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Doctor Who review: Pyramids of Mars (and why it’s one of the greatest stories)

By James Aggas

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The Fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane have to stop an ancient evil in the Pyramids of Mars.

(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC. Image obtained from: BBC Press.)

With Sutekh’s return in the Fourth Doctor Adventures, we take a look at his original appearance in Pyramids of Mars, and find out why it’s one of the greatest Doctor Who stories ever made.

In top ten polls that cover the whole of Doctor Who, you’ll regularly see Pyramids of Mars show up. For example, in 2014, the story came at number eight in a poll for Doctor Who Magazine.

But what is it about the story that makes it so special? It doesn’t have a huge impact on the show’s mythology, after all. On television, the ancient and evil godlike being Sutekh has only ever appeared in this story.

Nothing major occurs either, like a regeneration or a new companion’s introduction. So why is it so fondly remembered by fandom?

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Watching the story, there are several clear reasons why. Firstly, the production is fantastic. Everything about it feels extremely polished, with a huge attention to detail. Paddy Russell clearly did an excellent job directing Pyramids of Mars.

Horror and violence

Another important reason is the horror. Without a doubt, Pyramids of Mars is definitely a horror story. It’s not simply the fact that it features walking mummies and ancient tombs.

The story also features a lot of violence. In fact, one of the cliffhangers, (and possibly one of the greatest in Doctor Who,) features a man burning to death at the hands of Sutekh’s servant. It’s quite a shocking moment to watch, and it’s certainly memorable!

But it’s not just the fact that the story features death. It’s also how many deaths have an impact. This is due to how many likable characters there are in the story.

Even the poacher, Ernie Clements, who barely has a couple of lines, is a memorable character. You see him trapped in a bad situation like everyone else, and you really do want him to escape. The fact that the story is so utterly ruthless with even the most likable characters adds a great deal to the horror.

The story is also rich with atmosphere. It pays a lot of tribute to classic Hammer horror movies, and feels like one. It’s hard not to imagine Peter Cushing in Bernard Archard’s role of the possessed Marcus Scarman.

Gabriel Woolf plays Sutekh in the Pyramids of Mars.

(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC. Image obtained from: BBC Press.)

Strong cast

Speaking of which, there is a very strong cast for this story. Archard is utterly chilling as Scarman. He comes across as a walking, talking zombie, with no real will of his own.

Michael Sheard is also brilliant as his brother, Laurence. His part in particular adds some emotional weight to the story, as he can’t face up to the idea that his brother is really dead, possessed only by the will of Sutekh. He’s a very likable character overall, especially when he gets to help the Fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane.

But the real standout is Gabriel Woolf as Sutekh himself. Which is funny, for two reasons. First, he doesn’t actually appear that much in the story. It’s only towards the end of part two that Sutekh finally shows up.

Secondly, you never see his face, or even very animated. This is because the entire time, Sutekh is completely immobile and sitting in a chair and wearing a mask.

So why does Woolf’s performance stand out? It’s because he adds so much power with his voice. He makes Sutekh an utterly convincing god, and that all comes down to his vocal performance. It’s not surprising that Big Finish have used the character twice now. In fact, it’s more surprising that the character wasn’t brought back sooner.

High stakes

But before Woolf comes along, the story is still able to convince us that Sutekh is a great threat. Part of that comes down to the writing, as we’re given strong hints of how dangerous Sutekh is. The standout scene features the Doctor, Sarah Jane and Laurence in the TARDIS. Sarah Jane wants to know why they can’t just leave, as they know Sutekh didn’t destroy the world in 1911.

The Doctor then shows her why: taking her to 1980, they find a completely devastated Earth, with no life left on it. It’s a brilliant moment, and really gets across just how high the stakes are.

It’s also a great reminder that whatever threats the Doctor faces across history, they’re always threats that need to be defeated. No matter what we know from the “real history”.

Sarah Jane Smith, Laurence Scarman and the Fourth Doctor have to join together to face Sutekh and his forces.

(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC. Image obtained from: BBC Press.)

Tom Baker

But the thing that sells it most is Tom Baker’s absolutely brilliant performance. He’s compelling to watch, and his Doctor takes the threat incredibly seriously, from start to finish.

Sometimes, you’ll see his Doctor play the fool constantly in other stories. While it’s funny to watch, the utterly serious and alien performance he gives in Pyramids of Mars is far more engrossing.

He completely sells just how dangerous and unstoppable Sutekh is, and he’s just incredible to watch, from start to finish. It’s probably one of his very best performances in the role.

Pyramids of Mars has long been a fan favorite. And it’s very easy to see why, too. With an excellent production, an incredibly strong cast, and a story rich in atmosphere and horror, it’ll continue to be a fan favorite for a long time to come.

Next: The Eighth Doctor and Susan – what happened to the Doctor’s granddaughter?

Are you a fan of Pyramids of Mars? Do you remember when you first watched it? Is it one of Tom Baker’s best stories? Let us know in the comments below.

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