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| show = DW
| type = serial
| image = [[File:Trojan_HorseTrojan Horse,_Doctor_Who_1965 Doctor Who 1965.png|305px]]
| caption = TheA Trojan[[production Horsestill]] inof the outskirts[[Trojan Horse]] outside of [[Troy]], with [[First Doctor|the Doctor]] and several hundred Greeks inside{{efn|No (broadcast images from the original serial exist,{{sfn|Wright|2017|pp=68–71}} leaving only [[production still]]s fromand an off-air episodeaudio 3)recording.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=87}}}}
| alt = In the distance, a model wooden horse sits atop a hill.
| doctor = [[William Hartnell]] – [[First Doctor]]
| companions =
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| script_editor = [[Donald Tosh]]
| producer = [[John Wiles]]
| executive_producer = None
| composer = [[Humphrey Searle]]
| production_code = U
| series = [[Doctor Who (season 3)|Season 3]]
| length = 4 episodes,<br />25 minutes each
| missing_eps = All episodes
| started = {{Start date|1965|10|16|df=y}}
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| following = ''[[The Daleks' Master Plan]]''
}}
'''''The Myth Makers''''' is the [[Doctor Who missing episodes|completely missing]] second serial of the [[Doctor Who (season 3)|third season]] in the British [[science fiction television]] series ''[[Doctor Who]]'', which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 16 October to 6 November 1965. The story is set in ancient [[Troy]], and is based on the ''[[Iliad]]'' by [[Homer]]. This serial sees the last appearance of [[Maureen O'Brien]] as [[Vicki (Doctor Who)|Vicki]] and the introduction of [[Adrienne Hill]] as the [[Doctor (Doctor Who)|Doctor's]] newest [[companion (Doctor Who)|companion]], [[Katarina (Doctor Who)|Katarina]]. Although audio recordings, production stills and 8mm clips of the story exist, [[Doctor Who missing episodes|no episodes]] of this serial are known to have survived.
 
'''''The Myth Makers''''' is the third [[Serial (radio and television)|serial]] of the [[Doctor Who (season 3)|third season]] of the British [[science fiction television]] series ''[[Doctor Who]]''. Written by [[Donald Cotton]] and directed by [[Michael Leeston-Smith]], the serial was broadcast on [[BBC1]] in four weekly parts from 16 October to 6 November 1965. In the serial, based on [[Homer]]'s ''[[Iliad]]'', the [[First Doctor]] ([[William Hartnell]]) and his travelling [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companions]] [[Vicki (Doctor Who)|Vicki]] ([[Maureen O'Brien]]) and [[Steven Taylor (Doctor Who)|Steven]] ([[Peter Purves]]) land in [[Troy]] during the [[Trojan War]]. The Doctor is captured by the Greeks and forced to formulate a plan for taking the city, while Steven and Vicki are captured by the Trojans and forced to devise a means of banishing the Greeks; the latter duo meet [[Katarina (Doctor Who)|Katarina]] ([[Adrienne Hill]]), who joins the Doctor by the serial's end.
==Plot==▼
The Greek army has besieged the walled city of [[Troy]] for ten years. The [[TARDIS]] materialises outside the city, distracting the Trojan [[Hector]], son of King [[Priam]]. The Greek warrior [[Achilles]] takes advantage and kills him. When the [[First Doctor]] emerges, Achilles believes him to be the God [[Zeus]], in disguise, and brings him to the Greek encampment along with the warrior [[Odysseus]]. At the camp, the Greek leader [[Agamemnon]] insists the Doctor help them fight the Trojans, although Odysseus believes he is a Trojan [[spy]].
 
After assuming their positions as [[story editor]] and producer, [[Donald Tosh]] and [[John Wiles]] wanted to take ''Doctor Who'' in new directions, moving towards historical stories and experimenting with humour. Cotton had written several pieces about [[Greek mythology]] for [[BBC Third Programme]] and elected to make his ''Doctor Who'' story about the [[Trojan Horse]]. He used several resources to research historical facts. ''The Myth Makers'' marked the final appearance of O'Brien as Vicki, a decision made by Wiles during the production break. Hill was cast as new companion Katarina, and made her first appearance in the serial. ''The Myth Makers'' was the first serial of the show's third production block. Filming took place at [[Frensham Ponds]] from September to October 1965.
Meanwhile, the Doctor's companions [[Vicki (Doctor Who)|Vicki]] and [[Steven Taylor (Doctor Who)|Steven]] remain in the TARDIS. Vicki has an injured ankle from a previous adventure, so Steven goes alone to try to find the Doctor. Odysseus catches Steven and takes him to the Greek camp. Pretending to be Zeus, the Doctor persuades the Greeks to spare Steven until the next morning. They learn that the TARDIS has disappeared.
 
