Like time itself, BBC DVD's release of the CLASSIC SERIES is relentless, and whilst some of the story choices (DELTA AND THE BANNERMEN, FOUR TO DOOMSDAY and the forthcoming THE TWIN DILEMMA were not the first choices of fans to make it onto DVD, with classics such as TERROR OF THE AUTONS, THE DAEMONS, TERROR OF THE ZYGONS and THE SEEDS OF DOOM on the "wanted" list) have not been widely appreciated by those (outspoken web forum-fanatical) fans they have eventually been "cross examined" in order to develop a new perspective.
More often than not slices of humble pie have been (regrettably) devoured. Slices served lukewarm as opposed to piping hot. Why are we, fans, so critical of a drama series we love?
And it is the same with DOCTOR WHO - THE WAR GAMES. Not everyone's favourite however, I feel, that after you've sat theough the 10-part Troughton epic you'll regard it with renewed admiration (including the admiration of the Restoration Team's clean-up of the "print" which is precise & sagacious, and the Woolworth's style pick-and-mix of the DVD Extras, in this case, excel & indulge positively).
The theee-disc release (release date: 6 July 2009) finally attracts justice as the final enigmatic outing for Troughton that the dingy VHS release never did (even the second release as part of the W H SMITH's "Time Lord" boxset the story was not cleaned, polished and "huffed" on to remove the final speck of dust or "hair-in-the-gate"). But now, due to the sterling efforts of BBC DVD, Terrance Dicks & Malcolm Hulke's 1969 last minute filler can be seen as it was originally broadcast. Probably, better.
The treated soundtrack is as crisp & masterly as the visuals thus making THE WAR GAMES a prerequisite purchase for DOCTOR WHO fans - young and old alike.
No matter how extremely polished the "main feature" is it is, however, the content quality of the DVD Extras that will spark debate & confrontation within fandom - more often than not a negative opinion as if fans are continually ungrateful of the work of 2|entertain Producers.
In a historic about-turn, I am certain that fans will be wholeheartedly positive about the complimentary mini-features that THE WAR GAMES DVD has to offer. Certainly, the balance of DOCTOR WHO-related set against "issued-based" features is intelligently & subtly gratifying - it's "focussed" (i.e. spotlighting the 1969 DOCTOR WHO production) and it's the more "disparate" (i.e. a discussion about The Great War and, to a lesser measure, the documentary clip-show SHADES OF GREY).
Normally in a review I'd choose two or theee items to highlight for viewers to take note of. In this instance, it is hard to choose.
In the first of a continuing series, ON TARGET - MALCOLM HULKE deftly analyses (and about time too) the career of Malcolm Hulke "in-print" under the TARGET banner, with contributions from THE WAR GAMES cohort, Terrance Dicks and NEW SERIES animated-version Producer, Gary Russell. Both of who admire the "extensional" format of Hulke's novelisations, fleshing out even the minor characters to enable the plotline and developing the story beyond that of the TV production.
Frequently, DOCTOR WHO fans neglect to fanaticise about the "bottom-line" of a broadcast episode/story; that is "set-design", "make-up" or "costume". In a rare opportunity to reminisce about her work as a "make-up designer" theoughout the Troughton period, SYLVIA JAMES - IN CONVERSATION (probably on her living room's comfy sofa) is a thoroughly enjoyable "practical thesis", supplemented by original sketches & illustrations.
STRIPPED FOR ACTION - THE SECOND DOCTOR continues to examine the legacy of DOCTOR WHO comic strips (primarily, in this instance, TV COMIC) and, as a non-comic aficionado, is unwittingly arresting and forcing you to scour eBay for Troughton comics.
Once again in the first of a theee-part series/volume, THE DOCTOR'S COMPOSER allows prolific composer, Dudley Simpson to discuss the restraints of delivering "timed inserts" of music cues (1) without seeing any of the recorded film/videotape and (2) composing them within days of broadcast. Simpson discusses his collaboration with BBC RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP in providing a soundtrack built under both financial constraint and technical limitations. This first part/volume will conclude with a Tom Baker DVD release, and the discussion of Simpson's iconic incidental music for CITY OF DEATH.
