The Doctor and Susan, along with Ian and Barbara, land on the planet Skaro, where they must attempt to save the peace-loving Thals from destruction at the hands of a new and unfamiliar threat - the hideous Daleks.

Written by Terry Nation and first broadcast in 1963, this was the first story ever to feature the Daleks, the most famous and dreaded of the Doctor's many enemies. This novelisation is by David Whitaker, who collaborated with Terry Nation on many Dalek stories.
 

A petrified jungle.

A catastrophic nuclear war.

A race of peace-loving aliens and another of indescribable evil... the Daleks!

As the TARDIS lands for the first time on Skaro, the Doctor, his granddaughter Susan, and their unwilling companions Ian and Barbara are about to meet their most terrifying adversary.

Read the complete script of this classic Doctor Who story, together with bever-before published background and technical information.
 

An early, unedited classic in two parts featuring William Hartnell as the original Doctor in his very first encounter with the Daleks - destined to become his deadliest enemies.

Part 1: Episodes 1-4
The Dead Planet

When the Doctor and his companions find themselves on a dead planet, a distant glimpse of a magnificent city arouses the Doctor's ruthless curiosity and puts them all in grave danger. On inspection the city seems deserted but they make two lethal discoveries: the planet is radioactive and the subterranean corridors conceal a deadly menace ... the Daleks.

Captured and suffering from radiation sickness all seems lost. Strangely Susan is allowed to fetch essential drugs from the Tardis, but the Daleks are using her as bait to trap the Thals, a 'mutated' race living above ground. The Daleks must be stopped but the Doctor is dying and Susan has not yet returned ...

Part 2: Episodes 5-7
The Expedition

Having escaped, the Doctor and his companions find thay have left a vital Tardis component in the underground maze. With horror they realize they must return and they finally persuade the peace-loving Thals to join forces against the murderous Daleks. Back at the city the Doctor and Susan are recaptured and discover that the Daleks, dependent on radiation for survival, plan to subject the planet to another lethal dose.

Ian, Barbara and the Thals must infiltrate the stroinghold, save the Doctor and Susan, and stop the evil Daleks in their relentless quest for supreme power. But first they must face the abominations that lurk in the deadly swamp ...

Running time: 100 mins approx. (Tape 1); 74 mins approx. (Tape 2)

Produced by Verity Lambert
Associate Producer: Mervyn Pinfield
Directed by Christopher Barry and Richard Martin