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Review Warner Home Video / Them [1954]
Actors & Directors
  • Gordon Douglas
  • Joan Weldon
  • Onslow Stevens
  • James Arness
  • Edmund Gwenn
  • James Whitmore
Release date: 2003-02-17
Run time: 89 min.
RRP: £13.99
Price: £3.97

Review Them [1954] / Warner Home Video:

An early entry in the 1950s cycle of creature-feature pictures, Them! is the one about hordes of ants mutated to a giant size by the first A-bomb test. An exciting, persuasive exercise in paranoid science fiction, it exhibits an interesting tension between cautious warning about irresponsible tampering with the atom and a Cold War vision of the authorities taking on extraordinary powers to combat a threat to the country. It begins as an eerie desert mystery, with New Mexico cop James Whitmore investigating disappearances and deaths: a mobile-home and a general store are crushed as if tanks have rolled over them, a shopkeeper is found dead of a huge injection of formic acid, quantities of sugar have been stolen (the film's sole straight-faced joke) and a catatonic little girl is shocked into shrieking "them, them!". FBI agent James Arness takes charge and a plaster-cast of a strange imprint summons a father and daughter investigative team from the Department of Agriculture, cherubic Edmond Gwenn and smart-suited Joan Taylor. Law-enforcement, military and scientific experts deduce the nature of the problem and take swift, decisive action to counteract the danger. Director Gordon Douglas stages several great monster-suspense scenes: a first encounter in a sandstorm, a venture into a poisoned nest, a glimpse of horror at sea, and a finale in the Los Angeles storm drains. On the DVD: Them! has the wonderful scarlet-lettered, shrieking title on an otherwise sharp-looking black and white print. An amusing newspaper-style menu uses original artwork from the lurid poster to showcase some interesting snippets of test or outtake footage of the big puppet ants in action, and there's a wonderfully overblown terror-trailer. -Kim Newman.

Review 2 Entertain Video / Doctor Who - The Movie [1996] [1963]
Actors & Directors
  • Yee Jee Tso
  • Daphne Ashbrook
  • Geoffrey Sax
  • Sylvester McCoy
  • Paul McGann
  • Eric Roberts
Release date: 2001-08-13
Run time: 90 min.
RRP: £19.99
Price: £5.69

Review Doctor Who - The Movie [1996] [1963] / 2 Entertain Video:

Made to re-launch television's most famous time traveller, Doctor Who: The Movie is an expensive feature-length episode which attempts to continue the classic series and work as a stand-alone film. Transporting the remains of the Master, Sylvester McCoy's Seventh Doctor is diverted to San Francisco in 1999. Regenerating in the form of Paul McGann, the Doctor gains a new companion in heart surgeon Dr Grace Holloway (Daphne Ashbrook) and must stop the Master from destroying the world. All of which might have been fine, had not the most eccentrically British of programmes been almost entirely assimilated by the requirements of American network broadcasting. Matthew Jacobs' screenplay is literally nonsense, dependent on arbitrary, unexplained events while introducing numerous elements that contradict established Doctor Who mythology. The Tardis is re-imagined as a bizarre pre-Raphaelite/Gothic folly, while the Doctor, now half-human, becomes romantically involved with his lady companion. From the West Coast setting to metallic CGI morphing, from the look of Eric Roberts as the Master to a motorcycle/truck freeway chase, director Geoffrey Sax borrows freely from James Cameron's Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). Doctor Who fans should feel relieved this travesty was not successful enough to lead to lead to a series, though McGann himself does have the potential to make a fine Doctor. This is the slightly more violent US TV edit, rather than the cut version previously released on video. On the DVD: There are two BBC trailers and a Fox promo "introducing the Doctor" to American audiences. [+]
The interview section features Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Eric Roberts, Daphne Ashbrook, director Geoffrey Sax and executive producer Philip Segal, twice. The main interviews are on-set promotional sound-bites. However, Segal's second interview was filmed in 2001 and finds him spending 10 minutes explaining why the programme turned out as it did, and coming very close to apologising for it. He also offers a two-minute tour of the new Tardis set. Alongside a gallery of 50 promotional stills is a four-minute compilation of behind-the-scenes "making of" footage. There are alternative versions of two scenes, though the "Puccini!" scene is so short as to be pointless. As usual with Doctor Who DVDs there are optional production subtitles and these offer a wealth of background information. Four songs used in the film are available as separate audio tracks, and John Debney's musical score can be listened to in isolation. Finally there is a commentary track by Geoffrey Sax, which contains some interesting material but does tend to state the obvious a lot. The sound is very strong stereo and the 4:3 picture is excellent with only the slightest grain. -Gary S Dalkin.

