Pyramids of Mars

Directed by

UK Viewers

10.5 million

Synopsis

The Doctor and Sarah are drawn off course and, instead of UNIT HQ, they arrive on the same site in 1911.

Part Two

First aired

Saturday, November 1, 1975

Runtime

25 minutes

Written by

Directed by

UK Viewers

11.3 million

Synopsis

The Doctor, Sarah and Laurence try to find a way to sever Sutekh's link to the mummies while poacher Ernie Clements finds the priory surrounded by a forcefield.

Part Three

First aired

Saturday, November 8, 1975

Runtime

25 minutes

Written by

Directed by

UK Viewers

9.4 million

Synopsis

The Doctor and Sarah try to destroy Sutekh's rocket but the Osiran's mental powers prove too great for them.

Part Four

First aired

Saturday, November 15, 1975

Runtime

25 minutes

Written by

Directed by

UK Viewers

11.7 million

Appreciation Index

Synopsis

Sutekh forces the Doctor to transport Scarman and a mummy to Mars, where the Doctor and Sarah try to stop them destroying the Eye of Horus.

Characters

Fourth Doctor

Tom Baker

Sarah Jane Smith

Elisabeth Sladen

How to watch Pyramids of Mars:

Watch on iPlayer

DVD

Pyramids of Mars

DVD

An Introduction to the Fourth Doctor

VHS

Pyramids of Mars (VHS) (1st edition)

VHS

Pyramids of Mars (VHS) (2nd edition)

VHS

Pyramids of Mars (VHS) (3rd edition)

Reviews
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12 reviews

This is a prime example of where doctor who was at at the time. Philip Hinchcliffe and Robert Holmes were now well into the reigns as producer and script editor and of course tom baker was well and truly making his stamp on the series. These leaders were bringing the series to another level which had already grown under the previous team of Barry Letts , Terrence dicks and Jon Pertwee. Doctor who now was more than a children's show , it was prime time family viewing. Different camera angles were being used, the dialogue was sharper, the atmosphere was horrific and the acting was first class. There are great performances from Tom baker , Liz Sladen, Bernard archard , Michael sheard and Gabriel Wolfe in particular who all understood the premise of the series, and the tension that was needed for this story. This is paddy Russel's best story as director. The story was directed with pace and the scariness comes out in droves. The cliffhangers are amongst the scariest and horrific ever in doctor, the first episode cliffhanger really packing a punch , even though it was a villain getting killed , what a cliffhanger. Costumes and sets are all good and the location filming of what was then Mick Jagger's house was excellent too. Certainly one of the best voices ever in doctor who was sutech astoundingly played by Gabriel Wolfe . Top notch who this from a top notch era . Doctor who never bettered from this period *****

CamSkirving

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Review last edited on 11-03-25

Used to hate this story but I’ve slowly warmed to it over the years the sets are beautiful the costumes Devine and the story is just such a good hammer horror vibe mixed with scifi

Rock_Angel

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Review last edited on 4-12-24

This review contains spoilers!

How long has it been since we had a story set in the past? Too long! The beginning of this story set in the Egyptian tomb is wonderful, there is hardly a better way to kick off a story tone wise. The actual shots of Egypt look really striking in Doctor Who. In fact I loved the setting of all the first three episodes, the very convincing manner house gives this story a unique spooky feel.

There is a surprising amount of genuine horror in Pyramid of Mars, especially the close up of Sarah Jane's face as she stares up at a monster in pure terror. Sutekh is cruel with his use of language, which does more to frighten the viewer than the usual threats. The robot mummies themselves are visually striking and make for a great additional villain.

Sarah Jane is given plenty to do in this. I especially enjoyed The Doctor being stuck in a mummy costume whilst she gets to confidently fire a gun! Sladen carrying the show for a little was a real treat. The way that our two main actors interact continues to be the heart of the show, never has the companion/ Doctor relationship looked so genuine, natural or easy. Even when The Doctor is mean to Sarah Jane they pull it off, many Doctors have tried that since with less successful returns.

I did not enjoy part four nearly as much as the rest of the story, it feels disjointed. Firstly, it was a shame to be taken out of that fantastic manor house setting - I felt like they did an amazing job of building that world and then needlessly dumped it for the end of the story. Whenever a character travels to Mars they have the sarcophagus portal effect which is very long winded and gets tired quickly. Secondly, I never like "solve the puzzle" scenes in Doctor Who, every Doctor up to this point has had one and I'm not sure why. I think it takes all of the drama out of the story, making it pedestrian and not particularly engaging TV.

All in all a good story, but the ending means its not quite the all time classic that everyone makes it out to be.

15thDoctor

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Review last edited on 14-11-24

I literally watched the Tales of the TARDIS version a few weeks back but as I'm currently watching Season 13 I thought I'd watch the serial again. Just terrific. It's the little things for me like The Doctor going to 1980 to show Sarah what the future will be like if they leave, and the stuff with Marcus Scarman and Lawrence and The Doctor's alien way of dealing with that situation that is. And Gabriel Woolfe creates one of the best villains of all time.

AndyUK

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Review last edited on 23-09-24

This review contains spoilers!

Sarah gets a gun, we are introduced to the inimitable power of the Hand of Sutekh, what more needs to be said?

TrakeniteAdventuress

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Review last edited on 5-08-24