Dalek

From the BBC TV Series Doctor Who

The Daleks were created by TERRY NATION in 1963 and featured in the second story in the new Sci-F TV Series DOCTOR WHO starring William Hartnell. DOCTOR WHO was the brainchild of SYDNEY NEUMAN and was produced by VERITY LAMBERT. The 6 part story ‘The ‘Daleks’ was directed by CHRISTOPHER BARRY and RICHARD MARTIN.

The Dalek was designed by RAYMOND CUSICK and is a masterful exercise in budgetary and practical limitations which enhance the simple design. The robotic machines are actually an armoured plated machine with a seldom seen creature within. The creature coexists with the machine casing. The creatures have evolved, and in fact were engineered for survival by the lead scientist Davros. They are without emotion, and possess only the instinct to survive and dominate. They will EXTERMINATE anyone or anything that stands in their way.

They glide along, with only the small signalling lights on their dome blinking when the Dalek is speaking. The voice of the Daleks is superbly realised with the actors vocalisation distorted through a ‘ring modulator’, achieving a distinctly alien sound.

The Daleks are iconic.

They have been popular with audiences for over 60 years, arguably even more famous than Doctor Who himself.