"The Daleks' Master Plan" Documentary - Doctor Who

One of Doctor Who's longest ever serials is missing from the archive. A twelve-part epic, featuring The Doctors greatest enemy, The Daleks!
But the story behind the story is just as interesting. This is the making of The Daleks' Master Plan.
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Thanks for watching!

[@BabelColour]

That is such an impressive piece of work. The only time I've ever sat and watched a 40 minute documentary on KZbin! Professional, informative, at times hilarious. Well done!

[@finnsempire5671]

BabelColour this makes the doctor and the brigadier friendship anniversary

[@Mandeley100]

As someone old enough to remember watching this serial when it was first broadcast (and being shocked by the demise of Sara Kingdom) I must congratulate you on an excellent and fascinating documentary. A masterful job which brought back some 50+ year old memories.

[@jackskellingtonsora]

It must have been something to see on tv. I just watched the reconstruction for the first time and now I desperately want the actual last episode back.

[@Funniguy2011]

Do you remember the screamer bats and the visians? If you do, then pls tell me what they looked like

[@KororaPenguin]

Mavic Chen's expression must have been priceless when the Daleks punched his ticket to Antenora, am I right?

[@timothybarnett1006]

Really want the Daleks to have eyebrows over their dome lights so one could be raised when it turns around in response to 'It came from Uranus, I know it did'.at the start of the vid...

[@JoshSnares]

😂😂

[@Cowmoo83]

The most terrifying aspect BY FAR in this serial is how Mavik Chen writes. The Daleks are basically just a background threat compared to that.

[@azarothshadowsoul]

I had a friend in school who wrote like that, it weirded me out to say the least

[@JAProductions494]

Imagine if all episodes of the Daleks Master Plan, Power of the Daleks and Evil of the Daleks were just sorta hanging around in Terry Nation’s loft 😂 I know that will never happen but I can dream 😊

[@J.R8765]

Probably are. I mean he is the creator of the Daleks so I just imagine the BBC give every Dalek episodes and he just put them in the loft because he didn't care

[@darkstardavros]

It's a nice thought but I doubt it. The Terry Nation Estate would have found them by now and would have probably released them to the public.

[@pauldonald4676]

And of course Terry Nation had nothing to do with Evil of the Daleks.

[@unleashed1237]

Evil of the private collectors

[@jorgelewis6568]

Terry Nation actually purchased a copy of The Dalek Invasion of Earth in 1965.

[@TheDigitalApple]

Out of all the missing episodes of 60’s Who this is definitely one of the most heartbreaking. It’s Doctor Who’s Greek epic, all told in 12 episodes.

[@penninefilms4714]

The current series of Doctor Who is 10 episodes long and this one serial from season 3 is 12 or 13 episodes long if you count Mission to the Unknown. I think this highlights the quality of what we get today, but also the massive work load the original team were under to make Doctor Who nearly all year round. So I hope one day this story arrives out of the mists of time or gets the animation treatment, so we can appreciate the epic adventure that is The Daleks Master Plan!

[@J.R8765]

Would you stand for one episode missing

[@DucksFor4]

Evil of the daleks would be cool because it’s a bit shorter and it has the dalek emperor in it

[@flaggerify]

Feast of Steven doesn't count. And perhaps not even Volcano. The story goes haywire after it. The War Games is a true epic.

[@Jordan3DS]

To be fair, the modern episodes of Who are twice as long as the classic ones, so 12 episodes then is 6 episodes now.

[@thoughtfulpug1333]

"A strange man kept telling me to take my clothes off" I did not know the Hartnell Era was able to get away with stuff like that.

[@McKayDarkwood]

My absolute favourite Dalek story. Fascinating documentary on the making of which included a number of things even I didn't know about! Very impressed.

[@j.j.neufeld3514]

Another -33c day in the cold wastes of Middle Canada made comfortable by such well-researched and deft presentation of this unknown (to me) chapter of my favourite narrative. Bravo Mr. Snares, Bravo!

