Script to Screen: Vengeance on VarosBy Jon PreddleWriter Philip Martin submitted the initial idea for Vengeance on Varos in 1982, after watching Peter Davison's first season. The storyline, called Domain, featured the then-current line-up of the Fifth Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan. Although the scripts for Season 20 had all been commissioned, the storyline was accepted by script editor Eric Saward for possible inclusion in a later season. Saward added the characters of Arak and Etta to the story in order to provide a 'voice' for the unseen populace of the planet. Over the next two years the scripts were adapted to accommodate changes in the series, including a new Doctor and companions. The story, now titled Planet of Fear, was apparently one of two serials considered as the second story of Season 22, the other being The Song of the Space Whale by Pat Mills. Planet of Fear was selected, and retitled Vengeance on Varos in order to avoid confusion with the previous season's story Planet of Fire. It was at this time that it was restructured into two 45 minute episodes. The following transcribed segments are derived mostly from a video recording of the first edit, which over-ran by more than 16 minutes. The rehearsal scripts closely follow this first edit version and there are only a few scenes in the script which do not appear on the videotape. Conversely, the tape contains several scenes not in the script. There are also scenes in the final product which differ from the scripts. Martin's 1988 novelisation appears to be based upon the rehearsal scripts rather than the televised version. The additional scenes on videotape which are not in the scripts do not feature in the book either. I have indicated the relevant page numbers for those scenes that can be identified. A time-coded copy of the first edit, given to fan Ian Levine by director Ron Jones, is believed to be the only surviving record of this extra material, since the BBC erased their own copies as a standard practice. Although Levine offered BBC Video the use of these recordings for an extended video release, they opted instead to issue the transmitted version. No doubt their decision was influenced by the presence of the time-code counter throughout the recording. Some of the cut or extended scenes (complete with time-coding) feature on the 2002 DVD release. These are noted accordingly. Duration Timings:
PART ONEThe first cut comes during Arak and Etta's first scene. After Arak's comment that Jondar is 'only acting': ETTA: Yeah. {Novel, page 3} The first scene in the TARDIS is much longer than on TV and offers some continuity references to the previous serial, Attack of the Cybermen. After the Doctor's line 'That was an unfortunate accident': PERI: Before each and every unfortunate accident you have said in a
loud, confident voice: 'That's it' and to be honest, Doc, I am getting tired of
clearing up the mess or being thrown around the TARDIS like the teddy bear of
some psychotic baby. {Novel, page 8-9} The end of the first scene with Sil and the Governor in his office is cut. After Sil reminds the Governor that the impending vote may result in his obliteration: CHIEF: He is right, sir. {This scene features on the DVD} The next scene in the Governor's office, which comes after the TARDIS scene which ends with the Doctor reflecting on using up his regenerations until they are all spent: (THE CHIEF ENTERS) {This scene features on the DVD} After the Governor tells the people of Jondar's forthcoming execution, there is a scene on the videotape (and on TV) where guard Rondel tells Areta of the execution, which is not in the script. This scene appears to have been included to provide additional information about the origins of Varos as a prison planet. The very next scene which is cut from the videotape does not appear in the script: (QUILLAM ENTERS THE COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE). {This scene features on the DVD} After the next TARDIS scene, there is a later scene with Areta. This time she is being interrogated by Quillam. This scene is not in the script. When the TARDIS lands, the first part of the console room scene has been trimmed: PERI: We're back in the middle ages, Doctor. {Novel, page 21} [The last sentence is all that appears on TV, and comes at the point of the cliffhanger forming the end of Part One in