Synopsis: The Doctor and Romana land in Budapest, intent on enjoying another holiday, but shortly after landing they find themselves too late to save the life of a man who has seemingly been attacked by a vampire. As they learn that this is the latest in a series of violent attacks, it becomes clear that they have stumbled onto something that needs investigating.
Aided by a vampire hunter who is searching for Dracula, they look into the nearby Buda caves, currently being used for storage by the military – and find that the soldiers have problems of their own.
Stalked through the tunnels by a monster, and up against an ancient evil, the race is on to escape alive – and foil the dastardly schemes of the maniacal Zoltan Frid.
Review: Eddie Robson crafted a marvelous twist — an information vampire — named in loving homage to Jonathan Frid of Dark Shadows fame. The battle of wits between The Doctor and Zoltan Frid played like a cerebral Hammer film. Tom Baker and Mark Bonnar did Cushing and Lee proud. Kate Bracken of Being Human fame also did a lovely and ironic turn as a vampire hunter who had the wrong end of the stake.
I had one issue with the story, however. Robson didn’t include any overt references to the ancient vampire race who were immortal enemies of the Time Lords — a real missed opportunity there. Over all, though, this was a treat for me, having spent my formative years watching classic horror and classic Hinchcliffe.
You can purchase “The Labyrinth of Buda Castle” here: www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-labyrinth-of-buda-castle-994
Written By: Eddie Robson
Directed By: Nicholas Briggs
Cast
Tom Baker (The Doctor), Lalla Ward (Romana), Kate Bracken (Celia Soames), Mark Bonnar (Zoltán Frid), Peter Barrett (Guard-Major Priskin), John Dorney (Ensign Kanta), Anjella Mackintosh (Anita Kereki)
Other parts played by members of the cast
Producer David Richardson
Script Editor John Dorney
Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs
- Story, Performances
- No overt mention of the Time Lords ancient feud with another vampire species.
- Story9
- Performances10
- Audio Production10
