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Doctor Who - The Sontaran Experiment [1975] [1963]
![Doctor Who - The Sontaran Experiment [1975] [1963]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TXAW1Z1JL._SL160_.jpg)
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Editorial
Synopsis
Tom Baker returns as the fourth doctor in THE SONTARAN EXPERIMENT in an eerie tale of a deserted Earth and the group of space travellers lured there by a phoney distress call.
"Sontarans and South Africans"
Review date: 2008-04-16 Rating: 8 out of 10
A good 2 parter shot entirely on location, Dartmoor adding more than a little atmosphere.
Yes, the script is a bit scatalogical. We can accept the experiments are all testing the mortality of Humans, but given there's so few on the planet, why bother? I reckon Styre's just making snuff videos for the Marshall!
Great characterisation for the Sontarans, easily the best non-Robert Holmes Sontaran script-so far! Kevin Lindsay's performance takes full advantage of lines like (on reacting to a scream) "Why did you make that disagreeable noise?" and calling the Doctor a "maggot"!
The Doctor/Sarah/Harry triumvirate is working well here, 3 never seems like a crowd. Sarah becomes a torture victim largely relying on camera angles and Elisabeth Sladen's strong performance, Harry switches from credible doctor (he knows someone deprived of water should be given a small amount and not a cupfull) to someone who can fall down a "whacking great subsidence" and then resolve to teach a murderous Sontaran a lesson without ever seeming a buffoon.
Uncle Tom plays the action man here falling down the same subsidence and challenging the Sontaran to a duel. The sequence where he declares "I'm the Warrior Class!" is a joy!
The colonists are not so memorable although it's good they're not speaking in received pronunciation, even if the South African accent is so easily identifiable.
A good functional design for the robot.
"Built for War" covers the 4 Sontaran stories, focussing mainly on the 1st 2, utilising Lis Sladen but also featuring soundbites from Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant & others. Great stuff.
Of course there's a commentary (sadly not a Tommentary) which stars Ms Sladen and covers memories of the location, Kevin Lindsay's lunch being sent up the hill on a tray and Tom's snapped collar bone.
A great start for the budget DVDs with better extras than some of the full price ones (yes "Claws of Axos", I am talking about you!).
Recommended for all.
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Reviews
Only 2 episodes.
Review date: 2007-08-27 Rating: 6 out of 10
'The Sontaran Experiment' is good, but, being only a 2 parter (about 50 minutes), should have been released with 'The Ark in Space' (4 parts), the story that had preceded it on first broadcast in 1975. However, the restoration of picture and sound is exemplary, as usual, and there is the bonus of a near 40 minute documentary. Unfortunately, though, the 'actor' playing the Sontaran in the new footage that's interspersed throughout the documentary is an embarrassment and should have been cut.
Enjoyable, short mid-season filler
Review date: 2007-05-21 Rating: 6 out of 10
"The Sontaran Experiment", by Bob Baker and Dave Martin, achieves exactly what it sets out to achieve: to provide a diverting two-part filler story to plug the gap between "The Ark in Space" and "Genesis of the Daleks".
Fifty minutes really isn't a lot of time for the classic series to work with, and as such the plot (and resolution) is fairly straightforward. Of much more interest is the fact that "The Sontaran Experiment" was shot entirely on location, in cold weather on the windswept expanses of Dartmoor. There are, therefore, no corridors for once, and good use is made of the natural environment, with its dramatic vistas and all its concomitant hazards.
In his first performance as the Doctor under new producer Philip Hinchcliffe ("The Sontaran Experiment" was made before "The Ark in Space"), Tom Baker nails the part right away, delivering just the right mixture of madness and intensity. Companions Sarah Jane Smith and Harry Sullivan are their usual likeable (if hopeless) selves and there's nothing really to object to, except perhaps for the rather cheesy robot. The Sontaran makes a good, if one-dimensionasl villain, and his eventual demise is fairly gratifying.
The DVD presentation in this likeable slice of filler is the first of the BBC's cut-price "vanilla plus" presentations of classic series stories. The DVD therefore features a commentary (with actress Elisabeth Sladen, producer Philip Hinchcliffe and writer Bob Baker) and a decent documentary on the role of the Sontarans in Doctor Who, but not all that much else. A decent purchase for Who fans none the less.
A nice little story
Review date: 2007-05-17 Rating: 10 out of 10
Though not a classic, this story holds a special place on my shelf.
The plot is nice and easy to follow despite the seriousness of the Sontaran plot.
Tom Baker is on top form and gets a chance to show the audience that like Jon Pertwee his doctor is capable of using physical strength to overcome an enemy when required to.
This was my first Sontaran story and I have to say they instantly became one of my fave monsters in the series.
Overall this story is a welcome addition to Tom's first season and shows just how violent and sadistic a Sontaran can be.
Oi! Big head!
Review date: 2007-04-17 Rating: 6 out of 10
As many Doctor Who fans know, this was a last minute story with very little budget and so became the first Doctor Who story to be filmed entirely on location.
This is Tom Baker at his best, he injured himself during the making of this and you can tell during part of the fight scene with the Sontaran that a double in a wig was used. Baker is witty and demonstrates the light hearted ego we all love about his Doctor.
A welcome return of the Sontarans. Given the budget restraints Doctor Who often had, the Sontaran costume and make-up is excellent. One of the eeriest characters (and one I hope we'll see again in the new series at some point!).
The Sontaran was one of the darkest characters, carrying out experiments on humans as if they were mere labratory specimins. There seemed to be a bit of humour in his beaurocracy obsession with keeping notes too!
The robot was a bit dire - it looked like a couple of coat hangers had been animated through demonic possession, so it didn't scare me. But that's where imagination comes in handy - as with the snake! The accents of the astronauts kept you guessing as to where they were from as you picked up hints of, well, everywhere!
Sarah Jane (Elisabeth Sladen) was a strong character in this episode, perhaps more than Ian Marter who was easing himself into the role still. Interestingly, Tom Baker looked as though he'd been playing The Doctor since the dawn of time, even though he was still pretty new to the role - such was the genius of Baker.
A slow edited story, which adds to the feeling of nothingness and heightens the tension. It's not a 13 part spectacular, it's not the best ever Doctor Who. But it's still good, and a worthwhile addition to any DW DVD collection.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Tom Baker
Elisabeth Sladen
Ian Marter
Creators:
Tom Baker (Primary Contributor)
Elisabeth Sladen (Primary Contributor)
Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503181123
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2006-10-09
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 50 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1989-03-12
Language: English (Original Language)