the 25 minute version. At this point the videotape has run for 30 minutes] After the Doctor meets Jondar and starts to find a way to free the prisoner, there is a scene with Arak and Etta that is cut: ARAK: That's better - a bit of action! Go on, jump on his throat, quick! {Novel, page 25} The next cut is only ten seconds. The TARDIS has been brought to the Communications Room and a guard is trying to open it. The scene ends on TV where the Governor orders them to 'keep trying to open it'. The videotape continues as the guard focuses the laser beam on the TARDIS doors. {Novel, page 49} The final scene cut from Part One comes during the Doctor's collapse in the 'desert'. Arak and Etta are watching this: ARAK: We got anything to drink? {Novel, page 57} PART TWOAfter the infamous acid bath sequence, we lose a further Arak and Etta scene: ARAK: Fix ... fix! Boo - rubbish ... don't believe it! {Novel, page 73-74} The Doctor's meeting with Quillam is shortened in the TV version. The longer version shows him wandering the corridors, dodging guards {Novel, page 79-80} The next cut comes at the beginning of the longest scene in the serial (on TV it lasts 5'55", but the tape runs a full 7'48"). Curiously the cut segment is a vital sequence which adds to the plot and particularly Jondar's motives, so its removal is somewhat bizarre (although - Jason Connery's less than convincing performance may have been part of the reason for the removal): (THE DOCTOR, JONDAR AND ARETA ARE CONFINED TO A BARRED CAGE OVERLOOKING THE
GALLOWS PLATFORM) The scene continues as on TV with the arrival of the execution squad and the man who 'gets all the priest parts' [This is actually a scripted line, and not a Colin Baker ad-lib!] {Novel, page 87-89} The end of the Gallows scene is cut too. After the Governor's line that he has been released form accepting Sil's terms: (SIL BEGINS TO SPLUTTER, AND GETS OVER-EXCITED. HIS VOICE TRANSLATOR BOX SUDDENLY EXPLODES) {Novel, page 96} The beginning of the very next scene is also cut: (PERI AND ARETA ARE BEING STRAPPED TO THE TRANSFIGURATION TABLE BY QUILLAM
AND HIS GUARDS. THEY ARE TOTALLY COVERED IN A SILVER FOIL CLOTH. QUILLAM THEN
WHIPS THE CLOTH OFF, AND LEANS OVER PERI) The scene continues on TV as the processing starts to transform the women. {Novel, page 98} The next scene after Peri and Areta have been saved from transmutation is cut: (THE VIDEO SCREEN CUTS OFF AND SHOWS RANDOM SEQUENCES FROM THE DOME) {Novel, page 108} The Doctor, Jondar and Areta have made their way deeper into the Dome. The end of this scene is cut, as the picture starts to turn green. The Doctor comments they are facing a 'dangerous ordeal': (They continue down the green corridor) The scene after Arak has used Etta's voting box as well as his own to vote "NO" has been cut: (Sil is outraged at Maldak's damage to the cell destructor). The cut scene continues later in sequence, coming after the Doctor and company's near fall into the acid pit: (THE CHIEF AND QUILLAM IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE). The scene continues on TV as they return to Sil. {Novel, page 124} The lengthy scene in the poisonous vine arena differs considerably in the script to that which appears on the tape and TV version. The scene may have been expanded during rehearsals to 'spice' up the action a bit. It is this 'low impact' script version that appears in the novel: (THE GUARD'S BUGGY CARRYING QUILLAM AND THE CHIEF BEARS DOWN ON THE DOCTOR,
JONDAR AND ARETA. THEY ARE ALMOST UPON THE GROUP WHEN QUILLAM REALISES THE
DANGER OF THE VINES) The scene continues as on TV, as the Doctor is reunited with Peri. {Novel, page 131-133} The next scene with Sil is also considerably different (and shorter) than on the tape, and was probably expanded during rehearsals to make a more satisfactory 'wrap-up' scene than the script offered. This scene, not the TV version, also appears in the book: (SIL SITS BEFORE A VDU UNIT) {Novel, page 131} In the script this line flows directly into the final Arak and Etta scene as they realise they are free. It is this scene that ends the transmitted version. However the tape contains one more scene which is not scripted, but which does appear in the book: (THE DOCTOR AND PERI ARE BACK IN THE TARDIS, THE DOCTOR CHECKS THE CONSOLE) {Novel, page 136} References: This item appeared in TSV 41 (October 1994). | |||||||||||||