Last updated 24 March 2024


Episode 1

Series Episode Number: 272

World Premiere: Sat 9 May 1970 - 5:15pm BST [BBC One] (United Kingdom)
First Broadcast: Wed 29 Oct 1975 - 6:30pm CST [WTTW 11 Chicago]
Running Time: 23 minutes 21 seconds

5.70 Million (UK)

Appreciation Index: 61 (UK)

Chart Position: 72 () (UK)

Recorded on Fri 24 Apr 1970 in TC3 / TC6
Archive State: RSC conver



UNIT are at a project run by Professor Stahlman who plans to penetrate Earth's crust. But the drilling has already released something deadly from beneath the planet's surface.

Production Team hide uncredited
WriterDon Houghton
DirectorDouglas Camfield
ProducerBarry Letts
DesignerJeremy Davies
Script EditorTerrance Dicks
Film CameramanFred Hamilton
Film SoundGraham Hare
Film EditorMartyn Day
CostumesChristine Rawlins
Make-upMarion Richards
Visual Effects DesignerLen Hutton
Title MusicRon Grainer
and BBC Radiophonic Workshop
Studio LightingJohn Green (uncredited)
Studio SoundJohn Staple (uncredited)
Special SoundBrian Hodgson (uncredited)
Technical ManagerRay Hider (uncredited)
Vision MixerJohn Gorman (uncredited)
Grams OperatorTony Philpott (uncredited)
Production AssistantChris D'Oyly-John (uncredited)
Assistant Floor ManagerSue Hedden (uncredited)
Floor AssistantFrank Mullan (uncredited)
Make-Up AssistantJudy Cain (uncredited)
Make-Up AssistantSue Duckworth (uncredited)
Make-Up AssistantIrene Walls (uncredited)
Scene CrewBrian Mitchell (uncredited)
Scene CrewBrian West (uncredited)
Costume AssistantTerry Styles (uncredited)
Costume AssistantPat Trigger (uncredited)
Film Camera AssistantHugh Miles (uncredited)
Film Sound AssistantJack Curtis (uncredited)
Director's AssistantSue Upton (uncredited)
Title Music ArrangerDelia Derbyshire (uncredited)
Title SequenceBernard Lodge (uncredited)