The Crusade

Information

Writer: David Whitaker
Director: Douglas Camfield
Script Editor: Dennis Spooner
Producer: Verity Lambert, Mervyn Pinfield (associate producer)
Executive Producer(s): None

Originally Broadcast: 27th March - 17th April 1965
Episodes: 4
Duration: 25 mins each episode
Production Code: P
Series: 2
Story Number: 14
Enemy: El Akir
Setting: 12th century

Synopsis

The TARDIS arrives in 12th Century Palestine where a holy war is in progress between the forces of King Richard the Lionheart and the Saracen ruler Saladin. Barbara is abducted in a Saracen ambush and the Doctor, Ian and Vicki make their way to King Richard's palace in the city of Jaffa. Ian is granted permission to ride in search of Barbara - the King knighting him Sir Ian of Jaffa to fit him for the role - while the Doctor and Vicki stay behind and try to avoid getting involved in court politics.
King Richard secretly plans to marry his sister Joanna to Saladin's brother Saphadin in order to bring the war to an end, but Joanna finds out about this and refuses. The Doctor and his young ward are forced to flee after making an enemy of the King's adviser, the Earl of Leicester.
Ian has meanwhile rescued Barbara from the clutches of the vicious Saracen emir El Akir. All four meet up in the wood where the TARDIS materialised and narrowly manage to escape the Earl of Leicester's men.

Cast

The Doctor - William Hartnell

Ian Chesterton - William Russell

Barbara Wright - Jacqueline Hill

Vicki - Maureen O'Brien

William des Preaux - John Flint

El Akir - Walter Randall

Richard the Lionheart - Julian Glover

Reynier de Marun - David Anderson

William de Tornebu - Bruce Wightman

Ben Daheer - Reg Pritchard

Thatcher - Tony Caunter

Saphadin - Roger Avon

Saladin - Bernard Kay

Saracen warrior - Derek Ware

Saracen warrior - Valentino Musetti

Saracen warrior - Chris Konyils

Saracen warrior - Raymond Novak

Joanna - Jean Marsh

Chamberlain - Robert Lankesheer

Sheyrah - Zohra Sehgal

Luigi Ferrigo - Gabor Baraker

Saracen warrior - Anthony Colby

Haroun ed-Din - George Little

Safiya - Petra Markham

Earl of Leicester - John Bay

Turkish bandit - David Brewster

Maimuna - Sandra Hampton

Fatima - Viviane Sorrél

Hafsa - Diane Mckenzie

Ibrahim - Tutte Lemkow

Man-At-Arms - Billy Cornelius

Story Notes

• This story does not exist as a complete story, except in audio.
  
• Episode 3 exists in 16mm telerecordings
  
• Episode 1 was found in New Zealand by a collector in 1998.
  
• In 1999 the BBC made a Digi-Beta print of Episode 1
  
• Telesnaps for this story exist in the hands of private collectors
  
• Several enlarged telesnaps also exist for this story.
  
• This story was originally entitled The Saracen Hordes and various episodes were made under working titles.
  
• Episode 2 (The Knight of Jaffa) was made under the working title Damsel in Distress
  
• Episode 3 (The Wheel of Fortune) was made under the working title Changing Fortunes
  
• Episode 4 (The Warlords) was made under the working title The Knight of Jaffa
  
• William Russell only appears briefly in the third episode in a pre-recorded segment as the actor was on holiday during filming
  
• The appearance of Julian Glover is the first real guest appearance by a distinguished actor.
  
• This story has been noted for its non-stereotypical treatment of the two opposing leaders. Saladin (played by Bernard Kay) is portrayed as calculating but compassionate, while King Richard I is portrayed as volatile and at times childish.
  

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