer), pays heed, even though his notes have gone missing. Meanwhile, his wife, Maggie (June Murphy), is stung by seaweed at home and becomes unwell, but not to the extent of panicking when foam and seaweed froth outside their window.
After informing her husband that the notes are missing and about her sting, Maggie encounters Mr. Oak (John Gill) and Mr. Quill (Bill Burridge), who arrive to repair something in her kitchen.
With the medic away, Harris brings the Doctor and his companions to his apartment. His wife is found unconscious, a victim of gassing, and the Doctor collects a seaweed sample. As Harris is summoned back to the main building due to Robson’s erratic behavior, the Doctor and his companions return to the TARDIS to analyze the sample, discovering it emits gas when exposed to North Sea gas.
The Doctor and Jamie, following Dutchman Van Lutyens (John Abineri) to inspect the pipeline, find themselves stranded amidst the seaweed and foam, necessitating a climb up the ladder. The story from here enters spoiler territory.
The last two episodes deviate significantly from the original, with new elements like the Doctor evading giant seaweed fronds in a helicopter—none of which were in the original. This adaptation strays more than previous animated versions of lost ‘Doctor Who’ stories.
Reflecting on the story, I didn’t grasp as a child that Victoria was tired of constant danger and wished to depart. It’s surprising, considering companions often stayed for extended periods. Her adeptness with a hairpin and locks also escaped my younger self.
Regarding the animation, the characters’ arms unnaturally elongate when bent, possibly an optical illusion, but the lack of folds in the clothing contributes to this odd effect.
The audio commentaries provide a mix of insights from the original crew. Each episode offers unique reflections, from the location choice to the first use of the sonic screwdriver intended as a one-off, to the constraints of the Lyme Grove studio sets.
The ‘Animation From The Deep’ featurette aligns with Gary Russell’s audio commentary, raising questions about the believability of seaweed threats.
The third DVD’s original version, a montage of photos and existing footage, revisits Quill and Oak’s chilling scenes.
‘The Cruel Sea – Surviving Fury From The Deep’ shares the production team’s experiences, including outdoor filming challenges and indoor foam management—though no details on nightly cleanup.
The Photo Gallery includes rare color photographs, complementing the 7-part radio play and interviews with special effects technician Peter Day and writer Victor Pemberton.
In conclusion, while the animated version has its merits, comparing it to the photo stills version highlights a significant deviation from the original. The charm and fear that characterized ‘Doctor Who’ risk being lost if revised with an unlimited budget. The essence of the original story is its most compelling feature.
GF Willmetts
October 2023
(pub: BBC. 3 DVDs 6*25 part series with extras. Price: varies. ASIN: BBCDVD4428).
cast: Patrick Troughton, Fraser Hines, Deborah Watling, Victor Maddern, Roy Spencer, June Murphy, John Gill, Bill Burridge and John Abineri.