''The Myth Makers'' received an average of 8.35 million viewers across the four episodes, a drop from earlier in the season but comparable to the previous year. Contemporary and retrospective reviews were generally positive, with praise for the performances and script, though some viewers were confused by the lack of continuation from [[Mission to the Unknown|the previous episode]]. The videotapes of the serial were [[Wiping|wiped]] by the BBC in the late 1960s, and it remains [[Doctor Who missing episodes|missing]]; a complete off-air audio recording of the serial survives, as well as some brief extracts recorded on [[8 mm film]], which has been released on DVD. The story was novelised by Cotton, and its off-air recording has been used for its release as an audiobook.
The TARDIS has been taken into Troy by another of King Priam's sons, [[Paris_(mythology)|Paris]], and presented as a prize to his father. Priam's daughter, the prophet [[Cassandra]], denounces the TARDIS as dangerous – she has dreamt that the Greeks will leave a gift on the plain which will contain soldiers to attack the Trojans. She demands that the TARDIS be burnt. A pyre is constructed, but before the fire is lit, Vicki emerges from the TARDIS, which is taken as a sign from the gods. She is renamed [[Cressida]] and made a favourite at court. This enrages Cassandra, who believes Vicki to be a rival prophet, although her handmaiden Katarina defends Vicki.
 
▲== Plot ==
Priam sends Paris out to avenge his brother Hector. Paris calls for his rival Achilles to present himself, but Steven persuades the Greeks to send him in Greek armour instead, hoping to be taken prisoner so he can search for Vicki. Adopting the identity [[Diomedes]], Steven engages Paris in battle and his ruse works. When he arrives, however, Vicki greets him with his real name, which Cassandra sees as a sign they are both spies. Steven and Vicki are taken to cells. Priam's youngest son [[Troilus]] visits Vicki. She persuades him to try to get them released, and it is clear the two are falling in love.
The [[TARDIS]] materialises outside the city of [[Troy]], distracting the Trojan [[Hector]] (Alan Haywood), son of King [[Priam]] ([[Max Adrian]]). Greek warrior [[Achilles]] ([[Cavan Kendall]]) takes advantage and kills him. When [[First Doctor|the Doctor]] ([[William Hartnell]]) emerges, Achilles believes him to be [[Zeus]] in disguise, and brings him to the Greek encampment along with the warrior [[Odysseus]] ([[Ivor Salter]]). Greek leader [[Agamemnon]] ([[Francis de Wolff]]) insists the Doctor help them fight the Trojans. Meanwhile, the Doctor's [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companions]] [[Vicki (Doctor Who)|Vicki]] ([[Maureen O'Brien]]) and [[Steven Taylor (Doctor Who)|Steven]] ([[Peter Purves]]) remain in the TARDIS. Steven goes alone to try to find the Doctor, but is captured by Odysseus and taken to the Greek camp. Pretending to be Zeus, the Doctor persuades the Greeks to spare Steven.
 
Priam's son [[Paris (mythology)|Paris]] ([[Barrie Ingham]]) takes the TARDIS into Troy. Priam's daughter, the prophet [[Cassandra]] ([[Frances White (actress)|Frances White]]), denounces it as dangerous and demands it be burnt. Before the fire is lit, Vicki emerges from the TARDIS, taken as a sign from the gods. She is renamed [[Cressida]] and made a court favourite, enraging Cassandra, who believes Vicki to be a rival prophet, though her handmaiden [[Katarina (Doctor Who)|Katarina]] ([[Adrienne Hill]]) defends Vicki. Priam sends Paris out to avenge Hector, but Steven adopts the identity [[Diomedes]] and persuades the Greeks to send him instead, hoping to search for Vicki. When he arrives, Vicki greets him with his real name, which Cassandra sees as a sign they are both spies; they are taken to cells. Priam's youngest son [[Troilus]] (James Lynn) visits Vicki. She persuades him to try to get them released, and they begin to fall in love.
The Doctor proposes to Odysseus a great ruse: the Greeks will pretend to sail away, leaving a [[Trojan Horse|wooden horse]] behind outside Troy, as a tribute and acknowledgement of defeat, hoping the Trojans will take it inside the city without realising it is actually hollow and filled with Greek soldiers. Agamemnon approves, but only provided the Doctor is among those inside the horse. The horse is spotted by the Trojans, who rejoice at the Greek army's apparent retreat. Priam has Vicki released. Paris brings the horse into the city. Vicki frees Steven, who urges her to convince Troilus to leave Troy. She tells Troilus that Diomedes has escaped. Troilus leaves Troy to search for him, but encounters Achilles, whom he kills to avenge Hector.
 