Review 2 Entertain Video / Doctor Who - The Trial Of A Time Lord [1986] [1963]
Actors & Directors
  • Colin Baker
Release date: 2008-09-29
Run time: 349 min.
RRP: £49.99
Price: £37.49

Review Doctor Who - The Trial Of A Time Lord [1986] [1963] / 2 Entertain Video:

Few of Doctor Who's long-standing fans will tell you that The Trial Of A Time Lord is a story that hits their top ten list, and with good reason. A 14-episode opus that formed an entire series of Colin Baker's reign in the Tardis, it's a patchy production, that does have some qualities to it, but is probably one for the hardened Who fan rather than the casual viewer. The key to the story is that the Doctor is on trial, facing a potential death penalty, and the courtroom saga works as a backdrop to a collection of stories that sit on top. So there's The Mysterious Planet, which is a decent enough yarn, the weak and puzzling Mindwarp, the surprisingly enjoyable Terror Of The Vervoids, and then the twisty The Ultimate Foe. While The Trial Of A Time Lord does have a few notable missteps, with some occasionally muddled writing, and while it does introduce arguably the worst companion the Doctor has ever travelled with (Bonnie Langford's Mel), it's still a fascinating series to watch, warts and all. Fortunately, it's backed by a substantive collection of extras, including numerous commentaries and documentaries, that provide an honest glance back at a story that arrived in the midst of one of Doctor Who's most troubled periods. All that, ultimately, makes it a worthwhile purchase for Who fans, even if after reacquainting themselves with it, they're still not likely to put The Trial Of A Time Lord near their aforementioned top ten list… -Jon Foster.

Review Warner Home Video / The Time Machine [1960]
Actors & Directors
  • Sebastian Cabot
  • Tom Helmore
  • Alan Young
  • Yvette Mimieux
  • George Pal
  • Rod Taylor
Release date: 2002-05-27
Run time: 98 min.
RRP: £13.99
Price: £2.53

Review The Time Machine [1960] / Warner Home Video:

In 1960 producer-director George Pal's The Time Machine reshaped HG Wells' thoughtful, ironic novel into a two-fisted action movie, but one that still appeals to children and adults immensely and deserves its classic status. Wells' themes of biological and social evolution are played down, but there is a surprisingly melancholy thread as Rod Taylor's Time Traveller keeps stopping off at future wars to find that human stupidity still persists. In the first week of 1900 a group of fussy Victorians gather in Taylor's chintzy, overstuffed parlour to hear him tell of his expedition to the future, where the world is divided between the surface-dwelling, childish, beautiful Eloi and the hideous, underground, cannibal Morlocks. Wells intended both factions to seem degenerate, the logical final evolution of the class system, but Pal has Taylor pull a Captain Kirk and side with the Eloi and teach them to fight against their oppressors. The time travel sequence remains a tour de force, with a shop window mannequin demonstrating a parade of fashions as the years fly by in seconds and charming but still-effective stop-motion effects. The future is a wonderfully coloured landscape with properly gruesome cave-dwelling monsters and a winning Eloi heroine in Yvette Mimieux. It may not be totally Wells, but it's a treat. On the DVD: The Time Machine arrives on disc in a lovely widescreen print which makes the film seem new all over again. The featurette "Time Machine: The Journey Back" combines some mild behind-the-scenes stuff about the film (and its star prop) with a moving mini-sequel reuniting stars Rod Taylor and Alan Young in a scene that actually addresses a plot point skipped over in the original. -Kim Newman.

