Customer Reviews

Doctor Who - Day of the Daleks [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The benefit of this video is that it's more intellectual and thought-provoking than most television SF. The premise is a paradox, a time loop, and I find myself thinking if it existed before the Doctor got involved, and if so, did it continue to exist afterward? And when, pray tell, did it begin?

That said, the characterizations are well-done, building on existing character tropes without contradicting anything put forth in the past. There's a certain continuity failure, as there is in this series when the future of Earth comes into question (how often can our world be destroyed, overrun, or conquered for the first time?), but we've come to accept that as part of the joy of time travel. The Daleks are as deliciously evil and as devoid of redeeming qualities as ever, and the tortured heros make the noble choice in the end, as they always will.

An enjoyable SF romp for a Friday night with the brain in neutral, or a thought-provoking, issue-oriented drama when that's what you need. A little of something for everyone.

Here is one of the top doctors (in my opinion) - Jon Pertwee - in his spendid mixture of impishness, imperiousness, seriousness and all at a slight remove from direct involvement in the ongoing situation. And with a very vivid script for Jo Grant, as well! This episode combines a number of real-life preoccupations with an invasion by Daleks allied with humans while subjugating humans. The good points are just packed in and make this a prize among Doctor episodes. And watch for a classic comment from the Brigadier "...all of them!"

I'm surprised that it took so long for "Day of the Daleks" - a pretty good Doctor Who story - to see the light of day on DVD. Perhaps the folks at BBC Worldwide and 2entertain were waiting for CGI technology to advance, to the point that they could produce a cheap but good-looking special edition (which is what you get on the second disc of this DVD two-pack).

Generally speaking, I don't care for special editions; new special effects or new scenes that are shoehorned into old productions tend to look distractingly out-of-place, in my eyes. For example, like much of the world's population, I dislike George Lucas' special editions of the Star Wars movies, for their anachronistic use of computer effects and pointless tinkering with minor plot points (such as whether Han or Greedo "shot first"). And previous special edition Doctor Who DVDs have tended to look a bit ... well, lame, as they featured often-primitive CGI that barely improved on the original special effects.

But with "Day of the Daleks," the BBC has finally produced a special edition that looks really good, and is (somewhat) worthwhile. They have added many new special effects to this story, and even a handful of new shots, primarily to make the battle scenes more exciting. Wisely, the DVD producers decided to make the new special effects retro-looking, so they fit well into a 1970s production; for example, when the Daleks zap people in the special edition, their victims turn into skeletons, which is cool but also in the same pleasantly goofy vein as "Mars Attacks!"

While all this effort to "improve" the story is impressive, this is still "Day of the Daleks," and if you've seen the original version you've basically seen the special edition as well. As a piece of Doctor Who, this holds up pretty well; Louis Marks' script is a somewhat intelligent exploration of time paradoxes, and there is some good characterization of the human villain. Still, I've always regarded "Day of the Daleks" as a little *flat*. To be more specific, the direction lacks pizzazz, the music score stinks, and the political dimension of the story is underdeveloped. These are not the sort of problems that can be addressed by the addition of new ray beams.

Still, I kinda like this story, and I appreciate the work that went into the special edition. The DVD is also impressive on other levels, as it features a wide array of documentary features covering both this story and the Jon Pertwee era as a whole. Like all Doctor Who DVDs, this product is a labor (or should I say labour?) of love by a small group of dedicated fans, and it makes for a worthy addition to my Who library.

