<P> The 77 - minute episode shows the last day of the Time War , in which the War Doctor ( John Hurt ) chooses to kill both Daleks and his own race of Time Lords to end the destructive conflict , paralleling this with a present - day choice by paramilitary organisation UNIT to destroy London rather than allow an alien invasion . Revising the back story , the Doctor succumbs to Clara Oswald 's plea to change his mind ; and instead , at the last instant of the Time War , he hides his war - torn home planet in time , rather than destroy it . Unfortunately the time distortions incurred causes all but his latest incarnation to have no memory of his changed decision . </P>
<P> The 77 - minute episode shows the last day of the Time War , in which the War Doctor ( John Hurt ) chooses to kill both Daleks and his own race of Time Lords to end the destructive conflict , paralleling this with a present - day choice by paramilitary organisation UNIT to destroy London rather than allow an alien invasion . Revising the back story , the Doctor succumbs to Clara Oswald 's plea to change his mind ; and instead , at the last instant of the Time War , he hides his war - torn home planet in time , rather than destroy it . Unfortunately the time distortions incurred causes all but his latest incarnation to have no memory of his changed decision . </P>
when does day of the doctor take place
when does day of the doctor take place
the last day of the Time War
the last day of the Time War