BFI Southbank: Warriors of the Deep Screening & Guests Report

The Doctor Who Season 21 Blu-ray Collection box set is released on 16th March. To celebrate, the BFI on the South Bank in London ran a special event on Saturday, 18th February, showing the Peter Davison story Warriors of the Deep.

The main panel guests were actors Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Tara Ward, who played Preston, but there were a plethora of other contributors to the Blu-ray collection set.

Warriors of the Deep was written by Johnny Byrne, directed by Pennant Roberts and script edited by Eric Saward. Originally broadcast as 4 x 25-minute episodes in January of 1984, Warriors of the Deep achieved viewing figures of between 6.6 and 7.6 million.

Interview with Alasdair Dewar

Alasdair Dewar, Creative Director of Product Development with Character Options, has managed the product development of the Character Options figures since 2005. He brought one of the new Tegan and Dalek figure sets announced in January, which was signed by Janet Fielding, Character OptionsDoctor Who Set With Tegan Jovanka and a Destroyed Dalek – The Doctor Who Companion as a prize in the start of the event quiz. He explained, with a bemused Janet Fielding in the audience, how the figure was a new sculpt, top to toe.Interestingly, he noted that the actors do have a two-strikes challenge about their figures, but Alasdair himself was initially unhappy with the first figure made and asked the BBC to review a second version. For the future, he has revealed there are eleven brand new Character Options figures which are “amazing”.

Creating the Sound and Vision for the Special Edition

Pete McTighe discussed the production of the special edition of Warriors of the Deep. Following a discussion with Russell Mintern, who looks after the Blu-ray range, Pete felt that several improvements could be made to a story he described as traditionally “unloved”. I wouldn’t necessarily agree with that statement, as I rather love the story.

There were three areas looked at for the special edition, with the contributions of the three panellists. The first was improving the look of the Myrka monster, which does look far more active and impressive than two chaps in a costume. There is a better movement with the creature, and the face looks far more fearsome.

Mark Ayres mentioned jokingly how demanding Pete McTighe was with the roar of the Myrka, and it was one of the items that they did go back and forth about. Pete added initially that Chris Thompson did far too good an effect with the Myrka that he was asked to make it more in keeping with the original edition. The creature does do something unexpected in the story, which I won’t spoil, but the audience cheered at that point.

Secondly, the team looked at addressing some of the lighting issues, regrading scenes and tighter editing with scenes involving Silurians and Sea Devils. Pete McTighe highlighted there was a tendency towards slow dialogue between the creatures.

Thirdly, there was also a reshooting of certain shots to add more pace to the action sequences between the humans on Seabase 4 and the Sea Devils, plus adding laser effects.

My thoughts are that the special edition is an impressive reinterpretation of the story. There are some new effects, and it does feel pacier and the Myrka doesn’t embarrass anyone. I did notice a rather lovely transition shot as we see the Sea Devils coming out of their cryogenic sleep.

On the downside, though, I felt it was noticeable somewhat that we don’t see very much of the Silurians and Sea Devils for the first 50 minutes. They only really come into the story in the latter half. The special edition is mapped to the original format of four episodes, which surprised me, as there is quite a long reprise at the beginning of each episode, and this made me wonder why it wasn’t a feature-length film

Special Effects with James Sutton

James Sutton is a prop maker who has worked on various projects for Doctor Who, creating prop replicas, including the Blu-ray special edition presentation for Warriors of the Deep. James also brought along an original prop from the 1984 story, which were the Silurian communicators

He also created props for the box set trailer starring Peter Davison and Janet Fielding: Destination Daleks. On stage with Pete McTighe, James Sutton disclosed he played the killed soldier whom the 5th Doctor discovers. The filming in Butlers Wharf, near the Thames, took two days in late September. Destination Daleks, Pete McTighe revealed, will continue in comic form in Doctor Who Magazine. The value-added material on the Blu-ray includes a behind-the-scenes feature of the making of the trailer.

James brought along some props which were on display include the Trion ( Turlough’s home planet) communicator made from scratch, the Trion helmet and rifle (previously seen in the revived series in The Satan Pit and The Doctor’s Daughter ), a Dalek eye stalk originating from the Remembrance of the Daleks, a new sonic screwdriver for Peter Davison which was designed with a 1980’s piping styling and toolkit.

The Final Panel with Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Tara Ward

With a surprise appearance by actor Sarah Sutton (Nyssa) acting as a buffer between n the comic verbal sparring of Peter Davison and Janet Fielding, this panel was a highlight. Sarah Sutton left in the previous season in Terminus, but observed, as did Peter Davison, that she didn’t watch any stories after she left the series, so watching Warriors of the Deep was a pleasure. As she explained, actors finish a job and move on, but a different Doctor, as it carries on after the actors of an era leave, so it is rather unique.

Peter, Janet and Sarah are close friends and well-versed in sharp-witted repartee, which entertains an audience, and one of the previewed Blu-ray features includes a very funny road trip, as well as a boat trip with the three of them. It’s a follow-up to their road trip for the Season 20 Blu-ray.

Peter Davison, reflecting on the boat trip, joked that all he received on the trip for two days was “insults” as at one point they all swapped to his own boat, which Sarah Sutton quipped diplomatically “needed a clean”. Janet Fielding described it slightly more colourfully.

Janet’s character, Tegan, was known for her skimpy costumes and high heels from season 20. She has been ribbed by Peter Davison over many years for being forthright about the role of being a companion. Janet was keen to recall the challenges of running in heels and climbing rocks or running over cobbles in Amsterdam.

Reflecting on the arc of the character Turlough, which was introduced to kill the 5th Doctor, Peter Davison observed that perhaps the character wasn’t the best developed. Even after the conclusion of the Guardian’s story, where Turlough wanted to stay with the Doctor, Peter felt there was always an acerbic quality, a dodginess with the character, which wasn’t explained and didn’t really work.

Tara Ward, who played Preston, was twenty-three at the time of recording Warriors of the Deep and remembered being terrified turning up at the Acton rehearsal room for the story, but found Peter Davison, obviously leading the show, extremely supportive. Peter was at this stage an experienced and in-demand actor.Tara enjoyed watching the story again and found it rather emotional. She recalled she had two takes for her death scene as the director Pennant Roberts thought Tara didn’t give it “enough welly” the first time. Tara actually felt very grateful to the director, as her character, Preston and Dr Solow were originally male characters but were then cast as female.

Tara seemed close to Ingrid Pitt, who played Dr Solow and remembered they shared some signings together. Ingrid Pitt was a star for the show, being proclaimed as the “Queen of Gothic horror” due to the many 1970s films she had starred in for Hammer House of Horror. Tara explained that it was Ingrid Pitt’s idea for the karate chop against the Myrka. Ingrid had been taking lessons and had asked the director, Pennant Roberts, to do it, and he had agreed. Look out for the encounter of the Myrka and Dr Solow on the special edition. It is rather special.

Another Incredible Day of Doctor Who at the BFI

The event concluded with a signing, and there was a special postcard just for this second take event. Well done to the BFI staff for another stellar event. Thank you to all the guests who made this fascinating and enjoyable afternoon on the Southbank for Doctor Who fans.

Doctor Who The Collection – Limited Edition Season 21 will be released on Monday, 16th March and available at your usual retailers.

What are your thoughts on Warriors of the Deep? Where does it rank for you? Post your thoughts here, on the Discord or The Doctor Who Big Blue Box Podcast (@bigblueboxpcast) / X. Let’s talk.