A Review by Richard Radcliffe 12/5/04
Tomb of the Cybermen DVD Number EIGHT
Having read the Target novelization well before I actually saw the TV version, I can't help but feel slightly let down having pictured the tombs far more grand than actually they were on TV. Saying that though, for TV, the tombs are still pretty impressive! The story itself is fantastic. Troughton's Doctor is brilliant throughout, and companions Jamie and Victoria are nothing less than very likeable. The Cybermen are pretty wooden, but for its time Tomb of the Cybermen is a real stand out. 8/10
Limited as they are by the amount of 2nd Doctor stories available, it was obvious that Tomb would be one of the first. Sharpened up pictures do show up the background detail somewhat on black and white - but it wouldn't be right to neglect these 1960s stories because of that. This was released in January 2002.
The commentary is provided by Deborah Watling and Frazer Hines. Those who have seen this pair's rapport at conventions will be familiar with the fun behind this commentary. This is a commentary where you feel you are with two mates, watching Tomb sat on the sofa. There's a fair amount of teasing, and it's jolly good fun all round. The production text is rather brilliant too as usual.
Onto the features - An introduction to the story by Director Morris Barry, shot for the Video release in 1992 is pleasant enough. Joan Bakewell interviews Jack Kine (Visual Effects) in a Late Night Line-up feature - interesting to see how interviews were so static and forced in those days. Jack Kine tries to inject some grisly humour in there, but he seems much too stage struck for any spontaniety.
My favourite part of the release is the Tombwatch featurette. When Tomb was rediscovered in 1992 there was a convention organized. Along came significant contributors to watch and comment on the new find. Producer Peter Bryant, Director Morris Barry, Script Editor Victor Pemberton, Frazer Hines, Deborah Watling, Shirley Cooklin (Kaftan), Michael Kilgariff (Cyber Controller), Clive Merrison (Callum) all make an appearance - quite a role call. Their comments are hugely interesting. More of these kind of convention panels extras would be tremendous.
The Final End is a reconstruction of the Dalek battle that ended Evil of the Daleks - the previous story in the second Doctors era. It's a fine piece, giving us a good idea of this missing story. A restoration featurette is for those interested in comparing the programme before and after the DVD clean-up. It just shows the attention to detail, and how much effort has gone into the new format. Title sequence tests include tests and unused graphics for the Troughton credits.
Some easter eggs and photo gallery finish this crammed DVD. Main menu, highlight Play All. Press Up Arrow. Logo illuminates, press Select - clean opening titles. Main menu, highlight Play All. Press Up Arrow. Logo illuminates. Press Right Arrow, Cyber Logo illuminates. Press Right Arrow twice, Cyber Logo moves right. If you press left over the second Doctor picture a circle will appear. Press select - Vidfire test footage of Doctor and Victoria in TARDIS. Second special features menu. Select Audio Options. Press left arrow. Logo Illuminates, press select - audio trailer for ,a href=abom.htm>The Abominable Snowmen. The Abominable Snowmen trailer is the only item of interest amongst the easter eggs to be honest.
Tomb of the Cybermen is a substantial DVD package. With jewel in the crown is the Tombwatch featurette, but commentary, production notes, Dalek battle are all well worth watching. 9/10
The Ark in Space DVD Number NINE
It always astounds me when I watch this story how blatantly obvious, so early on, how perfect Tom Baker is in the role of the Doctor. Never has somebody more suited to playing the Time Lord - he remains the best, and I would be amazed if he will be bettered. He was fortunate to start so well - his first 3 seasons being amongst the best. This was his first great story. The wonderful companions Harry and Sarah-Jane along too. Robert Holmes with a terrific bit of sci-fi. It's a glorious story. 9/10
Having released seven stories thus far on DVD, following the initial Five Doctors, and having featured seven Doctors, you kind of expect (in retrospect) a first Doctor story. But two black and whites together wasn't deemed feasible (more restoration needed perhaps, less sales for the B & W?). Instead we get another perceived classic from the colour era, early Tom Baker - you can't go wrong really. Released in April 2002, one disc, and incidentally the very first I bought!
This remains unique (as at mid 2004) as the one where Tom Baker joins the commentary. Taking nothing away from Philip Hinchcliffe and Elizabeth Sladen - it's Bakers voice that stands out, as it always does wherever he is. It's a tremendous commentary too - each of the three giving information, and showing enjoyment. It's interesting to hear Liz Sladen's unsatisfaction with her role at this stage, never heard that before - thank goodness she stayed! The production notes are here again too. I really don't need to tell you anymore that I really like these!
An alternative special effects sequence can be viewed as part of this DVD. For the first time you can view these as part of the story, or not. The new ark and spaceship is extremely good - and I preferred the new effects on. The CGI walkthrough of the ark is not as impressive as I expected however. It's an animated production revealing the schematics of Nerva - but too much like Star Trek technobabble books. Model shots of the rocket lift off and Wirrn Spacewalk are interesting to model people (not one I'm afraid), and go on and on and on.
An unused title sequence shows how Tom Baker looks on Jon Pertwee's final season credits. There's also a trailer from Part One - how old does that look!
