The Classic 'Doctor Who' DVD Release Guide

[Susan Foreman]

#68: Box Set - Dalek War
ii) Planet Of The Daleks

Release date - October 2009

Box info:
"The Third Doctor and Jo Grant face the combined might of the Daleks and the Master in these two classic 1973 adventures!"



Back cover info:
"The TARDIS arrives on Spiradon, an inhospitable planet where the vegetation is hungry and extremely dangerous. The Doctor has been badly hurt and has fallen into a coma, so it's up to his concerned assistant Jo to leave the safety of the TARDIS to find help. She soon discovers a jungle containing invisible creatures, and that the planet is hiding a terrible secret about the Doctor's oldest enemy, the Daleks..."

Special features
Disc 1

• Commentary with Katy Manning (Jo Grant), Prentis Hancock (Vaber), Tim Preece (Codal), Barry Letts (Producer) and Terrance Dicks (Script Editor)
• Subtitle Information Text

Disc 2

• Perfect Scenario: The End of Dreams (dur. 30.04) - Part 2 of a 2 part feature. Continuing his search for inspiration, scenariosmith Zed resumes his studies of twentieth century television's Doctor Who. What he finds will have a profound effect on the lives of all of the remaining sleepers in The Field of Dreams… Written by David Harley.
• The Rumble in the Jungle (dur. 16.46) - The Making Of 'Planet Of The Daleks'
• Multi-colourisation (dur. 10.47) - A look at the colour restoration of episode three
• Stripped for Action: The Daleks (dur. 13.54) - The depiction of The Daleks in the comic book adventures
• Blue Peter (dur. 12.34) - Two items from the childrens' magazine programme, featuring an appeal for any information on the theft of two Daleks from the BBC and their subsequent return
• Photo Gallery

[Susan Foreman]

#68: Box Set - Peladon Tales
i) The Curse Of Peladon

Release date - January 2010

Box info:
"The Third Doctor must face his old enemies the Ice Warriors, in these two classic 1970s adventures set on the feudal world of Peladon!"



Back cover info:
"Taking a test flight in the TARDIS, the Doctor and Jo make an inelegant landing on the planet Peladon. Mistaken for representatives from Earth, the Doctor soon finds himself chairing the committee of alien delegates assessing Peladon's petition to join the Galactic Federation. When one of the King's advisors is killed, the High Priest fears the ancient curse of Aggedor is at work, but the Doctor suspects his old enemies the Ice Warriors are to blame. Can the Doctor uncover the identity of the saboteurs before a major diplomatic incident plunges them into war?"

Special features

• Commentary with Katy Manning (Jo Grant), Barry Letts (Producer), Terrance Dicks (Script Editor) and Chris D'Oyly-John (Production Assistant). Moderated by Toby Hadoke
• Subtitle Information Text
• The Peladon Saga: Part One (dur. 23.24) - The cast and crew recall the making of both Peladon stories in this two part documentary. Part one opens with a look at the socio-political climate in the UK in the early seventies and its influence on the storylines
• Warriors of Mars (dur. 14.54) - A brief history of the Ice Warriors in Doctor Who
• Jon and Katy (dur. 7.06) - Looking back at one of the most fondly remembered Doctor/Companion pairings in the show's history - Jon Pertwee's Third Doctor and Katy Manning's scatty UNIT agent, Jo Grant
• Storyboard Comparison (dur. 2.16)
• Coming Soon Trailer: The Masque Of Mandragora (dur. 1.00)
• Photo Gallery

[Susan Foreman]

#68: Box Set - Peladon Tales
ii) The Monster Of Peladon

Release date - January 2010

Box info:
"The Third Doctor must face his old enemies the Ice Warriors, in these two classic 1970s adventures set on the feudal world of Peladon!"



Back cover info:
"When the TARDIS lands 50 years after his first visit to Peladon, the Doctor and Sarah discover a troubled planet ruled by the King's daughter. Peladon is at the centre of a war – and the Galactic Federation desperately needs a mineral found in the mines. But why is the ghost of Aggedor killing miners and why can't anyone be trusted? Queen Thalira needs the Doctor's help to find out..."

