 This story was a replacement for a postponed and ultimately abandoned David Whitaker six-parter about sixteenth century Spain after the Armada, which was to have been directed by Gerald Blake.
It is reported that the idea for a French Revolution story was suggested by cast member William Russell (who plays Ian Chesterton).
In a number of listing guides during the 1970’s, this story was called "The French Revolution". This appears to derive from a promotional article in the BBC listings magazine Radio Times entitled "Dr Who and the French Revolution".
Director Henric Hirsch suffered from exhaustion during the making of this story, and was unable to direct episode 3, "A Change of Identity". John Gorrie (who had previously directed "The Keys of Marinus") temporarily stepped in. John Gorrie however, did not receive an on-screen credited for his involvement in this episode.
The second episode features Doctor Who's first ever location filming with a second-unit taping a body double for William Hartnell in a poplar-lined lane at White Plains near Denham and on a lane and a field at Gerrards Cross both in Buckinghamshire. These shots were with Brian Proudfoot doubling for William Hartnell (as he was busy rehearsing for "The Sensorites") and were used to depict The Doctor walking through the countryside supposedly toward Paris.
William Russell appeared in episodes 2 and 3 ("Guests of Madame Guillotine" and "A Change of Identity") only in pre-taped inserts, as the actor was on holiday during the recording of these episodes.
We learn that the French Revolution it seams is The Doctor's favourite period of Earth history. As usual he has no money on him and is forced to barter with his ring.
Susan's first scene in the first story of the show, "An Unearthly Child", involved Barbara Wright lending her a book on the French Revolution, which Susan then opened and began to vocally criticise.
Unfortunately only the first three episodes and episode six currently exist in the BBC Archives. All six episodes were reported missing from the BBC Film and Videotape Library following an audit in 1978. However, a copy of the sixth episode,"Prisoners of Conciergerie", was returned by a private collector in 1982. Then the first three episodes, "A Land of Fear", "Guests of Madame Guillotine" and "Change of Identity", along with another copy of the sixth episode, "Prisoners of Conciergerie" were returned, in December 1984, from CBC in Cyprus. As a result, only two episodes (four, "The Tyrant of France", and five, "A Bargain of Necessity",) are currently still missing.
For the planned VHS video release of this story Carole Ann Ford recorded an introduction and a segment to bridge the missing two episodes. However, this part of the VHS release was cancelled. Her linking narration (but not introduction) can be heard on this tape.
The remaining episodes of this story were released as part of "The Reign of Terror Collectors' Box Set" in November 2003. These were the final Doctor Who episodes to be released on VHS by BBC Worldwide.
This story was released on DVD in January 2013 with full-length animated reconstructions of its missing episodes.
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The Firsts:
The first Doctor Who story to contain location filming.
The first story that is only partially held. It is complete except for episodes four and five.
The first Doctor Who story to be written by Dennis Spooner.
The first Doctor Who story to be directed by Henric Hirsch.
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(Position = 103 out of 159)
(Position = 144 out of 200)
(Position = 170 out of 241)