Review 2 Entertain Video / Doctor Who - Beneath the Surface (The Silurians [1970] / The Sea Devils [1972] / Warriors of the Deep [1984])
Actors & Directors
  • Jon Pertwee
  • Peter Davison
  • Nicholas Courtney
Release date: 2008-01-14
Run time: 412 min.
RRP: £39.99
Price: £29.97

Review Doctor Who - Beneath the Surface (The Silurians [1970] / The Sea Devils [1972] / Warriors of the Deep [1984]) / 2 Entertain Video:

Bringing together the trio of adventures featuring Doctor Who's most famous underwater foes, the Beneath The Surface boxset has Sea Devils, Silurians, and adventures from both the Jon Pertwee and Peter Davison eras. It's perhaps logical to get past the weakest of the three adventures in this set first, and that honour falls to the Peter Davison story, Warriors of the Deep. It's not too bad though, even if it does display some of the silliness and budget constraints that helped define 1980s Doctor Who. It's still fun, however, and worth a spin. The two Pertwee adventures are terrific, though, and the real highlights of the set. The Silurians finds Jon Pertwee relatively new to the role, and blessed with an adventure that boasts excitement, adventure and a very good script. But our favourite is nonetheless the second story, The Sea Devils, which also brings Roger Delgado's take on The Master into the mix. It's a tense, involving adventure, and one of the finest of the Jon Pertwee area. That's not something to be said lightly, either. As is the norm with Doctor Who special edition DVDs, the set is then backed up with some terrific archive extras, along with commentary tracks and documentaries that all but justify the asking price alone. [+]
That you get two strong adventures and one reasonable one into the mix as well makes this one of the best classic Doctor Who boxsets released to date. Highly recommended. -Simon Brew.

Review Paramount Home Entertainment / The War of the Worlds: Special Edition (1953) [1954]
Actors & Directors
  • Less Tremayne
  • Byron Haskin
  • Houseley Stevenson
  • Ann Robinson
  • Gene Barry
  • Jack Kruschen
Release date: 2005-11-14
Run time: 112 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £3.50

Review The War of the Worlds: Special Edition (1953) [1954] / Paramount Home Entertainment:


Review Optimum Home Entertainment / Dr Who: The Dalek Collection (Dr Who And The Daleks & Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150AD + Dalekmania documentary) [1965]
Actors & Directors
  • Ray Brooks (II)
  • Bernard Cribbins
  • Roberta Tovey
  • Andrew Keir
  • Gordon Flemyng
  • Peter Cushing
Release date: 2006-09-25
Run time: 222 min.
RRP: £19.99
Price: £4.58

Review Dr Who: The Dalek Collection (Dr Who And The Daleks & Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150AD + Dalekmania documentary) [1965] / Optimum Home Entertainment:


Review Warner Home Video / 2001: A Space Odyssey (2 Disc Special Edition) [1968]
Actors & Directors
  • William Sylvester
  • Daniel Richter
  • Stanley Kubrick
  • Robert Beatty
  • Gary Lockwood
  • Keir Dullea
Release date: 2008-03-03
Run time: 136 min.
RRP: £15.99
Price: £5.93

Review 2001: A Space Odyssey (2 Disc Special Edition) [1968] / Warner Home Video:


Review 2 Entertain Video / Doctor Who - The Invasion Of Time [1978]
Actors & Directors
  • Louise Jameson
  • Tom Baker
Release date: 2008-05-05
Run time: 150 min.
RRP: £19.99
Price: £8.99

Review Doctor Who - The Invasion Of Time [1978] / 2 Entertain Video:

