Upcoming Dr Who DVD releases (Classic Series)

Hi All,

2013 is set to see the release on DVD of the final two complete serials from the classic series of Doctor Who (1963-1989), in time for the 50th anniversary. The two serials are The Mind of Evil (1971) and Terror of the Zygons (1975).

So far, January 2013 has already seen the DVD release of the unfinished serial, Shada, starring Tom Baker as the Doctor and Lalla Ward as Romana and written by then Doctor Who script editor Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Filming of this serial was not completed as a result of industrial action at the BBC. Tom Baker provides linking narration to complete the story, as in a previous VHS release. This has been released as part of a boxed set, The Legacy Collection, that also includes a 1994 documentary, More than 30 Years in the Tardis. Also included in the set is the 2003 animated webcast version of Shada by Big Finish Productions featuring Paul McGann as the Doctor, with Lalla Ward reprising her role as Romana. This version can only be viewed on a web browser which does seem a bit pointless considering that it is actually available FREE from the BBC Website.

  

 

The next scheduled DVD release for 2013 is The Reign of Terror (1964), the final serial of the very first season of Doctor Who, which sees the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions Ian, Barbara and Susan become involved in intrigues during the French Revolution.

 

The scheduled date for release in the UK is the 28th of January (Feb 6 for NZ and Australia). Of the six part serial, only episodes 1- 3 and 6 are complete in the BBC archives (episodes 4 and 5 are lost as a result of the wiping of a number of tapes for re-use in line with studio policy at the time). However, this DVD release will include animated reconstructions of the missing episodes, as was the case for the DVD release of The Invasion (1968) in 2006.

Here's a taster of what the animation will look like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hXvk8HbYQL0



 Other DVD releases scheduled for 2013:

A new special edition of the Tom Baker classic The Ark in Space (1975). The scheduled release date for the UK is the 18th of February (Feb 27 for Australasia).

A new special edition of The Aztecs (1964). The scheduled release date for the UK is the 11th of March (March 20 for Australasia). Although this adventure, starring William Hartnell as the Doctor, has been previously released on DVD, this edition has been eagerly anticipated by fans since the announcement that the extras will include Air Lock, the 3rd episode of another Hartnell serial, Galaxy Four (1965), rediscovered in 2011.

Here is a clip from Air Lock:

The Terror of the Zygons (1975), starring Tom Baker as the Doctor. The scheduled release date for the UK is the 25th of June (Release date for Australasia TBA).

A newly colour-restored version of The Mind of Evil (1971), release date TBA. Like a number of stories starring Jon Pertwee as the Doctor, the colour master videotapes for this serial were wiped by the BBC in the 1970s. This left only black and white film recording copies of the episodes, made for overseas sale, in the archives.

The public premiere of the newly colour-restored version of The Mind of Evil will take place on March 10th, part of the British Film Institute's Doctor Who at 50 series.

Thanks for Reading,
Nick.