"The Faceless Ones" Documentary - Doctor Who

We explore the making of The Faceless Ones. By going behind the scenes, we see how the show started as an idea, and grew into a finished production.
We also discuss the upcoming animation, which is to be released in 2020!
Social:
Twitter: @josh_snares
Instagram: @joshsnares
Facebook: JoshuaSnares/
Doctor Who clips are owned by the BBC, and music licensed from Artlist
Thanks for watching!

[@katie2940]

Can we have "GENERAL AUDIENCE IS NOT YOU" t-shirts?

[@gunillalasinnatti3554]

Yeah dude that would be awesome

[@Lone_Cyberman_Productions]

I would like one.

[@bicko_07]

What a shame that we never got to see “Doctor Who and the Clock.” That really sounds like a very menacing monster.

[@tomchristison1658]

Brilliant! I hope that Script to Screen becomes a series as this was some amazing insight into one of my favourite stories!

[@JoshSnares]

Thank you!

[@just_a_carl]

I second this! This was very interesting and well done!

[@alanthewonderhorse8513]

Lovely concept and visuals..🐴

[@VauxhallViva1975]

Yes, I have loved this story ever since I saw the two surviving episodes on the LOST IN TIME box-set. Credit MUST be given to the USA cash - even if you think it is a waste of time animating existing episodes - that the American cash was prepared to spend that at all. I think it will be an almost MUST HAVE DVD in 2020. I WILL be buying this DVD for my collection. I still have not bought new-who S11, and I don't plan to either.

[@geordiewalker2102]

*General Audience is not you. This is a personal attack but incredibly correct.

[@pjgathergood6987]

I actually took it not as an attack or insulting but actually to mean "The More Casual viewer". And if catering to that more casual viewer means that these things get made, and with more budget going into them (previous animated recreations have generally been great but have noticeably had shortcuts and creative liberties taken in some places) then, broadly speaking, I'm fine with that.

[@CineScarborough]

Except the general audience won't be watching this release. This is of no interest to them. It's only us - the fans - who would watch something like this. That's why it's such a massive mistake to animate all the episodes. The original source material should be respected.

[@geordiewalker2102]

@@CineScarborough If it was only the fans that watch it, this wouldn't be getting an animation at all, we are small in number, and lots of people watch this stuff, you're mistaken. And as Josh said, it's either this or nothing. And I don't mind having two versions of the surviving episodes.

[@geordiewalker2102]

@@CineScarborough And who said the original source material wouldn't be respected, going by past animations, they'll probably mirror the shots as best they can like they do with the telesnaps.

[@CineScarborough]

@@geordiewalker2102 It is only us the fans who watch these. I don't know any casual viewers who show even the slightest interest in the classic series of Doctor Who, never mind animated missing episodes. These are purely fan releases and should be treated as such.

[@nerdommeetsboy]

I’m one of the People Who Couldn’t Remember Doctor Who and the Clock

[@DoctorJohnSmith9]

The production and narration is so good it should be a DVD extra. So good! I love these! "Dear BBC Video: hire Josh Snares. Now!"

[@testiclesish]

Seeing Polly and Ben disappearing at the end of The Faceless Ones makes me really cry sad😢😢

[@davidbanan.]

Y Tho?

[@freezetheatlantic]

It’s awesome that we’re getting it and the budget is bigger but we know what we’re all really waiting for! EVIL OF THE DALEKS!!

[@JoshSnares]

PLEASE! Evil of the Daleks would be amazing. One of the best missing stories, for sure. Even the reconstruction is captivating.

[@KentishLad]

So true

[@TrentonBlessWrestlemania489]

Evil of the Daleks is probably gonna be next. I'd love to see The Highlanders eventually, though.

[@stevenkranowski5141]

Heck yeah! What I wouldn't give to see that climactic battle on Skaro as it was meant to be seen...

[@marky437]

Everyone say Evil but deep down they really want Fury from the Deep lol

[@DalamReviews]

One day I would LOVE to see Fury from the Deep animated, (my personal favorite 2nd Doctor story). Great video by the way! :)

[@realnoahsimpson]

Dalam Reviews Who you got your wish!

[@DalamReviews]

Noah Aubrey Linus Sorensen Yes!!!!! I’m stoked!!!! 😁😁😁

[@APEABOUTSIMS]

This was amazing! I love this concept! I’d love to see a script to screen of “Trial of a Timelord” in general, all that drama. Also, Stones of Blood (100th Serial Special) had a lot of behind the scenes stuff going on. Baker refusing to film scenes, people refusing to do parts based on screen time. A look bad on Shada would be awesome too. Ugh I love this video.

