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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Superb stories from the second season, January 11, 2001
This review is from: Doctor Who - The Rescue/The Romans [VHS] (VHS Tape)
"The Rescue" The TARDIS crew lands on a planet where they find a wrecked spaceship with only two survivors. Terrorized by a mysterious alien, the Doctor and his friends attempt to discover the truth and attempt a daring rescue. Collector's Note: This story features the first appearance of Vicki, the first "new" companion in the show's history. "The Romans" After an extended vacation in ancient Rome, the TARDIS crew is separated into two adventures: The Doctor and Vicki become involved with the court of the notorious Emperor Nero, while Ian and Barbara are captured and sold as slaves! William Hartnell's time as the Doctor is as entertaining today as it was over 35 years ago. In the title role, Hartnell is superbly cast, portraying an elderly man with a keen desire for exploration. Despite his occasional fluffs (See The Romans), he delivers the lines with all of the wit and urgency necessary. It is easy to see why each of the actors who followed him owe much to his portrayal. As Ian, Willam Russell is wonderful. In many ways, he is as influential as Hartnell, performing the stunts and action that would become so important to the series' success. Jackie Hill's Barbara is also fondly remembered. Along with Russell, Hill portrayed a humanity that opposed Hartnell's gruff and heartless Doctor. By the time these episodes aired, Ian and Barbara had mellowed the Doctor somewhat, bringing out his "humanity," another hallmark of the series. Maureen O'Brien, introduced here as Vicki, is given the thankless job of being the screaming young woman who gets captured, falls into traps, etc. She portrays it well, and has a great many amusing scenes with Hartnell's Doctor. These stories are drastically different, but represent the dual nature of early Doctor Who. "The Rescue" is a sci-fi romp, complete with aliens and spacecraft. While not the greatest example from this series, today's viewers may still find it interesting. Of more general interest may be the set's dual opposite "The Romans," which is one of the "historical" dramas where the TARDIS lands at a crucial place in our history, often converging with historical figures. Though not completely accurate, it does show a fair sampling of what life was like in Roman Times without skimping on the trademark adventure. I personally prefer "The Romans," mostly for Hartnell's performance. This was in the show's second season, during it's first wave of popularity. Hartnell is obviously enjoying being a children's hero and his enthusiasm is infectious. This tape provides many hours of fun and adventure, suitable for the whole family.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Three stars for 'Rescue', Five stars for 'The Romans', January 16, 2003
This review is from: Doctor Who - The Rescue/The Romans [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This is the first of three double cassette packages to contain two separate adventures for Doctor Who. Now, The Rescue, is little more than a filler adventure used for introducing a new companion to the series, now that Susan is long gone. The character of Vicki, a plucky, emotional, curious, strong-minded, kind-hearted young woman, who would basically become an adoptive granddaughter for the Doctor. The Romans is an enjoyable historical adventure as the TARDIS crew land in the final days of Rome, during the reign of Caesar Nero. The crew spend about a month in relative ease and relaxation before deciding to split up and travel to Rome. what follows in an extraordinary comedic adventure, as the Doctor and Vicki travel to Rome and become embroiled in a conspiracy to assassinate Nero, with the good Doctor mistakenly taken to be Maximus Petullian, while Ian and Barbara are sold as slaves. it's a fabulous adventure as the character of Nero is made up to be a fat, perverted, blustering, cowardly, power driven, and ultimately insane. and the scene in which Nero is given the notion to burn all of Rome is both funny & frightening. definitely a must to have for Doctor Who afficianados.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Doctor, the tremblings stopped!", March 4, 2001
This review is from: Doctor Who - The Rescue/The Romans [VHS] (VHS Tape)
A period of transition for Doctor Who as the first story not featuring granddaughter Susan is unveiled. In The Rescue, the Doctor, Ian and Barbara land on a planet where a young girl named Vicki is held captive by an alien menace named Quoquilion. After rescuing her, the four travel to the time of The Romans where the Doctor inadvertantly gives Nero the idea to burn Rome. Both stories are well written, the later, The Romans, being played mostly for laughs that work well. This is a welcome addition to a Doctor Who collection and an important piece of its history.
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