Dr Who - The Nightmare of Eden: DVD Review

Dr Who - The Nightmare of Eden: DVD Review

Rating: PG
Released by BBC and Roadshow

A story from the classic range of the 1970s from Tom Baker's teeth and curls era as the Fourth Doctor, this adventure is probably one of the ones I remember the most vividly from my youth.

When two spacecraft collide, the Doctor and his companion, Romana (Lalla Ward) along with K-9 are forced to intervene. But what they find is something stalking the corridors of the ship, a zoologist with a machine that can project onto other planets and a conspiracy involving drugs.

Erm, I'm sad to say that this story is distinctly tinted with the nostalgia eyes - rewatching it again as an adult and you can see the creaks (literally of the sets) and the joins (literally of the costumes) of the story's execution. It's also pretty badly acted - even Tom Baker looks angry as the Doctor rather than genial alien. Sure, it's a darker story and daring for a 70s serial to talk drugs but the baddies, the Mandrels are a horrendous miss; monsters with flares and who wave their arms around more than actually striking anyone when attacking, they're just laughable.

While it's watchable and pacy enough fare, it's instantly forgettable - who knows what I was thinking at such an impressionable age.

Extras: Commentary, look back at the troubled production, a few interviews - the usual mix. Plus special mention for the in screen production notes which enhance the viewing experience with a good solid mix of a hint of cheekiness and fact.

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