Posted on 10/11/2013 4:31:31 AM PDT by the scotsman
'Nine missing episodes of 1960s Doctor Who have been found at a TV station in Nigeria, including most of the classic story The Web of Fear.
The black and white story sees Patrick Troughton's second Doctor battle robot yeti in the London Underground.
Also recovered is a complete version of Troughton's six-part story The Enemy of the World.
It is thought to be the largest haul of missing episodes recovered in the last three decades.
"It's thrilling," said Mark Gatiss, an actor and writer for the 21st Century incarnation of Doctor Who.
"Every single avenue seemed to have been exhausted, every now and then something turns up - but to have two virtually complete stories out of the blue is absolutely incredible."
The BBC destroyed many of the sci-fi drama's original transmission tapes in the 1960s and 1970s.
However, many episodes were transferred on to film for sale to foreign broadcasters. It is often these prints found in other countries that are the source of retrieved episodes.
In this case, 11 Doctor Who episodes were discovered, nine of which were missing, in the Nigerian city of Jos.
The find was made by Philip Morris, director of a company called Television International Enterprises Archive.'
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Ironic that we have found “The Enemy of the World” at this time, when Obama in power. I’m waiting for celestial trumpets.
That’s awesome. Patrick Troughton was one of the best Doctors and most of the episodes lost were his.
But will they ever be broadcast? Dr Who is pretty spotty in the States.
I think on iTunes.
On itunes today, 9.99, I hear. Great news!
It's carried on the BBC channel on my cable, and they've been broadcasting old Dr Who episodes occasionally.
I'll be staking out the libraries for editions.
What cool news!! People were so certain there were no copies left.
Nigeria?
“Dear Esteemed Sir/Madam,
I apologize for interrupting your time with this correspondence but I have found some very valuable property in which I know you will have an interest. While emptying the safe deposit box of my deceased husband, Dr. Morrie Silverstein Abinatulolo, the previous Nigerian Minister of Art, Culture and Cinema, I made a very important discovery. It seems he was a fan of the famous film star Doctor Who, and had secreted nine missing episodes of 1960s Doctor Who series in his box.
I found your name on the internet, and realized you are a connoisseur of motion pictures. I approach you with an offer now. I will gladly share these invaluable films with you for a very small token from you to show your respect for this subject. I will forward all copies in my possession, if you will send me the sum of $9...one dollar for each film. If you will send me your banking information so that I may deduct the $9 from your account in a seamless and easy transaction, I will forward the films to you.
Looking forward to your reply.
Mrs. Morrie Silverstein Abinatulolo (widowed)
Doesn’t matter. They will be on Bittorrent. I don’t even own a TV anymore.
bttt
One of the advantages of the age of the internet, is that this kind of thing will never happen again. There will be countless copies of any show you’d want to think of out there.
Time(EST) and day of Dr.Who please on BBC.
bump
How long before these are free and airing on BBC America?
See? There’s something good to be said for cultural imperialism!
I started watching the good Doctor in the early 80’s with Tom Baker as the Doctor..
Great Sci-Fi!
LOL, love it.
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