Changes made to Review of Doctor Who: The Caves of Androzani

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Created on Thursday, 3rd April 2008, 19:24
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Change #1 - atesman[/url]), t

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Created on Thursday, 3rd April 2008, 19:23
Change Submitted by Rich Goodman

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Change #1 - g] <newline>. <newline> <newline>Many fans would argue that it also signalled the beginning of the end for the show, and it`s certainly fair to say that no story that followed ever bettered , one of Robert Holmes` best pieces of Doctor Who writing. The Caves of Androzani was a turning point in the history of Doctor Who for many reasons. Firstly, it marked the end of the Peter Davison era. He had played the Doctor for three years, and decided it was time for a change, recalling some advice from Patrick Troughton - "stay for three years". This season of the show also saw a shake-up in the companions, with Tegan (who joined the Doctor in Tom Baker`s final story Logopolis) leaving two stories previously, and Turlough leaving in the previous story. It also marked the solo debut of new companion Peri, who joined in the previous story Planet of Fire. <newline> <newline>Many fans would argue that it also signalled the beginning of the end for the show, and it`s certainly fair to say that no story that followed ever bettered The Caves of Androzani, one of Robert Holmes` best pieces of Doctor Who writing. Thi
Change #2 - ry. Featuring Peter Davison, Nicola Bryant (Peri) and director Graeme Harper (who went on to direct various other shows including ), this is by far the best Doctor Who commentary track yet. It`s insightful and full of background information and stories from the production. But most of all, it`s funny. Very funny. They sit and point out things that you missed on screen, laugh at themselves and at some of the effects, and Graeme Harper starts pointing out all of the shots that he`d like to do differently. They even start talking about John Woo, Quentin Tarantino and Steven Spielberg. Definitely one of the most enjoyable commentary tracks that I`ve had the pleasure of listening to. The commentary track is subtitled too. <newline> <newline>As with previous releases, there`s another commentary track which is the subtitle commentary option, which brings up production notes at various points in each episode. Plenty of useful information is contained here, with some repetition from the audio commentary track. Lots of interesting insights, like other actors considered for various roles (Mick Jagger and David Bowie!), story differences in earlier drafts and other bits of trivia. <newline> <newline>And there`s plenty more to come. A featurette on the regeneration sequence, featuring unseen footage from the final studio session. This also features a director`s commentary. A second featurette entitled `Creating Sharaz Jek` features more unseen footage and an audio interview with the late Christopher Gable, who played Jek. Short but excellent. <newline> <newline>We`re not finished yet. You can watch the original version of episode one, complete with wobbly effects shot. You can watch clips from the One O`Clock News and the Nine O`Clock News, as they broke the news of Davison`s departure. Back in the good old days, Doctor Who was headline news! Watch out for some nice newsreader fashion and particularly Michael "this is a harrowing story of a man and falling tree branch" Buerk`s tie. <newline> <newline>And there`s more news footage from "South East At Six", which older readers from that region may remember. Look for producer John Nathan-Turner resembling a badly dressed Rory McGrath, some very unprobing questions, and also a young Sue Cook. <newline> <newline>Have we finished yet? No, still more extras, including the rather poor BBC 1 trailer for the story, a deleted scene and a reasonable photo gallery. <newline> <newline>[imgmc=0000029597.jpg] <newline> <newline>[heading]Conclusion[/heading] <newline>An excellent Doctor Who story on an exemplary DVD. Picture and sound are as good as can be hoped for, and the quality and quantity of extras for a 20 year old story is outstanding. This is by far the best stories ever written, and having the best extras. <newline> <newline>Fans will be snapping this one up as soon as possible, and more casual viewers can rest assured that this is a very good story backed up by some brilliant extras. <newline> <newline>Very highly recommended. I don`t give out 10s very often, but it`s definitely justified this time. <newline>Featuring Peter Davison, Nicola Bryant (Peri) and director Graeme Harper (who went on to direct various other shows including [url="http://www.myreviewer.com/default.asp?a=19066"]The New Statesman[url]), this is by far the best Doctor Who commentary track yet. It`s insightful and full of background information and stories from the production. But most of all, it`s funny. Very funny. They sit and point out things that you missed on screen, laugh at themselves and at some of the effects, and Graeme Harper starts pointing out all of the shots that he`d like to do differently. They even start talking about John Woo, Quentin Tarantino and Steven Spielberg. Definitely one of the most enjoyable commentary tracks that I`ve had the pleasure of listening to. The commentary track is subtitled too. <newline> <newline>As with previous releases, there`s another commentary track which is the subtitle commentary option, which brings up production notes at various points in each episode. Plenty of useful information is contained here, with some repetition from the audio commentary track. Lots of interesting insights, like other actors considered for various roles (Mick Jagger and David Bowie!), story differences in earlier drafts and other bits of trivia. <newline> <newline>And there`s plenty more to come. A featurette on the regeneration sequence, featuring unseen footage from the final studio session. This also features a director`s commentary. A second featurette entitled `Creating Sharaz Jek` features more unseen footage and an audio interview with the late Christopher Gable, who played Jek. Short but excellent. <newline> <newline>We`re not finished yet. You can watch the original version of episode one, complete with wobbly effects shot. You can watch clips from the One O`Clock News and the Nine O`Clock News, as they broke the news of Davison`s departure. Back in the good old days, Doctor Who was headline news! Watch out for some nice newsreader fashion and particularly Michael "this is a harrowing story of a man and falling tree branch" Buerk`s tie. <newline> <newline>And there`s more news footage from "South East At Six", which older readers from that region may remember. Look for producer John Nathan-Turner resembling a badly dressed Rory McGrath, some very unprobing questions, and also a young Sue Cook. <newline> <newline>Have we finished yet? No, still more extras, including the rather poor BBC 1 trailer for the story, a deleted scene and a reasonable photo gallery. <newline> <newline>[imgmc=0000029597.jpg] <newline> <newline>[heading]Conclusion[/heading] <newline>An excellent Doctor Who story on an exemplary DVD. Picture and sound are as good as can be hoped for, and the quality and quantity of extras for a 20 year old story is outstanding. This is by far the best Doctor Who DVD released so far, being one of the best Doctor Who stories ever written, and having the best extras. <newline> <newline>Fans will be snapping this one up as soon as possible, and more casual viewers can rest assured that this is a very good story backed up by some brilliant extras. <newline> <newline>Very highly recommended. I don`t give out 10s very often, but it`s definitely justified this time.

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Initial Version

Created on Tuesday, 26th June 2001, 14:44
First Submitted by Rich Goodman