[@Matthistory07]

Another beautifully made, incredibly well researched piece. Many thanks Josh. :)

[@FrankNFurter1000]

Random comment but I love the sound of the Daleks guns in this episode. Not just white noise hissing but like a clap of thunder. God bless the Radiophonic Workshop.

[@JoshSnares]

Yeah it’s good, hey?

[@jozefserf2024]

This is what Josh Snares does best. Impressive delivery combined with concise presentation leaves him without any rivals. Loved the shot of studio 3.

[@LloydEWatson1983]

It would be great if animated reconstructions of the missing episodes were made. There must be a high demand for it.

[@jamesattenbourgh]

There’s mission to the unknown at the very least.

[@DalekPrimeProductions]

Man this making of would fit right on a full animation BBC 😉

[@DarrenMHembrowCoach]

The noise of the time destructor gives me the creeps ...love it

[@realnoahsimpson]

‘it came from Uranus - I know it did!’

[@seanjeffery7153]

Noah Aubrey Linus Sorensen What makes it even funnier was after Mavic Chen said the line the Black Dalek just turns around shoots him a look. 😂😂

[@uru47d73bxue]

Nice >:]

[@ShadowStoryteller]

Better then The Dark Side of The Moon...

[@SuperWolsey]

*laughs in French man*

[@sodajerkclassic]

I beg your pardon!

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Excellent documentary - Masterplan = Masterpiece . Very absorbing, sharp witted, compiled, edited and briliantly insightful. Never knew about the Kubrick stuff - so a revelation and I have been a fan of classic who for over 30 years ! Thank you Mr Snares (again )🤗

[@owenrichards1418]

This is a brilliant overview of how this serial is made. I spat my tea out when you mentioned "Good thing for her that the BBC burnt the recordings".

[@thelandofthebears8170]

This is amazing it seems so professional

[@chrise7359]

I was just catching up on some DVD documentaries and lamenting a lack of dedicated documentary for this epic (it was covered briefly in The Gunfighters doco). Wiles seemed like a divisive figure, but did want to improve the standard of storytelling. Anyhow a very entertaining, fun and professional contribution Josh!

[@SWDTeam]

Wow, I heard you were making this, but I never expected such a big long documentary. 42 minutes! Only ten minutes in so far but already impressed.

[@TaylorZanderFrancis]

I have a copy of the Episode 12 script when it was still called A Switch in Time. The script is closer to the Target novelisation than the broadcast episode, with the Doctor being present throughout

[@QueenStodge]

I would love to see this given an animated recreation, like what we have with The Power of the Daleks and The Faceless Ones.

[@DoctorWhoAdventures]

Absolutely excellent! And now I'm even more gutted it's missing because it looks so good!!! D: But it was great to see original footage and recreations! Thank you so much for making this :D You've done a stellar job putting this together!!! :)

[@tomconnor8686]

Amazing documentary as usual. However, I didn't expect to see the Time Destructor I built at 35:15. Very surprised at that and was lovely to see. 😊

[@JAProductions494]

That comment about Terry Nation and Dennis Spooner creating impossible cliffhangers for the other one to figure out a solution to genuinely made my day 😊

[@HectorGonzalez-qx9nk]

I’m honestly surprised that a Dalek story would have missing episodes. I would think Terry Nation would’ve asked for copies considering he would want documentation of his characters being used along with the fact he had rights of first refusal to Dalek stories.

[@TheDigitalApple]

Guess it time to get a Tardis and sneakily write in his contracts that he should receive a copy of every Doctor Who Dalek story he either helped write or work on, under the condition they are not to be destroyed!

[@deuce5546]

You think this got the short end of the stick? Wait until you check out Power of the Daleks and Evil of the Daleks.

[@deuce5546]

You think this got the short end of the stick? Wait until you check out Power of the Daleks and Evil of the Daleks.

[@tiptonslasher1880]

Josh is such a talented person who keeps classic Doctor Who alive in his productions. Its amazing to think he was even born when when these episodes were made. Thank you Josh, keep up the fantasic work.

