The worst of the original Doctor Who versions is back again in his
garbage Americanised movie. The only even worse versions are the
ridiculous Doctoress Who and Black Who from the modern era.
REVIEW: Doctor Who: The TV Movie Blu-ray
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The TV Movie looks better than ever in a new 4K remastering
It's time to party like it's 1999 because the Doctor Who TV Movie
is back, and it's looking better than ever. It's undoubtedly one
of the most re-released stories in the history of the series. Yet,
this new version certainly justifies any double, triple, or even
quadruple, dipping it asks of fans. Produced as a co-production
with Universal Studios the movie was always a sumptuous affair by
Doctor Who standards. It was shot entirely on 35mm film, with none
of the sudden switches to video tape any time characters moved
indoors that typified the BBC made episodes. Now, however, that
original 35mm footage has been rediscovered in a Universal storage
facility. Thanks to that, the painstakingly remastered Blu-ray
edition looks incredible, even in 4K.
In a way it simply emphasises how stylish it's always been. For
years, there was a lingering reverse snobbery about it among some
corners of fandom. A belief, perhaps, that Doctor Who actually
should be wobbly sets, dodgy rubber monsters, and fuzzy videotape.
However, more than twenty years since the show's revival, the sort
of fun transitions and smooth blocking that punctuate Geoffrey
Sax's direction seem much more familiar. That said, these
90 minutes are still more packed with gorgeous lighting and
beautiful direction than your everyday Who. Cameras rotate as they
travel down empty hospital corridors, the torture device intended
for the Doctor is first glimpsed in a mirror, and the Doctor's
rebirth swaps back and forth with footage from Universal's own
Frankenstein.
There's only disadvantage this new upgrade, in fact. The lace
front of Paul McGann's wig is rather more obvious to eagle eyed
viewers than before.
The new set reuses pre-existing commentaries and info text, however
2010's The Seven Year Hitch is as compelling as ever
Having been around the block a few times now, the Doctor Who TV
Movie already comes with a healthy package of existing extras.
Inevitably, these are a bit of mixed bag. 2010's The Seven Year
Hitch continues to be one of the most compelling Making Of
documentaries in the Whoniverse. It's a frank recollection of the
difficulties involved in the dramatic, and sometimes frustrating,
battle to get the beloved Time Lord back on our screens. On one
side of the Atlantic, Philip Segal battles against the BBC's
disinterest in the show. It's a lack of faith which sometimes tips
over into outright hostility towards the project. On the other, he
struggles to infect luminaries like Steven Spielberg with his love
of the show.
There are also two commentaries, one by Sax, and the other by
erstwhile Doctors McGann and Sylvester McCoy, both hail from the
early days of DVD commentaries. It was a time when contributors
weren't entirely comfortable with the format yet. As a result,
they're both rather tentative in their own way. The two Doctors
provide a rather low key round of anecdotes. Meanwhile, Sax's is
very dry, with some rather redundant observations like noting every
time the Master-snake appears that it was CGI.
Most disappointing perhaps, is the decision not to update the
original Info Text, leading to oddities like it claiming Paul McGann
never played the Doctor on screen again.
?
The set also has new interviews with almost all the major players
with one notable exception
Sax is much more enthusiastic form 25 years later when
In Conversation with Matthew Sweet. It's one of the highlights of
the set, revealing the director as a deeply imaginative creator
responsible for many of the best things about the TV Movie. He's
also almost pathologically humble, to the point that even Sweet
scoffs. McCoy is similarly revitalised compared to his commentary
performance, this time in an interview with Doctor Who's own Janet
Fielding. Unexpectedly though, the main takeaway is a new
appreciation for the genius and generosity of their mutual friend
and collaborator Ken Campbell.
Paul McGann has always drawn special praise for how quickly he nails
his version of the Doctor. But rare behind the scenes footage here
will deepen your appreciation of just how fragile and magical that
is. During his audition a single two word note ("More excited,")
suddenly brings the Eighth Doctor we've known and loved for a quarter
century since to instant life. It's a testament to McGann's skill
that he infers so much about the character's entire personality from
that simple note.
In between all this, there are gems like the TARDIS model footage
from the opening credits, and an isolated soundtrack. The latter in
particular is really elevated by not being in competition with the
bombastic dialogue and sound effects.
It's just a shame there isn't more of Paul McGann himself here. But
then again, any plans for a new McGann commentary and In Conversation
can be held as selling points to justify quintuple dipping for the
inevitable Collection Wilderness Years set...
Box images
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Doctor Who: The TV Movie
The Doctor is returning home to Gallifrey with the remains of his
arch-nemesis, the Master. Forced off course, the TARDIS arrives in
San Francisco on New Year's Eve 1999, where the Doctor is critically
wounded in a gangland gun battle. At the local hospital, Dr Grace
Holloway fights - and fails - to save his life.
Later, in the morgue, the Doctor wakes up a new man. But he is not
the only one - the Master has also found himself a new body. As the
clock counts down to the start of the new millennium, can the Doctor
stop his oldest enemy destroying all life on Earth?
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