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Doctor Who - The Dalek Invasion Of Earth [1964] [1963]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

The second story of series two, Doctor Who--Dalek Invasion of Earth sees William Hartnell's Doctor in a six-part adventure pitted against his greatest nemesis, the Daleks. The Doctor, Susan (Carol Ann Ford), Ian (William Russell) and Barbara (Jacqueline Hill) arrive in the London of 2164, where the Nazi-like Dalek's have turned the remnants of the human race into slave workers or "Robomen", who unfortunately foreshadow Monty Python's hilarious "Gumbies". The Dalek's plan involves a vast mine in Bedfordshire and the final destruction of the human race, while pitted against them is a WWII-style resistance movement led by Dortmun (Alan Judd) and David Campbell (Peter Fraser). One of the most famous of all Doctor Who stories, Dalek Invasion of Earth features such iconic moments as a dalek emerging from the Thames, and a remarkable flight across London showing daleks crossing Westminster Bridge and patrolling Trafalgar Square and the Albert Memorial. Terry Nation's story is almost insanely ambitious for the budget, and while sets and effects are primitive, the location work is highly evocative. Lavishly remade for the cinema as Daleks Invasion Earth: 2150AD (1966), the plot here is more detailed, mercifully free of comic relief, and delivers a surprisingly sensitive ending to mark Carol Ann Ford's departure from the series.

On The DVD: Doctor Who--Dalek Invasion of Earth is a comprehensive two-disc set with a generally excellent black-and-white 4:3 picture and mono sound. The highlight of Disc One is a warm and very informative commentary hosted by Gary Russell and featuring director Richard Martin (all episodes), producer Verity Lambert (5 episodes), Carol Ann Ford and William Russell (4 episodes each). There are optional subtitles for the episodes, as well as for the commentary, and further text titles giving detailed background information. Optional new CGI-effects shots have been added, which via seamless branching can be selected over the original 1964 model work. The new material obviously lacks authenticity, but looks about 1000 times better. Disc Two offers an abundance of extras including an amusing extract from Blue Peter (6 min) showing how to make edible Daleks. There is a photo gallery and some very poor quality Rehearsal Footage, but most fun of all is a 27 minute 1994 BBC spoof radio documentary which asks Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman?. Jane Asher plays Susan in an SF comedy as ingenious as it amusing and irreverent. This is a remarkable set, which belongs in any Who fan's collection. Gary S Dalkin


An utter disappointment
Review date: 2008-09-03 Rating: 2 out of 10

Doctor Who - The Dalek Invasion Of Earth [1964] [1963]
When I first got The Dalek Invasion of Earth, I thought this would be a very good story - how wrong I was! Firstly, the dalek voices are some of the worst I've ever heard. Secondly, there is very little knowledge of the daleks plan until the last two episodes then the story rushes to close itself to get to the departure of Susan. Also, the appearance of the black dalek's pet the slyther is far too quick and is only on for five seconds at the end of episode four and is only on for another five seconds at the start of episode five. There are much better dalek stories out there and I wouldn't recommend buying this one.

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Reviews


The Daleks are Masters of Earth!
Review date: 2008-07-12 Rating: 10 out of 10

This story is the one which establishes Daleks forever as the ultimate merciless killing machines they really are. Before the first episode of this story aired, Daleks were known as robots which were lethal, yes, but if you...oh, i don't know...left their city, they couldn't kill you. In this, no matter where you go they can find you; even underwater!

While i'm used to the new episode with David Tennant, I can still appreciate the true scale of his adventure. The first time the Daleks step foot (not literally) on our home turf, and what an event to remember!

Any Doctor Who fan, or even any fan of goold-old "alien invasion" sci-fi should definately add this to their DVD collection. It's worth every penny of the price, and more!

I never saw this before
Review date: 2008-07-12 Rating: 6 out of 10

It's a classic because it's old and rare.

I'm not sure it's a really good story.

For me there is far too much emphasis on a WW2 based feeling about ideologies. Obviously the daleks can be seen as nazis, as I have read elsewhere, but also, idealistic but disorganised freedom fighters, quislings, informers, self sacrifice, work camps, absolute trust of those "on our side"...

All in all, interesting, and worth seeing, but patchy, particularly some of the video is very sharp, some isn't.

The Daleks return for a second showdown!
Review date: 2008-05-14 Rating: 8 out of 10

This 2-Disc DVD set takes us back to the days of black and white and the first Doctor's era of Doctor Who. Set in the twenty-second century, the Daleks have subjugated the Earth's population with brainwashed Robomen. This was the second Dalek story that was made and is one of the best stories of the Hartnell era. If you can overlook the well-dated effects, there is much to admire in the tale. There is a moody build up in episode 1, culminating with one of the series most famous scenes - a Dalek rising up out of the River Thames. We also see the Daleks portrayed as ruthless fascists, conquering and enslaving. This, made in 1964, must have made quite an impression on the viewing public, with memories of the Second World War still fresh in the minds of many. The only real problem with this story is the Daleks plan to mine the core of the earth in order to be able to pilot it throughout the galaxy. This seems to be stretching things just a little too far. Nevertheless, a fine story, and watch out for an emotional farewell scene at the end of episode 6.
The disc set contains the usual array of DVD extras, including commentaries, trailers and interviews with members of the cast, including those who performed the voices of the Daleks. With the passage of time and the arrival of modern special effects, William Hartnell and his era tend to be overlooked by fans of the programme today. A pity! It may look a bit dated now, but if you want a taste of early Doctor Who stories and want to get some idea why the show became the national institution that it was (and still is) then here's a very good starting point.


They come to us
Review date: 2008-02-07 Rating: 10 out of 10

I just have to pass comment on this story, because, you see, it's my joint all time favourite Dalek story. I first saw this story at Longleat in '84, frozen solid in a poky tent with constant interruptions from K9 over the loudspeaker system. Needless to say I left the tent harbouring some very dark thoughts as to the disposition of K9. From the very first scene I was hooked, and the TARDIS had the side windows open!

I love ruined London, the Dalek emerging from the Thames, iconic imagery. The indomitable spirit of the surviving humans and the fact that the four regulars are so far from the ship by the end of it.

Okay the Slyther isn't up to much, and the Dalek voices are pretty poor, I was quite amused by the fact that a Dalek clears its throat before making an announcement, but the story stands head and shoulders above these petty quibbles.

Susan's final scene is moving too, although, what is the Doctor thinking? What happens to the poor girl once her chap has grown old; died and she regenerates? In effect he has sentenced her to exile on Earth, and he wasn't too keen when the same thing happened to him.

Love the `then and now' feature too, but then I love all the `then and now' features wherever they occur. This is such an ambitious story, I'd love to see it done now using modern CGI. Nine out of ten. Great set of extras too.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
William Hartnell
Jacqueline Hill
Carole Ann Ford
William Russell

Creators:
William Hartnell (Primary Contributor)
Carole Ann Ford (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

EAN: 5014503115623
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Black & White, PAL,
Release date: 2003-06-09
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 148 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1975-09-29
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)

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