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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1521 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-02-23
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 168 minutes

DVD Description
The TARDIS gains a new crew member then travels back in time to Nero’s Rome in these two classic adventures starring William Hartnell.

The Rescue
Arriving on the planet Dido in the late 25th Century, the time travellers come upon a crashed spaceship from Earth. Its two occupants are living in fear of a creature called Koquillion, but everything is not as it seems…

The Romans
The time travellers are enjoying a rare holiday, staying at a villa not far from Rome in the year 64 AD. The Doctor soon becomes restless and sets off to visit the city. Having been mistaken for the famous lyre player and asked to perform at the Emperor Nero's Court, the Doctor has to devise ever more elaborate schemes to avoid revealing that he cannot actually play the instrument.

DVD Special Features include:
• Commentaries with cast and crew
• The making of The Rescue and The Romans
• Radio Times Billings • Photo Gallery
• Coming Soon Trailer • Production Information Subtitles

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Customer Reviews

Hello Vicki Welcome To Rome.
Season 2.
Now then what have we here, well in my opinion we have two neglected little gems, that's what. Two stories from the always ignored (In fan polls.) Hartnell era.
These two stories are from Season two, a season which had the highest "overall" viewing figures in the shows history.
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The Rescue.(Two Episodes.)
A succinct and competently written two parter, who's sole purpose is to introduce the Granddaughter replacement Vicki.
And by doing so quickly rebalances the demographics of the group after the departure of Susan.
It's main plotline hinges on a murder mystery with Sci-fi overtones, which the Doctor solves, with the help of some prior knowledge of the indigenous civilisation he'd gained from a previous visit.
Originally planned as the first story of the second season it was put back into third place because of extra work required on, "The Dalek Invasion of Earth".
Ep.1~ The Powerful Enemy.(2/1/65)
Ep.2~ Desperate Measures.(9/1/65)
Overall opinion:~a pleasing little diversion from some of Season two's more facetious offerings.
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The Romans.(Four Episodes.)
Forgetting about the historical inaccuracies in some of the main characters. This story was unique for many years afterwards, as been deliberately done in a farcical fashion.(Input by the great Dennis Spooner.)
The Tardis crew via many convoluted reasons end up in Rome, but neither party (Vicky and the Doctor)(Barbara and Ian.) is aware of the others presence. The Doctor is mistaken for lyre player Maximus Pettulian, and finds himself embroiled in intrigue and murder in Nero's court.
Many of the situations are terribly contrived, but some are amusing.
- The Doctor using the, "Emperors New Clothes" syndrome to fool the snobs in Nero's court, whilst pretending to play the Lyre.
(He can't play a note.)
- The Doctor gives Nero an Idea to rebuild Rome.(Involving fire.)
On a religious note one of the characters turns out to be one of Rome's early Christians.
Anyone who's seen, "Spartacus", "Ben Hur" and "Carry on Cleo" will see at least one scene inspired from those classic films.
Ep.1~ The Slave Traders.(16/1/65)
Ep.2~ All Roads Lead to Rome.(23/1/65)
Ep.3~ Conspiracy.(30/1/65)
Ep.4~ Inferno.(6/2/65)
Overall opinion:~It was nice to actually see The Doctor meeting a historical figure for once, instead of just name dropping, like he does a lot during the Pertwee years.
This story shows Nero not fiddling while Rome burns, instead he "Lyred", much more believable.
(The fiddle hadn't been invented.)
The Romans is still even now an amusing treat, don't let the fact it's in Black and White put you off.
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Trivia~ According to research Nero died in his thirties. A lot younger then the middle aged Derek Francis, who plays him here.

Wonderful bit of Sixties television.
*The Rescue*

Quite a nice little tale. The sets and direction are outstanding - there are some snappy angles and many clever inlay shots - and the performances are fine. The Rescue is essentially a vehicle for Vicki's introduction though it manages to entertain in other ways, as the whole cast are on top notch form and the Didoan civilisation is intriguing. Maureen O'Brien is a breath of fresh air, her acting abilities light years ahead of Carole Ann Ford's irritating performance as Susan.

*The Romans*
Very amusing. Hartnell is well suited to light comedy and this is full of it. The script sparkles with wit and black humour, and counterpoints this with some quite heavy scenes particularly Ian's dramatic interlude aboard the slave ship. The whole cast are marvellous. One of the very best Hartnells.

Recommended.

Classic Doctor Who at its best
As someone who remembers The Rescue and The Romans first time round, this box set offers pure nostalgia. Koquillion was a fearful creature when I was young but having seen subsequent foes, in particular with the new series, Koquillion seems to be very tame. But that aside, it was great to re-live the memory of Barbara first meeting Vicki and then killing her pet sand beast! Under the guidance of a kindly old man, Vicki forgives Barbara and it is rather touching in the way it is handled. William Hartnell portrays a memorable meeting with Koquillion and it is understandable why he is considered the best Doctor by those who grew up with him. With the departure of his granddaughter in the previous story, the Doctor warms to Vicki and this is beautifully shown. In complete contrast, The Romans is slap-stick comedy but with a historic theme. Barbara's flight around the corridors as she tries to escape the clutches of Emperor Nero is amusing but detracts from the real events of the time. However, it is all made up when the Doctor accidentally sets light to Nero's papers, giving the Emperor the idea to burn Rome to the ground and when this is posed to the Doctor by Vicki he feigns ignorance and this is why these early episodes can only be called CLASSIC DOCTOR WHO. A true delight - if only the missing episodes could be unearthed from an attic or crumbling church...