14 Doctor Who teleplays have featured the Daleks and only ahandful were written by someone other than their creator, TerryNation. When Louis Marks wrote this teleplay in 1972 his story omitted the Daleks, but producers insisted they be included to boost the ratings. The result is one of the best stories in the Dr Who saga. The only serious detraction from the production is the incidental music by Dudley Simpson which seems attuned to the pain receptors of the brain (an unfortunate accompaniment to most of the Pertwee era). Jon Perywee's Doctor is a post-sixties construct, one part super-sleuth (a derivative for Austin Powers complete with ruffled shirt and velvet jacket) and one part moralizing scientist. The resulting paradoxical characterization is intriguing, made further captivating by Mr Pertwee's charismatic persona. Jo Grant, the doctor's assistant tags along on this one just for kicks. (How she is of assistance to the Doctor we are never quite sure) The Pertwee years set the standard for the male/ female companionship utilized throughout the series' run. Beneath the formal relationship lies an unmistakeable sexual tension which neither party fully exploits. Nevertheless, Ms. Grant has a teenage flirtatiousness that attracts the male attention, a fact made more pronounced by her less than ample mini-skirt. The Doctor may be a man of action but he is also the soul of propriety. This production is enhanced by knowing its own limitations and not trying to exceed them either technically nor artistically. Thus the narrative sustains the viewer past the moments of low tech effects and bare-bones production values. The acting is thankfully better than is usual for Doctor Who. Aubrey Woods as the Controller is especially effective. END

A World Peace conference is in jeopardy! World War III is imminent. Mercinaries from the future are here to kill Sir Reginald Styles, and how are the Daleks tied into it? Not too bad, the regulars are good, which makes it a shame that the Daleks aren't! The Ogrons are more fun to watch in this story, as the Daleks barely even leave there cubby at their headquarters. The time paradox idea is the only thing that really saves this one. Location footage isn't that bad, and the story is, at least, interesting. Who fans had to wait a long time for the Daleks to come back since "Evil..", and they would have to wait more, since the next "decent" Dalek story wouldn't make its appearance until "Genesis...". It doesn't even feel like a true Dalek story. Tolerable.

Five years after the fall of the Daleks on Skaro in Evil Of The Daleks, the Daleks reappeared on the small screen in Day Of The Daleks, which was also their third time in colour, counting the two Aaru films.

The international situation from The Mind Of Evil has gotten worse, to the brink of World War III. However, Sir Reginald Styles, vain to the point of arrogance, is the last hope in reconciling the Russians with the Chinese. While working late one night, a guerrilla from the future tries to kill him, and that's what draws UNIT in. The man is later attacked by a brutish Ogron, one of many ape-like humanoid servants who are "as loyal as they are stupid." A trio of other guerrillas try to succeed where their comrade has failed, and capture Jo and the Doctor, who have spent the night at Styles' place. Of these, Anat, the leader, while sharing the fanaticism of her comrades, is civilized. When Boaz, who looks a bit like Tony Curtis, tries to shoot Jo and the Doctor, she says, "We're soldiers, not murderers."

Jo Grant is wearing what I consider a classic Jo Grant outfit--plaid red and blue blouse, red tie, denim skirt, and white go-go boots. As this was the first story of the ninth season, maybe Katy Manning had a few weeks on the beach in the interim. She appears tanner here and more radiant as a result. It also extends to her good charity when sneaking Sgt Benton some wine and cheese.

The Doctor is seen as quite a gourmet, as he helps himself to Sir Reginald's Gorgonzolla cheese and a red wine which he describes as "good humoured... a touch sardonic, not cynical. A most civilized wine."

Although not specifically stated, the Controller's monotone female staff may be a vast improvement on the Robotization process (Dalek Invasion Of Earth).

The notable guest star here is Aubrey Woods (the Controller), who played the goldsmith in The Abominable Dr. Phibes but is probably best known as the candy store owner Bill in Willy Wonka. His defense to the Daleks that "for every guerrilla cell that's destroyed, another takes its place" reminds me of what Israel faced in the 1980's against the Palestinians.

One goof in Episode 1 is where the Gold Dalek talks slower, enunciating each syllable. Fortunately it gets better in the remaining episodes--maybe he hadn't taken his Dalek pep pills then. BTW, one Dalek speaks in a lower register (not a goof) while the others are more shrill. Maybe he sings bass in the Dalek choir.

Another is the guerrilla Shura putting his gun down and trying to contact headquarters. When an Ogron jumps him, his gun is back in his holster.

A third is the Doctor and Jo seeing their future selves while the Doctor is fiddling with the TARDIS. Hopefully, the ending would have had them seeing their past (when they were fixing the TARDIS.) It is included in the novelization, but I guess there were time constraints.

