Nine Long-Lost Doctor Who Episodes Recovered

BBC Worldwide has officially confirmed that several BBC master tapes from the 1960s have been recovered in Nigeria, Africa. Included on the master tapes were episodes of the science fiction series, “Doctor Who” that were thought to be lost forever. Since remastering the tapes, BBC has released them in two stories called, “The Enemy of the World” and “The Web of Fear,” now available exclusively on iTunes.

Philip Morris, director of Television International Enterprises Archive, uncovered eleven episodes, 9 of which have not been seen in 46 years. He found the long lost master tapes by tracking records of tape shipments made by the BBC to Africa for transmission.  A number of episodes from the first series of “Doctor Who” were lost as a result of BBC Archive space-saving measures and there are still 27 Doctor Who stories that are missing or have incomplete episodes.

“The tapes had been left gathering dust in a store room at a television relay station in Nigeria,” says Morris. “I remember wiping the dust off the masking tape on the canisters and my heart missed a beat as I saw the words ‘Doctor Who.’ When I read the story code I realized I’d found something pretty special.”

“The Enemy of the World” is six episodes long and originally aired in 1967. The story features Patrick Troughton as both the Second Doctor and his antagonist (Ramon Salamander), alongside companions Jamie (Frazer Hines) and Victoria (Deborah Watling). Episodes 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 had previously been missing from the BBC Archives, and were returned by Morris.

The second story found, “The Web of Fear,” initially aired in 1968 with 6 episodes. It also starred Patrick Troughton alongside Frazer Hines and Deborah Watling the story introduces Nicholas Courtney for the first time as Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart (who later returns as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart). Episodes 2-6 were feared lost, but now episodes 2, 4, 5, and 6 have been recovered. With episode 3 still missing, the restoration team has reconstructed this part of the story using a selection of the 37 images that were still available from the episode along with the original audio, which has been restored.

Beth Clearfield, SVP, Digital Distribution & Business Development, commented on the find saying,

“For many, this will be their first chance to watch these long-lost Doctor Who stories. We’re thrilled to partner with iTunes in bringing these missing gems back to new and long-time fans after all these years.”

On November 23, 2013, “Doctor Who” celebrates 50 years since the very first episode, “An Unearthly Child,” aired on BBC television.