A specially recorded interview with Roger Murray-Leach gives Nerva's designer his due. He also discusses a few other stories, but it is the marvelous ark designs that get my salute. An interview with Tom Baker just after he took over the role, down Wookey Hole, is fascinating. One of these local news pieces. Tom Baker seems rather hassled at being interrupted though, even though he tries to be nice.
Making its first appearance on DW DVDS is the TARDIS Cam. Mike Tucker and his mates have got together, plonked the TARDIS in an unusual setting, and let the camera roll for a minute. They are fine model shots, and being the owner of a number of TARDIS pictures (dotted about the house) I really like them. This is the one with the Cyber head. Another photo gallery rounds things off.
But not quite the finish, for the happy remote user there's the easter eggs. Go to Episode Selection on Main Menu. On Episode One, press the Up Arrow. Logo illuminates. Press Select. You get to see a Production Slate used during the filming - Wow! More interesting is the next Easter Egg. Go to Special Features Menu. Highlight the Tom Baker interview option. Press Left Arrow. Logo illuminates. Press Select. Here's a promo for the Blackpool exhibition. If you stay long enough around after Episode Four, you get another exhibition promo.
Ark in Space is a must have DVD, simply because the great man gives us a commentary. It's nice to see new model shots, and the TARDIS cam. The Roger Murray-Leach interview could have been longer, but he has worked on other stories, no doubt we will see him again. The little bits and pieces of the rest are always fun to see. A strong package. 8/10
Carnival of Monsters DVD Number TEN
A story that is very untypical of the Pertwee era. Ironically it's also one of the best of that era. Robert Holmes gives us a wonderfully imaginative story, and the set designers come up trumps with the insides of the miniscope. Pertwee excellent, Katy Manning lovely. Harry Sullivan screen test thrown in for good measure. My wife loves the Pertwee era - UNIT and all that. It's her favourite type of Who, but she hates this one. A ringing endorsement if ever I heard one. 9/10
The third release of 2002 brings us our second Pertwee DVD. Interesting that they decided on an atypical adventure, good choice though. Coming out in July 2002, this was a story that I suspect was many's first look at Pertwee - thanks to Five Faces season back in the early 80s.
The commentary in this DVD is provided by Producer/Director Barry Letts and actress Katy Manning. The contrast has never been more pronounced. Letts' fairly serious approach is punctuated with squeals of delight by the totally mad Katy. It's a tremendous amount of fun just being a part of it. I really think the production text has improved too - more quotes are finding themselves into there.
Four minutes of extended and deleted scenes is a surprise. But I think a lot of these extras are thanks to Barry Letts, whose story this is more than anyones. They're from the end of Part 2, and can be viewed subtitled. Letts also chips in with the Director's amended ending. He spoke about baldcaps coming off heads a lot in the commentary - here he gets to delete the worst case totally.
A strange Delaware alternative title sequence, synthesiser version isn't a patch on the one we know and love. A behind the scenes clip from Looking In (1972) shows a bit of chaos. Model test film is again good for those model makers amongst you (Drashig puppets and spaceships here). A CSO Demo from Mr Letts himself is rather too Training Video for my tastes, but at the time it must have seemed like magic.
With the Five Faces Trailer I got to feel 13 again, but you can't help but feel the choice of stories could have been better. A photo gallery is present here too.
The second TARDIS Cam from the BBCi website sees Escape Through the Vortex. Preferred the Cyber Head, chaps. For those of you looking for easter eggs, only one, I'm afraid. Go to Special Features Menu. At Delaware Opening Titles option press Left Arrow. Logo illuminates. Press Select - clean Pertwee credits if you want them.
Despite the fun commentary, and the surprise of extra scenes, I was a little disappointed by this DVD. Maybe we've been spoilt since, but there we are. 6/10
The Aztecs DVD Number ELEVEN
I have never been as enthusiastic about The Aztecs as most. The Native American civilization has never been one to catch my attention for too long, and I could never watch it without noting the lack of Native Americans in it! But this was the 1960s, and it all makes more sense on reflection now. As a story I have always found it not too original, but still okay. Then there's the fake fighting, the Doctor's callous treatment of Cameca, over the top villain - too many distractions for a really good tale. 7/10
Watching it again on super duper DVD brings out the good and the bad. The sets are given their due attention - and suddenly the whole show was seen in a new light. I began to get into the spirit of what they were trying to achieve - how difficult it was to turn the show around so quickly, and how much effort had gone in from all concerned. That's the good. The bad is still there though - made clearer by the Restorers, but no less impressive. Released in October 2002 it was nice to see the first Doctor debut on DVD. Interesting that they should go for an historical - maybe they are alternating stories (past and future) like the TV series did.
Through no fault of the production, the wrong people are doing the commentary. It should be any combination of Jacqueline Hill, William Hartnell, John Lucarotti and John Crockett. They have all passed away though, so we get Verity Lambert (producer), William Russell (Ian) and Carole Ann Ford (Susan). Verity Lambert has plenty to say, mostly how the whole thing holds up pretty well. William Russell tends to agree with her, and exclamations of "Oh, I remember that" are not followed up with any insights. Carole Ann Ford is largely redundant, and really shouldn't be on here. Fine production notes are well worth checking out though.
