Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3554 in VHS
• Released on: 2002-05-20
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Formats: Black & White, Colour, PAL
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 171 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
"The Ambassadors of Death" was the third story from Jon Pertwee's first Doctor Who season, slotting into programme continuity between "Doctor Who and the Silurians" and "Inferno". Capitalising on the then-contemporary Apollo moon landings, the ambitious seven-part adventure told of a space capsule returning from Mars under radio silence, and of the alien occupants eventually retrieved by a space rescue mission. The elaborate government cover-ups and hints of high level conspiracy not only took Doctor Who in a more adult direction, but harked back to the classic BBC Quatermass dramas of the 1950s. The action is particularly elaborate, with a prolonged gun battle in the tense opening episode, a well-shot chase across a river in Episode 3, and an especially notable set-piece hi-jacking involving a helicopter in Episode 2. It all goes on an episode too long, but Pertwee makes a convincing action hero and the story is interesting for showing the development of UNIT, even if they are depicted as the world's most inept security force. Fans should note "The Ambassadors of Death" uniquely split each week's main titles into two separate sections. The video presents the episodes in a mixture of colour and black and white, as not all the material survived in colour.--Gary S Dalkin

Synopsis
The Doctor joins forces with UNIT to investigate the mystery surrounding Mars Probe 7...

Customer Reviews

A Homage to BBC Televison of 30 Years Ago
Having bought this recently, I enjoyed it for a number of reasons. First, it was one of the early Jon Pertwee stories, and I still think he was the best Doctor Who. Secondly, its good value because its on one tape despite being a seven parter (well done, BBC!) And thirdly, its easy to watch and enjoy, nothing too complicated etc. Some fans rated this as overlong, well perhaps it is. And the ending is a bit of a cop out too. Still, despite the techincal limitations, some scenes being in colour, others in black and white, its still a great homage to BBC television of more than 30 years ago. Shades of Quatermass and the X-Files abound in this story, and of course one must not forget the lovely Liz Shaw (Caroline John) who was one of my favourite Doctor Who girls alongside Katy Manning and Elizabeth Sladen. I cannot ask for more than what I got here. And I am sure that real die-hard Doctor Who fans will feel the same way.

Restored gem, despite the mixed format
Jon Pertwee's third adventure, this story reminds us very clearly of why he was such a great Doctor Who.

This seven-parter has very few special effects, which is a _good thing_ because SF special effects tend to lose their charm when viewed in retrospect. Instead, the growing horror is done primarily by inference - a trademark of the Pertwee years. The fight scenes are much bloodier than would have been allowed in the later years, and this also adds to the gritty authenticity. And, of course, set in its own time the military and scientific hardware is done just right.

The plot?
Ok then. Mars Probe 7 returns to orbit, but the crew fail to make contact with mission control (which is in England -- a nice touch). The recovery probe loses contact with Earth when it docks with the original probe. Meanwhile, a strange broadcast from the ship is picked up all over the world, while an equally strange broadcast is sent back in reply from somewhere in England. Both UNIT and the Doctor decide to take a hand, but the cooperation they receive from Mission Control is less than 100%. When the Mars Probe finally does land, it is stolen by a band of criminals (or, at least, we think they are criminals) only to be recaptured by the Doctor. However, when it is opened, the capsule is empty...

Any more and I will be giving the story away. This series sees a convincing gun battle, a desperate fight between Liz Shaw and a band of assailants on a bridge, a man murdered with an isotope, and a growing mystery which is not solved until the Doctor risks himself going into space on a faulty rocket.

There's just one caveat - this series was originally shot in colour but subsequently discarded by the BBC. Only the first episode remains of the colour version, the rest was found in black and white in the hands of an independent collector. If you've never seen Doctor Who in black and white, this may come as a shock. To many of us old timers, though, it just reminds us of what it was really like.

Fantastic!
In 1970 the BBC clearly became very excited about colour television. This is displayed in the garish sets and clothes displayed in "The Ambassadors of Death". Sadly only episode one was retained in colour. Recently colour recordings recorded off air in the United States came to light, and these have been used to restore more than ninety minutes of this release to colour. It's wonderful, simple as that. Well written and more "Quatermass" or "Edge of Darkness" than typical "Doctor Who". The finished piece is exciting, enjoyable, well written and most importantly, good television. Good "Doctor Who" to me is a story which would work just as well with a different "hero" instead of the Doctor. This is one such story, however Mr.Pertwee is wonderful. Personal treat for me? "Crossroads" David Hunter, the wonderful Ronnie Allen, proving he's a damn good actor. (If you've seen the original Titanic film "A Night to Remember", you will already know this.) Buy this story! It's cheap considering it's almost three hours long and it is hugely enjoyable.