User Reviews

Isolated on the rock, a boat arrives but fails to dock, the lights fade out, almighty doubt, a creature aims to cause a rout, with disquiet, discomfort grows, nowhere to run, nowhere to row, the fog continues to envelop, as tensions rise and doth develop.

The four crash survivors enter the lighthouse for shelter and security, but it's a hazardous place.

Terrence Dicks was a terrific writer, he knew how to write a classic, with Robert Holmes as script editor, it is quality through and through. We we're treated to a great set of new characters in Part one, we get another here, they're not just four blank characters, each has a real back story, Lord Palmerdale is particularly good.

I am struck by the sheer quality of production, the sets and costumes are of the highest quality. We get a first glimpse of The Rutan, say what you want, it looks different, a shame they never returned on the show. ( They did however on independent spin-off Shakedown.)

The superstition here, The Beast of Fang Rock, if ever a theory was spun to give kids nightmares, this was it. It's a real chiller, intensely atmospheric.

Once again, outstanding. 10/10

Review of all 4 episodes:

Very sadly the finest producer in Doctor Who history, Phillip Hinchcliffe, had left and BBC bosses were insisting new producer Graham Williams tone down the adult content of the Hinchcliffe era. This was a huge mistake (caving in to pressure from some complaints it was too scary) and the series, whilst achieving greatness many times after this point, would never reach the incredible sustained super high standards of the wonderful Hinchcliffe produced series 12, 13 and 14. Much of the credit for those amazing years was down to writer Robert Holmes who was still in place as story editor but was soon to step down and would only continue as an occasional guest writer.

With new producer Williams forced to make the show less adult he made the series more humour driven and more lightweight which meant whilst some stories still were fantastic the overall quality fell quite considerably from the mega highs of those preceding years. Horror of Fang Rock is the dividing mark, far more like the tremendous horror based predecessors than the humour based Doctor Who 'lite' that was to follow. This is thanks to being written by another of Doctor Who's greatest writers, Terrance Dicks. It is an excellent story as a result.

An atmospheric, claustrophobic adventure in a lighthouse under attack from a mysterious and murderous force. The Doctor and Leela arrive accidentally in the early 1900s at a lighthouse on the rocks off the coast of England. The lighthouse crew are reacting to a fireball falling from the sky and mysterious fog which follows and a series of killings ensues. A shipwreck brings some posh folk with tensions and a monster appears out of the fog.

Tom Baker remains in top form continuing on from his awesome first 3 seasons. He shines brighter than any lighthouse. Leela continues to be an excellent companion. She is not a screaming, feeble girl in need of protection and also is not an unintelligent savage, she is a fiery, strong and bright character. Louise Jameson acts the part superbly.

The support characters are interesting and add qualities to the adventure. Acting standards are good and the dialogue is strong. The plot itself is a great 'base under siege' story mixed with horror and the obvious science fiction elements. The Rutan is a pretty well devised monster which brings some menacing scenes.

The setting is atmospheric and effective, the lighthouse is convincingly created and the production values/effects are decent. A thoroughly enjoyable story. The following story is not one I would pay the same compliments sadly.

My ratings: Parts 1, 2 & 3 - 10/10, Part 4 - 9.5/10. Overall 9.88/10.