[@mrb3991]

i wish they had kept the original recordings , it be awesome to watch them today

[@marky437]

Love the animated missing stories...can't wait till they do The Abominable Snowmen one of my favs

[@JoshSnares]

I'd love that!

[@Joey15811]

Out of all stories I’d say that one and Space Pirates require animation more than every other story. They are hard to watch as recons. They are long and space pirates is visual and very dialogue heavy. The others atleast have a few episodes surviving and are shorter and slightly easier as a recon.

[@marky437]

@@Joey15811 I agree until Space Pirates......I remember trying to read the target novel of Space Pirates..... oh boy never finished it lol. The Wheel in Space, Fury frim the Deep. But I do agree that SP would a d could work in animation due to the amount of dialogue lol

[@Joey15811]

Mark Lyne id have an easier time reading space pirates then the likes of the Massacre.

[@Joey15811]

Mark Lyne fury from the Deep for sure would benefit a lot as well and wheel but in know fury has quite a few fans event though it’s currently just all a recon. Wheel in space I think is just overlooked because it’s just the weakest cyber story of the 60s but it’s better then everything 70s+ minus the S2 two parter

[@FishDS9]

Thank you Josh. I enjoy this series and the way you present it

[@furrycaptain]

Terrific video, and worthy of professional release! These are not easy to make, and your time and talent shows in how detailed and well executed they are. More, please!

[@petefischer3820]

I was just thinking about you. Can't wait to watch later! Thank you!

[@oldhat08]

I love your mini documentaries. I am one of the older Doctor Who fans who has watched all of the Doctor Who series including missing stories when they originally aired on the ABC in the 60's as a child. Your documentaries are very informative and bring back many memories of the old series.

[@JulesBurt]

Love this Josh, please continue this format with more stories, it's fantastic! Great to see you back😀👏👏

[@blackwoodrichmore4531]

Well done Josh, this short doco was fascinating. Thanx! 😊

[@robalexander8065]

My absolute favourite Troughton serial. Can't wait for the DVD release! Great vid as always Josh!

[@TheConfessionDial]

Another brilliant insightful video Josh. Thank you. Absolutely love this story!!

[@casselsjoe]

A good, thorough and slick production. More of these please!

[@whovian59]

Well done again, Josh, and thanks for a really informative and entertaining feature. I vaguely remember seeing these episodes first time around, and applaud the decision to animate all six with the option to view in colour or monochrome. With the inclusion of the original remaining episodes and telesnaps, why do some 'fans' still find fault? Some people are never happy! I'm with you, Josh. More soon please! XX

[@richardblackshire8450]

Well done again josh. Can't wait for the animation

[@paulforder591]

A terrific documentary about the making of The Faceless Ones. Always interesting to see how this program went from rewrites to its final form on the small screen.Thanks for sharing, Josh! 😊❤🇬🇧📺

[@adrianames8590]

Loved your video! Alot of facts were new to me and great clear photos! Thanks!

[@jacobgrandinetti296]

Awesome work! Each time I get a notification that you've come out with a new video, I immediately drop what I'm doing and watch it. I hope this becomes a new series, it's really interesting!

[@drummerwarrior1]

Terrific documentary - thanks!

[@wellingtoncraig]

Another great doco Josh. Love it.

[@RobertWatkins1975]

More please Josh, these are great little documentaries to watch

[@the_clone_ranger7730]

Excellent video. Cannot wait to see this story.

[@davidbanan.]

Another great production keep it up man

[@romelmunoz7957]

As always: excellent superb content! You're the best on everything Dr. Who...

[@AubreySciFi]

This was a great little documentary. I knew about some production details of this story, but you really uncovered all sorts of little things I never knew, like the other stories the writers submitted, and the fact that it was originally to take place in a department store. Fascinating stuff! Anyway, I've always loved "The Faceless Ones", and I'm very much looking forward to the animated release so I can finally see it in a complete full motion form.

[@JoshSnares]

That's the best thing about Doctor Who, you can always learn something new! Even from over 50 years ago!

[@MrCTD1977]

Absolutely Fantastic!!! Thank you

[@scarlet1958uk]

Great research and wonderful insights. Thank you

[@digipeeper]

To celebrate the animated adaptation coming soon. Great job as always Snare.