Priam has Vicki released, and she frees Steven. Troilus kills Achilles to avenge Hector. At the Doctor's proposal, the Greeks pretend to sail away, leaving a [[Trojan Horse|wooden horse]] outside Troy as acknowledgement of defeat. Paris brings the horse into the city. At nightfall, the Greeks and the Doctor leaveexit the horse and open the city gates., Theallowing the Greek army entersto andenter soand begins the downfall of Troybattle. As the fighting rages, the Doctor evades Odysseus and finds Vicki. Priam and Paris are slain, and Cassandra taken prisoner. Katarina finds Steven badly wounded and helps him return to the TARDIS. Vicki leaves the Doctor, anxious to find Troilus; outside the doomed city, they declare their love for each other and flee. The Doctor dematerialises the TARDIS with Steven and Katarina on board, hoping to land somewhere to attend to Steven's injuries.
 
== Production ==▼
Odysseus threatens the Doctor, who is able to dematerialise the TARDIS with Steven and Katarina on board. Katarina believes she has died and the Doctor is taking her on the journey after death. Steven is delirious because of his wound, and the Doctor feels he must land somewhere to attend to Steven's injuries.
=== Conception and writing ===
After assuming the position of [[story editor]] in April 1965, [[Donald Tosh]] wanted to take ''[[Doctor Who]]'' in new directions, such as experimenting with humour and horror in historical episodes.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=72}} Tosh was soon joined by new producer [[John Wiles]], and they immediately developed a positive working relationship, wanting the show to move away from "childish" science fantasy and towards more historical stories and adult science-fiction, the latter inspired by authors [[Ray Bradbury]] and [[Isaac Asimov]].{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=76}} As the first three stories of his tenure—''[[The Time Meddler]]'', ''[[Galaxy 4]]'', and "[[Mission to the Unknown]]"—had been commissioned by his predecessor [[Dennis Spooner]], ''The Myth Makers'' was the first serial for which Tosh assumed full control. He contacted [[Donald Cotton]]—whom he had known since the latter was a student at [[Guildhall School of Music and Drama]]—and invited him to submit a story idea for ''Doctor Who''.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=72}} Cotton was initially hesitant as it was an unusual field for him, but agreed if he could select the subject matter (the Trojan Horse) and some of the crew (which included his colleagues from [[BBC Third Programme]]), to which Tosh and Wiles were satisfied. Cotton had written several pieces about Greek mythology for Third Programme, prompting the similar subject matter for ''Doctor Who''. Tosh remained wary of Cotton's ability, as he knew of the writer's inexperience with television drama; prior to a script commission, Tosh requested a storyline in late April 1965.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=73}}
 
Cotton used several resources to research historical facts, including ''[[The Cambridge Ancient History]]'', ''A History of Greece to 322 B.C.'' by [[N. G. L. Hammond]], ''The Origins of Greek Civilization'' by [[Chester Starr]], and ''A Companion to Greek Studies'' by [[Leonard Whibley]]; he noted several inconsistencies between the texts and that several of the Greek names in them (and in [[Homer]]'s ''[[Iliad]]'') were corrupted variations of their true Greek form.{{sfn|Wright|2017|pp=73–74}} Cotton wrote that the Trojan Horse was "almost certainly completely myth" but found it compelling to include within the script with the Doctor's involvement.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=74}} Cotton officially commissioned the first two episodes of the serial—then titled ''Doctor Who and the Mythmakers''—on 13 May, with a target delivery date of 4 June;{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=75}} the last two episodes were commissioned on 11 June, with the serial now titled ''The Myth-Makers''.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=77}} Wiles was excited for the story to be both intellectual and humorous, describing it as "[[high comedy]]".{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=76}} Documentation in mid-July listed the serial as ''Dr Who & the Trojans''.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=77}} The episode titles changed over time, especially as the BBC vetoed Cotton's use of puns in the titles:{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=77}} the first episode was originally "Deus ex Machina",{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=74}} and the fourth was once called or "Is There a Doctor in the Horse?" before Wiles apparently demanded it be changed.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=77}}{{sfn|Howe|Walker|1998|p=108}} Cotton recalled that the third episode's title, "Death of a Spy", was forced on him after the script had been written, requiring him to introduce the character Cyclops, though some evidence contradicts this statement.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=77}}
▲==Production==
 
