Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6040 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-04-16
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Full Screen, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 73 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The final serial in Doctor Who's original run on the BBC (before it was revived in 2005), this three-episode story stars Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor, who brings his companion Ace (Sophie Aldred) back to Earth, only to discover that a race of feline aliens have turned the planet into their private hunting ground. The aliens, called Cheetah People, are traveling between their dying planet and Earth to kidnap humans for food--and lurking behind the whole scheme is none other than the Doctor's arch enemy, the Master (Anthony Ainsley in his final TV performance as the character). Despite the relative lack of quality of its video cinematography, Survival is a sold serial from the McCoy era, with some genuine suspense and an affectionate (if temporary) send-off for the venerable sci-fi hero.

The two-disc set of Survival is typical of the impressive presentations that the Doctor's adventures have received on DVD. Two commentary tracks have been recorded--one featuring McCoy, Aldred, and script editor Andrew Cartmel, and the other by the winners of a contest sponsored by Doctor Who magazine (this appears only for episode 3). The hour-long, two-part Cat Flap (one of the original titles for the serial) covers the making of the serial from start to finish, and Endgame is an intriguing look at how the program might've continued after Survival had it not been cancelled in 1989. Little Girl Lost is a 15-minute exploration of Ace's character from her debut story until Survival, and Destiny of the Doctors features footage of Ainley as the Master taken from the 1997 computer game of the same name. The extras are rounded out by several deleted and extended scenes, a round of outtakes, the standard photo gallery, text-only commentary track, Radio Times listings (in DVD-ROM format), and a 20-minute episode of a U.K. educational program called Search Out Science, which features McCoy and Aldred as their characters in a discussion of (what else?) time and space. --Paul Gaita

Synopsis
The original series ran from 1963 and culminated in SURVIVAL in 1989; a story that would be the show’s last until being revived in 1996. Having taken Ace to the present in order for her to visit her friends, the Doctor soon discovers that they have been shanghaied by the cat-like Kitlings, and transported through space to their home planet. Arriving on the planet, it soon becomes clear that the kidnapping had been undertaken in order to set a trap for the Doctor.

Customer Reviews

8 Out of 10 Viewers will Enjoy this Romp.
Without question this story isn't one of the greats like "Genesis of the Daleks" and som e might argue this story is so memorable as it is the last episode before it was axed and the the reset button was pressed by Russell T. Davies. Yes, the cats aren't scary or realistic and the cheetah people are too cute to startle but it is immense fun.

Ironically, it joins on well with "Rose", the 1st episode from the rebooted Who. It does have flaws:- Ace enunciates well for a street kid; McCoy shouts too much like a stressed lecturer and the FX are not that special but it is fun and very watchable. Compared to "The Two Doctors" etc... this is a good story and sadly shows the Beeb swung the axe for the doctor's past poor outings and not his last incarnation's output.

80's Who is a hit and miss affair
For me, Doctor Who died a death after the departure of Tom Baker although to be fair the rot had set in towards the end of his tenure.

I stopped watching the programme as soon as Peter Davidson appeared on screen, from time to time I would tune in and sigh woefully at what had happened to the show. It's only now in adulthood that I have come to appreciate SOME of the post Tom Baker stories: Earthshock, Revelation of the Daleks, Time and the Rani - all great stories in an otherwise uninspiring decade of Sci fi and I even enjoyed Mr McCoys outing in Curse of Fenric and Remembrance of the daleks.

Unfortunately the same can't be said of this story and even the late great Anthony Ainleys performance couldn't improve matters as he seems to be somewhat MEOWted (sorry).

However, I would say to anyone thinking of trying it out to rent it first as they might just like it a lot. After all, a review is just a personal opinion and this story has obviously appealed to a lot of people who've left reviews on here.

Doctor Who's last gasp of air
After years of years under the misguided guidence from the late John Nathan Turner, Doctor Who breathes it last and bows out. Not a great tale this; pantomimic actic from Anthony Ainley as The Master, Sylvester McCoy rolling his Rrrrrrrs at every possible chance and a black cat that is so unconvincing you'll be wishing it was in black and white to hide it's awfulness.

Due to a continuous successions of really woeful ideas and decisions from JNT the BBC knocked the programme ion the head, and watching this one can see why. Shane really, as we have been robbed of years of no Doctor Who until someone with a talent (Russell T Davies) had the vision to know how to make the programme as popular as it once was. Not that I'm bitter. Heheheheh.

One for the completist this story; if you have enjoyed Doctor Who since it has become something to love again, and fancy seeing what it was like in the 80s, DON'T GET THIS.