The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe 

It's Christmas Eve, 1938, when Madge Arwell comes to the aid of an injured Spaceman Angel as she cycles home. He promises to repay her kindness - all she has to do is make a wish. Three ... See full summary »

Director:

Farren Blackburn

Writer:

Steven Moffat

Stars:

Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Matt Smith	...	The Doctor
Karen Gillan	...	Amy Pond
Arthur Darvill	...	Rory Williams
Claire Skinner	...	Madge Arwell
Maurice Cole	...	Cyril Arwell
Holly Earl	...	Lily Arwell
Alexander Armstrong	...	Reg Arwell
Sam Stockman	...	Co-Pilot
Bill Bailey	...	Droxil
Paul Bazely	...	Ven-Garr
Arabella Weir	...	Billis
Spencer Wilding	...	Wooden King
Paul Kasey	...	Wooden Queen

Storyline

It's Christmas Eve, 1938, when Madge Arwell comes to the aid of an injured Spaceman Angel as she cycles home. He promises to repay her kindness - all she has to do is make a wish. Three years later, a devastated Madge escapes war-torn London with her two children for a dilapidated house in Dorset. She is crippled with grief at the news her husband has been lost over the channel, but determined to give Lily and Cyril the best Christmas ever. The Arwells are surprised to be greeted by a madcap caretaker whose mysterious Christmas gift leads them into a magical wintry world. Here, Madge will learn how to be braver than she ever thought possible. And that wishes can come true...

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | world war two | doctor who | eleventh doctor | time traveler | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Family | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [UK] Official site [United States]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 2011 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Lincolnshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Cymru Wales

Technical Specs

Runtime:

59 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS (DTS HD MASTER AUDIO 5.1 Mix)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

Miranda Hart was offered a key role but had to pass because of a production dates clash.

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Goofs

When Madge first meets the doctor after he crashed to earth in his spacesuit, it was 1938. The passage of time revealed 3 years. When Madge received the telegram her husband was lost, it was dated 20 December 1940. Finally, when Madge was interrogated by the Androzani miners, she stated the year was 1941. Either the telegram is incorrect, or the year of the first meeting as well as the response to the Androzani interrogation was incorrect.

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Quotes

Madge Arwell: Lily and Cyril's father-my husband-is dead and they don't know yet because if I tell them now then Christmas will always be what took their father away from them, and no one should have to live like that. Of course when the Christmas period is over I shall... I don't know why I keep shouting at them.
The Doctor: Because every time you see them happy you remember how sad they're going to be. And it breaks your heart. Because what's the point in them being happy now if they're going to be sad later? The ...

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Crazy Credits

In season seven's opening credits, the Doctor Who logo is textured in a way that is relevant to the current episode.

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Connections

References The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

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Soundtracks

Doctor Who Theme
(uncredited)
Written by Ron Grainer
Arranged by Murray Gold
Performed by BBC National Orchestra of Wales

User Reviews

So amazing

Stop what you're doing and watch this now. This episode is so heartbreaking and filling and the same time. I cry sad and then happy tears. It's so funny and it has one of the most important Doctor Who quotes. "What's the point of them being happy now if they're going to be sad later? The point being, of course, that they're going to be sad later." 10/10 every time.