A classic Daleks story, and the first of three Dalek encounters by the Third Doctor. UNIT maintains its credibility as an effective fighting force, and Jo Grant has never been any prettier than here. Be sure and tell your friends if you like this video, and don't forget to tell it to the marines.

Nice tight story this without much of the waste that characterised a number of the Pertwee third Doctor Stories.

I like this adventure quite a bit despite the obvious shortcomings. It begins with a mysterious military figure disappearing into the night and scaring the wits out of our fearless diplomat. UNIT gets involved due to the impending demise of the peace conference but the Doctor does not want to know despite his affected noncholant view of politicians.

Soon he and Joe are caught up in an inter-temporal assassination attempt with the diplomat Styles attaining notoriety as the harbringer of a nuclear holocaust where the reality is quite different. The slimy, smooth canniving controller in the future dupes Joe into providing information which he then passes on to his Dalek masters.

There are some digs here too. The slave population of the future are housed in tower blocks which is a very nice touch considering the social problems they were to be held responsible for in the ensuing years. The off the cuff remark made by the Doctor too about the well stocked larders of the political class uis well made as is his use of the same.

The temporal paradox causes a bit of confusion but not half as much as the Dalex ownership of a method of time travel again.

On the whole though there are some redeeming features notably the controller's recantation of his help to the Daleks. It moves along well and keeps the attention. One of the better adventures.

Operating on a shoestring budget with actors, technicians and writers who were largely second-raters, the BBC series, Doctor Who, nevertheless manages to find its niche. Clive Barker, among others, expresses his admiration for less sophisticated fare which have a "gnarly" texture, exhibiting all the sutures,zippers and wires absent in the hollywood-style productions offered through the CGI technicians. There is a counter-cultural element which prefers this abstract approach employed by older sci-fi productions which rely more on the imagination of the viewer than that needed with the absolutism of modern special effects which offer visuals designed to project a more polished style. Day of the Daleks is typical of the former approach. Ogrons jackboot around in facial prostheses that are ill-fitted and comical. At first perusal of a clumsy Dalek manuevering with all the dexterity of an oversized wheelchair one must either conceed to the absurdity of it or turn the channel. It doesn't take long for most to reach that decision. But Day of the Daleks is better than most in that it is backed up by a story with merit. It succeeds despite its limitation in production and some may even say because of them.

Whether or not one wants to be pidgeonholed, the unmistakable charm of such productions as Doctor Who lie in their simplicity, which demands the viewer be inherently accepting of the visual form in order to appreciate the underlying narrative. In short one will know within the first moments of viewing whether the interpretation is one suitable to the individual's taste. Hence, opinions on the show's merits tend to be poles apart; rarely will one find a middle of the road opinion. No amount of prose will sway the either opinion once it has been formed. And yet there is something malicious within the psyche that compels some to vent their spite against that which others embrace and for which they have no appreciation. Many such reviews will be encountered on any perusal of the online forums relating to this series. A peculiarly cynical attitude considering that this show was primarily intended for the enjoyment of younger viewers. Some people are obviously not content to allow even them their moments of unmolested enjoyment.

Although somewhat dissapointing in the realization of the Daleks, this is a very intelligent story on the paradox of time travel and changing history. On the positive side, apart from the story, you have Jon Pertwee, Ogrons (my favorite baddies, I don't know why), the Brigadier, and that wonderful 70's sci-fi electronic music (really sets the mood). On the negative side, you have a bit of overacting (the Controller comes to mind), minimal sets, and of course the minimal involvement of the Daleks. As others have noted, this is not the best Dalek story or Pertwee's strongest episode, but it is still enjoyable nonetheless, with some genuinely scary moments to boot.

I anxiously "popped" this video into my VCR (having not seen it in almost 10 years!) and was a little disappointed. I thought the main story was good. But it was almost like the Daleks were just "Thrown in". This story didn't need them, and frankly would have done better without them. It was rumored that the Daleks were actually added after the original script was done, just to make it a little more flashy. Unfortunatley, it all ended up in a little overkill. If you want a truly wonderful Dalek story, check out GENESIS OF THE DALEKS, OR DESTINY OF THE DALEKS...your money would be better spent.