Since the first release of CLASSIC SERIES on DVD, there may have been one or two DVD Extras that have been re-watched due to the superior content. THE WAR GAMES has that USP, and it's "fan-made". DEVIOUS is an odd mini-cutaway that re-works the end of THE WAR GAMES and leads us into SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE, and that stumble from the TARDIS of the Third Doctor. It's lovely. A smile from ear-to-ear diversion that you make you actually - in your own living room - make you want to applaud. Don't be shy - applaud. Naturally, Jon Pertwee is the Doctor.
This DVD's BBC FOUR's-style documentary is TIME ZONES, in which historians examine the reality upon which the War Lord's time zones were based. A mini GCSE in early 20 th . Century political affairs, and a not unexpected admission that a legion of Roman Centurions (answer in that description) are made up of more than just six "supporting artists".
NOW AND THEN is for real, "Matthew-no-mates", WETA-buying, "I-buy-DWM-every-month" fans. Too geeky for me and a cheap Christmas cracker filler. Worthless. And, after a fashion, the same could be said about TALKING ABOUT REGENERATION.
I am sure that I expecting more from SHADES OF GREY as a perspicuous scrutiny of production in the days black & white television broadcast. I was hoping for more technical discussion, demonstrating the comparisons of broadcast material versus colour set photos (there are some stunning photos from THE WAR GAMES or even MARCO POLO that could have been used as example), or even "colour" charts that were issued to set designers that ensure appropriate paint hues and tones were utilised.
The EASTER EGGS are quite frankly eccentric:
- On Disc One, we are treated an ON LOCATION audio recording that includes endless motor vehicles and a chap shouting "and action.".
- On Disc Two credulity is pushed to the very edge of suicide contemplation; sock puppets re-working the trial scene from THE WAR GAMES. I don't pay my TV Licence fee for this. Oh, do I pay my TV Licence Fee? Better check.
- On Disc Three you should be "health warned" - flashing psychedelic epileptic episode educing image sequence used as the Time Lord force-field. How do they find this gems?
WAR ZONE and the DVD COMMENTARY are, virtually, identical. Watch one or listen to one but not both due to the repetitive nature of the anecdotes.
You can never tire of being absorbed into a STUDIO COMMENTARY; perennially entertaining, charmingly personal and professionally intelligent that takes fans behind-the-camera of the DOCTOR WHO CLASSIC SERIES.
Commentary highlights:
Frazer Hines on filming with explosions: The Special Effects man had only four fingers and half a face! And that is what really frightened us
Frazer Hines on Troughton's last story: Patrick didn't want to leave and I didn't want to leave. But my Agent I'd done 3 years, and Patrick's wife said he should leave and do something other than children's television.
Wendy Padbury: She was very adamant. Pat was very happy.
Terrance Dicks: I though Pat wasn't very happy.
Jane Sherwin: I think Patrick was the best DOCTOR WHO until the present one. I think they have the same character - a sort of quirkiness.
Frazer Hines on his costume: I think I stole Peter Halliday's jacket from INVASION.
Terrance Dicks on episode one's ending: How's that for a cliff-hanger! The Doctor is shot at the end of episode 1. A short story.
Frazer Hines on the Second Doctor's viewing device: He's looking theough his Recorder. That's very novel. His Recorder is a Telescope. Ingenious that! Patrick's idea no doubt.
Terrance Dicks on the Roman Legionnaires: Slightly effeminate. They were like that in Rome! BEN HUR eat your heart out.
Jane Sherwin: The Roman's asked for "running money". Did they get it?
Derrick Sherwin: No idea. I certainly didn't pay it.
Wendy Padbury on the incidental score: Good music
Derrick Sherwin: It's Dudley Simpson.
Frazer Hines remembering the loud explosion whilst in the "Trench" set: Oh, you've got a leg over then.
Wendy Padbury: No change then!
Derrick Sherwin on creating the Time Lords: Terrance thinks I invented the Time Lords.
Frazer Hines: I think you did invent the Time Lords.
Frazer Hines on the after effects of horse riding: The make-up girl, on the backseat of the bus, had to rub oil into my legs because they were red-raw from riding up and down.
Jane Sherwin: And you couldn't have done that for yourself?
Frazer Hines (sighs): No.
At viewing episode five, when the War Lord and War Chief escalating events to their peer, Wendy Padbury: "Take your complaint to "Customer Services"
Frazer Hines: "Press 4 for The War Lord"!