[@testiclesish]

Josh thank you very much for reading my comment of the story being animated

[@DarknessLovesAll]

looking forward to seeing this animation. I hope evil of the Daleks is next, that is a definitie for me to see animated

[@pjgathergood6987]

I love this 'Script to Screen' format, Josh, and hope it becomes a regular feature - I can see it becoming as compulsive, compelling viewing as your series on the missing episodes. It took me a while to be convinced by the concept of animated recreations of the missing DW stories, but as we might sadly resign ourselves to the fact that, as time passes and MIA film simply rots into dust, some of those lost classics may likely now never be found, this is surely the next best thing (assuming it's done right, and without too many 'creative liberties'). I'm looking forward to The Faceless Ones release (I'll watch it in the B&W option, I want it as near-authentic as possible).

[@gary13th]

Another brilliant professional production.

[@immoralq]

I have absolutely no problem with the full animation. I've only seen this story in reconstructions, so it will be good to see the whole thing. Interesting video - thanks Josh!

[@badwolfarchives3246]

Fantastic video. Love this story 👏

[@safetyman4967]

Glad you're back production quality is higher than most others on youtube

[@JoshSnares]

Thank you!

[@verdiguy]

The BBC are really missing a golden opportunity in not hiring you to produce the documentaries for any upcoming animations/restorations. The quality of these is terrific. Looking forward to the next one Josh.

[@CulturePhilter]

I genuinely knew absolutely nothing about this story until this video. Found it very informative. Looking forward to the DVD release of the animation now 🙂

[@mattyduknextgen]

Really impressive feature. Great stuff :)

[@alexanderstenhagen7939]

The faceless ones is one of my favourite DW stories of all time. It feels to me like the first time Troughton and Jamie really get to partner up like they would in the future and it has such great atmosphere. I am very happy that they are animating all 6 since it will give it more attention. I do hope they have more special features than before. Hope you continue this series. Seems like a really cool idea!

[@shortangel333]

Im so excited to see the animation for this one, it was the one missing serial that I really wanted to see in full after watching the surviving episodes.

[@martinyoung1560]

The Faceless Ones is one of the second Doctor who storys I have always wanted to see, as I have listened to the audio of it for years.

[@kyloren6396]

I watched the loose cannon reconstruction and it was the only lc reconstruction I was hooked on. The other ones I dozed off or started playing with my phone but the faceless ones had all my attention. Can’t wait for the animation. Great vid Josh

[@kyloren6396]

Btw please make this a series Josh.

[@Metatraxi]

I'd be really surprised if BBC Studios didn't come knocking for you to make an official documentary for the DVD release next year, or at least record the narration! Really, Really loved this, particularly your ratings discussion with your nifty line graph, plus all the Shawcraft models stuff really shocked & amazed me. Again thanks for putting in so much hard work for us, this is a really, really cool strand you've come up with. Any plans for further stories you might cover? Finally you told me & I subscribed, best of luck with everything Josh

[@MEXICANMOOSE1976]

Such a fountain of knowledge!!! These little Tidbits are as exciting as a new DVD/Bluray release!! Stay awesome!! Big hugs...😊

[@besskorey7403]

Thank you for making this wonderful video! I found it really informative and definitely plan on checking out other stuff you have posted. Not sure if anyone here has mentioned this yet, but the episodes that survive of The Faceless Ones (1 and 3) can be found in the Lost In Time DVD for Patrick Troughton. So it is possible to watch them in their original format right now. I listened to the audiobook that is narrated by Anneke Wills (who played Polly and is an excellent narrator) to find out what happens in the rest of the story. I do look forward to seeing the lost episodes animated when the DVD comes out next year. And I will probably alternate between the original episodes and the animated ones while watching it.

[@lewisking6204]

Can’t wait! Be great to get some hartnell stories soon

[@JoshSnares]

I hope we get some Hartnell too!

[@thejacal2704]

I've missed you!! Great work, as always.

[@JoshSnares]

💜💜

[@thejacal2704]

Also, I was looking forward to a 'top five/six Pertwee Stories'. Is that I'm the works, I know he's not your fave, but all of that Holmes/Hulke goodness in there...

[@davidjefferies9601]

I feel for the production team with all the props and models breaking so easily

[@ThomasHJ15]

Great informative video - keep them up! I'd never realised that Samantha from The Faceless Ones was the same actress as Queen Victoria in Tooth and claw. I'm glad the upcoming animated episodes seem to be following the style of The Macra Terror. It's good to see these productions properly funded for once, rather than the BBC rushing out sub-standard releases (i.e. The Web of Fear, when they didn't even bother to animate the one missing episode) in order to charge fans again for a 'special edition' down the line. I hope we see plenty more in the same style in the next few years - The Dalek Masterplan is probably top of the list, as far as I'm concerned, as well as The Celestial Toymaker due to its reliance on visuals, but there are so many more I look forward to watching in the (hopefully) near future.

