Last updated 24 March 2024


Episode One

Series Episode Number: 244

World Premiere: Sat 19 Apr 1969 - 5:14pm BST [BBC One] (United Kingdom)
First Broadcast: Sun 23 Nov 1986 - 11:00pm CST [WTTW 11 Chicago]
Running Time: 25 minutes

5.50 Million (UK)

Appreciation Index: 55 (UK)

Chart Position: 88 () (UK)

Recorded on Fri 11 Apr 1969 in Television Centre 4
Archive State: 16mm t/r



The TARDIS arrives in no man's land during World War I. Rescued from the Germans, the travellers are put on trial by the British General Smythe who is not all he seems.

Note: the BBC's PasB entry for this episode has a typo saying broadcast time was as 17:44 rather than 17:14!


Characters hide uncredited
Dr. WhoPatrick Troughton
JamieFrazer Hines
ZoeWendy Padbury
Lady Jennifer BuckinghamJane Sherwin
German soldierJohn Livesey
Lieutenant CarstairsDavid Savile
Major BarringtonTerence Bayler
Sergeant WillisBrian Forster
General SmytheNoel Coleman
Captain RansomHubert Rees
Sgt. Major BurnsEsmond Webb
Trench SoldierAlistair Meldrum (uncredited)
Trench SoldierAllan Travell (uncredited)
Machine GunnerPatrick Scott (uncredited)
SentryKen Fraser (uncredited)
German soldierDavid Billa (uncredited)
British Soldier (in No Man's Land)Derek Hunt (uncredited)
British Soldier (in No Man's Land)David Melbourne (uncredited)
Trench SoldierKeith Ashley (uncredited)
Trench SoldierRoy Brent (uncredited)
Machine GunnerGeorge Curtis (uncredited)
Firing SquadEden Fox (uncredited)
Firing SquadAlex Hood (uncredited)
Firing SquadTom O'Leary (uncredited)
(extra)Paul Phillips (uncredited)
(extra)Bill Hughes (uncredited)
(extra)James Haswell (uncredited)