User Reviews

Ian is trapped in the passageway and water is rushing in...but a resourceful Ian has discovered the route into the tomb. The three crew unite, but Susan is still missing and due to be punished. Tlotoxl deems Ian dead and tasks Ixta with guarding Susan, he fails. The crew try desperately to escape, but fail. Ixta intercedes this time to great effect, Tlotoxl is gleeful as his plan has seemingly worked. Cameca helps an imprisoned Ian and Sarah at Autloc's command, he has gone into the wilderness. Ian contrives his escape and a desperate final duel begins between Ixta and Ian........

This has bee a great serial. The plot has been logical and has placed the TARDIS crew in true danger, easy escape has been removed as the TARDIS has been locked away. One of the high points of the first series.

Barbara is made to realise that she can't change history, no matter how hard she tries.

Fantastic production values throughout, it's looked amazing throughout.

The final part is a worthy conclusion for the serial, it's been fantastic, a true mix of history and sci fi. 9/10

The previous serial within this first series didn't really win me over as it was too fragmented and really just a collection of smaller adventures making up quests making up an overall plot. The Aztecs is an improvement on this not only because the structure of the story is better but also because it does much more of interest. The plot sees the group return to the time of the Aztecs and, while the Tardis is trapped within a temple, Barbara is mistaken for a goddess and the rest as her servants. Knowing the era from her studies, she seeks to use her newfound influence to guide the culture away from human sacrifice and violence by showing them that blood is not required to cause rain or end a solar eclipse. The Doctor of course warns against such attempts but she persists. Meanwhile Ian is drawn into a conflict to be a warrior, Susan is educated in the laws of the culture and the Doctor tries to work out a way back into the temple over a relaxing cup of cocoa.

The plot is very well done because it offers a lot within this simple structure. Primarily we have actual tension thanks to a very enjoyable manipulative villain (Tlotoxl) who tries to guide and twist things to his own ends. This character produces many good moments and is the central device for the plot to go the way it does. We also get action and, although the fights are rather dated in their style, there is an edge between Ian and his opposition and it does lead to a surprisingly stylish and enjoyable climax. There is also humor as well but what I liked the most is the discussion of timelines and the frustration of Barbara to try to do good but ultimately have to go with what has already happened. Although I do not see this idea being constant (since the Doctor will stop things happening "in the future" which also, in theory, have already played out without his intervention), the idea is well presented. It is perhaps a bit simple now as even basic action movies play with this idea now, but it is a nice crisp piece of sci-fi writing in this adventure serial.

The performances are better here thanks to this material. Hartnell has humor but also a tougher edge when confronting Barbara. This also brings the best out of Hill and I really enjoyed her character and performance here. Likewise Ford goes from spending the previous 6 episodes screaming to return to her much more confident character. Russell plays the manly role well and I very much enjoyed his standoffs with Cullen's Ixta. In support the cookie is very much taken by Ringham with his villain. It seemed like he would be hammy and OTT but in reality it is an enjoyably devious character and he brings a lot to the material by virtue of how well he delivers it.

Overall this is a very enjoyable story; it brings action, real tension, good performances and thoughtful material together really well. It should also be said that for all their age and sound-stage limitations, the sets and costumes are also very good.

The Aztecs - Review of all 4 parts:

This is a 4 part adventure beginning with The Temple of Evil. It is a pure historical adventure with the TARDIS crew arriving in a tomb in 15th Century Mexico during the time of the Aztecs. The TARDIS becomes trapped inside the tomb with the crew outside the tomb's inaccessible sliding door. Barbara is taken to be the reincarnation of their goddess Yataxa by the high priest of knowledge Autloc but is doubted and proclaimed a false God by the high priest of sacrifice Tlotoxl. Barbara tries to influence against human sacrifice despite the Doctor's insistence that this is meddling in the past which cannot be done, and they all try to find a way to get to the TARDIS before the Aztecs turn on them.

This is a top notch adventure, brilliantly scripted by John Lucarotti, following on from his previous great historical adventure 'Marco Polo'. It is beautifully acted with an interesting plot that includes very strong material about whether the time travellers can or should interfere with historical events.

Doctor Who is a time travel adventure not just another space adventure. The time travel aspect made it far more unique at the time and is still a central part of what the programme is. So great historical adventures like this show the value of exploring the time travel aspect of the show. Considering morality and possible outcomes of interference in history is a tremendous concept to bring to audiences and this story does it wonderfully. It really demonstrates how axeing historical stories a few years later was a big mistake. If done seriously and intelligently like this, Marco Polo, The Massacre, The Crusade etc they were a great addition to the series. They provided variety, moral dilemmas and great drama. When turned into lightweight comedy or executed badly they flopped a bit but they needed more thought, not axeing. Rather like the whole show in 1989!

William Russell and Jacqueline Hill as Barbara and Ian are two of the finest companions the Doctor ever had and they are superb here as is William Hartnell as The Doctor.

Carole Ann Ford as Susan has one of her best performances here too. Autloc and a female elder Cameca are fantastic too.

Tremendous adventure across all four episodes.

My Ratings: All 4 Episodes 10/10.

Both Ian and Susan are arrested by Tlotoxl, and the Doctor must have Cameca's help to have them freed.

"The Day of Darkness" is a perfect closing episode for The Aztecs. The fight scene at the end benefits from being pre-filmed at Ealing.

The Aztecs is one of the greatest serials in the early days of the show. It's extremely well written, and the costumes, set design and music are perfect. The performances are great; Hartnell, William Russell and Jacqueline Hill are excellent. John Ringham makes one of the most memorable villains in the history of the show, and Keith Pyott and Margot Van Der Burgh deliver touching performances.

However, the camera work and directorial choices mar the serial. If only they'd gotten a better director than John Crockett...