Last updated 09 January 2020


The Forest of Fear

Series Episode Number: 3

World Premiere: Sat 7 Dec 1963 - 5:15pm GMT [BBC One] (United Kingdom)
First Broadcast: Tue 5 Aug 2014 - 8:00pm EDT [Retro TV]
Running Time: 23 minutes 38 seconds

6.90 Million (UK)

Appreciation Index: 56 (UK)

Chart Position: 61 () (UK)

Recorded on Fri 01 Nov 1963 in Lime Grove D
Archive State: 16mm t/r
BBC Genome Project: see entry



The Doctor and crew leave the TARDIS to explore their new surroundings, but are soon captured, thrown in a cave and threatened with death. They only have the secret of fire to bargain with.


Production Team hide uncredited
WriterAnthony Coburn
DirectorWaris Hussein
ProducerVerity Lambert
Associate ProducerMervyn Pinfield
DesignerBarry Newbery
Story EditorDavid Whitaker
Incidental MusicNorman Kay
Title MusicRon Grainer
with the BBC Radiophonic Workshop
Special Effects Visual Effects Department of the BBC
Vision MixerClive Doig (uncredited)
Assistant Floor ManagerCatherine Childs (uncredited)
Costume SupervisorMaureen Heneghan (uncredited)
Film CameramanRobert Sleigh (uncredited)
Make-up SupervisorElizabeth Blattner (uncredited)
Production AssistantTony Lightley (uncredited)
Special SoundBrian Hodgson (uncredited)
LightingGeoff Shaw (uncredited)
Studio SoundJack Clayton (uncredited)
Film EditorJohn House (uncredited)
Title SequenceBernard Lodge (uncredited)
Title Music ArrangerDelia Derbyshire (uncredited)
SecretaryMargaret Allen (uncredited)
Grams OperatorAdrian Bishop-Lagget (uncredited)
Floor AssistantRobert Fort (uncredited)
Make-Up AssistantBeryl Sanderson (uncredited)
Boom OperatorPeter Fletcher (confirmed)
Director's AssistantPeggy Lupton (uncredited)
Producer's SecretaryValerie Speyer (uncredited)