[@agedwards63]

This was really well done I got a real feel for a serial that I’ll never see was like BRAVO

[@azarothshadowsoul]

I had the same feeling with the Power of the Daleks, I bought a magazine all about the missing episodes and I was just magnetized to that story

[@stevenkranowski5141]

This long-time Whovian thanks you for some great stuff here. Of all the missing Who serials I want to see restored, animated or otherwise, the two missing Dalek serials (this one and "Evil of the Daleks") are definitely the ones I long for the most.

[@jackpittorino]

I saw 2001: A Space Odyssey in 70mm on the big screen in 2018 and it was an experience I will never forget

[@theloyalorderofclassictv5435]

I've heard a theory about why DMP #4 never made it back to the Film Library - It was accidentally returned to Enterprises with Tenth Planet #4 also used on that same episode - and TP #4 was still "on offer" for another year by ENT, and it was never held by the Film Library.

[@petefischer3820]

Thank you. One of my favorite stories. I can't help but wonder if actually getting the story back would be a disappointment. It seems to have aged better as an epic of the imagination.

[@user-nj1og6yb7v]

This is great. Thank you so much. When i was growing up near Cambridge i watched most of the Doctor Who episodes. Good to see ones i missed. Best regards from a Nation across the pond.

[@matthewduncan8523]

You can tell Mary Whitehouse didn’t even watch the story before complaining. Why is she complicating about daleks shouting kill and not the fact they literally showed a companions corpse floating about in space

[@ShamrockParticle]

Because corpses can't run around screaming synonyms to "exterminate "? 🤣 Silly joke. In seriousness, I agree that she probably hadn't (or had her focus elsewhere). Indeed, the scenes with the crazy guy holding Katarina hostage in the airlock are ones Mary didnt bother with and those would be far closer to any point she could make in terms of realist violence instead of words chanted by big shiny mechanisms that can simultaneously whisk an omelet while declogging a toilet. Now that's multitasking! 🤣

[@fadikhoory5350]

Mary Whitehouse should have gone to Australia, but I think she was scared of spiders. LOL.

[@shortangel333]

Thank You. This video kept me captivated for the last 42 minutes. Truly amazing and a real treat. Keep doing what you're doing, it's great.

[@lallancashire2201]

Great documentary, so good in fact that it would deserve to be included on the dvd/blu ray of this story - hopefully to be released some day even if partly animated. 👍

[@KettleScot]

Hey Josh. Just wanted to say I really love your content. I LOVED your missing episodes documentary, and I always look forward to learning something from your videos. Keep it up, brother :)

[@theunknowneditor63]

Have we reached the place of perfection so soon? This was so great, you've really outdone yourself here josh.

[@phoebegardiner9819]

This is making me want to really rewatch the remaining episodes of The Daleks Masterplan, this fantastic!

[@BB-it3ks]

Fantastic documentary! It’s so professionally done! The powers that be should get you to do dvd/blu-ray features!

[@MuchWhittering]

May Warden is of course better known for starring in the classic comedy short, Dinner For One. She's actually the 2nd oldest person to ever be in Doctor Who, having been born in 1891.

[@timdailey2690]

Just watched the LC reconstruction for the first time. This is an excellent supplement!! I was introduced to Pertwee through McCoy episodes over 35 years ago here in the US. FF to 2021, I’m finally discovering the mysterious and lost Hartnell Troughton era serials. Excellent work!!!

[@jeffreywoosley960]

If I ever win the Powerball, I'll make sure to commission a full animated version of this one. I first listened to it in one marathon session while on a flight from Detroit to Germany and couldn't stop listening to it!

[@casselsjoe]

Excellent as ever, Josh. Thanks for all the hard work. I agree with Hartnell about his magic ring being a weak resolution and it's interesting that he felt he ought to stand up for continuity. Go Bill!

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

Must have watched this about 5 times now. Just thanks for the amazing effort Josh.

[@intergalactic92]

Interesting retrospective. You hear stories about the shows production around this time and the impact it had on the serials. It honestly makes this one sound like a bit of a mess, so it’s interesting to hear a more positive outlook.

[@Kytori95]

I'm actually surprised how much surviving footage there is, it gives me hope that there are complete episodes out there somewhere!