Special features
Disc 1

• Commentary with Nina Thomas (Queen Thalira), Donald Gee (Eckersley), Ralph Watson (Ettis), Stuart Fell (Alpha Centuri), Barry Letts (Producer) and Terrance Dicks (Script Editor)
• Episode 4 Commentary with fans Rob Shearman, Mark Aldridge, Kate Du-Rose and Philip Newman. Moderated by Toby Hadoke.
• Subtitle Information Text

Disc 2

• The Peladon Saga: Part Two (dur. 22.08) - Cast and crew recall the making of both Peladon stories. Part two looks at the characters and monsters featured in the stories
• Deleted Scene (dur. 1.42)
• Where Are They Now? (dur. 2.27) - David Jacobs interviews actress Ysanne Churchman, who provided the voice for alien ambassador Alpha Centauri in both Peladon stories, in this extract from the 1980 television series
• On Target: Terrance Dicks (dur. 21.25) - Feature on the Target range of Doctor Who novelizations, looking at the work of writer Terrance Dicks
• Coming Soon Trailer: The Masque Of Mandragora (dur. 1.00)
• Photo Gallery

Easter Egg:
1) Disc 2 - Highlight 'Where Are They Now?' - Press 'Left' For Logo - Enter For BBC News Story
2) Disc 2 - Page 2 - Highlight 'PDF Menu' - Press 'Right' For Logo - Enter FOr Audio Rehearsal Footage

[Susan Foreman]

#69: The Masque Of Mandragora

Release date - February 2010



Back cover info:
"After an encounter with the deadly Mandragora Helix, the Doctor and Sarah-Jane land in 15th Century San Martino. In the midst of danger, secrecy and intrigue, they witness the flowering of the Italian Renaissance

As the masque to celebrate the accession of the new Duke approaches, the Doctor realises that a third visitor has arrived with him in the TARDIS. It is a force with the power to wipe out human civilisation forever. The Doctor has brought it to Earth - and only the Doctor can stop it..."

Special features:

• Commentary with Tom Baker (The Doctor), Gareth Armstrong (Giuliano), Philip Hinchcliffe (Producer) and Chris D’Oyly-John (Production Unit Manager)
• Subtitle Information Text
• The Secret of the Labyrinth (dur. 26.24) – The making Of 'The Masque Of Mandragora'
• Bigger on the Inside (dur. 19.00) – the history and design of the Doctor’s iconic space and time machine, the TARDIS
• Now and Then (dur. 8.39) – A visit to Portmeirion to see how various parts of the village we used by the Doctor Who production team to represent renaissance Italy
• Beneath the Masque (dur. 9.39) – a spoof look at the historical impact of ‘The Masque of Mandragora’
• Trails and Continuity (dur. 2.43)
• Coming Soon Trailer: The Space Museum/The Chase (dur. 1.53)
• Photo Gallery

[Susan Foreman]

#70: Box Set
i) The Space Museum

Release date - March 2010

Box Info:

"The First Doctor sees a terrifying glimpse of his own future and is pursued through all eternity by the deadly Daleks in these two classic adventures from 1965!"



Back cover info:
"The TARDIS lands on the planet Xeros, where a vast museum houses a collection of relics from the galactic conquests of the mighty Morok Empire. Whilst they are exploring, the Doctor and his companions make a disturbing discovery: their future selves are preserved in the museum as exhibits in a display case!

Now the time travellers face a terrible dilemma: how can they escape their fate, when every decision they make could be taking them a step closer to their doom?"

