Doctor Who: The Massacre

Author: BBC

Narrator: Full Cast, Peter Purves, William Hartnell

Unabridged: 1 hr 40 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: BBC Digital Audio

Published: 12/01/2004

Categories: Fiction, Science Fiction

Synopsis

The TARDIS materialises in Paris in 1572, a time of great danger and religious strife. Whilst the Doctor pays a visit to famous apothecary Charles Preslin, Steven is befriended by a group of Protestants who come from the household of Admiral de Coligny. Meanwhile, the Catholic Queen Mother, Catherine de Medici, aided by the hated dignitary the Abbot of Amboise, is hatching a plot to kill all French Protestants - starting with de Coligney. Worryingly for Steven, the Abbot bears an uncanny resemblance to the Doctor. And when the plot fails and the Abbot is condemned to death, he is even more alarmed. Was that the Doctor being killed? Or does the Abbot just look like him? The four episodes of this 1966 story no longer exist in the BBC television archives. This audio exclusive has taken the soundtrack and, with linking narration by Peter Purves, the whole thrilling adventure is brought back to life.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Hasselhh on August 07, 2017

I not sure why it has a reputation for being a grim Doctor Who story, with stories such as The Myth Makers, The Reign of Terror and The Dalek invasion of Earth it isn't even in the top three of death-toll episodes. Instead I found it a great story where Steven really gets to shine, and the Doctor be......more

Goodreads review by Craig on January 11, 2024

Sometimes the historical adventures bore me. They seem close to being the same plot (political / religious scandal) set in a different time period. This time it's Paris 1572 at the time of the Saint Barthlomew's Day Massacre. Here the Doctor and Steven meet Anne Chaplet, who is left behind just as t......more

Goodreads review by David on March 25, 2025

In this Doctor Who Programme the TARDIS lands in Medeval France exploring an obscure historical conflict between prodistants and Catholics. For most of the adventure I felt as confused as the Doctor's companion Steven, but the dramatic ending did explain itself. Since this audiobook is the only way......more

Goodreads review by Jennifer on April 27, 2016

This was only barely OK, its chief merit being raising awareness of past persecution (in this case, of the Hugenots in France) and opening the route for discussion of refugees and migration throughout the ages. The Doctor and Stephen are pretty much irrelevant, the Doctor isn't even there for much of......more

Quotes

a sophisticated and intelligent piece of Doctor Who performed by two of its best ever regulars and a sparkling guest cast http://www.kasterborous.com