Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2263 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-04-20
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Full Screen, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 94 minutes

DVD Description

A sonic time scan draws the TARDIS to the Fetch Priory on Earth. There, the Doctor and Leela discover an impossibly old human skull that is the key to a nightmare from the Time Lords’ past.

A murderous monster stalks the priory grounds; and within, someone is intent on unleashing a malevolent creature that feeds on death itself...

This story was originally broadcast on BBC1 between 29th October – 19th November 1977                                                          

• Commentary by Tom Baker [The Doctor], Louise Jameson [Leela], Wanda Ventham [Thea Ransome] and Edward Arthur [Adam Colby]

• After Image Cast and crew look back at the making of this story, featuring Anthony Read (Script Editor) and Colin Mapson (Visual Effects Designer)

• Deleted and Extended Scenes Material originally cut from Image of the Fendahl is presented here courtesy of a low-quality monochrome video recording

• Trailer  The original BBC1 trailer from 1977

• Radio Times Billings Listings for this story presented in a PDF file [DVD-ROM – PC/Mac] 
• Photo Gallery

• Coming Soon Trailer 

• Production Information Subtitles
• Easter Egg

• Digitally remastered picture and sound quality

Synopsis
When a tussle with a sonic time scan leads the Tardis back to Earth, the Doctor and Leela discover strange happenings in a nearby lab run by the secretive Doctor Fendelman.

Customer Reviews

Last of the gothic greats?
There are many candidates for the last truly great DOCTOR WHO story in its original run. Some might say the show never had any greatness at all, others might believe that they every single episode is a masterpiece, but for me, IMAGE OF THE FENDAHL might be one of the last of the true greats, the last hiccup of gothic horror carried over from the previous year that had ended with TALONS OF WENG CHIANG, and if it isn't the last great story, then surely, at least, it's first episode, is up there amongst the greatest openers.
Mad scientists working in a spooky old priory, unseen aliens from ancient history tampering with human evolution, strange ritualistic covens and an enemy that is described as "death itself" all feature in a story that is more about its characters than any sci-fi trappings. There's an acknowledged hint of Nigel Kneale in there, it has to be said, but that really is never a bad thing.
The main cast - a small, tight little unit of great character actors - are all on tremendous form and never play the script without conviction, even when faced with a "monster" that, whilst not being truly awful, does leave something to be desired, and Martha Tyler (no relation!) is a star.
The audio commentary is fun - not least because of the pairing of Tom Baker and Louise Jameson alongside Edward Arthur and Wanda Ventham, and the production subtitles are as informative and well researched as ever. There's a fun little easter egg, some (low res) deleted scenes, a trailer from those faraway BBC days, and a pretty good "making of" documentary, amongst others.
As ever, releases from this DVD range are put together with a lot of care, and IMAGE OF THE FENDAHL retains those very high standards.

"The Old Dark House"
Story Review only until I get my copy and see the extras. A very good story close to, but not quite a classic. Chris Boucher offers a strong script (sadly his last for the show) mixing the occult and Sci fi in a Nigle Kneale-tastic kind of way. While the menace is clearly alien it has aspects which are pure horror film- it can be harmed by salt in an early stage and a look into the eyes of another stage brings doom!
Good performances from Uncle Tom who always seems to enjoy himself with a bit of horror and Louise J, whose Leela is always at home with a bona fide monster.
A good guest cast all give horror film style perfomances e.g a worried Denis Lill and Edward Arthur, a treacherous Scott Fredericks and a wise old granny type in Daphne Heard.
There are good sets, direction and some nice occult imagery. All that really lets it down is the ultimate form of the Fendahl. More than a bit snail like and less than terrifying.
Still, it's The Police Box Show, where we can forgive a bad monster when there's lots to enjoy and especially with a double bill of the marvellous Who rep girl Wanda Ventham as an human character and then a priestesslike Fendahleen Core. True as the core she just flounces mystically but as Tom put it in "The Tom Baker Years" video;

"The more gold paint they put on Wanda Ventham, the more desirable she became. I was disturbed for hours after!"

With good reason.

Tom also gives a recipe for fruit cake that would shock even Heston Blumenthal!

Great stuff, especially if you like both Tom Baker and old horror films that are not so scary.

The Tommentary is a fun, chummy affair. Wanda Ventham does a good running joke of how her second role as the golden Fendahleen core made up for losing an iconic role to Shirley Eaton in Goldfinger. Not quite as funny as the best Tommentaries but great to hear Louise jameson and Tom interacting and to hear Tom's remarks about how "delicious" she looked as Leela.!

After image is an enjoyable making of, hampered slightly by the absences but still able to give a good sense of the making of this story. Anthony Read places it into context as the story where Robert Holmes handed over the reigns of script editing to him, while the cast offer memories. Topics focussed on include the controversial handing of a gun to a doomed character, the appearance of the monsters and the Doctor landing on top of Leela. Good stuff but a great shame not to include author Chris Boucher.

The easter egg, easy to find, has Louise recalling her involvement with the Barbie-esque Leela doll which is very funny.

'That b'aint how you makes fruit cake!'
So, 2Entertain are having a strong spring 2009; The peerless 'Deadly Assassin' and now this superb story from the Graham Williams produced late 1970s era both released on DVD.
Image of the Fendahl is one of the stories spoken of as 'the Gothic era Doctor Who', and with its supernatural overtones, creepy mansion and mad scientist, it certainly ticks many of the boxes for Gothic horror. Sadly, most of the superb cast were unavailable for the DVD extras but there is a great interview with Edward Arthur who played irreverent scientist Adam Colby. Although the story's central threat - a green slimy monster in true Who style - is not that well realised, the creepy atmosphere and strong performances - Baker is awesome - make this a great slice of classic Doctor Who.