Special features

• Commentary with Maureen O'Brien (Vicki), William Russell (Ian Chesterton), and Glyn Jones (writer). Moderated by Peter Purves (Steven Taylor)
• Subtitle Information Text
• Defending the Museum (dur. 9.27) - Robert Shearman provides a personal and robust defense of this story
• My Grandfather, the Doctor (dur. 10.04) - Interview with Jessica Carney, the grand-daughter of William Hartnell
• A Holiday for the Doctor (dur. 14.00) - spoof comedy recollections of sixties Doctor Who
• Coming Soon Trailer: Myths And Legends (dur. 1.35)
• Photo Gallery

[Susan Foreman]

#70: Box Set
ii) The Chase

Release date - March 2010

Box Info:

"The First Doctor sees a terrifying glimpse of his own future and is pursued through all eternity by the deadly Daleks in these two classic adventures from 1965!"



Back cover info:
"When the Doctor and his companions discover that a group of time-travelling Daleks have orders to exterminate them, a dangerous chase across time and space follows

To escape the Daleks, the TARDIS must travel from the planet Aridius to the top of the Empire State Building on Earth, and from a mysterious sailing ship to a haunted house. But there is an even greater danger waiting for the time travellers when they reach the planet Mechanus..."

Special features
Disc 1

• Commentary with Maureen O'Brien (Vicki), William Russell (Ian Chesterton), Peter Purves (Steven Taylor) and Richard Martin (Director)
• Subtitle Information Text
• Cusick In Cardiff (dur. 12.46) - Raymond Cusick, the designer of the Daleks, visits the new series production studios in Cardiff to be shown around the TARDIS set and meet the newest version of his design
• Coming Soon Trailer: Myths And Legends (dur. 1.35)

Disc 2

• The Thrill of The Chase (dur. 10.25) - director Richard Martin looks back at the making of the story
• Last Stop White City (dur. 13.15) - School teachers Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton were the first people from Earth to travel with the Doctor and his grand-daughter Susan in their time and space vehicle, the TARDIS. From their first step into the TARDIS in 'An Unearthly Child' to their departure at the end of 'The Chase', the duo were involved in sixteen thrilling adventures that captured the imagination of a generation. This documentary tells their story
• Daleks Conquer and Destroy (dur. 22.37) - Just what was the appeal of the Daleks?
• Daleks Beyond the Screen (dur. 21.55) - A look at the merchandising opportunities presented by the popularity of the Daleks over the years
• Shawcraft: The Original Monster Makers (dur. 16.58) - Documentary looking at the work of Uxbridge-based Shawcraft Models who, during the 60's, provided many of the props and models for Doctor Who
• Follow that Dalek (dur. 12.00) - 8mm amateur cine film from 1967 looking around the premises of Shawcraft Models featuring numerous props and models from Doctor Who, many seen for the first time in colour
• Photo Gallery
• Photo Gallery: Give-a-Show Slides (dur. 12' 15") - sixteen stories presented on seven slides each, as featured in the Doctor Who Give-a-Show Slide Projector toy from the 60's

[Susan Foreman]

#71: Box Set - Myths And Legends
i) The Time Monster

Release date - March 2010

Box info:
"The legendary stories of Atlantis, Jason and the Argonauts, and the Minotaur get a Doctor Who makeover in these three classic 1970s adventures!"



Back cover info:
"The Master is back! Assuming the alias of Professor Thascales at the Newton Research Unit at Cambridge University, he harbors his latest deadly plot to seize control of time itself. Can the Doctor and Jo thwart his terrible plan?

What secrets does the mysterious trident-shaped crystal hold? Why is the ancient city of Atlantis central to the Master's plan? And what mythical terror lies at the heart of the Maze? With time literally against them, the odds might just be too great for the time travelers."

Special features

• Commentary with John Levene (Sergeant Benton), Susan Penhaligon (Lakis), Barry Letts (Producer), Marion McDougall (Production Assistant), Graham Duff, Phil Ford, Joe Lidster and James Moran (Television Writers), moderated by Toby Hadoke
• Subtitle Information Text
• Between Now... and Now! (dur. 23.40) - Professor Jim Al Khalili looks at the science behind 'The Time Monster'
• Restoration comparison (dur. 3.43)
• Coming Soon Trailer: The Creature From The Pit (dur. 0.42)
• Photo gallery

[Susan Foreman]

#71: Box Set - Myths And Legends
ii) Underworld

Release date - March 2010

Box info:
"The legendary stories of Atlantis, Jason and the Argonauts, and the Minotaur get a Doctor Who makeover in these three classic 1970s adventures!"



