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Doctor Who - The Invasion Of Time [1978]
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£19.99 |
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£12.98 |
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| Editorial Reviews: | | |  | | A story plucked from the Tom Baker era of Doctor Who, The Invasion Of Time sees the Doctor heading back to Gallifrey, with Leela in tow (for the last time). His intention is to claim the presidency of the Time Lords, but some erratic behaviour (for a change!) sets a few alarm bells off. And when the Sontarans and Vardans appear on the scene, all hell seems set to break loose. It's fair to say that The Invasion Of Time has its problems, and even the more devoted of Doctor Who fans rarely ranks it in their top 20. The cheaper-than-usual looking Vardan monsters don't help, and when the Sontarans arrive they're arguably in the weakest shape they were ever seen in on the show. But that's not to say that The Invasion Of Time is without a good few merits. Baker is on terrific form here, and any episode that explores the Tardis and Gallifrey in a little more depth always has worth to it. The Invasion Of Time has also been given the two-disc special edition treatment, and the copious extra features don't disappoint. Classic Doctor Who double DVDs have a strong reputation for being superb special editions, and the same is again true here. So while The Invasion Of Time is no classic (and, in fact, is far from it), it's still an interesting entry into the heritage of the good Doctor, and a feast for fans of the show. Perhaps a better story for the next DVD releases though, please… --Jon Foster | |
| Custom Reviews: | |
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| | I recently bought this dvd and actually throughly enjoyed it
my memories had been that of a very poor story but i think apart from the rather confusing opening, where the doctor is acting very odd, theres a solid story to it, and the new CGI effects really raise it up an entire notch.
Its nice to see gallifrey once again. which i liked for really contining the look of the sets from the previous deadly assain. as i noticed that revisiting locations often bared no resebelance to their previous sets. e.g. Gensis to destiny of the daleks
I think the main point to make out with this story is, don't buy it if ur wanting a good sontaran story because as i wrote above, all they really were was some padding to a 6 part story. A Cameo apperance. Having said that the climax to part 4 was very powerful. Its just a shame that the continuation of the climax involved wandering through a very odd tardis interior, which really bares no relevance to a "advanced time machine from gallifrey" which apparently shares the same tastes as an old mental ward.
still theres a definate strength of story line to things, which if you can look beyond the production values, makes an interesting adventure to watch.
Tbh the main critism to this story was Leelas departure. Who decides to leave because she has fallen in "love". a fact which really came from no where and doesnt match her character one bit.
The dvd its self comes in 2 disks, with its usual run of extra features. However unlike previous releases these really wernt anything special. The look at gallifrey was a short 5 minute video, whilst the other feautrettes seemed very unexciting and had them selves critising the episode.
so overall i give the story a 4
production values 2
CGI 5
n the extras a 3
And an overall of 3 for the DVD release
but i still recommend you buy this your self. and you decide how good this really is
| | Utterly compelling - classic Tom Baker | |
| | Utterly compelling - classic Tom Baker
Barcode: 5014503258627
I went into this serial not knowing what to expect. From having a quick look over some of the other reviews on here, it seemed many were not overly keen on this serial. And as I started watching, I could kind of see where they were coming from. The premise is slightly confusing as a lot of information is restricted from the viewer and you are very much thrown into the middle of things. For those still relatively new to the classic series, this could be disconcerting, but really, give this serial a chance as when viewed in its whole 6 part epicness and you realise the intricacies behind what is presented in the opening, it is truly awesome.
By the end of the first episode, I was completely won over. You see, there is something irresistible about the overall look and feel of this serial and it is testament to the quality of writing and production that this serial succeeds so well, all the elements coming together to deliver a thoroughly entertaining slice of intrigue and Gallifrey based fun. The afore-mentioned confusion actually becomes integral to the serial, the Doctor's strange behaviour is intentional designed to be disconcerting, his anger and absolute authority quite shocking in its extremity - and when you realise why the Doctor is acting this way you are simply in awe of his courage and intellect.
The pacing is perfectly done too, again, the throwing you into the midst of things right from the start means the tension in this story never lets up and the cliff-hangers that bookend each episode hook you completely. Tom Baker of course is in his element here, every line packed with such intensity, whether seriousness or yet another witty one-liner, his performance draws you into the action and you are completely involved in the story. The sets look particularly fantastic, both on Gallifrey and in the TARDIS and I really like how we get an extended look into some of the other rooms in the latter in episode 6 (yes, it even has swimming pool!)
