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Doctor Who - Remembrance Of The Daleks [1987]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

"Remembrance of the Daleks" was the final Doctor Who story to feature the titular mutant cyborgs, and is a particularly notable adventure for the way it ties the plot into the very first story, "An Unearthly Child" made 25 years before.

It is 1963, and the Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy arrives in London with new companion Ace (Sophie Aldred), where two Dalek factions are engaged in a deadly search for the Hand of Omega. Ace quickly proves herself a dab-hand with high explosives, and while there are references to the history of the show, including some nice in-jokes, the drama is played much straighter than in McCoy's first season as the time traveller. This is Doctor Who with a decent budget; the period setting is surprisingly lavish and there are some fairly intense action sequences. The Daleks remain as menacing as ever, the plotting has an intriguing air of mystery, and McCoy injects some steel into his characterisation. Aldred serves an ace as a heroine with attitude, (very much post-Sarah Connor from The Terminator), and if this really does prove to be the Dalek's swansong, at least they go out with a bang.

On the DVD: Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred provide a warm and friendly commentary track, which also offers optional subtitles. The audio possibilities continue with an isolated music track, though the sound is Pro-Logic stereo, not the stated Dolby Digital. There are trailers for two episodes, a collection of out-takes, 13 deleted or extended scenes, and the raw footage from two different camera angles for two major scenes. Optional on-screen production notes complete a package which, with animated menus and very good 4:3 picture quality puts many Hollywood releases to shame.--Gary S. Dalkin


Another dreadful McCoy story..
Review date: 2008-07-01 Rating: 2 out of 10

Having watched this recently for the first time in about 15 years, I realised how dismal it always was. It was possibly one of the most self-referential adventures of the entire series. The televised reference to the "new 1960's science fiction series Do'.." set a new low. It's difficult to sit through this without squirming from embarrassment, but then, most of the McCoy stories WERE like that, and became all the more so with desperate attempts introduce a new sense of "mystery" to the Doctor. As the Dalek gravitated up the staircase after him, I couldn't help but think "Yes, make him regenerate now!"



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Remembrance of a classic!
Review date: 2008-05-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

One of the great classics of the original series and the best from the Seventh Doctor's era - Remembrance of the Daleks. The underrated Sylvester McCoy battles against two Dalek factions seeking to steal an all-powerful device known as the Hand of Omega. This story brings the Doctor back to where it all started in 1963 and was a fitting way to open up the 25th season of the programme. McCoy rises to the occasion and Sophie Aldred, settling into the part of Ace is impressive, (certainly a vast improvement on her predecessor!) There is some excellent action throughout the story including cliffhangers, which will have you on the edge of your seat. The cliffhanger at the end of Episode two must be regarded as a classic, which hearkens back to the golden era of Doctor Who in the Seventies. This is also the story, where the Doctor discovers to his horror that Daleks can actually climb stairs! There is a fine supporting cast. Watch out for Michael Sheard in the last of his many roles in Doctor Who, and also, Simon Williams from `Upstairs Downstairs' as Group Captain Gilmour. Interestingly enough, the character of Davros is kept in the background for most of the action here, and this allows the Daleks to take centre stage. When Davros does appear, the interplay between him and the Doctor is excellent (apart from the 'rice pudding' comment!)
As an early DVD release, the extras are not that extensive, but we still have a commentary, out-takes and trailers. A first class story from the original run of Doctor Who. It can take its place alongside some of the great stories from the golden era.


Razor sharp wit & the return of the Daleks - classic Who
Review date: 2008-04-21 Rating: 10 out of 10

Barcode: 5014503104023

Daleks fighting Daleks! It's great stuff and Remembrance marks a memorable last appearance in the classic series for the Doctor's famous adversaries. Things start slowly with lots of skulking round and investigating but the pace quickly picks up in an initial scrap-yard shoot-out where Ace's infamous Nitro Nine is put to explosive effect. Having picked up Ace in previous serial Dragon fire, her relationship with the Doctor blooms with every scene in this story and the two of them play brilliantly against each other. As Ace proves though, she is just as capable on her own as she jumps through a lab window and smashes up a Dalek with a baseball bat.

Sylvester's Doctor is gloriously camp with his question mark umbrella, rolled rrrr's and little random spoutings of knowledge that are just pure charm. The air of superiority he conveys over the others, including Ace, is immense part of his appeal and we get to see him on top form in this episode as he battles against his old enemy, the Daleks.

The gritty urban settings serve as a great backdrop to this story even though he whole thing still feels and looks like the 80s despite the fact it is supposed to be the 60s (we can even see some very uncontemporary buildings in the background at the graveyard). But then that, like the incidental music and title graphics this all is part of the charm of the late 80s Who serials (and yes, the Daleks do wobble quite a lot). That said, there are some pretty nifty special effects on show here including the x-ray-style skeleton special effect as a soldier is hit by a Dalek death-ray while the Dalek shuttle landing in front of the school is pretty awe-inspiring.

The two army scientific advisors add a lovely comedic touch too while soldier Mike is sinister in his double crossing and the cruel way he befriends Ace early on only to reveal his true intentions and hold her at gunpoint later. The pace and tension is done really well throughout but the final episode is where this serials really excels itself as things reach a dramatic conclusion.

The heavy weapons Dalek is an obvious highlight as its insanely massive gun obliterates the renegade Daleks with immense explosions (so big the special effects crew set off all the nearby car alarms) while later on we see the Doctor's intricate trickery and wordplay cause a Dalek to self-destruct and Davros to apparently destroy Skaro. As Ace herself would say `well devious'. As for extras, you get a commentary from Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred and there's also some of the funiest outtakes and deleted scenes that I've seen in a long time on here.

A classic episode and full of fantastic moments (rice pudding!) - just as Doctor Who should be.


Rubbish
Review date: 2008-01-14 Rating: 4 out of 10

I'm no Dr Who geek. I've bought a few Dalek (Genesis, Revelation, Destiny) and Cyberman (Earthshock) releases to relive those happy childhood memories and the majority have stood the test of time well IMO.

This though is the worst I've seen so far. I'd forgotten how bad Ace was for a start, with her constant 80's catchphrase checklist trying to appeal to the kids (it didn't work back in 1987 - she was NOT cool). The story unfolds without explanation with the Doctor filling in the gaps as we go along. There is no explanation for their arrival in the 1960's, nor what the hell the Doctor is on about saying he's been there before. I can only assume it refers to some other adventure?

The special effects are really, really bad - even for Doctor Who. The "special" Daleks are truly laughable as are the machine guns firing smoke. At least with the older series the effects just come across as quaint.

Overall - crap. A waste of time watching and a waste of £10 purchasing it.


In hindsight, surprisingly bad
Review date: 2007-06-28 Rating: 4 out of 10

Received as a masterpiece in 1988, this Doctor Who story unfortunately doesn't stand up to re-watching in the 21st century. The whole thing is stagey and amateurish. Special mention must be given to the poor acting, especially from the two leads. Even the plot, the elements of which look so good on paper, is risible. As I sat through it, I was glad I was watching it alone.

'Remembrance' is more dated than many of the stories made in the mid 1970s, which perhaps casts a light on why Doctor Who was cancelled shortly after the 1988 season. There are plenty of Doctor Who DVDs more worthy of your money than this overrated embarrassment.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Peter Purves
Sophie Aldred
Sylvester McCoy

Creators:
Sylvester McCoy (Primary Contributor)
Sophie Aldred (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503104023
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2001-02-26
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1975-09-29
Language: English (Original Language)

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