[@JAProductions494]

I’m still shocked over how much I ADORED this story when it was animated!

[@BenS-dy9eq]

Hey Josh! I got excited when I saw you on the Big Finish stream last week.

[@JoshSnares]

😂😂

[@william...1]

i love that you used an image of an airport in Namibia for the stock image

[@chrisbutler501]

I preordered The Faceless Ones. I can't wait to see it. I am looking forward to viewing it

[@AndrewHsieh96]

What an impressive, insightful look! You should also do "The Power of the Daleks" and "The Macra Terror" next.

[@pheebeetwo]

I've never looked into The Faceless Ones. I was unaware of how much history is behind alot of these lost episodes, and will watch the animated version when it is released.

[@kinky_afro7720]

Thinking about it, I think a novelisation of the big store would be quite interesting

[@lockrobster7928]

I just recently watched The Faceless Ones animation and I enjoyed it. It has certainly become one of my favorite Second Doctor episodes.

[@nichloasrich5293]

Can't wait for this one Josh my brother works at Gatwick and wants to see what the Southbank look liked in 1967 he was 5 months old got the sound track CD and lost episodes on DVD 1 and 3 there's two clips As well that had been cut going Rosenberg of fear tomorrow like an update on that one with some extras not just a bare bones dvd.

[@brickwho101]

“General audience is not you” 😂 brilliant. But yeah I’m really hyped for the animation. I hope there is a special feature where the original episodes are on it also. But animating the whole thing works fine for me as long as I have way of viewing it. I’m happy

[@ryancarrick3585]

Really loved this story when watching recons. Can't wait to see the animation.

[@filmdressing2436]

I love your videos! So So So Much!

[@matthew5386]

I love everything you do

[@governorblack]

I’ve always enjoyed The Faceless Ones since I first saw the original LC recon! Looking forward to the animation with great anticipation!

[@AdamParkin]

I've been a fan of the story since I read the Target novelisation in the '90s, and am really looking forward to the animated version to complement episodes 1 & 3, the telesnaps (courtesy of DWM) and narrated audio I have on CD

[@robertrodriguez2106]

This was one of the first books I ever cc'd read of the second Doctor. Can't wait to see it.

[@gamera2351]

Like many, I've only seen the telesnap recreation. I can't explain why, but for me this is one of my favorite 2nd Doctor stories, if not my favorite.

[@JimmyJams91]

I didn't even know that we were getting this serial on home release until I watched this video. I'm happy for having all 6 episodes being animated if it means we have more 2nd Doctor stories. Who knows, this could lead to eventually all the missing episodes getting reconstructed.

[@ruairiedwards8616]

Can’t wait to see this story animated next year

[@Last.Man.Standing]

Great vid.

[@elcapitanobeige7357]

For those who do not know, the aircraft used in The Faceless Ones were Vickers VC-10s (four engines near rear of plane) and BAC One-Elevens (two engines near rear of plane). The Shawcraft model was of a VC-10, but most of the location footage in Episode One shows One-Elevens.

[@smithpm81]

Great video.

[@joebowers6554]

A great story that is underrated. Hopefully the animation will give the story more attention, even better if the missing episodes were to turn up. Also great video.

[@JoshSnares]

Definitely!

[@lololhiful]

Really well put together, and I mean I know this isn't the point of the video but liked the little sort of Hulke retrospective beat nearer the end of the video haha

[@JoshSnares]

I thought it was important to talk about his impact, I'm happy you enjoyed that part!

[@lololhiful]

@@JoshSnares Hulke is v good and talking about his impact is also v good

[@portaldevice5110]

I recently watched The Faceless ones and really enjoyed it.

[@dsurrey-6559]

Great video. Very informative. Sad the way Ben & Polly were treated.

[@themirrorsofmymind]

I love _"The Faceless Ones."*_ I have the audio CD, the surviving episodes, 1 &3, and the "Target" novelization. It's a great story. Looking forward to seeing it animated.

[@jdzencelowcz]

It's late October, 2020, & I got my "Faceless Ones" dvd a couple days ago. I don't mind the multiple viewing options, as I was able to choose the one I wanted; the original eps with the B&W animations in order. I hope they go this route with future serials. Also, I hope it doesn't take nearly a year for "Fury from the Deep" to get to me (in the states) like "Faceless Ones" did.

