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In researching this DVD,
which itself celebrates 25 years since the 20th anniversary (are you
following so far?), I was surprised to learn that the BBC actually
co-produced this telefilm with the Australian Broadcasting Commission
which contributed AUS$60,000 at the time to boost the budget for this
expanded episode.
The
Five Doctors
was to feature a reunion of all the versions of the Doctor, along with
as many companions as possible. Peter Davison (the "Cricket Doctor" as
my son used to call him) was the current Doctor at the time, obviously
meaning he had the bulk of screen time. However as William Hartnell
(the First Doctor) had died some years earlier, his role was recast
with a look-alike. Tom Baker (the Fourth Doctor) thought it was too
soon to reprise his role and so clips of him from an unscreened episode
were used. Thankfully, two original actors did appear - with
Jon
Pertwee's Doctor as arrogant as ever and Patrick Troughton (the Second
Doctor) returning to his character as if he'd never been away.
There
is a neat story device which involves the Doctor's past incarnations
being scooped up out of their time periods by a forbidden time machine.
While some might think there are too many Doctors, companions and old
enemies to fit in, the story is full of historical references and
in-jokes.
There is particular enjoyment in seeing the
Doctors interact with each other (primarily in the last segment) and
the meetings with their own individual companions who make (mostly)
fleeting appearances.
Watching this special episode after all these years is a refreshing way
to capture the history of the Doctor
Who series and see how it formed the foundations for the
modern-day version of the show that has gained its own new audience.
Perhaps
it's time we had an updated version with the last five or six
incarnations (there have been 10 in total) - now that would be worth
watching!
EXTRAS
As
usual with these DVD editions, there are an extraordinary number of
Extras. This could be because it is the only episode from the classic
series of Doctor Who
which has all filmed material, including unused takes and goofs, still
in broadcast-quality format.
Besides
the original version of the show exactly as it was broadcast, there is
an extended (although not much improved) longer version with more
'up-to-date' special effects - which was always Doctor Who’s
downfall (but, at the same time, responsible for its cult status).
The
obligatory commentaries are there but the best attractions in these
discs are a terrific 52-minute Celebration featurette hosted by Colin
Baker which includes extensive recollections from all key players, and
"The Ties That Bind Us" which is a 16 minute featurette with lots of
clips from all eras, often too quick to fully grasp, and a great
montage at the end.
The other ones to watch out for are various
promotional appearances that were done for The Five Doctors in
1983
where you can see Patrick Troughton, Peter Davison and Jon Pertwee as
they were in real life.
Overall, another comprehensive Doctor Who
package!
Conclusion: Episodes 70% Extras: 90%
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