Dr Who: Mara Tales: DVD Review

Dr Who: Mara Tales: DVD Review

Dr Who - Mara Tales
Rating: G
Released by BBC and Roadshow

Peter Davison stars in these two classic Who tales which have been fan favourites for a long time.

In Kinda and Snakedance, companion Tegan (Janet Fielding) and Davison's fifth doctor take the spotlight as they take on the forces of pure evil, the Mara which infests Tegan's mind and threatens the universe.

The sequel Snakedance sees the Mara reborn again and on the verge of once again destroying both Tegan and the creature's homeworld Manussa.

Quite simply this is classic Who at its best - and worst thanks to budgetary confines; a brilliantly realized concept is crippled by the fact its main effect looks like a snake made from cardboard; but with the release of these DVDs and the steps made in technology, you'll be able to see how it should have been done - thanks to a re-envisioning.

The stories are well written and acted too - concepts of faith, Buddhism and belief in good and evil are all explored and given life; and Snakedance sees the very first acting job of Martin Clunes.

Once again, the extras are superlative and commentaries, deleted scenes and some great behind the scenes docos show why this pair of stories have an enduring appeal.

Sure, some will get lost in the fact it's 80s Dr Who - but fans will truly adore this set which has been a long time coming.

Rating: 7/10