A story plucked from the Tom Baker era of Doctor Who, The Invasion Of Time sees the Doctor heading back to Gallifrey, with Leela in tow (for the last time). His intention is to claim the presidency of the Time Lords, but some erratic behaviour (for a change!) sets a few alarm bells off. And when the Sontarans and Vardans appear on the scene, all hell seems set to break loose. It's fair to say that The Invasion Of Time has its problems, and even the more devoted of Doctor Who fans rarely ranks it in their top 20. The cheaper-than-usual looking Vardan monsters don't help, and when the Sontarans arrive they're arguably in the weakest shape they were ever seen in on the show. But that's not to say that The Invasion Of Time is without a good few merits. Baker is on terrific form here, and any episode that explores the Tardis and Gallifrey in a little more depth always has worth to it. The Invasion Of Time has also been given the two-disc special edition treatment, and the copious extra features don't disappoint. Classic Doctor Who double DVDs have a strong reputation for being superb special editions, and the same is again true here. So while The Invasion Of Time is no classic (and, in fact, is far from it), it's still an interesting entry into the heritage of the good Doctor, and a feast for fans of the show. [+]
Perhaps a better story for the next DVD releases though, please… -Jon Foster.

Review 2 Entertain Video / Doctor Who: K9 Tales Box Set (Invisible Enemy/K9 and Co) [1977]
Actors & Directors
  • Elisabeth Sladen
  • Tom Baker
Release date: 2008-06-16
Run time: 150 min.
RRP: £29.99
Price: £15.99

Review Doctor Who: K9 Tales Box Set (Invisible Enemy/K9 and Co) [1977] / 2 Entertain Video:


Review 2 Entertain Video / Doctor Who - The Brain Of Morbius [1976]
Actors & Directors
  • Christopher Barry
  • Tom Baker
  • Elisabeth Sladen
Release date: 2008-07-21
Run time: 98 min.
RRP: £19.99
Price: £12.98

Review Doctor Who - The Brain Of Morbius [1976] / 2 Entertain Video:

Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen join forces for this latest classic Doctor Who release. And in The Brain Of Morbius, the pair find themselves on the planet Karn, where they encounter not only the mysterious Sisterhood, but also a scientist by the name of Solon. Solon, it turns out, is a bit of a problem, as he's busy trying to find the parts, Frankenstein-style, to put together a new body for Morbius. Morbius-you still following this?-is a once-executed criminal Time Lord, who now only exists in brain form. Hence, as you probably put together, The Brain Of Morbius, a story that digs into the Time Lords a little, and also makes for an entertaining four episodes. The adventure is best taken in the spirit of old-style Doctor Who, as it's a lot of fun, with the odd logic gap that you need to cut it a little bit of slack for. And, to be fair, some of the sequences really make the most of the comparably tiny budget, to very good effect. Backed by an excellent supporting cast, The Brain Of Morbius is a welcome Doctor Who release, and an ambitious, engaging story from the mid-1970s. Coupled with good extra features, it's well worth your time, whether old Who fan or new. -Jon Foster.

Review 2 Entertain Video / Doctor Who - The New Series: Series 2 - Vol. 3 [2005]
Actors & Directors
  • Maureen Lipman
  • Billie Piper
  • Noel Clarke
  • David Tennant
  • Graeme Harper
  • Roger Lloyd-Pack
  • Euros Lyn
Release date: 2006-07-10
Run time: 133 min.
RRP: £15.99
Price: £6.00

Review Doctor Who - The New Series: Series 2 - Vol. 3 [2005] / 2 Entertain Video:

A disc that features three more superb episodes from David Tennant's first series in the TARDIS, this DVD finds Doctor Who facing one of his deadliest opponents-the Cybermen. The lethal foes are brought back to life in the first two episodes on this disc, Rise Of The Cybermen and The Age Of Steel. They find the Doctor, Rose and Mickey in an alternative version of Earth, where zeppelins dominate the London skyline and Roger Lloyd Pack's maniac genius is hard at work on an enhanced version of humankind. Ruthlessly harvesting humans, his work is soon revealed as the all-new Cybermen, who are as fatal as ever. And while the two-part story may cut the odd corner here and there, it's nonetheless a triumphant return in an action-packed, tightly scripted story. However, the real treat on the disc is the lower profile episode, The Idiot's Lantern. Set at the time of Elizabeth II's coronation, the Doctor and Rose find a shop offering strangely low cost television sets, and people worried by rumours of strange goings in. Buoyed by a guest appearance by Maureen Lipman, this is yet another highpoint for an increasingly confident series, by turns clever, sinister and intriguing. In short, the best disc yet of episodes from the second new series of Doctor Who. And there's the promise of even better around the corner. [+]
-Simon Brew.