Where this serial really succeeds though is the dialogue. The acting is top notch and some of the witty sophisticated wordplay between the Doctor and the various other Time Lords will put a smile on your face again and again - not least the repeated jelly baby mentions (which is fine by me, they're one of my favourite sweets). And the Doctor's election ceremony as he becomes president is undoubtedly moving in its extravagance.
The adorable Leela is used really well here, her feisty attitude serving as the perfect juxtaposition against the pomp and strictness of the Time Lords and she seems very keen to keep whipping that little silver knife of hers out every second! Equally, K-9 is utilised really well too - all in all, both companions serving the story in a significant way, always at the heart of the action and always ready to help the Doctor. Rodan is a nice little touch too, filling out that kind of quasi-one-off-companion style role and acting as a friend for Leela to chat with.
In terms of the Time Lords, Borusa, Kelner and Andred all work brilliantly here and the way they play off each other is fantastic to watch. As for the villains, I was actually quite surprised, as being a Sontaran story, they only really feature in the last 2 episodes although Commander Stor's halting, half-whispered Cockney voice is pretty eerie. No, on the whole I actually found the Vardans to be a far more interesting villain here - in their crinkly, ghost-like tin foil forms they are haunting, their apparent alliance with the Doctor only adding to their sinister nature.
All in all then, a completely fascinating episode which succeeds again and again. If I were to be picky, the only glaring fault I'd pick up on is the stereotyped and poorly used savages from the Gallifreyan wastelands. But aside from that, I'd say give this story a chance - released as a 2 DVD set and packed with all the usual brilliant extras we have come to expect with the Doctor Who DVD releases, this is well-worth getting if you're a Who fan.
| | the invasion of gallifrey | |
| | A six part doctor who story from 1978 comes to dvd. this features tom baker as the doctor, louise jameson as his companion leela, and john leeson voices his robotic dog K9. In this story the Doctor heads back to his homeworld and becomes president, only to sell the planet out to a race of alien invaders.
Has the doctor gone mad or bad? is he playing a dangerous game? and who are also lurking in the wings waiting to strike?
see the cover of the box for the answer to the latter one.
those involved in old doctor who often say that their primary motivation with a story was to ensure that there weren't twenty five minutes of blank screen on the bbc on a saturday night. and that's why this one exists. it was a last minute replacement for a story that feels through, and it does feel like a story written in a hurry and shot on the cheap. particularly in the last two episodes where the corridors of an old hospital double for the tardis interior.
There's some good acting from the supporting cast and the regulars, but this in many ways merely filler and it's a long way from the best that the show can offer.
The dvd contains two discs. the story is on the first, with all six episodes and direct scene access. production subtitles and english language subtitles for the hard of hearing. there's a commentary from the script editor, louise jameson and john leeson, and one of the special effects people, and the option to replace some of the effects with more modern cgi versions. and some of them need it.
On disc two we have:
out of time a sixteen minute long documentary about the story. As good and comprehensive as these usually are, although a bit short compared to some.
A ten minute feature about gallifrey throughout the history of the show. interesting but a bit too short and doesnt touch on certain stories at all
The elusive david agnew: a jokey little feature about the writer of the story [it was actually a pen name for the producer and the script editor] that is a nice idea but doesnt have much to offer. note the name of the director of the feature. Alan Smithee. if you don't know who that is then google it.
There are several deleted scenes, but this is just more corridor walking from the last two episodes which have enough of those already and these don't add anything.
The bbc trailers of the time for the story
the radio times listings of the time - as a PDF file which you look at on computer
a photo gallery of the story
a trailer for upcoming release of the invisible enemy/k9 and company, two k9 stories.
and for an easter egg go to the second screen on disc two, watch it on a computer, and move the pointer around till a doctor who logo lights up. click on that to find a short piece seemingly cut from the out of time documentary with a props man looking at how one item in particular was made to work. it's not a bad little piece.