[[Derek Martinus]]—who had directed the two previous serials, ''Galaxy 4'' and "Mission to the Unknown"—was discussed as a possible director of ''The Myth Makers'' in June 1965,{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=76}} though the role was ultimately assigned to BBC staff director [[Michael Leeston-Smith]].{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=78}} It was his only work for the show, though Wiles later wrote to him in hopes that they would collaborate again.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=83}} Designer John Wood visited the [[British Museum]] to research Trojan architecture and discovered that their building style had been basic, generally carved from large stone pieces. Costume supervisor Daphne Dare was deputised by Tony Pearce for the first episode, while regular make-up designer Sonia Markham was unavailable for the first two episodes, replaced by Elizabeth Blattner, who had supervised the show's first two serials.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=78}} Cotton brought composer [[Humphrey Searle]] from Third Programme to write music for the serial;{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=73}} he conducted a group of eight musicians from the [[Sinfonia of London]]—who had previously produced music for Cotton's Greek trilogy on Third Programme—to provide about 14 minutes of music cues, significantly consisting of guitar and horns.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=78}}
 
=== Casting and characters ===
[[File:Maureen O'Brien, Big Finish Day 5, 2014.jpg|thumb|upright|''The Myth Makers'' marked the final appearance of [[Maureen O'Brien]] as [[Vicki (Doctor Who)|Vicki]].|alt=A 71-year-old woman with white hair smiling to the right of the camera.]]
 
On 21 May 1965, Maureen O'Brien and Peter Purves were contracted in their roles until the end of ''The Myth Makers''.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=76}} During the production break after the filming of ''Galaxy 4'' and "Mission to the Unknown", Wiles had decided to renew Purves for a further 20 episodes,{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=78}}{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=80}} while not renewing O'Brien's contract, having witnessed her arguing about her lines during rehearsals for ''Galaxy 4''.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=78}} O'Brien and Purves were informed of Wiles's decision on 3 September. O'Brien was shocked, as she had returned from holiday expecting to maintain her regular role; however, she was ultimately glad to move on, as she had disliked the role and the scripts.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=80}} Vicki's departure required rewriting, as well as an introduction of a new character to replace Vicki, who had already been written into the script for the next serial, ''[[The Daleks' Master Plan]]''.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=78}} On 9 September, Adrienne Hill was contracted to play Katarina in five episodes; she was cast by the production team of ''The Daleks' Master Plan''.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=80}}
 
Cotton brought actor Max Adrian to play King Priam.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=73}} Playing Odysseus and Menelaus, respectively, Ivor Salter and Jack Melford had worked with Leeston-Smith on ''[[Thorndyke (TV series)|Thorndyke]]'' in 1964. Veteran actor Francis de Wolff was cast as Agamemnon, having previously portrayed Vasor in the ''Doctor Who'' serial ''[[The Keys of Marinus]]'' (1964). Adrian and de Wolff became irritated by Hartnell's difficulties remembering lines, while Hartnell was jealous and fearful of being upstaged by the actors, a concern with which he approached Wiles.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=81}} Frances White was cast as Cassandra, but later asked Wiles to omit her name from the cast listings in ''[[Radio Times]]''.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=81}} Barrie Ingham, who portrayed Paris, had portrayed Alydon in the film ''[[Dr. Who and the Daleks]]'' some months earlier.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=79}}
 
