A Review by Stuart Gutteridge 31/7/99
"I`ve got a CV as long as your arm about things I`ve done in television ...There`s probably very few people who got a CVas involved and different ...I`m proud of that ."
One of the better Myth Makers interview video tapes, Peter Purves makes fascinating viewing. This is largely because he is allowed to talk at length and isn`t confined to the stereotypical questions and answers type of interview. It takes place in and around Peter`s picturesque home, and the relaxed, homely atmosphere lends itself well to the tape.
From the beginning Peter makes it obvious that entertaining (be it acting or presenting) was always his first love right back from his school days. Things move swiftly on to Doctor Who, his audition and subsequent failure to get a part in The Web Planet (it wasn`t worthy of him), to Morton Dill, and eventually to Steven Taylor. His thoughts on the character are very clear, how he would like to see him reintroduced (with power going to his head, following his appointment as leader in The Savages), his frustration at Steven`s lack of character development are just two examples. His fondness for his co-stars particularly William Hartnell is very obvious also.
Blue Peter and his time on what many consider to be the golden era of the show, gets more than a passing mention, as does his career which is now largely as a presenter. Peter Purves comes across as a thoughtful, funny, warm, candid individual, especially as this tape allows the viewer a glimpse of Peter Purves the man, rather than Peter Purves the television personality.