caves of steel

[Daniel O'Brien]

Does 'The Caves of Steel' (1964) still exist in its entirety? The clip shown on BBC4's 'Machine Men' looked interesting. Plus, anything with Peter Cushing is worth a look.

[Colin Cutler]

Only clips exist I'm afraid.

Horizon ( tx. 28th July 1965 ) contained a feature on Science Fiction and the surviving film inserts from this production contain several brief clips.

A further clip ( featuring part of the title sequence and the opening scene ) was also used in an edition of ‘Tomorrow's World’, broadcast on 9th December 1965.

An article on the production ( with screengrabs from several surviving clips ) can still be found at:
www.625.org.uk/cavesofs/sb21cofs.htm

Regards
Colin

[Steve Roberts]

Don't forget the model shot of the countryside with the domes in it, which you'll be able to see soon on the Doctor Who - Inferno DVD!

Steve

[Daniel O'Brien]

Was 'Caves of Steel' shown overseas? Or did the BBC deal with Asimov preclude foreign sales? I guess I'm clutching at flimsy straws here.

[Neil Lambess]

I recall reading Asimovs comments on the BBC caves of steel many years ago in one of his books, or an issue of IASFM (his magazine)

the indication was that he had seen it and liked it. now as Asimov was a reluctant traveller, (he never flew anywhere) Ild love to know how and where he saw it.

has anybody ever attempted to contact the Asimov estate?

[Daniel O'Brien]

I guess it's possible the BBC gave Asimov a 16mm copy of the show. It may have been part of the deal. Alternatively, 'Caves of Steel' may have been shown on US TV, or at a US science fiction convention. Presumably, the BBC would have checked with Asimov's estate when they realized 'Caves of Steel' was missing from the archive.

[shanders]

don't bet on it!

[Larry Zantac]

I don't get all this presume stuff. Who are *'they* and why would they bother? Most of the staff probably don't know it is missing and even if they did, they couldn't do anything about it.

[Daniel O'Brien]

It's reasonable to assume the BBC has an up-to-date record of its archive holdings. I believe the first audit was done back in 1978, when the great purge came to an end. I'm not saying the BBC knew straight away that it didn't have 'Caves of Steel', but this was nearly 30 years ago. Asimov lived until 1992. Plenty of time for the BBC archive to ask if he had a copy. I've no idea if this happened, but maybe someone else can confirm?

[Marcus Plenty]

So with thousands of missing tv shows they would go through each missing show and ask everyone connected with it if they had a copy? I think not! You are dreaming if you believe that.

[Daniel O'Brien]

Er, no. But given Asimov's celebrity status - and the fact that 'Caves of Steel' couldn't be made without his permission - he could have requested a personal copy. The vast majority of BBC employees and contributors were in no position to dictate terms.

[LanceM]

I would bet that the Asimov Estate has been contacted by organizations to see if he was given, or still posesses any old 16mm material of his works on television. But they might of asked in the past, someone could of offered some material to the estate in recent years. There could be no harm in someone trying to find out if such material exists. Or does not exist for that matter. I have seen the existing clips of Caves of Steel, minus the upcoming effects film on the Doctor Who Inferno DVD ( Which I am dying to see, it was one of my favorite Pertwees). You hear tons of rumors about popular missing episodes, but I have never heard a thing mentioned anywhere about a print of Caves of Steel in existence. From the clips it looks really cool, the murder clip at the start of the first episode was gruesome for the era. I would hope that some more material resourfaces from this serial. Hope for the best.

Lance.

[wrightblan]

I just hope there hasn't been an estate auction of Dr. Asimov's effects, that would complicate things.