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Doctor Who: The Web of Fear

Name: Doctor Who: The Web of Fear
Director: Douglas Camfield
Released: 1968
Duration: 150 min

Representation Score

2.4/10

Limited

1968

Director

Douglas Camfield

Runtime

150 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This production stands out due to its contrast between the social limitations of its time and its forward-thinking portrayal of women. Despite the lack of racial and LGBTQ+ diversity, the character of Liz Shaw offers a sophisticated example of female intellectual ability to act that challenges contemporary stereotypes. However, the narrative remains firmly rooted in traditional social values. By focusing the conflict on the organized response of military and scientific bodies, the story upholds established institutional hierarchies without questioning them. Overall, the film is a study in Gothic horror that successfully challenges gender norms while maintaining the demographic and structural conservatism of 1968.

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Category Breakdown

Does Doctor Who: The Web of Fear have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not depict any queer identities or provide any non-straight subtext. The character interactions focus solely on survival.

How does Doctor Who: The Web of Fear portray gender?

Good

Liz Shaw is portrayed as a highly capable scientist who acts as an equal to the Doctor. She breaks the damsel-in-distress stereotype by playing a significant role in driving the story.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Doctor Who: The Web of Fear?

Limited

The cast is predominantly made up of white British actors, reflecting the demographics of the time. The Yeti are presented as non-human threats rather than ethnic symbols.

How does Doctor Who: The Web of Fear represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story emphasizes the importance of structured, authoritative responses from military and scientific organizations. It prioritizes institutional stability over critical views of Western society.

Does Doctor Who: The Web of Fear include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no main characters or storylines focusing on physical or neurodivergent disabilities. The tension revolves around the external biological threat.

Present on Screen

Liz Shaw breaks the damsel-in-distress stereotype by acting as a competent scientific peer.
The narrative gives a significant role in driving the story to female characters involved in the scientific investigation.

Limited or Absent

The cast lacks racial and ethnic diversity, reflecting the period's demographic homogeneity.
There is no depiction of LGBTQ+ identities or subtext.
The story does not include representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

The TARDIS narrowly avoids becoming engulfed in a cobwebby substance in space. It arrives in the London Underground railway system, the tunnels of which are being overrun by the web and by the Great Intelligence's robot Yeti. The time travellers learn this crisis was precipitated when Professor Travers, whom they first met in the Himalayas some thirty years earlier, accidentally caused one of the Yeti to be reactivated, opening the way for the Intelligence to invade again.

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