===In printFilming ===▼
Filming for ''The Myth Makers'' took place at [[Frensham Ponds]], close to Leeston-Smith's home. Early [[35 mm movie film|35 mm filming]] took place on 27 August 1965, depicting the serial's two major fight sequences. During filming, Haywood grazed his hand on a shield, and Kendall was blistered and grazed; as a result, some of Kendall's scenes were refilmed on 30 August. The following day, Lynn cut his hand during production, which required additional refilming.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=79}} For filming on 2 September, Wood and his team created a model of Troy, which was established on location and filmed using the [[Schüfftan process]], through a partially-reflective mirror allowing actors to appear to be moving around the set.{{sfn|Wright|2017|pp=79–80}} Wood built the model in a little more than a week to make it appear "hurried".{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=80}} Weekly rehearsals for ''The Myth Makers'' began on 13 September at the North Kensington Community Centre.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=80}} By this time, Wiles had fully taken over from his predecessor, the show's original producer [[Verity Lambert]], which, alongside O'Brien's departure, greatly upset Hartnell.{{sfn|Wright|2017|pp=80–81}} Further upset came from the death of Hartnell's aunt Bessie, the only person from his childhood to whom he was close; the production schedule prevented him from attending her funeral.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=81}} Weekly recording began on 17 September.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=81}} During camera rehearsals for the first episode, Hartnell was struck by a camera, leaving his left shoulder bruised.{{sfn|Howe|Walker|1998|p=108}}{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=81}} The final episode was recorded on 8 October.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=83}} Recording for the four episodes cost a total of {{GBP|10,214}}.{{efn|The four episodes cost {{GBP|3,327}}, {{GBP|2,566}}, {{GBP|2,230}}, and {{GBP|2,091}}, respectively.{{sfn|Howe|Walker|Stammers|1994|pp=208–209}}}}
 
== Reception ==
=== Broadcast and ratings ===
{{Episode table
|background =
|series = 6 |title = 20 | aux1=6 | airdate = 10 | viewers = 6 | aux4 = 166 | country = UK
|seriesT = Episode
|aux1T = Run time
|aux4T = Archive[[Appreciation Index]]
|aux4R = <ref name="ArchiveStatus" />
|viewersR = <ref name="AllRatings" />
|episodes =
{{Episode list/sublist|The Myth Makers
Line 74 ⟶ 88:
|Viewers = 8.3
|Aux1 = 24:45
|Aux4 = Only stills and/or fragments exist48
|LineColor =
}}
Line 84 ⟶ 98:
|Viewers = 8.1
|Aux1 = 24:43
|Aux4 = Only stills and/or fragments exist51
|LineColor =
}}
Line 94 ⟶ 108:
|Viewers = 8.7
|Aux1 = 25:39
|Aux4 = Only stills and/or fragments exist49
|LineColor =
}}
Line 104 ⟶ 118:
|Viewers = 8.3
|Aux1 = 24:25
|Aux4 = Only stills and/or fragments exist52
|LineColor =
}}
Line 110 ⟶ 124:
{{note|a|†}} [[Doctor Who missing episodes|Episode is missing]]
 
''The Myth Makers'' was broadcast on [[BBC1]] in four weekly parts from 16 October to 6 November 1965.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=87}} As with "Mission to the Unknown", viewership had dropped significantly from the series opener ''Galaxy 4'', but it was comparable to ''[[Planet of Giants]]'' (1964), which had aired around the same time the previous year.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=85}} The serial received an average of 8.35 million viewers across its four weeks.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=87}} The [[Appreciation Index]] for the serial was considered low, dropping below 50 for the first and third episodes.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=87}}{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=85}} The serial was sold extensively overseas in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including to Australia, Barbados, New Zealand, Sierra Leone, Singapore, and Zambia; it was no longer available for purchase from [[BBC Enterprises]] by 1974, and Australia returned its film prints in June 1975. The original [[405-line]] tapes for the second, third, and fourth episodes were [[Wiping|wiped]] on 17 August 1967, and the first was wiped on 31 January 1969. A complete audio recording of the serial survives, as well as some brief extracts recorded on [[8 mm film]] from the Australian transmission.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=87}}
This was the first story produced by new series producer [[John Wiles]], replacing the original producer, [[Verity Lambert]], in the role. Originally, the titles of episodes 1 and 4 were intended by [[Dennis Spooner]] to be [[pun]]s (as was that of Episode 2), respectively: "Zeus Ex Machina" and "Is There A Doctor In The Horse?". These titles were vetoed by the BBC, but the title of Episode 2 was allowed to remain only at script editor [[Donald Tosh]]'s insistence. Episode 3 was always intended to have the non-punning title "Death of a Spy", to add suspense to the cliffhanger of the previous episode in which Vicki and Steven are unmasked as spies, as to imply that one of them would perish in the following chapter. A number of chapters in the novelisation have titles based around these puns.<ref>{{cite book |last=Cotton |first=Donald |title=The Myth Makers |year=1985 |publisher=Target Books |location=London |isbn=978-0426201700 }}</ref>
 
