Doctor Who - Resurrection Of The Daleks [1983]

RRP £19.99
Lowest New Price
£5.70

Parental Guidance

2 Entertain Video

Release date: Monday 18th of November 2002

Starring:
Peter Davison, Janet Fielding,

Format: PAL,
Number of discs: 1
Region code: 2
Running time: 98 minutes
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)

RRP: £19.99
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

The Doctor Who adventure "Resurrection of the Daleks" marked the Doctor's first encounter with his most famous foe since 1979's "Destiny of the Daleks" five years earlier, and Peter Davison's only full-scale battle with the cybernetic aliens. Weakened by a Movellan virus the Daleks assault a space station prison where Davros is being held. The Daleks plan to use duplicates of the Doctor and his companions to assassinate leading Timelords, and further duplicates to take over the Earth. The action is split between the space station and abandoned London riverside warehouses, and is notable for its grim tone and high body count. The duplicate police-assassins recall the Autons from the Jon Pertwee "Spearhead from Space" (1970) and proved controversial on original broadcast. Also notable is that although the show was designed as a four-part adventure it was transmitted in two double-length episodes.

This edition presents the story in the original four parts. Meanwhile there are more than the usual quota of name guest stars, including Rodney Bewes, Rula Lenska and Lesley Grantham. The tale also marks Janet Fielding's final appearance as Tegan. In every respect this is a key adventure in the history of Doctor Who, even if the tense, incident-packed story is ultimately weighed down by too many elements to resolve them all satisfactorily.

On the DVD: Doctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks is accompanied by a warm and highly jocular commentary from Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and director Mathew Robinson. A new 18-minute "On Location" documentary intriguingly revisits the now upmarket waterfront locations with interviews featuring producer John Nathan Turner, writer Eric Saward and Matthew Robinson. A seven-minute clip from Breakfast Time spotlights Janet Fielding and John Nathan-Turner, and composers Brian Hodgson and Malcolm Clarke. Also included are seven minutes of deleted and extended scenes, a BBC1 trailer and a photo gallery that plays automatically for three minutes, set to sound effects. There is optional on-screen information text and selectable subtitles for the programmes and commentary. The sound is available in broadcast mono, a remarkably effective Dolby Digital 5.1 remix, and as a mono music only track. TARDIS Cam No. 4 is a very short new digital animation. --Gary S Dalkin

Custard Pie Fight of the Daleks!!!!
Review date: 2008-08-16 Rating: 6 out of 10

Sciptwriter Eric Saward was under a lot of pressure writing this adventure: he had a prickly relationship with series producer John Nathan-Turner, Who had lost viewers and fans had been severely disappointed in the Daleks' last outing in "Destiny of the Daleks".Therefore it is understandible that this effort tries far too hard for its own good.Its convoluted plot and hysterical pace unfortunately doesn't suit the Daleks' strengths: brooding menace and the prospect of sudden, violent death.

From its grim openning where a ragbag of slaves are gunned down this is an action-packed but rather charmless romp. The high body count, gunfire and the use disturbing flesh-eating chemical weaponry reveal the show's insecurity due to, and therfore subsequent embracing of, the mid 80's fashion for dark, disturbing sci-fi. This the age that gave birth to "The Terminator" and Who is at heart a very dark show but not really an action series and the clumsy combat scenes show this all too well. In addition, Saward was a keen admirer of Phillip Hinchliffe's tenure as series producer and scriptwriter Robert Holmes' contributions to the Who canon both of whom liked to send little viewing tykes running to hide behind the sofa.The grim tone cries out for black humour but none is present. Molloy's portrayal of Davros is great but this particular adventure is really a waste of the old schemer and Davidson's Doctor looks rather out of place in what is really a souped-up Blake's 7 story. Rodney Bewes is poorly miscast as a slave with a secret and the ridiculous helmets worn by the Dalek troops invokes a crude and obscene insult that is very popular in today's Britain.

Despite these flaws the direction is zippy and you cannot claim that effort hasn't been made to create a classic but unfortunately the result is light without heat and shouting but no message to convey. A watchable, dissapointing but ambitious, average adventure.

The commentary is great and a documentary on the locations used is okay but really not a lot more needs to be said. A good try but not enough craft or guile.

Accessories

Dr Who At The Radiophonic Workshop Vol. 1: The Early Years 1963-1969

Reviews

Peter Davison meets the Daleks
Review date: 2008-05-09 Rating: 6 out of 10

I'm a fan of Peter Davison's Doctor, but I'm afraid that I find this story to be a bit of a disappointment. Davison, as always is on good form, but the plot seems to be a bit of a mess. We have the Daleks creating duplicates in order to invade earth. There is Davros being resurrected and seeking to discover a cure for a virus, which is lethal to the Daleks. Davros is then attempting to create a new race of Daleks who will be obedient to him. Then, suddenly we have the Daleks creating duplicates of the Doctor and his companions in order to invade Gallifrey!
There are some fine scenes in the serial and a good supporting cast. The best of these being Maurice Colborne as the ruthless Lytton. This is also the first time we see Terry Molloy in the part of Davros. Molloy tries hard and has an impressive go at the part, but he cannot match Michael Wisher's definitive performance from Genesis of the Daleks. At the end we say goodbye to Tegan. I was never a big fan of hers, but I feel that her departure is just a little too abrupt.
There are some extras on the DVD, the most interesting being interviews with Janet Fielding and the then producer John-Nathan Turner. Overall, this was a slight disappointment. However, the Daleks and Davros would be back for two more outings in the classic series, which were of a far better quality.

