 This is the only story in Season Five not to include any alien monsters. Instead it features a threat to Earth by a world dictator.
This story features Patrick Troughton in a dual performance as both The Doctor and the evil Salamander.
Much like the 1966 First Doctor story "The Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve", the "The Enemy of the World" was influenced by the lead actor's desire to play roles other than The Doctor. Initially, it was planned that Patrick Troughton's two characters would meet more than once, but due to the technical complexity, only the one confrontation scene was recorded. This occurred at the story's climax (utilising editing and a split-screen technique).
Also appearing in this story is Patrick Troughton's son, David (who would later appear in "The War Games", the 1972 Third Doctor story "The Curse of Peladon" and the 2008 Tenth Doctor story "Midnight"). Frazer Hines' cousin, Ian, also appears. Both played the part of guards - Ian in episodes three and four, and David in episodes five and six.
Neither Deborah Watling (who plays Victoria Waterfield) nor Frazer Hines (who plays Jamie McCrimmon) appear in episode four, as they were on holiday during the week when this episode was recorded.
The production of this story included the use of material filmed for the 1963 James Bond movie "From Russia with Love" to show the helicopter exploding.
Unusually episode three begins without a reprise of the previous episode. Episode three, recorded on 16th December 1967, also marked the first use of 625-line videotape in Doctor Who, as opposed to the old 405-line standard. This was in preparation, by the BBC, for colour transmissions.
The Doctor is heard to say that they have been 'on ice' (probably referring to the previous story "The Ice Warriors"), to explain why they are not clued up about the current political situation. Another previous story "The Abominable Snowmen" is also referred to in the scene when Giles Kent mentions a 'disused jetty' and The Doctor is heard to reply with 'A disused Yeti?'
This story was the focal point of a series of changes in the shows' key production roles. Most significantly, this would be the final story overseen by Producer Innes Lloyd, who had wanted to leave Doctor Who for several months. Innes Lloyd would remain with the BBC, producing a number of dramas including The Stone Tape, The Snow Goose and Talking Heads. As had been planned for some time, Story Editor Peter Bryant was earmarked as Innes Lloyd's replacement. Peter Bryant's own successor, however, was in some doubt in the wake of the departure of his assistant, Victor Pemberton, at the end of summer 1967. The post of Story Editor would eventually go to Derrick Sherwin - who had been recommended to Peter Bryant by Head of Serials Shaun Sutton. Derrick Sherwin was a long time actor in theatre, film and television who had more recently begun writing television plays and for series such as Z Cars and Crossroads.
Director, Barry Letts, would later go on to become the producer of Doctor Who for most of Jon Pertwee's time in the show as the Third Doctor.
As of this story the position of Assistant Story Editor was filled by Terrance Dicks. This was due to the imminent promotion of Script Editor Peter Bryant.
This was the last story to be produced under the aegis of Doctor Who creator Sydney Newman, who left his position as Head of Drama at the BBC at the end of 1967.
For a number of years the only episode of this story to survive deletion was episode three. Also episode four was one of the few Doctor Who missing episodes for which no Telesnaps (off-air camera photographs) are known to have been taken. The reason for this is not known.
All six episodes where then discovered, along with five episodes of "The Web of Fear", at a television station in the Nigerian city of Jos in 2013 - so completing this six part story. This discovery means that this story became the second Patrick Troughton story, from his first two seasons, to be fully restored to the BBC.
Along with "The Web of Fear" the newly discovered episodes were promptly released on iTunes. A Limited Edition DVD release of this story quickly followed in February 2014. This was followed, in March 2018, with a special edition release containing special features.
Author David Whitaker was originally commissioned to novelise this story for the Target release, but unfortunately he passed away before he could begin work. The task of novelising this story therefore went to Ian Marter. Ian Marter, as well as an author of a number of Doctor Who stories, played the part of Fourth Doctor companion Harry Sullivan. Ian Marter's novelisation, however, proved to be controversial for its language and violence. Interestingly this was the last Target novel to feature the diamond logo.
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The Firsts:
The first time 625-line videotape is used in Doctor Who.
The first Doctor Who story to be directed by Barry Letts.
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(Position = 108 out of 159)
(Position = 139 out of 200)
