Dr Who: Myths and Legends: DVD Review

Dr Who: Myths and Legends: DVD Review

Dr Who - Myths and Legends

Rating: PG
Released by BBC and Roadshow Entertainment

Three classic 1970s Who tales from two different doctors find themselves bundled in one package with the slightest tie in.

The trio of releases this month deals with the Myths and Legends aspects of the show - for a sci fi show, Who was never ashamed to adapt some of the greatest legends to fit in with its central premise.

Starring Jon Pertwee as the third Doctor, The Time Monster ropes in Atlantis as the Doc deals with yet another threat from his nemesis The Master; with Tom Baker's fourth Doctor, we get a retelling of the Minotaur tale in the ham infested Horns of Nimon and a trip to the Underworld in erm, Underworld.

There's nothing inherently wrong with these stories - Baker's efforts are not the best acted and Horns of Nimon veers dangerously close to pantomime at times thanks to some of the OTT performances from all involved. But they don't represent the best of what the show had to offer - and with classic releases nearing the end of the range, it's inevitable there would be some which don't live upto the mark.

However - the same can't be said for the extras on the set which are once again excellent. The centre piece is a documentary about the close relationship between Dr Who and kids show Blue Peter in which the linking of the series is closely examined. It's a great device and a doco which has been a long time coming. Coupled with commentaries from some of the main actors in this triumvirate of stories and the ever informative Production information subtitles which light up the screen, these three extras (of a wealth of many) bring the release out of the mire.

Rating: 6/10