[@J.R8765]

Given the fact that this has three episodes while Marco Polo has none, Daleks Master Plan had one copy sent out which was even aired while Marco Polo had a bunch of copies, anything could happen

[@JulesBurt]

Just re-watched this for a second time, absolutely superb Josh. You have to say it's a superb blueprint for future 'making of' videos. Hope to see these soon🙂

[@Splongus_]

Blown away by the quality of this, you really need more subs diva!

[@wonderboy76]

This was hugely impressive work - I was fascinated by the story you told. Thanks for putting this together - it's a commerical quality documentary that should appear on a official release.

[@MegaAlcoholics]

Nice one man. I saw the three available episodes and wondered if something better was there. Apparently so!

[@ohmydinosare]

This is excellent work, if they ever put out a dvd release, be it animated, or some beyond-miraculous recovery of the original, then this ought to be on the special features. You couldn't get a more thorough and insightful documentary.

[@Kytori95]

I love this kind of content, please keep it coming!! - Would love to see this one returned and restored in the archive!

[@bazaul]

What a marvellous thing you have created here. Stunning stuff.

[@JarrodCook93]

Thank you for mentioning how Katarina's death was filmed because I had wondered about it.

[@Solidsnakeprime501]

Fantastic documentary! Really interesting! I love masterplan! Also awesome to hear the voice of the Cyberplanner sneaking in there.

[@ForThePrince]

We really need an animation version of this,just like how Evil Of The Daleks was masterfully handled.

[@AnthonyP73]

Josh your work is so impressive, especially since as you say elsewhere your fandom started in 2010! Meticulously researched and enjoyable.

[@andrewireland9061]

Well researched, structured and produced- another excellent film by Josh Snares!

[@doctorwhom8294]

This is absolutely AMAZING! I love all of these documentaries as they are so good and professional. I have also been enjoying your old reconstructions and they have given me a new love for these missing episodes. You really need to be hired by the BBC in some capacity either for the animation range or the collection Blu-ray's!

[@andrewmckinnon3211]

Awesome. Keep them coming Josh. Thanks!

[@realnoahsimpson]

I hope this serial is animated one day

[@tubewatanabe]

I reckon 2 releases - Mission to the Unknown plus eps 1-5, then 6, 8-12. Two '6 part' production blocks for the animation, and you can ditch the irrelevant (and the animated nightmare of) Feast of Steven. Which they'll include as a telesnap anyway.

[@chrisdavie8163]

Or they could just do a complete cut down of the whole story and cut down on the padding? It wouldn't please the completists, but it would please the rest.

[@JAProductions494]

Chris Davie I would hate that and so would most people. It’s well know for being 12 Parts plus people love the 10 Part War Games

[@SuperWolsey]

Only if its akin to Filmation animation

[@ClumsyWolfy]

I listened to the audio of this story first. As ridiculous as it was. The Feast of Steven was so much fun It was a great break in this epic

[@adamquinn8856]

I absolutely love your doctor who documentaries

[@lwheatley97]

Josh, this was an excellent documentary. I learned so much .

[@ShamrockParticle]

Good grief. Quite a few surprises, but the one with (spoiler alert ahead) the infamous 4th wall break being intentional at script level and not Hartnell doing a fluff up is by far the biggest. Excellent find in amongst numerous excellent finds, good sir! I remember when episode 2 was recovered. And later seen. Incredible episode. Incredible story. Definitely Dr Who's grittiest story for years of not more than a decade to come. Thank you Francis Watson! Well, Lmost the darkest. "The Massacre", arguably, is more violent? Season 3 is definitely one of Who's most morbid. Nice deal in script mockup detail, right down to some having turn-off edges. The thought and detail you put into these documentaries are easily of professional quality. Lastly, is it just me or do varga plants look reminiscent of candy floss/cotton candy? Well, not lastly. A shame so few episodes or clips still exist. If any telerecordings exist, how long before they start to decompose and be irreparable... Mary Whitehouse really thought oversized art deco salt shakers with voices would get kids to go on killing sprees? Really awesome work you do, thank you much!!

