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TARDIS Guide
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Overview

First aired

Saturday, November 23, 1963

Production Code

A

Written by

Anthony Coburn, C. E. Webber

Directed by

Waris Hussein

Runtime

100 minutes

Story Type

New Companion Introduction, New Doctor Introduction

Time Travel

Past, Present

Tropes (Potential Spoilers!)

Child Genius, Doctor Who?, First TARDIS trip, Pure Historical

Location (Potential Spoilers!)

Shoreditch, Coal Hill School, Earth, England, London

Synopsis

Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton, two humble teachers during 1963, are surprised by a bright student named Susan Foreman. Confused by the contradictions in Susan's knowledge, Barbara had decided to visit her home, only to learn that the address on record is a junkyard. She and Ian decide to wait at the location until Susan or her grandfather show up. There, they discover a junkyard inhabited by her grandfather, simply known as "the Doctor".

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4 Episodes

An Unearthly Child

First aired

Saturday, November 23, 1963

Runtime

25 minutes

Written by

Anthony Coburn C. E. Webber

Directed by

Waris Hussein

UK Viewers

4.4 million

Appreciation Index

63

Synopsis

After discussing a strange pupil, Susan Foreman, teachers Ian and Barbara follow her to a junkyard. They meet her grandfather, the Doctor, and force their way inside a police box with frightening results.

The Cave of Skulls

First aired

Saturday, November 30, 1963

Runtime

25 minutes

Written by

Anthony Coburn

Directed by

Waris Hussein

UK Viewers

5.9 million

Appreciation Index

59

Synopsis

The enigmatic Doctor, afraid that schoolteachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright will reveal his secrets to the people of 20th century Earth, has taken them and his granddaughter Susan back to the dawn of human history. There, the four travellers are dragged into the savage politics of a tribe of cavemen who have lost the secret of making fire…

The Forest of Fear

First aired

Saturday, December 7, 1963

Runtime

25 minutes

Written by

Anthony Coburn

Directed by

Waris Hussein

UK Viewers

6.9 million

Appreciation Index

56

Synopsis

Prisoners of the earliest humans, the TARDIS crew are caught in a deadly power play for leadership of the tribe.

The Firemaker

First aired

Saturday, December 14, 1963

Runtime

25 minutes

Written by

Anthony Coburn

Directed by

Waris Hussein

UK Viewers

6.4 million

Appreciation Index

55

Synopsis

The TARDIS crew must make fire for the early humans to stay alive. But once they do, they may not be allowed to leave!

Characters

How to watch An Unearthly Child:

DVD

The Beginning – An Unearthly Child / The Daleks / The Edge of Destruction

Blu-Ray

An Adventure in Space & Time

VHS

An Unearthly Child (VHS) (1st edition)

VHS

The Hartnell Years (VHS)

VHS

An Unearthly Child (VHS) (2nd edition)

Reviews

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37 reviews

Just starting a rewatch, and although I have seen all of the episodes before, I've never read the books/comics or listened to the audios. It's amazing how well the first episode holds up after more than 60 years! There's a lot to like in the second episode, but it's definitely a step down from the first. I feel the third episode is the weakest of the four. Although there is some nice character stuff happening, there just isn't as much as in the previous episode. The final episode gives us a fairly strong ending to a good (not great) first story. I thought the actor playing Za gave a decent performance with what he was given. I'm giving this story four stars (mainly due to the outstanding first episode), but really it's more like 3.75.

Dragonwitch

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Review last edited on 23-04-25

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My first review so this will be short

I didn't really like this story The first ep was fun but it got boring as it continued. For me this story is a 4/10

Jann

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Review last edited on 13-04-25

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Je trouve l'histoire vraiment géniale pour un début, elle caractérise parfaitement les quatre personnages principaux en les mettant dans des situations extrêmes, révélant leurs différentes personnalités, et toute l'intrigue autour des hommes des cavernes est poussée et riche.

I find the story really great for a start, it perfectly characterizes the four main characters by putting them in extreme situations, revealing their different personalities, and the whole plot around the cavemen is pushed and rich.

(Translation generated by AI, so mistakes are possible).

Licterentia

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Review last edited on 7-04-25

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Started Classic Who when I felt like I needed more after finishing NuWho, and I must say this is a great way to begin the story! I couldn't wait to properly meet Susan after all the mentions of her, and I find her so so so endearing and sweet. Perfect description of a neurodivergent teenager, tbh. It's a great introduction to the characters and both Ian and Barbara and the way their personalities clash with The Doctor's are so enjoyable. Seeing the first Doctor after knowing what comes next is so much fun. I love the inherent traits of his personality and I can't wait to see more of him.

rainbownixie

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Review last edited on 30-03-25

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Episode one is a very good start to the show. Ian and Barbara are excellent, Susan is fine, and the Doctor of course is great, even though he's quite different to what he will become. Episodes 2-4 are less good but still enjoyable enough.

Scottybguud

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Review last edited on 25-03-25

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Statistics

AVG. Rating776 members
3.39 / 5

Trakt.tv

AVG. Rating1,799 votes
3.65 / 5

Member Statistics

Watched

1348

Favourited

104

Reviewed

37

Saved

6

Skipped

1

Quotes

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DOCTOR: I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it. Have you ever thought what it's like to be wanderers in the fourth dimension? Have you? To be exiles? Susan and I are cut off from our own planet, without friends or protection. But one day we shall get back. Yes, one day. One day.

— First Doctor, An Unearthly Child

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Transcript Needs checking

(A foggy night, and a policeman is patrolling his beat past I M Foreman's Scrap Merchants at 76 Totter's Lane. Inside is an assortment of items, including a police telephone box.)

[Coal Hill School corridor]

(The bell is ringing for end of classes.)

GIRL: Night, Miss Wright.
BARBARA: Wait in here, please, Susan. I won't be long.
BOY: Goodnight, Miss Wright.

[Laboratory]

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