Review Warner Home Video / 2001 - A Space Odyssey [Blu-ray] [1968]
Actors & Directors
  • Keir Dullea
  • Gary Lockwood
  • Stanley Kubrick
  • William Sylvester
  • Daniel Richter
  • Robert Beatty
Release date: 2008-03-03
Run time: 136 min.
RRP: £24.99
Price: £17.98

Review 2001 - A Space Odyssey [Blu-ray] [1968] / Warner Home Video:


Actors & Directors
  • Mike Reid
  • William Hartnell
Release date: 2008-08-25
Run time: 95 min.
RRP: £19.99
Price: £12.98

Review Doctor Who: The War Machines [1966] / 2 Entertain Video:

A hugely enjoyable Doctor Who adventure from the very infancy of the show, The War Machines finds William Hartnell in charge of the Tardis, and naturally enough there's an impending crisis facing the Earth. Set in the era in which the story was made, The War Machines sees the Doctor and Dodo heading off to the Post Office Tower, where they find out all about Professor Brett's new computer, WONTAN. And setting the scene for many science fiction films and television shows that would explore similar themes, WONTAN soon becomes a computer that believes machines should be in charge, and hence introduces the war machines of the story's title. Really well realised, and making the most of the resources at its disposal, The War Machines is visually impressive, but also a well-constructed story. It clearly works within many of the television conventions of the time, but Hartnell was always a strong Doctor, and the story explores its themes confidently too. It's good to have it on disc. Backed up by a substantive extras list, with a healthy slice of archive material, The War Games is a welcome DVD release, and a very good story from the archives of Doctor Who. -Jon Foster.

Review 2 Entertain Video / Doctor Who - The Beginning (An Unearthly Child [1963] / The Daleks [1963] / The Edge of Destruction [1964])
Actors & Directors
  • Carole Ann Ford
  • Jacqueline Hill
  • Waris Hussein
  • Richard Martin
  • William Hartnell
  • William Russell
Release date: 2006-01-30
Run time: 346 min.
RRP: £29.99
Price: £13.98

Review Doctor Who - The Beginning (An Unearthly Child [1963] / The Daleks [1963] / The Edge of Destruction [1964]) / 2 Entertain Video:


Review 2 Entertain Video / Doctor Who - The Invasion (2 Disc Set) [1968]
Actors & Directors
  • Frazer Hines
  • Patrick Troughton
Release date: 2006-11-06
Run time: 192 min.
RRP: £19.99
Price: £5.99

Review Doctor Who - The Invasion (2 Disc Set) [1968] / 2 Entertain Video:


Review 2 Entertain Video / Doctor Who - Genesis of the Daleks (2 Disc Set) [1975] [1963]
Actors & Directors
  • Elisabeth Sladen
  • Ian Marter
  • Tom Baker
Release date: 2006-04-10
Run time: 150 min.
RRP: £19.99
Price: £6.31

Review Doctor Who - Genesis of the Daleks (2 Disc Set) [1975] [1963] / 2 Entertain Video:

