This story belongs to the early era of the show where "historical" serials contained no alien threats or sci-fi elements outside of the Doctor and his TARDIS crew.
Here is a solid feature breakdown of this classic piece of television history: 🎭 The Premise Doctor Who Season 1 - Episode 39
Set during the French Revolution in 1794, the TARDIS crew finds themselves scattered and fighting for survival during the bloody "Reign of Terror". 🔑 Key Episode Features This story belongs to the early era of
While Episode 39 itself still exists in the BBC archives, other parts of this specific serial were lost when the BBC wiped tapes in the 1960s and 70s. It was later bridged for commercial release using high-quality animation for the missing installments. Doctor Who episode 39: A Change of Identity (22/8/1964) It was later bridged for commercial release using
In the original 1963 run of , the 39th individual broadcast episode is "A Change of Identity" . This is Part 3 of the 6-part historical serial The Reign of Terror (Season 1, Story 8).
To rescue his captured companions, the First Doctor (William Hartnell) utilizes a magnificent disguise. Donning a flamboyant feathered hat and using his masterful acting skills, he successfully poses as a high-ranking regional Citizen Functionary to bluff his way into the Conciergerie prison.
Behind the scenes, this was a highly stressful shoot. Director Henric Hirsch famously suffered from exhaustion and collapsed during the production block due to the intense pressures of filming at Lime Grove Studios and handling a demanding cast. 🎬 Production & Continuity Facts Original Airdate: August 22, 1964.