Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3983 in VHS
• Released on: 2000-01-24
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 100 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Doctor Who isn't really known for its villains having a high level of creepiness for anyone over the age of 10 but if you have any sort of clown phobia, this adventure is sure to confirm your worst fears about them. The Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and his companion Ace land on a barren planet that is hosting the Psychic Circus, which has fallen on hard times. Now, any soul unfortunate enough to stumble into the big top is forced to entertain in the centre ring with typically fatal results. The Doctor tries to find out who or what is behind it all and the resulting story comes off like an allegory for the series itself. After a creative slump in the mid-1980s, Doctor Who was finding its footing again, although the story is burdened by throwing as many disparate elements as possible (including an animated corpse, a wolf girl and even the Gods of Ragnarok) into the mix. The Gods, not unlike the audience, demand to be kept entertained, but for the most part the best the Doctor can do is some cheap conjuring tricks while waiting for the inevitable climax. The most effective element throughout is the menace provided by Ian Reddingon (a regular on EastEnders) as the Chief Clown, sending victims to their doom with wave of his hand and a perpetual smile painted on his face. --Ryan K. Johnson

Synopsis
The Doctor's seventh incarnation gets under way with his discovery of the truth about an extremely strange psychic circus.

Customer Reviews

Lives Up To It's Name!
The once glorious Psychic Circus has set up on the desolate world of Segonax, and when the Doc + Ace arrive they are forced by the sinister Chief Clown to take part in a deadly talent show along with other ''visitors'', in which the performers are judged by an old-fashioned family of three and, if judged as unsatisfactory, are vapourised. With the aid of werewolf Mags and the Bellboy, the Doc sets out to discover the true identity of the unsettling family and winds up having a few brawls with robotic clowns.....

After the disasters of the late Baker/early McCoy eras Doctor Who finally gives us a great season, to which this story is a perfect end and the second best (after the truly awesome Rememberance). There's never a dull moment, with sinister robot clowns, murderous bus condutors, werewolves and zombies being just a few of the attractions. McCoy's at his best so far, while Ace really is starting to shine. Easily the scariest Who in years.

James

Clown House
While there are undoubtedly some weaknesses and plot holes in this Seventh Doctor story, it remains one of the best 80s stories thanks to some menacing characters, McCoy's performance and Ian Reddington's turn as a psychotic clown. The problem is that writer Stephen Wyatt (as with his previous story 'Paradise Towers') has simply tried to cram too many elements into the story and has consequently over-egged the pudding. That said, the story is dramatic, creepy and intriguing. Listen, if you want adult drama with strong themes and a watertight script then Doctor Who ain't for you; it's a show for kids, and for the kid in all of us.

Gripping
The 7th Doctor passed me by the first time around as I was still in There Is No Doctor Worth Worth His Salt After Tom Baker mode....I am happy to say that I am being proved wrong 15+ years later, especially with regard to the 5th Doctor and most surpisingly to the 7th Doctor. He is my Hungarian wife's favourite Doctor! Just as my grandmother's favourite was the First Doctor. And my young boys (4 and 3)seem pretty impressed as well. I now accept that the later Doctors indeed had CONSIDERABLE merit. This is one of the best McCoy era stories and I was nothing than genuinely amazed at the quality of virtually everything about it. It may not be The Green Death or The Sea Devils but it is MIGHTY fine. I stand corrected Sylvestor. You were, at least in your second and third seasons a FINE Doctor. It is very satisfying to have my previous prejudices rendered UTTERLY redundant. And yes, the Clowns were inspired and indeed SPOOKY. Oh Ye Cynics DISAPPEAR!