An average story. and an okay package for it
| | "Gallifrey? Never heard of it." | |
| | "I think we just about got away with it" is script editor Anthony Read's verdict on THE INVASION OF TIME in this DVD's "Making of..." featurette. Many fans already know that this 1978 story was a last minute measure written in desperation by Read and producer Graham Williams under the pseudonym of David Agnew when a David Weir script proved unsuitable. On the whole I'm inclined to agree that this story just about holds together although there are problems. Considering the circumstances under which it was made (the problems were compounded by a BBC scene shifters strike meaning valuable days in the studio were lost) it's little short of astonishing that some parts of it are really very good indeed.
The plot starts very well with the Doctor behaving remarkably out of character, and the audience having no idea as to why. This has a lot of mileage in it and it sustains the narrative effectively for about 2 and a half episodes, especially with his flagrant disrespect for the rituals and pomp of Time Lord politics.
No question at all that episode 6 is a disappointment as it's mostly a rather dull chase around the TARDIS. No question that the Outsiders are a bunch of hearty cliches. Leela's decision at the end to pair up with Andred is a disappointing way to say goodbye to one of the best companions ever. It appears to happen for no very credible reason and it's to the credit of Louise Jameson that her performance retains so much integrity.
The shock appearance of the Sontarans at the end of episode 4 makes for a great little cliffhanger, but because they spend 2 episodes simply chasing people around corridors they lack the impact they had in their first 2 DR WHO appearances. However, Derek Deadman gets the brutal physicality of Commander Stor dead right and I'm probably one of the few people who actually likes his performance, cockney accent notwithstanding. If nothing else there is a certain entertainment value in his delivery of lines like: "This machine is a load of obsolete rubbish!"
Where INVASION OF TIME scores most highly is in sharp witty lines and the quality of its supporting cast. Milton Johns and John Arnatt are exceptional. Arnatt's coldly dignified Borusa and Johns' Uriah Heap-like Kelner are absolutely in keeping with the kind of Time Lords we met in this story's superb prequel: THE DEADLY ASSASSIN. There are some outstanding exchanges between Tom Baker and John Arnatt, and Milton Johns' toadying heightens the audience's interest in any scene in which he appears.
The regulars are also assets to the production. I've already talked about Jameson, but a mention has to go to John Leeson's K9, whose vocal performance makes the robot dog far more than just than a loveable cheap gimmick to amuse the children. The relationship between K9 and his 2 co-stars is utterly believable - and given a chilling twist in episode 1 when he threatens to use his weapon on Leela. No-one really believes that the Doctor has turned into a power-crazed dictator, but that hardly matters as Tom Baker plays each moment with the weight it deserves. His looks of anguish when he has to be mean to Leela are really affecting. What is slightly worrying is that this was the story when in the late 1970's DR WHO stopped being DR WHO and started to turn into THE TOM BAKER SHOW. There is a self-indulgence in the amount of extreme close-ups the leding man receives here, and his talking to camera is less a Shakespearean soliloquy, more a stand-up routine gone wrong. It's just as well he's so good in the role or this would be unforgiveable otherwise.
The extras on the 2 discs are of the usual good quality, although the cheerful commentary with Jameson, Leeson, Read and Mat Irvine feels like it flags in places - probably because 6 episodes is a long time to sustain the kind of anecdotes and reminiscing that's needed. The OUT OF TIME featurette is a brisk and effective little documentary and THE RISE AND FALL OF GALLIFREY is a short but thoughtful piece on the changing portrayal of the Time Lords during the original series. Though I'm not sure that I think THE ELUSIVE DAVID AGNEW works, as if you're in on the knowledge that Agnew is a BBC staff writers' pseudonym the joke falls rather flat, and I doubt that those who don't know will be gasping with amazement when they find out.
The replacement CGI effects add a layer of gloss which slightly takes away the cheap look of the story. The new improved Vardans are particularly effective, even if one of them now looks like he's overweight when sitting at a desk. It's these new enhanced effects coupled with the beautifully restored picture that really make INVASION OF TIME worth having, even if matters do go pear-shaped in the last episode.
| | A teriffic Tom Baker story | |
| | This is a brilliant story, with a real epic feel. Tom Baker gives probably his best ever performance as the Doctor, it's great to see him back on his home planet Gallifrey and the surprise appearance of the Sontarans gives the story an added boost. The extras look to be very promising too. A great slice of classic Who. Highly recommended.
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