Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2115 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-06-22
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 74 minutes

DVD Description
The time: 1959. The place: the Shangri-La Holiday Camp, South Wales. The Doctor and Mel want time out.

The hedonistic alien Navarinos wants to catch some vintage rock and roll. And two CIA agents want to know what happened to their country’s missing satellite.

When the beautiful Chimeron princess Delta shows up on the scene, the murderous Bannermen soon follow in hot pursuit. The stage is set for a fiery showdown that will decide the fate of an entire civilisation.

This story was originally broadcast on BBC1 between 2nd November – 16th November 1987.

Produced by John Nathan-Turner
Directed by Chris Clough Liner notes by Niall Boyce Cover by Clayton Hickman

SPECIAL FEATURES
• Commentary by Sylvester McCoy (the Doctor), Sara Griffiths (Ray), director Chris Clough and script editor Andrew Cartmel • But First This Andi Peters presents a contemporary children’s TV feature on location with the cast of Delta and the Bannermen • Interview Rushes Hugh Lloyd (Goronwy) • Clown Court Noel Edmonds and Sylvester McCoy present out-takes the Seventh Doctor • Trails and Continuity • Photo Gallery • Radio Times Billings Listings for • Coming Soon Trailer • Digitally remastered picture and sound quality Extra material from the But First This interviews with Sylvester McCoy, Bonnie Langford (Mel) and Ken Dodd (Tollmaster) • Wales Today A BBC Wales news report on the making of the programme • Part One: First edit The original half-hour edit • Hugh and Us An interview with from Delta and the Bannermen • Stripped for Action A look at the comic strip adventures of this story presented in a PDF file [DVD-ROM – PC/Mac] • Production Information Subtitles

Synopsis
A classic episode of the long running science fiction series, this DOCTOR WHO instalment features the seventh doctor, Sylvester McCoy. The doctor is joined by Mel on a space bus tour to Disneyland, a prize they had won. The space bus becomes deadly when another intergalactic traveller is met, the Chimeron Queen Delta. She is fleeing from Gavrok and his Bannerman who have genocidal ambitions. The doctor and Mel must shield Delta and the child she is hatching from an egg in this intense space drama. The seventh doctor's trademark prop, the umbrella with the handle in a question mark shape makes its first appearance in this episode.

Customer Reviews

Whimsy, but still enjoyable!
Sylvester McCoy's first series in the role suffers from a number of problems. First is that the scripts were written with Colin Baker in mind, and as a few of the audio's have shown since then, this style really would have fitted that character. Also, the previous two stories were particularly week, and McCoy without much direction was struggling to find his feet in the role.

Here, we begin to see both actor and show finding their way. McCoy is much more focused in his portrayal, and we begin to see what would later befome the stamp of his role; furious impassioned speeches to a violent aggressor, a laconic manner, and his real discomfort at dealing with human feelings at times; watch his scene with Ray towards the end of the first episode, The Doctor desperately wants to comfort her, but doesn't have the first clue how. It's very well played by the two, and Ray is a strong incedental character, and she was considered for the role of companion. The whole issue of genocide is a little buttered over, especially when the Navarrinos are totally wiped out, there's so little reaction to it but the themes of nature triumphing over technology and of revolution through evolution are interestingly explored.

Bonny Langford is in scream mode for certain scenes, but she does turn in one of her better performances here, the script really suits her style. Ken Dodd would work well in the role, unfortunately, the sparkly costume lets him down before he starts, you just can't take him seriously in it, and because of that, you expect the feather duster at any point. Don Henderson as Gavrok is suitably menacing, it's a little bizarre seeing Stubby Kaye in there, and there is a wonderfully timed performance from Hugh Lloyd. Is Garonwy at Time Lord in retirement, or just a very wise old man. The way the Doctor reacts around him, as opposed to others, is interesting.

Those expecting a full classic release may be a little disappointed. This is more an homage to classic fifties b-movies and comics in the sci-fi tradition, and as a result is a little more lighthearted. That's not such a bad thing, especially given what came before it, but really, the Sylvester McCoy era proper begins with Dragonfire.

Doctor Who - The Musical........ (Sort Of....)
Well this has got to be one of the more unusual stories of Doctor Who's original 26 year run. It came in the show's 24th season, a season which was much maligned by fans at the time, but in retrospect is far better than it was given credit for.

The story's primary setting is a Welsh Holiday Camp in the later 1950's and the fact that it was actually filmed in such a location helps the feel of authenticity very well, in both setting and period.

The story's structure is very odd in that it uses cover versions of various songs and tunes of the 50's as part of the soundtrack itself and on one occasion is even sung by one of the major guest characters on screen, thus giving it something of a musical feel.

Sylvester McCoy plays the seventh Doctor in this production and was, arguably, the first time that he fully found his feet as the title character, the previous two stories had originally been written for his predecessor, Colin Baker and had to be adapted for McCoy. I think he was excellent, with just the right touch of absent minded alieness coupled with a more dangerous, darker underside to his character that was developed further into his time on the show.

The main guest actor, Don Henderson is terrific as the Bannerman leader, Gavrok, and there are notable guest spots for Kenn Dodd and Hugh Lloyd who both fit their characters with ease and add greatly to the rather lighthearted atmosphere of the adventure. There is also a full guest appearance of American superstar of the past, Stubby Kaye, like the others he looks as if he is really having a great time and totally throws himself into the part....and even Bonnie Langford is quite good as the Doctor's companion, Mel.

One of the extras is apparently an unscreened longer edit of part one without the usual effects and music and should prove very interesting indeed, I will leave the description of the extras to any future reviewer as they are not set in stone just yet.

All in all then a very enjoyable and easygoing story to get into, it may not be a Doctor Who classic but it's sure damned easy to like and always brings a smile to my face whenever I watch it.

Best watched alone (or in the case of the feature - not at all)
The dubious honour of 'worse Dr Who story ever' might be hotly disputed, but this title has to be a serious contender, even in the wake of Timelash's recent release.

A functional but resolutely banal story sees a camp OTT villian pursue his prey into the world of a stereotyped 1950's welsh holiday camp, cue the 'humourous' Hi De Hi, random explosions and extensive scenery chewing as a long succession of increasingly excrucuating moments leads you to the end. As the ill advised/misused guest stars ham it up, the regulars struggle gamely onward, but you can forgive them for the odd vacant stare as they contemplate what chance they would have to go on...fortunately, for the Mr McCoy at least, better material was just around the corner.

In the company of others, this story is likely to make you squirm with embarassment and shame. I would therefore recommend you watch the main feature alone, in a darkened room with any mirrors turned to face the wall.

On the plus side video and sound quality are as good as they can be given their source limitations, the extras are comprehensive and consistently entertaining - these and that all important sense of completion, are the most pursuasive reasons to take the title home.... Go on, you know you want it sir ^^