Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3030 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-02-04
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 97 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
One of the most popular adventures from the William Hartnell era of Doctor Who, The Time Meddler pits the Time Lord against Carry On star Peter Butterworth in an entertaining, well-written adventure.

Set in England back in 1066, on the eve of the Battle of Hastings, The Time Meddler sees the Doctor drawn to a monastery where a single monk resides. So how come the singing of the monks can be heard from far away? And what's the reasoning behind the modern utensils he discovers? All paths lead to the aforementioned Butterworth, whose character's backstory adds a nice twist to the story.

The Time Meddler throws in the backstory of Jamie discovering the world of time travel for the first time, but it's the sparring between Hartnell and Butterworth that provides the sparks. And while it's not a perfect adventure, The Time Meddler is very entertaining, and a nice slice of classic Doctor Who.

Poignantly, the late Verity Lambert joins an intelligent, interesting commentary track in the highlight of the disc's extras. The Time Meddler was the last Doctor Who story she produced, and her contribution to the supplementary features package is both interesting and a fitting tribute to her work. It also helps make a very strong release for fans of classic Doctor Who. --Simon Brew

Synopsis
Doctor Who returns for this exciting collection of episodes that make up the Time Meddler story, set on the eve of the Battle of Hastings, and starring William Hartnell as the Doctor. Includes four episodes: 'The Watcher', 'The Meddling Monk', 'A Battle Of Wits' and 'Checkmate'.

Customer Reviews

Solid Story if nothing else
Truthfully I bought this dvd because it was cheap and I wanted to but some doctor who from each doctor and I chose this story.
It has moments of pure cheese I cant deny but it is an interesting concept. The fighting is terrible but in that hilarious retro way that anything from that time would be like. All I can say is its a bit of fun and like all the doctor who dvds, its extras are excellent.

Enjoyable tale from the early days
Barcode: 5014503233129

A curious serial from the William Hartnell years when the show was still very much in its infancy, The Time Meddler, as mentioned in the accompanying booklet, set the scene for the psuedo-historical episodes of the series that were to become a frequent reoccurance in the future. This time we see the doctor in Northumbria on the cusp of Viking invasion, a backdrop for the sinister actions of fellow Time Lord, the Meddling Monk.

Looking back, on the whole this episode has quite a comic, jokey feel to it in the fights between the Saxons and Vikings and the traipsing back and forth between the monastary and the village but while you're watching it never feels overdone and you soon immerse yourself in the fun of it. Companions Vicki and Steven play well off each other and First Doctor William Hartnell is instantly likable in his ways.

The Monk himself works well as a kind of comedic villain, the juxtaposition of capturing the doctor and then serving him tea perfectly summing up his character. Ultimately, 'The Time Meddler' represents a more innocent, care-free feeling Doctor Who. Along with the usual extras, this makes for a very enjoyable DVD. I think even new fans would be easily charmed by this episode, don't be put off by the black & white, the quality of the acting and script testament as always to the lasting appeal of Doctor Who.

An Enjoyable but Unessential Story.
This is a fun story, but its simple plot does reveal that much of the production team in its era pitched the show squarely to children.(If you can't surmise the Meddler's plan by the end of the first episode you shouldn't be allowed to drive, vote or look after a friend's pet while they are on holiday.)

Unfortunately, it doesn't really enlages the Whovian mythos either as some reviewers are suggesting - all we really learn is that there is more than one TARDIS in existence. We don't learn the Doctor is an alien let alone a Timelord.But let's don't condemn it for what it isn't. This is a slow, unremarkable outing. The Master is a much better foe for our hero.

That said Peter Butterworth is great, he porttrays the Meddler with such charm and with a twinkle in his eye that it is easy to feel sorry for the old rogue.(Perhaps Big Finish could produce a sequel?)But charm is not enough to rate this as high as "Genesis of the Daleks", "The Caves of Androzani" or "Blink".

The commentary is great though; Clayton Hickman is a genial, informed moderator and Verity Lambert and her friends are great company. Unfortuately, this just highlights the shameful lack of a tribute documentary to Verity who arguably helped to form the series into an icon of British television drama.