Back cover info:
"At the very edge of the known universe, the TARDIS materializes on an aging spacecraft, the R1C. On board, the Doctor and Leela meet Jackson and his crew, who are doggedly pursuing their mission to recover the Minyan race banks from a ship that left their home planet centuries earlier.

Closing in at last on the P7E, Jackson risks everything to follow the trail into the heart of a newly formed planet. Can the Doctor face his greatest challenge yet, and secure the future of the Minyans?"

Special features

• Commentary with Tom Baker (The Doctor), Louise Jameson (Leela) and Bob Baker (Co-Writer)
• Subtitle Information Text
• Into the Unknown (dur. 30.42) – a look at the complex production of this story, with particular emphasis on the reasons for, and difficulties in achieving, the blue screen virtual studio sets
• Underworld: In Studio (dur. 17.28) – A look in the studio during the recording of the story
• Coming Soon Trailer: The Creature From The Pit (dur. 0.43)
• Photo Gallery

[Susan Foreman]

#71: Box Set - Myths And Legends
iii) The Horns Of Nimon

Release date - March 2010

Box info:
"The legendary stories of Atlantis, Jason and the Argonauts, and the Minotaur get a Doctor Who makeover in these three classic 1970s adventures!"



Back cover info:
"When the TARDIS collides with a spaceship en route to the planet Skonnos, the Doctor, Romana and K-9 soon uncover the horrible truth about its cargo. The ship is carrying the young sacrifices for a powerful, horned creature called the Nimon.

But why is the creature so desperate for the delivery, and what other dangers await the time travelers? All will be revealed at the center of the labyrinthine Power Complex on Skonnos."

Special features

• Commentary with Lalla Ward (Romana), Janet Ellis (Teka), Graham Crowden (Soldeed) and Anthony Read (Writer)
• Subtitle Information Text
• Who Peter: Partners in Time (dur. 30.07) – since the birth of Doctor Who in the sixties, it has shared an almost symbiotic relationship with the long-running BBC children’s magazine show ‘Blue Peter’. In this special documentary, some of those involved look back over the history of that relationship
• Read the Writer (dur. 6.27) – Writer Anthony Read looks back at the production of the story
• Peter Howell Music Demos (dur. 2.56) – in 1980, producer John Nathan-Turner asked Radiophonic Workshop composers for demos of their music to use over the beginning of the second episode of ‘The Horns of Nimon’. Only this demo by Peter Howell is known to exist
• Coming Soon Trailer: The Creature From The Pit (dur. 0.42)
• Photo Gallery

Easter Egg:
Special Features Menu - Highlight 'Read The Writer' - Press 'Right' For Logo - Enter For 'The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Present… “Doctor Who Names”' (dur. 1.21)

[Susan Foreman]

#72: The Creature From The Pit

Release date - May 2010



Back cover info:
"Making a forced materialisation on Chloris, the Doctor, Romana and K9 become embroiled in the political machinations of its ruler, the Lady Adrasta. The lush vegetation of the planet's surface hides a ragtag group of bandits, a giant eggshell, man-eating Wolfweeds and, within the depths of an old mining pit, something very large has a terrible secret which threatens the destruction of Chloris itself..."

Special features:

• Commentary with Lalla Ward (Romana), Myra Frances (Lady Adrasta), Christopher Barry (Director) and Mat Irvine (Visual Effects Designer)
• Subtitle Information Text
• Christopher Barry: Director (dur. 19.01) – Director Christopher Barry talks about his career
• Team Erato (dur. 15.16) - the BBC Visual Effects crew talk about the problems they faced building and operating Erato
• Animal Magic (dur. 2.35) – The fourth Doctor tells viewers of the childrens’ show 'Animal Magic' about some of the creatures he has met on his travels
• Deleted Scene (dur. 0.25)
• Coming Soon Trailer: The Kamelion Tales (dur. 1.18)