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A5: THE WEB

 

RADIO TIMES: Blake and his companions discover that Cally, their new crew member, has sabotaged the Liberator. Apparently out of control, the ship plunges on into uncharted space.

Broadcast: Monday 30th January, 1978: 7.15pm-8.10pm, BBC 1

Writer: Terry Nation

Director: Michael E Briant

"I'll tell you a fact of life, Blake! Change is inevitable!" Avon

GUEST CAST: Richard Beale (Saymon), Ania Mason (Geela), Miles Fothergill (Novara), Deep Roy, Gilda Cohen, Ismet Hassm, Marcus Powell, Molly Tweedley, Willy Shearer (Decimas)

FACT FILE

 

  • The Web was watched by 9.6m viewers.

 

  • The Decimas were all played by actors of restricted growth including the legendary Deep Roy. 

 

  • Location filming took place at Black Park in Buckinghamshire from Weds 23 - Fri 25 November 1977.

 

  • Latex cobwebs were sprayed across the trees & weather balloons were inflated to suggest giant seed pods.

 

  • A small amount of traditional animation was used for the scenes involving Novara’s punishment rod.

 

  • VFX designer Ian Scoones was responsible for the shots of the Liberator trapped in the web. Video effects provided the blue beams seen firing for the first time from the Liberator’s neutron blasters.

 

  • Studio recording for The Web commenced on Monday 12 December, 1977.

 

  • Saymon's shrunken form was achieved by using a small puppet body placed under actor Richard Beale’s face. In the original script, Saymon’s entire body was to be hidden by a life-support system, apart from his face.

 

 

EPISODE GALLERY

Please click on the image for larger view and details.

 

 

Avon and Cally

Avon and Cally

Avon (Paul Darrow) is intrigued by new recruit Cally (Jan Chappell). BBC copyright image.

Blake and Novara

Blake and Novara

Gareth Thomas (Blake) and Miles Fothergill (Novara) on location at Black Park during filming of The Web.

Decima

Decima

Deep Roy as a Decima on location at Black Park. BBC copyright image.

On location

On location

Gareth Thomas (Blake), Ania Marson (Geela) and Miles Fothergill (Novara) on location at Black Park during filming of The Web.

Jenna and Avon

Jenna and Avon

Paul Darrow and Sally Knyvette share a light-hearted moment on set during studio recording of The Web. BBC copyright image.

Jenna

Jenna

A publicity shot of Sally Knyvette taken during recording for The Web. BBC copyright image.

Jenna at the flight controls

Jenna at the flight controls

A publicity shot of Sally Knyvette taken during recording for The Web. BBC copyright image.

Blake and Avon meet the Decimas

Blake and Avon meet the Decimas

Blake (Gareth Thomas) and Avon (Paul Darrow) encounter their first alien race. BBC copyright image.

Liberator flight deck

Liberator flight deck

BBC copyright image.

The Decimas

The Decimas

BBC copyright image.

Rehearsing for The Web

Rehearsing for The Web

A rehearsal shot of Gareth Thomas on set for The Web.

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