The evil trickery of Davros and the Daleks returns!
Review date: 2008-05-02 Rating: 10 out of 10

Barcode: 5014503110024

I found this a really intriguing serial, presenting Davros and the Daleks at their most sinister. Kicking off in the haunting industrial docklands of London's East End, the settings of this serial makes really good use of the budget to create a striking background for the plot, both in the dark, mysterious buildings of Earth to the cold futuristic designs of the space-prison. I also really like the design of the Dalek's human soldier's costumes - very stormtroopers-esque with its lacquered plastic and neon yellows.

I found the true highlight of this story to be the conflict between the various factions, Rula Lenska's Styles and her comrades holding up a valiant defence as the Daleks invade to recover Davros. Meanwhile, on the opposing side, Dalek agent Stein is a fascinating character and works really well with the Doctor as he tries to resist the Dalek control in his mind, ultimately doing the right thing in rebelling against them. Also look out for Eastenders' very own Dirty Den as Davros's attendant.

I can't go without mentioning the massive death-toll in this episode, practically everyone dies! From the Daleks spurting foam as they fall foul of the virus to the sinister policemen silently patrolling the streets, this is Doctor Who at its most morbid and I think this episode really benefits from the intensely dark feel this gives it. The Doctor even uses a gun again, in many ways harking back to previous 5th Doctor adventure, Earthshock - Resurrection of the Daleks bears much of the same militaristic feel and the similarities make sense seeing as both were written by Eric Saward.

As with many Dalek stories, the action builds slowly, the real highlight being part four where the tension reaches a dramatic climax. Davros is utilised really well in this story, completely menacing as he gradually builds a private guard and the scene where he faces the Doctor is scripted perfectly - a formidable showdown!

Of course, the other highlight of this episode aside from the Daleks is the fact it marks Tegan's final appearance. Tegan is probably my favourite of all the Doctor's companions and this scene, despite its shortness, is beautifully written, Janet Fielding putting all her emotion into the performance. It's a real tear-jerker and makes for a fitting end to her time with the Doctor. The Doctor himself seems equally distressed as he calls after her `No, you can't leave, not like this!'

As for extras, the extended and deleted scenes are pretty so-so but there's a nice interview with John Nathan-Turner and Janet Fielding as well as a fascinating 18 minute feature returning to the docklands locations.

So, all in all, while Resurrection of the Daleks might not be the best Dalek story in Who's history, it still has a lot going for it, in particular the overall look & feel of the episode and Davros is on top form. And all that leaves to say is, farewell Tegan, we will miss you - you were the best companion ever!

The Flop of the Daleks
Review date: 2008-05-01 Rating: 2 out of 10

I have to contradict the majority of the other reviewers for this and call it the worst Dalek story in the show's history, and possibly the worst story of the Fifth Doctor's era. Davros has inexplicably risen from the dead AGAIN (why oh why?) for a story so confusing it's like trying to make sense of the mechanics of time travel. The Daleks have a plan for which they make a warp to Earth for no obvious cause, kidnap the Doctor for a reason that goes out the window 5 minutes later (leaving him free to wander round and foil their villianous scheme of course), revive Davros only to try and stab him in the back, a rediculous number of extras get exterminated and someone melts. There's enough unnecessary continuity to sink a flying Titanic and lots of poor attempts to make hardened 'Who fans go 'ooh!' when they're more likely to be groaning with their heads in their hands. The gritty, intriguing scenes on Earth are ruined as soon as they get into space for the first time. I'm a big Doctor Who fan but I just couldn't enjoy this once it got going.

My advice? Skip to the last scene of the last episode when Tegan leaves; it's beautiful Doctor Who poetry at its height, ruined only by the story that preceded it; you can't blame her for wanting to leave after that. Better yet, buy any other Dalek story instead.

Not brilliant, but very good.
Review date: 2007-09-23 Rating: 8 out of 10

When broardacasted in 1984, this story marked the return of the daleks after a 5 year absence from the t.v. screen. And they returned in a very good story, with darkest and a bit of comedy, and a lot of killing. In fact, more people(and creatures) die in this story than in the first terminator film!
Plot: The Daleks, deverstated by a virus, attack and take over a prison ship in the future to resuce their creator Davros, so that he can find a cure for the virus. At the same time, they create an army of dalek controled clones to take their places in goverments around present-day earth in a attempt to conquer earth in the 20th century and alter history-again. At the same time, they trap the doctors tardis in a time corridor and send the doctor and his companions to London, 1984, so that they can capture him, clone him and his companions, and send them to Gallifray to kill the Time Lords. However Davros, who have no intention of being used by his creations again, has other ideas...
Good points: This story, as I've already said, is very good, with lots of darkness and horror. Peter Davison is good, and it is nice to see a future star of Corination Street as one of the main characters.
Bad points: With so much happening at once, its oftern differcult to work out whats going on. The vocie of the supreme dalek is, instead of the traditional low voice, has a high pitched voice which means that some times it's difficut to work out what the dalek is saying, and the acting of some of the main characters is some times terrible.

Despite the things above, this is a good story. It is by no way the best dalek story, but it is better than some stories of the 1980's.

Product Details/Specifications

Actor(s):
Peter Davison
Janet Fielding

Creators:
Peter Davison (Primary Contributor)
Janet Fielding (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503110024
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2002-11-18
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1975-09-29
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)

Accessories:

Dr Who At The Radiophonic Workshop Vol. 1: The Early Years 1963-1969

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Doctor Who - Resurrection Of The Daleks [1983]

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