Doctor Who: The Celestial Toymaker: Blu Ray Review

Published by the BBC
Released by Madman Home Entertainment

This 1966 Doctor Who serial that starred William Hartnell remains largely lost, having been junked in the 1960s by the BBC.

However, the show's audio remains and has been presented here in an animated form that feels distinctly different from how prior shows have been done.

In this serial, the Doctor is separated from his companions Dodo and Steven when he faces off against Michael Gough's omnipotent Toymaker (Batman star Michael Gough). While the soundtrack of the series exists, it has to be said this is largely a slow-paced story that doesn't have much happening within it.

As a result, the animation's the star of the show here, but a chunkier, blockier style of graphics means it feels very different to prior outings - and isn't 100% successful in committing to something different on screen.

Consequently, it has to be said, even for fans of the show, Doctor Who: The Celestial Toymaker feels like a lesser animation in the pantheon of releases from this range. It's to be applauded for trying something new, but in all honesty, given how occasionally dull the storyline is, this remains one of the lesser releases in what has been a hitherto-impressive range.