"Doctor Who"
The Talons of Weng-Chiang: Part 1 (1977)

Director:

David Maloney

Writer:

Robert Holmes (writer)

TV Series:

"Doctor Who" (1963)

Original Air Date:

26 February 1977 (Season 14, Episode 21)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi

Plot:

In this feature-length adventure set deep in the darkest heart of Victorian London, the Doctor and Leela are confronted by a series of bizarre and horrific events.

Plot Keywords:

Suicide Pill | Giant Rat | Eccentric | Homonculus | British

Cast

Tom Baker	...	The Doctor
Louise Jameson	...	Leela
John Bennett	...	Li H'sen Chang
Christopher Benjamin	...	Jago
Chris Gannon	...	Casey
Trevor Baxter	...	Professor Litefoot
Deep Roy	...	Mr. Sin
David McKail	...	Sergeant Kyle
Conrad Asquith	...	P.C. Quick
Alan Butler	...	Buller
Patsy Smart	...	Ghoul
Tony Then	...	Lee
John Wu	...	Coolie

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Clink Street, Southwark, London, England, UK

Trivia:

According to an interview with Deep Roy, Johnny Depp frequently calls this his all-time favorite serial in Doctor Who.

Quotes:

Leela: This is a big village.
The Doctor: Yes.
Leela: What's the name of the tribe here?
The Doctor: Cockneys.

Magic

A fully loaded 1977 "Doctor Who" classic featuring:

-The Doctor strolling through shadowy London streets wearing a Sherlock Holmes-inspired deerstalker cap.

-Leela out of her animal skin dress but still ready to rumble in ankle length Victorian-era garb.

-Also on board: a sinister magician in the service of his Phantom of the Opera-like master.

-Young wenches drained of their life energy to prolong the existence of a twisted time traveling scientist.

-A ventriloquist dummy that's actually a deadly organic/robotic hybrid (played by Deep Roy from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" no less).

-GIANT KILLER RATS! Okay, maybe not very convincing ones. But still, Giant Killer Rats prowling through the sewers.

-A huge sculpted dragon (quite impressive in scale considering the limited budget) that shoots death rays from it's eyes,

-and all these elements revolving around the search for a crystal key that opens another TARDIS-like time travel conveyance.

-The absurdly over-played Weng-Chiang aside, this one features terrific performances. Of particular note is the chemistry between the supporting characters Mr. Jago and Prof. Lightfoot.

"Talons.." is a "Doctor Who" episode that neither time nor dated effects can diminish the enjoyment of.