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94) IMAGE OF THE FENDAHL

29 October - 19 November 1977

Average Viewing Figure: 7.8M

Plot

When a skull is found that predates the birth of man an ancient evil has the power to destroy the Earth

76) THE ARK IN SPACE

Cast

Tom Baker (The Doctor), Louise Jameson (Leela), Wanda Ventham (Thea Ransome), Daphne Heard (Martha Tyler)

Denis Lill (Dr Fendelman), Edward Evans (Ted Moss), Scott Fredericks (Maximillian Stael), Edward Arthur (Adam Colby)

Derek Martin (David Mitchell), Geoffrey Hinsliff (Jack Tyler), Graham Simpson (Hiker)

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Uncredited Crew

Peter Wragg (Fendahleen), John Emms, Geoffrey Witherick, David Elliott, Roy Pearce (Security Guards)

Ray Knight, Douglas Stark, Jay McGarth (Men), George Miller, Martin Grant, Joe Phillips, Mark Holmes, David J Grahame, John Delaney

Valerio Martinez, Geoffrey Pennells, Leela Hoffman (Coven Members)

Crew

Chris Boucher (Writer), Dudley Simpson (Incidental Music), Prue Saegner (Production Assistant), John Nathan-Turner (Production Unit Manager)

Jim Purdle (Lighting), Alan Fogg (Sound), Elmer Cossey (Film Cameraman), Bill Meekums (Film Recordist), Colin Mapson (Visual Effects Designer)

Dick Mills (Special Sound), Amy Roberts (Costume Designer), Pauline Cox (Make-Up Artist), Robert Holmes (Script Editor), Anna Ridley (Designer)

Graham Williams (Producer), George Spenton-Foster (Director)

Broadcast

Filming Locations

  • Stargrove Manor, East End, Hants

  • Television Centre: Studio 6

Number of Production Days: 5

Deaths

  • Thea Ransome ['eventually' dies in an explosion] 

  • Dr Fendelman [shot and killed by Stael]

  • Ted Moss [turned into a Fendahleen]

  • Maximillian Stael [shoots himself]

  • David Mitchell [killed by a Fendahleen]

  • Hiker [killed by the Fendahl]

  • Fendahleen [killed when a skull is thrown into a supernova]

  • Coven Members [turned into Fendahleens]

Production Days

  • 10 Days between Monday 1 August - Tuesday 6 September 1977

Production Errors

  1. There are several times when a green speck can be seen inside the eye of the skull, whenever it illuminates.

  2. The Doctor says that the Fendahl killed the Hiker and Mitchell. However, The Doctor could not have known what their occupation and name were, since he never met them 

Working Titles

  • [no known working titles]

Verdict

Image of the Fendahl is perhaps the last story which followed the Hinchcliffe/Holmes formula to create a piece of exhilarating drama where every second counts. Boucher provides another excellent script who provides some frightening imagery and creates another ingenious monster. It is slow moving, and the structure seems a little hazy, but the final episode gives patient viewers what they came for. Boucher has been blessed with another great cast, outstanding production values and the resources to bring his scripts to their full potential. Perfect for nighttime viewing makes this one a must watch. ****​

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