One of the finest stories of the classic Doctor Who age, Genesis Of The Daleks finds Tom Baker at his peak in the lead role, and ultimately facing one of the most significant moral dilemmas of his era as the Time Lord. That's alongside the small matter of his most infamous enemies. This is the adventure that goes right back to the roots of the Daleks, from their humble beginnings to the point where they become the Doctor's most fearsome foes. Across the six episodes, we find that the Doctor has been sent to the planet Skaro, where he discovers the evil genius Davros, who is about to fully unleash his deadliest creations into the universe. Accompanied by Harry and Sarry, The Doctor also finds himself stuck in the middle of an ongoing war between the Thals and The Kaleds, in a story packed with danger and adventure. It's also grounded in the kind of excellent storytelling that has frequently allowed classic Doctor Who to overcome its low budget roots. And Genesis Of The Daleks is one of the finest examples of just how it manages it. Thanks to a tightly woven script, and a strong cast led by Tom Baker at his finest in the lead role, Genesis Of The Daleks is rightly regarded as one of the best Doctor Who stories of all time. It really isn't hard to see why. -Simon Brew.

Review Warner Home Video / 2001: A Space Odyssey [1968]
Actors & Directors
  • Gary Lockwood
  • Daniel Richter
  • Leonard Rossiter
  • Keir Dullea
  • William Sylvester
Release date: 2006-06-01
Run time: 136 min.
RRP: £13.99
Price: £5.37

Review 2001: A Space Odyssey [1968] / Warner Home Video:

Confirming that art and commerce can co-exist, 2001: A Space Odyssey was the biggest box-office hit of 1968, remains the greatest science fiction film yet made and is among the most revolutionary, challenging and debated work of the 20th century. It begins within a pre-historic age. A black monolith uplifts the intelligence of a group of apes on the African plains. The most famous edit in cinema introduces the 21st century, and after a second monolith is found on the moon a mission is launched to Jupiter. On the spacecraft are Bowman (Keir Dullea) and Poole (Gary Lockwood), along with the most famous computer in fiction, HAL. Their adventure will be, as per the original title, a "journey beyond the stars". Written by science fiction visionary Arthur C Clarke and Stanley Kubrick, 2001 elevated the SF film to entirely new levels, being rigorously constructed with a story on the most epic of scales. Four years in the making and filmed in 70 mm, the attention to detail is staggering and four decades later barely any aspect of the film looks dated, the visual richness and elegant pacing creating the sense of actually being in space more convincingly than any other film. A sequel, 2010: Odyssey Two (1984) followed, while Solaris (1972), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), The Abyss (1989) and A. I. [+]
(2001) are all indebted to this absolute classic which towers monolithically over them all. On the DVD: There is nothing but the original trailer which, given the status of the film and the existence of an excellent making-of documentary shown on Channel 4 in 2001, is particularly disappointing. Shortly before he died Kubrick supervised the restoration of the film and the production of new 70 mm prints for theatrical release in 2001. Fortunately the DVD has been taken from this material and transferred at the 70 mm ratio of 2. 21-1. There is some slight cropping noticeable, but both anamorphically enhanced image and Dolby Digital 5. 1 soundtrack (the film was originally released with a six-channel magnetic sound) are excellent, making this transfer infinitely preferable to previous video incarnations. -Gary S Dalkin.

Review 2 Entertain Video / Doctor Who - Resurrection Of The Daleks [1983]
Actors & Directors
  • Peter Davison
  • Janet Fielding
Release date: 2002-11-18
Run time: 98 min.
RRP: £19.99
Price: £3.99

Review Doctor Who - Resurrection Of The Daleks [1983] / 2 Entertain Video:

