Last updated 30 March 2023


A Battle of Wits

A Battle of Wits

Series Episode Number: 80

World Premiere: Sat 17 Jul 1965 - 5:40pm BST [BBC One] (United Kingdom)
First Broadcast: Tue 9 Sep 2014 - 8:00pm EDT [Retro TV]
Running Time: 24 minutes 10 seconds

7.70 Million (UK)

Appreciation Index: 53 (UK)

Chart Position: 28 () (UK)

Recorded on Fri 25 Jun 1965 in Television Centre 4
Archive State: 16mm t/r



Steven and Vicki discover an atomic bazooka. It seems that the Monk has plans for the Viking invaders. Returning to the Monastery, Steven and Vicki make an amazing discovery.


Production Team hide uncredited
WriterDennis Spooner
DirectorDouglas Camfield
ProducerVerity Lambert
DesignerBarry Newbery
Story EditorDonald Tosh
Percussion performed byCharles Botterill
Title MusicRon Grainer
and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop
LightingRalph Walton (uncredited)
Studio SoundBrian Hiles (uncredited)
Costume SupervisorDaphne Dare (uncredited)
Make-up SupervisorMonica Ludkin (uncredited)
Assistant Floor ManagerGillian Charlet (uncredited)
Production AssistantDavid Maloney (uncredited)
Special SoundBrian Hodgson (uncredited)
Title Music ArrangerDelia Derbyshire (uncredited)
Title SequenceBernard Lodge (uncredited)
Director's AssistantCordelia Crawshaw (uncredited)
Grams OperatorChris Carne (uncredited)
Vision MixerDave Hanks (uncredited)
Floor AssistantTrevor Beckett (uncredited)
Technical Manager(TM2)Bernard Fox (uncredited)