[@Bryzerse]

Great, as always! I really recommend making a video on An Adventure in Space and Time, and definitely give it a watch if you haven't already :)

[@oldoldmeme]

I have to say, whilst I don't agree with some of your views on more recent doctor who stories, you are an absolutely phenomenal documentary maker, not only in script writing but also, and more impressively, in editing, I am unbelievably impressed by your editing man, keep up the magnificent work!

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

Can’t wait to hear about Graham Strong again. Fantastic work as usual Josh.

[@marz_454]

IT NEEDS TO BE RETURNED INCLUDING THE MISSION TO THE UNKNOWN please phil...

[@TheJazNetwork]

Love this man! You smashed it! Can't wait to re-watch TDMP!

[@ianscales4347]

Thank you. That was very entertaining. I love the insertions of humour into it all. Sad though that so many episodes are still missing - watching this makes me realise just what we have all lost.

[@bicko_07]

Did you know that this is so popular that it got a mention in Doctor Who Magazine as one of their selected videos. Man that’s amazing.

[@nedkabinder]

Another great documentary about a much loved Doctor who story .thanks .Will be nice if further episodes surface or a animated version gets released

[@Adrik-v7i]

GREAT DOCUMENTARY!! Very interesting and well done!!!

[@alexfletcher5192]

Great work as ever. Should we ever get the bloody thing animated, this should go on it.

[@Jim-qv6tt]

Thanks. Really enjoyed. I read those novels over Xmas in 89 Bring back Chen!

[@itZDegan]

Oh this was brilliant, Josh!

[@dblauveltify]

Brilliant, professional, gorgeous. Another wonderful Snares. I hope this gets the exposure it deserves!

[@miely0847]

Marvelous! Perfect enjoyment with some Madagascar Vanilla Gelato. Thank you so much! Please do Evil of the Daleks!

[@leveragebeverage566]

By Far My Favourite Story of The Show, It was Fascinating to Learn more about it so Thanks for The Best History Lesson

[@billsilver6429]

Absolutely amazing! Well done Josh.

[@JAProductions494]

I actually properly watched the Dalek’s Master Plan today and having full context of the story makes this documentary even better

[@darrenhale2351]

Josh has also done some excellent work on motion animating episodes of this except the Feast of Steven I watch those and Ian Levine's Mission To The Unknown - Thanks Josh.

[@george_7102]

Oh yes! Josh is getting those adds he deserves so much.

[@nathandompke4654]

It’s is so well put together and is a worthy video for this amazing lost classic of Doctor Who.

[@GlassesOfficial122]

Finally! I’ve waited for ages! Thanks Josh!

[@scarlet1958uk]

Great research. A really interesting watch. Thank you

[@servalan65]

Brilliant and insightful. Thank you!!

[@governorblack]

I dare say this is your best one yet! Excellent work!

[@anthonyrobinson2964]

Great Work as always Josh! So much information, film, and pictures! I don't know how you do it. Keep on though always a good watch! BBC, Mark Gatiss, you should really hire Josh!

[@dreadchest7770]

Saw this on my recommended and my day got instantly better

[@Keyboardeater1]

Saying the ring is connected to the TARDIS and serves as an emergency back-up key would make a lot more sense than the sun reflecting thing.

[@richardlittle4844]

Thank you for this very interesting video. I have the story in book form, it is a very good story.

[@marklafrance8141]

That was an amazing documentary. Outstanding job. Very thorough and informative. It will be interesting to see how this episode is dealt with on the upcoming blu-ray release. ✌️❤️🙂

[@JulesBurt]

Great stuff Josh, good to see you back🙂

[@alexvokoun9272]

This serial being missing makes me really sad but grateful that serial like The War Games still exists in full. I REALLY loved that one and that really solidified my newfound love for Classic Doctor Who. I don’t mind the really long serials. Because if stick with them, generally you are rewarded with something wonderful. So I KNOW I would love this story judging by the images, audio and course this documentary.

[@josephdevlin7528]

Josh, an excellent documentary. Full of insights and information I have not heard before. Well made too. Looking forward to more. Thanks for this.

[@scottythescotty]

Once again SUPER AWESOME AMAZING BRILLIANCE. We stan Snosh Jares in this household.