[@AppleCorp3]

Though I’m not in the “general audience” I watched this on BBC America on demand since I don’t have the DVD so I’m glad they animated the whole thing. I’m buying it anyway so I can hand the extant episodes.

[@michaelsegal7443]

I have a wired history with the faceless ones. I was doing a marathon of every doctor who episode ever and various Big Finish audio stories. I finished that marathon recently; But for some reason I took a very long break during the faceless ones. I have no idea why I stopped there. I’ve watched the story since then and it’s one of my favorites.

[@Timmymantwo]

Production quality is always high here

[@davidbanan.]

when did i dislike this video?. I must have been really drunk or something, this is great

[@tayloredwards7441]

This was my first loose canon reconstruction, and it was like my 3rd Troughton Story in general. I like it. It’s not Hulke’s best(and might be his worst), but that still makes it stand out compared to the others. What’s weird is that it’s definitely 4 parts of a story, surrounded by 4 parters, and yet it’s 6 eps long.

[@miely0847]

Waiting for the animation to arrive in the states

[@THIRV]

Thanks Josh. What you do is absolutely world class.

[@ishtarian]

"The Faceless Ones" has always rather intrigued me, since I first read a synopsis of it nearly 35 years ago. I don't recall my original reaction to the novelization; but I do recall my reaction to hearing the story on disc... I became quite captivated by it. (I've always rather like Colin Gordon, for one thing.) I am slightly ambivalent about animating the two existing episodes, but I see good sense in doing so, and it doesn't particularly bother me... A lot of people will simply not adjust that well to the shifting of formats, any more than many can accept the telesnap reconstructions -- some of which are really quite good, particularly those by "Loose Cannon", it seems to me... I'd like to see THAT talent brought into some of these by the producers of the new issues of the stories, and for that matter, the blending of existing footage with telesnaps would be fine with me if they were at that level of competence. Just as with "Fury from the Deep" and several others which are in the works, I look forward to seeing what they do with them... though I will admit that I would prefer a different form of animation; something less flat. But I am, to be frank, just damned glad to have what we've got. I've wanted several decades now to have these gaps filled, and it's nice to see it finally being done. (Got to admit, though, I'd love to see some of the Hartnell stories done as well... particularly "The Dalek Masterplan", "The Celestial Toymaker", and, oddly enough, "The Massacre" (certainly the grimmest story of that six-year period). Good video, by the way. Very informative.

[@davescomics4824]

That colour shot of the Macra is amazing. Where is it taken from?

[@TitanicTARDIS]

I was really surprised the Faceless Ones was chosen but I don't mind. its Missing Doctor Who brought back to life! it'll be also nice to have this one back in my collection after the soundtrack CDs were stolen from me!

[@krozjr5009]

I’ve always had issues with the telesnap reconstructions, and I find that they affect my enjoyment of an episode. I do not love Evil Of The Daleks or Fury From The Deep as some people do, for example. So, based on the fact that, when I first watched it, it was telesnaps, I loved The Faceless Ones, I was excited for the animation. I was not disappointed!

[@TimothySamJolly]

Brill as always... Where does FO rate in Troughton stories for you?

[@JoshSnares]

Honestly, I can't recall what happens after episode 4! So not that high. I'm sure the animation will change my opinion. I love a bit of Body Snatchers type of thing.

[@robertmcghintheorca49]

Just a note, if you do a Faceless Ones comparison upon the official animation's release, here's an important note for you. The British Overseas Airways Corporation, one of two preceding airlines to British Airways didn't fly to Gatwick Airport, let alone using the Vickers VC10 aircraft. They operated from Heathrow Airport. But, British United Airways, a predecessor of Laker Airways not only had VC10s stationed at Gatwick, but also British Aircraft Corporation BAC-One-Elevens. The VC10 is a larger plane that's iconic for its four rear mounted Rolls Royce Conway engines and T shaped tail. The BAC-One-Eleven is a smaller airliner with two Rolls Royce Spey engines on the back, but it also has a T shaped tail. It seems that the animators couldn't choose between the VC10 and the BAC-One-Eleven, so for the opening scene of Episode One where the plane almost hits the Tardis on the runway, the two designs were combined.

[@jd4925]

Is this documentary going to be on the Blu ray? Yes an unsung classic!

[@TrentonBlessWrestlemania489]

I do hope that when Faceless Ones does come to DVD, there will be an option to watch the original episodes with at least the Black and White version of the animation.