The Doctor Who adventure "Resurrection of the Daleks" marked the Doctor's first encounter with his most famous foe since 1979's "Destiny of the Daleks" five years earlier, and Peter Davison's only full-scale battle with the cybernetic aliens. Weakened by a Movellan virus the Daleks assault a space station prison where Davros is being held. The Daleks plan to use duplicates of the Doctor and his companions to assassinate leading Timelords, and further duplicates to take over the Earth. The action is split between the space station and abandoned London riverside warehouses, and is notable for its grim tone and high body count. The duplicate police-assassins recall the Autons from the Jon Pertwee "Spearhead from Space" (1970) and proved controversial on original broadcast. Also notable is that although the show was designed as a four-part adventure it was transmitted in two double-length episodes. This edition presents the story in the original four parts. Meanwhile there are more than the usual quota of name guest stars, including Rodney Bewes, Rula Lenska and Lesley Grantham. The tale also marks Janet Fielding's final appearance as Tegan. In every respect this is a key adventure in the history of Doctor Who, even if the tense, incident-packed story is ultimately weighed down by too many elements to resolve them all satisfactorily. [+]
On the DVD: Doctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks is accompanied by a warm and highly jocular commentary from Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and director Mathew Robinson. A new 18-minute "On Location" documentary intriguingly revisits the now upmarket waterfront locations with interviews featuring producer John Nathan Turner, writer Eric Saward and Matthew Robinson. A seven-minute clip from Breakfast Time spotlights Janet Fielding and John Nathan-Turner, and composers Brian Hodgson and Malcolm Clarke. Also included are seven minutes of deleted and extended scenes, a BBC1 trailer and a photo gallery that plays automatically for three minutes, set to sound effects. There is optional on-screen information text and selectable subtitles for the programmes and commentary. The sound is available in broadcast mono, a remarkably effective Dolby Digital 5. 1 remix, and as a mono music only track. TARDIS Cam No. 4 is a very short new digital animation. -Gary S Dalkin.

Review 2 Entertain Video / Doctor Who - Four To Doomsday [1981]
Actors & Directors
  • Stratford Johns
  • Janet Fielding
  • Sarah Sutton
  • John Black
  • Matthew Waterhouse
  • Peter Davison
Release date: 2008-09-15
Run time: 97 min.
RRP: £19.99
Price: £14.99

Review Doctor Who - Four To Doomsday [1981] / 2 Entertain Video:

An adventure starring Peter Davison in the title role, this latest classic Doctor Who release, Four To Doomsday, has plenty of interesting ideas up its sleeve, even if they aren't all fully realised by the time the credits run on the last episode. But there's still plenty to enjoy, nonetheless. The basis of Four To Doomsday is that the Doctor is trying to return Tegan back home, but instead finds himself on a strange spaceship, that almost inevitably is heading to Earth with unpleasantness very much on its agenda. The Doctor, accompanied by Nyssa, Adric and the aforementioned Tegan, naturally has to come to the rescue, aided by some very economic special effects (even for the time). Four To Doomsday, however, is certainly a story with its moments, and the appearance of Stratford Johns is very much responsible for many of them. It's also breezy enough, and easily pulls you through its four episodes. The plot doesn't bear too much scrutiny, though, with a narrative that jumps around and loses cohesion. But it's all engaging enough, with Davison very much finding his feet in the role. Few people would launch a campaign to have it lauded as an all-time classic, but it's good fun, warts and all, nonetheless. -Jon Foster.

Models & Brands:
Them [1954], Doctor Who - The Movie [1996] [1963], Doctor Who - The Trial Of A Time Lord [1986] [1963], The Time Machine [1960], Doctor Who - Beneath the Surface (The Silurians [1970] / The Sea Devils [1972] / Warriors of the Deep [1984]), The War of the Worlds: Special Edition (1953) [1954], Dr Who: The Dalek Collection (Dr Who And The Daleks & Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150AD + Dalekmania documentary) [1965], 2001: A Space Odyssey (2 Disc Special Edition) [1968], Doctor Who - The Invasion Of Time [1978], Doctor Who: K9 Tales Box Set (Invisible Enemy/K9 and Co) [1977], Doctor Who - The Brain Of Morbius [1976], Doctor Who - The New Series: Series 2 - Vol. 3 [2005], 2001 - A Space Odyssey [Blu-ray] [1968], Doctor Who: The War Machines [1966], Doctor Who - The Beginning (An Unearthly Child [1963] / The Daleks [1963] / The Edge of Destruction [1964]), Doctor Who - The Invasion (2 Disc Set) [1968], Doctor Who - Genesis of the Daleks (2 Disc Set) [1975] [1963], 2001: A Space Odyssey [1968], Doctor Who - Resurrection Of The Daleks [1983], Doctor Who - Four To Doomsday [1981]

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