=== Critical response ===
Donald Cotton pulled material for his scripts from his extensive knowledge of [[Classical literature#Western Classics|classical]] and [[medieval literature]], including the [[epic poetry|epics]] of [[Homer]], the plays of [[Aeschylus]] and [[Euripides]], [[Virgil]]'s [[Aeneid]], and [[Geoffrey Chaucer]]'s [[Troilus and Criseyde]].
At the BBC Programme Review Board after the broadcast of the final episode, the general consensus (led by BBC1 controller [[Michael Peacock (television executive)|Michael Peacock]]) was that it had been "too brutal"; ''Doctor Who'' co-creator, head of drama [[Sydney Newman]], said that action had been taken, and head of light entertainment [[Tom Sloan (television executive)|Tom Sloan]] felt that the finale was "far above the heads of child audiences".{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=86}} An Audience Research Report received mixed responses, with confusion that the storyline from "Mission to the Unknown" had not immediately continued; the performances and production was considered mediocre, though some welcomed the added humour and the historical setting.{{sfn|Wright|2017|pp=86–87}}
 
In ''Doctor Who: An Adventure in Space and Time'' (1982), Trevor Wayne described the characterisation as "generally weak and superficial", noting that Salter's performance as Odysseus was the strongest.{{sfn|Howe|Walker|1998|p=109}} Conversely, in ''Flight Through Eternity'' (1986), Mark Wyman praised most of the performances, particularly Ingham as Paris; he also applauded Searle's score for its innovation and sophistication.{{sfn|Howe|Walker|1998|pp=109–110}} In ''[[The Discontinuity Guide]]'' (1995), [[Paul Cornell]], [[Martin Day (writer)|Martin Day]], and [[Keith Topping]] wrote that, despite effective performances, "the whole thing feels uneasy".{{sfn|Cornell|Day|Topping|1995|pp=44–60}} In ''The Television Companion'' (1998), [[David J. Howe]] and Stephen James Walker praised Wood's sets and Vicki's "poignant and well written departure scene".{{sfn|Howe|Walker|1998|p=107}} In ''A Critical History of Doctor Who'' (1999), [[John Kenneth Muir]] noted that the serial "appears to have featured some of the same style and wit" as ''[[The Romans (Doctor Who)|The Romans]]'' (1965).{{sfn|Muir|1999|p=117}} Mark Braxton of ''Radio Times'' (2009) similarly compared it favourably to ''The Romans'', praising Vicki's departure and the performances of White, Ingham, Lemkow, and Salter.<ref name="Radio Times Review"/> Paul Mount of ''[[Starburst (magazine)|Starburst]]'' (2021) lauded Cotton's "sophisticated" script and the performances of Adrian, de Wolff, and Ingham, through described the serial as "a product of its era, a stagey, talky, clumpy cod-[[Shakespearean]] drama".<ref name="Starburst Vinyl"/>
William Hartnell suffered a bereavement while working on the story: the death of his Aunt Bessie, who had looked after him during his troubled childhood. Unfortunately, the tight recording schedules prevented Hartnell from taking time off to attend her funeral. This led to him becoming difficult during production, refusing to speak to actors [[Max Adrian]] or [[Francis de Wolff]] and declaring director [[Michael Leeston-Smith]] a "fool".<ref>{{cite interview |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |issue=482 |title=Interview|date=February 2015 |first=Peter |last=Purves |subject-link=Peter Purves |page={{page needed|date=January 2015}} }}</ref>
 
== Commercial releases ==▼
All four episodes are [[Doctor Who missing episodes| missing from the BBC Archives]], and no tele-snaps are known to exist. Only behind-the-scenes photographs and brief 8mm clips recorded by an unknown fan in Australia survive to represent the visuals.
 
