Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2911 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-04-10
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 150 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
One of the finest stories of the classic Doctor Who age, Genesis Of The Daleks finds Tom Baker at his peak in the lead role, and ultimately facing one of the most significant moral dilemmas of his era as the Time Lord. That’s alongside the small matter of his most infamous enemies.

This is the adventure that goes right back to the roots of the Daleks, from their humble beginnings to the point where they become the Doctor’s most fearsome foes. Across the six episodes, we find that the Doctor has been sent to the planet Skaro, where he discovers the evil genius Davros, who is about to fully unleash his deadliest creations into the universe. Accompanied by Harry and Sarry, The Doctor also finds himself stuck in the middle of an ongoing war between the Thals and The Kaleds, in a story packed with danger and adventure.

It’s also grounded in the kind of excellent storytelling that has frequently allowed classic Doctor Who to overcome its low budget roots. And Genesis Of The Daleks is one of the finest examples of just how it manages it. Thanks to a tightly woven script, and a strong cast led by Tom Baker at his finest in the lead role, Genesis Of The Daleks is rightly regarded as one of the best Doctor Who stories of all time. It really isn’t hard to see why.--Simon Brew

Synopsis
Transported back in time to the planet Skaro Doctor Who and his companions have to try and stop Davros from ever creating the Daleks.

Customer Reviews

"Heil Kaleds, I'm home!"
Genesis is of course the story of how the Daleks were created. It shouldn't disappoint because although there are some silly ideas in it e.g., at war for 1,000 years the Thals have only just thought of launching a big missile at the Kaleds, it has been made with such energy and panache that you can't help but be entertained.
Naturally there is a bit of padding at 6 episodes long, but you will rarely find it dragging.
Uncle Tom is in commanding form, being ready to switch off Davros' life support (and Tom plays it like he means it) 1 minute, & debating philosophically the next. He tries to divert Davros from his destructive course but his voice tells us he doesn't think it's going to work. there is some lovely underplayed emotion as he believes his companions dead.
Lis Sladen and Ian marter are a great team for Tom and it works now to have Sarah almost order the Doctor to destroy the Daleks.
There is a marvellous villain in Michael Wisher's Davros, still the best one even though Terry Molloy & Julian Bleach have given him a run for his money. Many of the most chilling moments originate with him. there are subtleties that make his later ranting all the more effective.
A terrific Goebbels like sidekick in Peter Miles' Nyder. A dreadfully creepy man.
Allo Allo fans should watch out for a young Lt Gruber and General Von Klinkerhoffen!
Direction is good, shooting the Daleks from unusual angles and this couples well with very moody lighting. Bags of atmosphere that was criticised at the time for its grimness.
The downside inevitably includes some effects which have not stood the test of time e.g. some giant clams and I was never convinced even at 9 years old by having Uncle Tom attacked by boiled cabbage at the end of part 5! Minor quibbles.

The extras are marvellous with full blooded documentaries on both the Daleks' history and the making of the story. On the making of, naughty Uncle Tom gets bored and pretends his ex-wife has rung but he still has good stories as they all do. Peter Miles and Guy Siner have some interesting observations on the Baker acting style. Archive footage of the late Michael Wisher is included giving his welcome memories. There is an annoying Teach Yourself Dalek in 6 easy lesson and the back lighting for John Scott martin turns his hair into orange candy floss!Great stuff all the same.
On the Dalek history a mixture of people including some superfans talk us through the Dalek story.
Yes there's a Tommentary and he gets a lot of people to play with Lis, Peter Miles etc. and memories of Michael Wisher & Ian Marter abound. Fines stuff but not quite as bonkers as normal.
Great package for a classic story! For all fans.

THE DEFINITIVE DAVROS!
Absolute belter! One of the darkest & most serious in tone.
The setting of war torn Skaro, the fascist elements of the Kaled race, the birth of the Doctor's most feared enemies and the introduction of the greatest villain in Davros, that ever featured in the series.
This is the definitive Davros as played by Michael Wisher; the make up, the voice - all chillingly perfect and Davros was never so well portrayed again until 30 years later with Julian Bleach's stunning performances in Stolen Earth/Journeys End.
This is dark and mature, clearly influenced by a global conflict that had only ended 30 years prior. Sets, lighting, FX are all excellent - and there is plenty of tension and military style action.
Ok, the Daleks are in a more supportive role due to Davros's dominance but this is good as the Kaled scientist gives a (hideous) face to his
Dalek army, allowing for some great narrative between Wisher & Baker.
Tom Baker strides through this, with a perfect balance of drama and eccentricity!
This is as good as it gets - and the DVD extras are great (2 Discs) with two REALLY good docs on the Genesis programme itself, and also the history of the Daleks in the programme.
ESSENTIAL!

Must-Buy!
This was the first Classic Who that I watched, as it was time and time again recommended to me as the best story.
And, of what I've seen so far, I'd have to agree.

You can see why Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen are so many fans dream-pairing. They work incredibly well, both together and apart.

By now we should all know that Davros is coming back in the current series finale, and that was another of my motivations to buy this.
I can see why people have been desperate to get him back - he is genuinely scary in this episode! His presence, his apearance and his plans make him a quite terrifying baddie, and when he demands the Doctor tell him the future it is just as powerful as anything the new series could offer up.

One thing I would say that I feel there is a bit too much running between the two opposing buildings on Skaro, and at times I found myself wondering if the production team were inventing certain situations simply to fill time rather than further the story.

If you're thinking of buying a Classic Who to fill the time between this years finale and the specials you couldn't go very much wrong with this.