The Five Doctors

129 – The Five Doctors
Doctor Who television special
The Doctors inside the Tomb of Rassilon
Cast
Doctor Peter Davison (Fifth Doctor) Richard Hurndall/William Hartnell (First Doctor) Patrick Troughton (Second Doctor) Jon Pertwee (Third Doctor) Tom Baker (Fourth Doctor)
Companions Janet Fielding (Tegan Jovanka) Mark Strickson (Vislor Turlough) Carole Ann Ford (Susan Foreman) Nicholas Courtney (Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart) Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith) Lalla Ward (Romana)
Others Anthony Ainley – The Master Philip Latham – Lord President Borusa Dinah Sheridan – Chancellor Flavia Paul Jerricho – The Castellan David Banks – Cyber Leader Mark Hardy – Cyber Lieutenant Richard Mathews – Rassilon Frazer Hines – Jamie Wendy Padbury – Zoe David Savile – Colonel Crichton Caroline John – Liz Shaw Richard Franklin – Captain Mike Yates John Leeson – Voice of K9 Roy Skelton – Dalek Voice John Scott Martin – Dalek Operator Ray Float – Sergeant Keith Hodiak – Raston Robot Stuart Blake – Commander Stephen Meredith – Technician John Tallents – Guard William Kenton – Cyber Scout
Production
Directed by	Peter Moffatt John Nathan-Turner (uncredited) Richard Martin (The Dalek Invasion of Earth segment; uncredited) Pennant Roberts (Shada segments; uncredited)
Written by	Terrance Dicks Terry Nation (The Dalek Invasion of Earth segment; uncredited) Douglas Adams (Shada segments; uncredited)
Script editor	Eric Saward
Produced by	John Nathan-Turner
Incidental music composer	Peter Howell
Production code	6K
Series	Special (1983)
Length	90 minutes
Originally broadcast	23 November 1983 (first global) 25 November 1983 (first UK)
Chronology
← Preceded by Followed by → The King's Demons Warriors of the Deep

The Five Doctors

Author	Terrance Dicks
Cover artist	Andrew Skilleter
Series	Doctor Who book: Target novelisations
Release number	81
Publisher	Target Books
Publication date	24 November 1983
ISBN

The Five Doctors is a special feature-length episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, produced in celebration of the programme's 20th anniversary. It had its world premiere in the United States, on the Chicago PBS station WTTW and various other PBS member stations on 23 November 1983, the anniversary date. It was transmitted in the United Kingdom two days later.

The episode aired after the conclusion of the 20th season to celebrate the 20th anniversary. Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee reprised their roles as the Second and Third Doctors respectively. Richard Hurndall portrayed the First Doctor, as the character's original actor, William Hartnell, had died since his last appearance on the show ten years previously. Since Tom Baker decided not to appear in this special, footage from the unfinished serial Shada was used to portray the Fourth Doctor.

A mysterious figure begins to use a Time Scoop to bring the previous incarnations of the Doctor, some of his former companions (Susan Foreman, Sarah Jane Smith, and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart) and archenemies (including the Daleks and Cybermen) into the Death Zone on Gallifrey. Though the figure is able to bring the First, Second, and Third Doctor into the zone, the Fourth Doctor along with Romana becomes stuck in the time vortex. The Fifth Doctor, while relaxing on the Eye of Orion with Tegan and Turlough, suddenly feels pains as his former selves are taken from their time streams, and returns everyone to the TARDIS. The various Doctors, recognising the Death Zone, direct their companions towards the large tower near its center, avoiding the various foes and monsters that have also been forced to take part in the deadly Games.