The Pirate Planet - On location

At the end of the school year I went on a school trip to Wales, apart from getting to see a bit of my country before I migrate, for a couple of years at least.  On the schedule were visits to Big Pit and Dan yr Ogof caves, both locations used for Pirate Planet episode 2.  As soon as the kids were out the way, I grabbed some photos...

The mine head most prominently appears first making the Pirate mine system look exactly like the Welsh coal mine it is...

We pan right to other buildings still easily identifiable today.

Although the heroes keep running right the next shot has them doubling back into the red brick building on the left and running down the ramp inside into the base of the mine head.

The bottom of the ramp leads into the bay with the cages that descend into the mine. Although clearly the same location, specific details are hard to identify today and the cage appears rather more substantial than in 1978.

The next location shots sent in the mine has the action move to Dan yr Ogof caves which are rather more ragged and natural in appearance than Big Pit. The caves are extensive but the filming took place in the large Cathedral cave, largely around one bend in the cave system.

The first shot of the Doctor and Romana is on this section of the cave, today brightly lit in yellow light the shape of the tunnel and markings on the wall distinctive.

Shortly after the Captain’s guards arrive and the hero’s run around the corner above with the following shot looking at the same corner but from the other side...

A quick trip to Wales and two well known tourist spots gave a little view of a story less well known for its location work!

Resurrection of the Daleks - Locations

All location work for Resurrection was carried out around Shad Thames, and area of warehouses for shipping from the Thames.  By the 1980s it was disused and derelict, many programmes have filmed here including the Callan film (1984) which I saw just last week.  Resurrection filmed around several streets connected by just a walk of minutes, which have since seen extensive redevelopment in recent decades.

The Tardis arrives on the edge of the wharf nearest Tower Bridge making the location immediately recognisable.

We pan left to see the Tardis arrive.

The crew leave the Tardis and walk down the passage on the left.

This passage is seen from the other side a few times during the story as characters are chased down it.

The main street behind is very distinctive with the metal walkways and is viewed from many angles but the walkways themselves are distinctive though working out the exact positioning is a little tricky.

One of the most spectacular shots being the Dalek pushed into the street!

Another street joining this is where the Colonel tries to make a phone all but is killed by Lytton’s policemen.

The end of the main street is seen at the end of the story when Lytton and henchmen calmly walk away, later to appear in Attack of the Cybermen.

As I sign off from life in London, it was a nice walk around to see a notable location one last time!