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Doctor Who: The Dæmons

Name: Doctor Who: The Dæmons
Director: Christopher Barry
Released: 1971
Duration: 125 min

Representation Score

0.9/10

Minimal

1971

Director

Christopher Barry

Runtime

125 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Dæmons is set in the early 1970s and follows the social and demographic norms of British broadcasting at the time. It centers on the tension between science and superstition without challenging broader social structures. The story explores the evolution of intelligence and the 'will to power' in a narrow demographic context. The cast and dynamics reflect the era’s traditional hierarchies and casting practices. Overall, the production emphasizes the central conflict of logic versus superstition over diverse representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Doctor Who: The Dæmons have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The story includes no visible LGBTQ+ characters or explorations of non-straight relationships. Social dynamics follow the typical standards of 1971 television, assuming everyone is straight.

How does Doctor Who: The Dæmons portray gender?

Limited

The narrative follows traditional gender roles. The Third Doctor leads intellectually, while female characters like Jo Grant mostly support him.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Doctor Who: The Dæmons?

Minimal

The cast is mainly white and uniform, fitting the rural English village setting. There are no non-Anglo-Saxon characters included.

How does Doctor Who: The Dæmons represent religion and culture?

Fair

The plot uses religious symbols and local folklore, focusing on conflict. Scientific logic and institutional authority take precedence over traditional community structures.

Does Doctor Who: The Dæmons include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible representations of physical, neurodivergent, or mental health disabilities. Characters are defined by their roles in the scientific or occult conflict.

Present on Screen

The narrative offers a sophisticated look at the evolution of intelligence and the 'will to power.'
It uses local folklore and religious symbols to create a tense atmosphere of occult conflict.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight relationships.
Female characters are often relegated to supporting roles under masculine leadership.
The cast is highly uniform, lacking racial or ethnic diversity beyond the Anglo-Saxon setting.
There is no visible engagement with disability or neurodivergent representation.

Official Synopsis

On the eve of May Day, dark elemental forces begin to disturb the village of Devil's End as the Master summons the demon Azal: unexplained murders, a stone gargoyle come to life, and a nigh-impenetrable infernal energy dome. With the Master fully prepared to destroy the Earth, the Doctor and UNIT - aided by a benevolent practitioner of witchcraft - battle the wicked rites of a secret science wielded by an alien from another world.

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