The BBC has announced that The War Games from 1969 will be colourised and truncated, for a special showing on BBC4 and BBC iPlayer next month.
In addition to the colourisation, the feature-length special will also feature the Second Doctor’s never-before-seen regeneration into the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee), alongside recovered footage not seen since the original broadcast.
The War Games marked the end of an era for the Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) who, with his companions Zoe and Jamie, land in a battlefield that appears to be a World War I military zone, but it instead turns out to be a cruel game run by a megalomaniac.
For the first time, these original episodes have been colourised with updated visual effects edited into a new, 90-minute feature-length experience. We’re told it’s “to appeal to today’s modern audiences” who apparently struggle with any videos longer than the ones you’d find on TikTok. Bless ’em. Good thing the BBC isn’t being patronising about it or anything. Someone explain the word “patronising” to the under 40s — it’s a mighty big word. Multiple syllables and everything. Wait! I’m under 40. WHAT THE HECKING HECK DOES “PATRONISING” MEAN?!
Anyway, we should remind everyone that this doesn’t mean the original War Games has been wiped from existence and a lot of great work has gone into these new editions, with this one coming with updated sound and a new score. The first colourisation, The Daleks, screened for the show’s 60th anniversary last year. The War Games was announced on its 61st anniversary, i.e. 23rd November, Doctor Who Day. Can’t wait for them to do Spearhead from Space next.
Russell T Davies, showrunner, said:
“From the day I arrived back on Doctor Who, this was the plan. To colourise old stories and bring them back to life. And on Doctor Who Day itself, it’s great to announce this, celebrating the show’s wonderful heritage with an all-time-classic. It looks so vivid and new – and for fans of black-and-white, the story in its original form will stay on BBC iPlayer, so everyone wins! I actually watched this transmit in 1969, at 6 years old, terrified of the Roman soldiers, fascinated by villains with glinting spectacles, and in awe of the Doctor’s brand new origin. Now fans old and new can enjoy it all over again.”
The War Games will be screened on BBC Four on 23rd December 2024.