===Cast notes===
Barrie Ingham also played Alydon in the film ''[[Dr. Who and the Daleks]]'' (1965).<ref name="4thdimension">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00km1hk/features/the-myth-makers-the-fourth-dimension|title=The Fourth Dimension: The Myth Makers|publisher=BBC|access-date=22 November 2012}}</ref> Francis de Wolff had previously played Vasor in ''[[The Keys of Marinus]]'' (1964). Tutte Lemkow had previously played Kuiju in ''[[Marco Polo (Doctor Who)|Marco Polo]]'' (1964) and Ibrahim in ''[[The Crusade (Doctor Who)|The Crusade]]'' (1965). Ivor Salter had previously played the Morok Commander in ''[[The Space Museum]]'' (1965) and would appear again as Sergeant Markham in ''[[Black Orchid (Doctor Who)|Black Orchid]]'' (1982).
 
▲==Commercial releases==
 
▲===In print===
{{Infobox book
| name = The Myth Makers
| image = Doctor Who The Myth Makers.jpg
| caption =
| alt = A book cover featuring the TARDIS in front of the wooden Trojan Horse. The text reads "Doctor Who", "The Myth Makers", and "Donald Cotton".
|author = [[Donald Cotton]]
|cover_artist author = [[AndrewDonald SkilleterCotton]]
| cover_artist = [[Andrew Skilleter]]
| series = ''[[Doctor Who]]'' book:<br />[[List of Doctor Who novelisations|Target novelisations]]
| release_number = 97
| release_date = 1211 SeptemberApril 1985
| publisher = [[Target Books]]
| pages =
| isbn = 0-426-20170-1
}}
A novelisation of this serial, written by Donald Cotton, was published by [[Target Books]] in April 1985. There are significant differences between the novel and the televised story; the novel is narrated by Homer, who also plays the part of the mute servant Cyclops from the episode. The cliffhanger ending of Steven being wounded is also gone. An unabridged reading of the novelisation by actor [[Stephen Thorne]] was released on CD in April 2008 by BBC Audiobooks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.audiogo.com/uk/doctor-who-the-myth-makers-classic-novel-donald-cotton-gid-11279|title= Doctor Who: The Myth Makers (Classic Novel) |publisher=[[AudioGo]]|access-date=20 October 2013}}</ref>
 
Donald Cotton wrote the novelisation of ''The Myth Makers'', told through the perspective of Homer; he enjoyed writing the novelisation, adding more humour than the episodes.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=88}} The book was published by [[W. H. Allen & Co.|W. H. Allen]] on 11 April 1985, with a [[Target Books|Target]] paperback on 12 September.{{sfn|Smith|2021|p=34}} The cover was designed by [[Andrew Skilleter]]. The novelisation was combined with Cotton's ''[[The Gunfighters (Doctor Who)|The Gunfighters]]'' (1966) for ''Doctor Who Classics'', a series of books published by W. H. Allen imprint Star, in August 1988.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=88}} An unabridged [[audiobook]] reading of the novelisation read by [[Stephen Thorne]] was released on 7 April 2008.{{sfn|Smith|2021|p=34}}
===Home media===
The soundtracks to these episodes exist and have been released on CD with linking narration provided by Peter Purves. The only extant clips – eleven short 8mm film recordings made by an unknown Australian fan off-air – were made available on the ''[[Lost in Time (Doctor Who)|Lost in Time]]'' DVD boxset release. The soundtrack for these episodes was also released on vinyl in 2021 from the BBC. <ref name="2021vinyl">{{cite web|url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news/?article=the-myth-makers-vinyl-first-doctor-peter-purves-demon-records|title=The Myth Makers comes to vinyl|publisher=BBC|access-date=10 November 2021}}</ref>
 
The off-air soundtrack of ''The Myth Makers'' was released as a CD in January 2001, narrated by Peter Purves. Alongside ''[[The Massacre (Doctor Who)|The Massacre]]'' (1966) and ''[[The Highlanders (Doctor Who)|The Highlanders]]'' (1966–1967), it was included in ''Doctor Who: Adventures in History'', a CD box set released by [[BBC Worldwide]] in August 2003. Surviving off-air clips from the serial were included on ''[[Lost in Time (Doctor Who)|Lost in Time]]'', released as a DVD box set by [[2 Entertain]] in November 2004. The soundtrack was featured on the CD ''The Lost TV Episodes: Collection 1'', released by [[BBC Audiobooks]] in August 2010; the set contained interviews and the original camera scripts.{{sfn|Wright|2017|p=88}} [[Demon Records]] released the soundtrack as a [[vinyl record]] in 2021.<ref name="Starburst Vinyl"/>
In the 1980s, [[Reeltime Pictures]] launched a series of [[home video]] releases featuring interviews with the cast and crew of ''Doctor Who''. This long-running series of tapes (which later included the first independently produced ''Doctor Who'' spin-offs) was entitled ''Myth Makers'' after this story.
 
