Who do we think has done the best job as the First Doctor on Big Finish? Personally I’m a huge fan of Bradley’s portrayal, though it’s not all that similar to Hartnell’s. At the end of the day, I see it as them both playing a character, so it doesn’t matter if they’re not identical. That being said, I wasn’t a huge fan of Noonan in Deathworld, but maybe I just wasn’t used to his voice. It felt like it had a bit of a regional accent.
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Peter Purves, while not 100% Hartnell, maybe even less than Noonan, I think his Voice just fit, every time I hear a different Voice for Hartnell when reading a Short story or a Book with the first Doctor, I hear Purves.
I also think it depends on the Stories from the two Boxsets I heard, Noonan isn’t bad but really not my cup of tea, due to his stories being much weaker compared to Bradley’s one, which get the feel of the era so right. I am sure as time goes on, Noonan will grow into the Role and hopefully gets stories that appeal much more to me, as Bradley did (it also helps that Bradley very much does the mannerism, rather than try to sound like Bill).
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I have a soft spot for Bradley. He’s far from perfect, but he feels like One to me. The little I’ve heard of Purves makes me think he’s great, too. I’m still not sold on Noonan though. He gets the mannerisms right but the voice doesn’t sound right to me.
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I love Peter Purves’ turn as the First Doctor! He’s such a good actor. The way Carol Anne Ford, Jean Marsh and especially William Russell play the role in their CompanioN Chronicles / Early Adventures are also lovely.
I haven’t heard Noonan properly, but what I have heard hasn’t compelled me too strongly. I have listened to volumes 1 and 2 of Bradley, and I quite enjoy his interpretation.
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Purves is also my favorite 1, its not a exact impression but he captures the spirit and mannerisms of Hartnell so well. While he’s a good actor I don’t actually care for Bradleys 1 that much and prefer Noonan. I feel Bradley 1 is a bit too grumpy and doesn’t capture the mischievous and silly side as well as the others do.
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