The Faceless Ones is one of the lost Doctor Who serials. The original footage for all but two of its episodes was eliminated by the BBC sometime between the late Sixties and late Seventies. However, the audio still exists and so the story was created for this fully animated release. The adventure has the Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) investigating the sinister Chameleon Airlines at Gatwick Airport. This was an interesting entry.
What separates The Faceless Ones from other serials is that it has kind of a Cold War spy-like feel as the Doctor has to outwit and outmaneuver a group of aliens pretending to be humans. The villains feel a little different than your regular extraterrestrial foes. They're motivations are more nuanced and there is more individuality amongst their ranks.
The cast is fine in this. The airport commandant (Colin Gordon) might be up there with some of the best authority figures who don't trust the Doctor at first. He has such a huffy manner.
It's a good story but like many DW six-parters the long length is to its disadvantage as, especially in the first third, things can feel too stretched out.
This is a change from previous DW restorations. In the past, they'd just animate the lost parts. This one has two existing live-action episodes, but they chose to animate those too. From what I understand, it was done to not confuse those unfamiliar with the situation. I see the argument, but I'm disappointed I don't get to see the original episodes as they truly were. All the episodes are in color (the original was black-and-white), and I'm also disappointed we don't get the original Sixties feel.
The character design is like if Archer was a lot sketchier. Not the biggest fans of them, but I appreciate how fluid the movement is in this. Gives a lifelike feel. I guess you have to sacrifice one element for another. Compared to photos of how the aliens originally looked, I was disappointed how they were animated. The designs don't quite match and loses some of the eeriness.
I'm not saying this is the best Doctor Who episode, but it is an enjoyable one. Highly recommended to any fan.
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