==References Notes ==
{{notelist}}
 
== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
 
<ref name="ArchiveStatus">{{cite web|url= http://gallifreyone.com/episode.php?id=u|title= The Myth Makers|publisher = Outpost Gallifrey|author = Shaun Lyon|date = 31 March 2007|access-date = 30 August 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080331033421/http://www.gallifreyone.com/episode.php?id=u <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 31 March 2008|display-authors=etal}}</ref>
<ref name="Radio Times Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-myth-makers/ |title=The Myth Makers |last=Braxton |first=Mark |work=[[Radio Times]] |publisher=[[Immediate Media Company]] |date=9 February 2009 |accessdate=5 October 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303220558/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/the-myth-makers/ |archivedate=3 March 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="AllRatings">{{cite web|title=Ratings Guide |url=http://guide.doctorwhonews.net/info.php?detail=ratings&type=date |website=Doctor Who News |access-date=28 May 2017}}</ref>
 
<ref name="Starburst Vinyl">{{cite web |url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/doctor-myth-makers |title=Doctor Who – The Myth Makers |last=Mount |first=Paul |work=[[Starburst (magazine)|Starburst]] |publisher=Starburst Magazine Limited |date=27 August 2021 |accessdate=4 October 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827165941/https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/doctor-myth-makers |archivedate=27 August 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
 
== Bibliography ==
==External links==▼
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last1=Cornell |first1=Paul |author-link1=Paul Cornell |last2=Day |first2=Martin |author-link2=Martin Day (writer) |last3=Topping |first3=Keith |author-link3=Keith Topping |title=[[The Discontinuity Guide]] |year=1995 |publisher=[[Virgin Books]] |location=London |isbn=0-426-20442-5 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Howe |first1=David J. |author-link1=David J. Howe |last2=Walker |first2=Stephen James |title=Doctor Who: The Television Companion: Volume 1 |edition=2021 |year=1998 |publisher=[[BBC Books]] |location=London |isbn=978-1-845-83156-1 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Howe |first1=David J. |author-link1=David J. Howe |last2=Walker |first2=Stephen James |author-link2=Stephen James Walker |last3=Stammers |first3=Mark |title=The Handbook: The Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to the Production of 'Doctor Who' |volume=1 |year=1994 |edition=2016 |publisher=[[Telos Publishing]] |location=London |isbn=978-1-845-83941-3 }}
* {{cite book |last=Muir |first=John Kenneth |author-link=John Kenneth Muir |title=A Critical History of Doctor Who on Television |year=1999 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |isbn= 978-0-786-40442-1 }}
* {{cite book |last=Smith |first=Paul MC |date=July 2021 |title=Based On the Popular BBC Television Serial |edition=4th |publisher=Wonderful Books |url=https://www.wonderfulbook.co.uk/basedon/ }}
* {{cite journal |editor-last=Wright |editor-first=Mark |year=2017 |title=Galaxy 4, Mission to the Unknown, The Myth Makers and The Daleks' Master Plan |journal=Doctor Who: The Complete History |publisher=[[Panini Comics]], [[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Partworks]] |location=London |volume=6 |issue=47 |issn=2057-6048 }}
{{refend}}
 
▲== External links ==
{{wikiquote|First Doctor}}
*{{BBCCDW | id=mythmakers | title=The Myth Makers}}
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[[Category:First Doctor serials]]▼
[[Category:Doctor Who missing episodes]]▼
[[Category:Doctor Who historical serials]]▼
[[Category:Doctor Who serials novelised by Donald Cotton]]▼
[[Category:1965 British television episodes]]
[[Category:Classical mythology in popular culture]]
[[Category:Fiction set in the 12th century BC]]▼
[[Category:Works based on the Iliad]]▼
[[Category:Television shows based on works by Homer]]
[[Category:Agamemnon]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of the Trojan War]]
▲[[Category:Doctor Who historical serials]]
▲[[Category:Doctor Who missing episodes]]
▲[[Category:Doctor Who serials novelised by Donald Cotton]]
▲[[Category:Fiction set in the 12th century BC]]
▲[[Category:First Doctor serials]]
▲[[Category:WorksTelevision shows based on the Iliad]]
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