The Claws of Axos: Episode One 

When a mysterious object lands near the Nuton power complex, UNIT investigate and encounter the Axons, a group of aliens who offer the mineral axonite, which can duplicate matter, as a gift.

Director:

Michael Ferguson

Writers:

Bob Baker (by), Dave Martin (by)

Stars:

Jon Pertwee, Nicholas Courtney, Roger Delgado

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Jon Pertwee	...	Doctor Who
Nicholas Courtney	...	Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart
Roger Delgado	...	The Master
Katy Manning	...	Jo Grant
Richard Franklin	...	Captain Mike Yates
John Levene	...	Sergeant Benton
Peter Bathurst	...	Chinn
Paul Grist	...	Filer
Donald Hewlett	...	Hardiman
David Savile	...	Winser
Derek Ware	...	Pigbin Josh
Bernard Holley	...	Axon Man
Michael Walker	...	1st Radar Operator
David March	...	2nd Radar Operator (as David G. March)
Fernanda Marlowe	...	Corporal Bell

Storyline

When a mysterious object lands near the Nuton power complex, UNIT investigate and encounter the Axons, a group of aliens who offer the mineral axonite, which can duplicate matter, as a gift.

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Plot Keywords:

axon | doctor who | third doctor | alien monster | u.n.i.t. | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Family | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 March 1971 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Dungeness Beach, Kent, England, UK

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Working titles for this story included The Gift, The Friendly Invasion, The Axons and The Vampire From Space.

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Connections

Referenced in Directing Who: Michael Ferguson (2005)

User Reviews

Fun, imaginatively designed alien menace story

Review of all 4 episodes:

The Claws of Axos is well produced in most aspects with some nice sets and nice, different aliens. They disguise themselves as attractive and friendly humanoid beings but are actually hideous non-humanoid monsters. The design of them is very good.

It is another example of The Master getting in over his head trying to work with an alien race to bring death and destruction to The Doctor and humanity. There is very good stuff in each episode but also less impressive stuff. It never really goes reaches excellence being a decent but unexceptional (for Doctor Who) story.

I find the quite bizarre cameo character Pigbin Josh a pointless and silly addition but overall there is nothing bad in this adventure. It just does not ever catch fire into Doctor Who magic territory.