Last Updated:

20/1/2007

 

     Last Addition:

11/3/2006

 

  Format:

  TV Episode

  Starring:

  Jon Pertwee as The Doctor

  Written by:

  Don Houghton

  Directed by:

  Douglas Camfield & Barry Letts

  Duration:

  167 mins

  Original Air Date:

  9/5/1970

  Reviewed by:

  Peter Davis

 

20th Century Earth. An unhinged scientist, Professor Stahlman, is attempting the first penetration of the Earth's crust in a top secret drilling project called Inferno. His purpose? To tap into a new energy source at the core. But at what cost?

 

When the Doctor is called in with his companion Liz Shaw to oversee the project, he soon develops grave misgivings. Things begin to go very wrong when a mysterious green substance leaks from the drillhead. A substance which turns all who come into contact with it into alien primeval creatures called Primords.

 

Meanwhile, the Doctor finds himself transported into a parallel universe identical to 20th Century Earth. The mystery deepens as he finds that although the place, time and people are all the same, no-one seems to know who he is.

 

Only one thing is certain: the drilling must be stopped before the full force of the energy from the core is unleashed, destroying not only this Earth but the one the Doctor has just left behind...

 

 

  Submitted By:

  Peter Davis

  Review Submitted:

  11/3/2006

 

"Inferno" is a great episode. It has all the features that make this story a true classic. Good acting, good direction, a good script - in other words a good every thing! And it is a story that stands out from its era.

 

First of all, the plot... It stands out really well! It has a good scheme of characters. Especially when the Doctor gets transported to a parallel world. That part of the show is probably the best. The only thing though is that I don’t think that if you drill into the Earth’s crust, the world will end!

 

The acting in this story is some of the best acting that I have seen in the whole of the classic series. It almost makes you believe what is happening. The only thing that I could pick at, is when the alternative Brigadier breaks down at the end of episode six, he starts to cry. And anyone who watches that for the first time, would think (and they would be right, I know I was) what is going on, he shouldn't cry, it takes you away from the story.


Overall, this story is a one hit story.

 

Story Rating:  

 

 

» Review by Peter Davis, Copyright 2006.

 

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