Where this DVD excels in is other comments from those involved 40 years
ago. Walter Randall (Tonila), John Ringham (Tlotoxl) and Ian Cullen (Ixta)
are interviewed in Remembering the Aztecs. Their memories are better than
the commentary team. Even though John Ringham thinks his performance was
over the top, he gives a fine idea of how the TV production works. Ian
Cullen too is particularly insightful, and very enthusiastic. It's 30
minutes of high class reminisces.
Restoring The Aztecs is chance for the Restoration Team to show how
they cleaned the whole thing up. Before/after comparisons are here - nice
to see the work involved, and at 8 minutes it doesn't extend itself.
Making Cocoa is an attempt at South Park humour (without the swearing).
It's strangely lacking in humour, and rather informative about something I
will never make!
<>A Blue Peter feature with Valerie Singleton, taken from 1970 tells us
about Cortez and Montezuma. A recent DWM gave a whole issue to Blue Peter
and Doctor Who - I expect plenty of material on these DVDS. An
Arabic Episode 4 is the odd part of the disc. Alternative incidental music
too. Shows how DW spread far and wide.
Six random voice-overs present different intro sequences for our
enjoyment. Tlotoxl, Tonila and Ixta provide these when you Select Play All
on the Main Menu. The disc is full of the most interesting photos from The Aztecs (the designs), and there's more in the photo
gallery to enjoy.
TARDIS Cam No 3 wings its way to us, via the BBCi website. This time
the TARDIS is in an alien desert. The easter egg is a bit mundane: Special
Features Menu. Press Left Arrow on Intro Sequences. Logo illuminates.
Press Select - BBC Enterprises globe logo.
Resurrection of the Daleks DVD Number TWELVE
This has always been one of my least favourite stories of the 80s, and
possibly amongst the whole of Who. It's not often I totally pull
apart a story - and I'm not going to here either - but I simply don't like
the story that much. I think the acting is poor, the spaceship is dull,
Davros and the Daleks look and act stupid. It's full of killings, and
everyone runs around for no apparent reason. It's full of death, and all
rather depressing way the Doctor is useless, having little effect
throughout, or at the resolution (you just know he isn't going to kill
Davros - and it makes the Doctor look extremely weak that he faffs about
so much). Tegan's leaving is so low key, and it makes the Doctor look bad.
There is some good in there though - the London docks setting is
impressive, and there's some great photographs to be had in front of Tower
Bridge. Not one of my favourites. 5/10
It is inevitable, with all that Doctor Who has to offer, that
stories come out on DVD that are not amongst your favourite. The question
is then, do you buy it or not? The standard of the extras on Doctor
Who DVDs persuaded this fan that he would buy them all, in spite of
some (not many I hasten to add) duffers! DVD released in November 2002.
The commentary is provided by Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Matthew
Robinson (Director). Davison tends to be the fun loving, irreverent member
of the family. Janet Fielding just doesn't take anything seriously - it
makes for a lot of laughs. Matthew Robinson demands silence for a few
scenes, and the actors become very fond of pointing out where the boom
shadows are. It's all lighthearted and jovial. The production text gives
us all the info we need.
Appearing for the first time on DW DVDs, On Location seeks to
compare then and now. Such a vast change has come over that dark, dockland
area, it becomes quite an architectural appreciation exercise! This is
however more than just a then and now comparison. Matthew Robinson and
Eric Saward are interviewed on the aforementioned street. JNT pops up too,
in a cafe nearby. He doesn't look well, and this is his last interview I
believe. On Location is a brilliant feature for us location seekers - and
it's wonderful that it became part and parcel of these Doctor Who
DVDs.
The original trailer for Part 1 is here, as are some extended and
deleted scenes. In fact there are a full seven minutes worth of these.
Early edits from when the story was a four parter dominate, but there is
plenty that didn't make it into this production.
A Breakfast Time featurette from 1984 sees Janet Fielding and JNT
interviewed. I have never seen Janet Fielding off camera, and where that
posh voice comes from I don't know! Another featurette concerning the
music (Brian Hodgson and Malcolm Clarke cameos) fleshes this out more.
TARDIS Cam 4 features an underwater seabase, and is rather over with
too quickly. A photo gallery gives us lots of those wonderful Tower Bridge
photos. Silly sound effects usher in each new picture as usual. There's
more off camera photos here, which are usually more interesting.
There's an option again to view the whole production with isolated
music, for all those budding composers (and those who just enjoy TV
music). Couple of easter eggs to find here:- Special Features Menu. Press
Left Arrow on BBC Trailer option. Logo illuminates. Original VT Countdown
from before the programme. Special Features Menu. Press Left Arrow on
Photo Gallery. Logo illuminates. 5th Doctor opening and closing title
sequences without captions.
I'm not too keen on Resurrection of the Daleks'
story as it is, but the DVD features not a great many extras that impress
either. The only worthy addition is the On Location feature, with its
interviews with producer, script editor and director. At only 20 minutes
though this could have been much longer. The commentary is pretty good,
but can't save this average DVD. 6/10