Doctor Who - Pyramids Of Mars [1975] [DVD]

Vintage Dr Who Adventure with The one and only Tom Baker starring as everyone's favorite Time lord. This one comes from 1975 often cited as The Golden era of The series comes Pyramids Of Mars. with it's roots clearly based on all Those Universal & Hammer Mummy movies you ever saw The Dr and Sarah Jane Smith played superbly by The late Great Elizabeth Sladen encounter robot controlled Mummy's as with Dr Who hell bent on Taking over The universe. This classic four part serial as been well covered and reviewed here better Than I can give you all I need add as with all The Dr Who DVD releases The Disc features all The Extras fans have come To expect. an in Depth behind The scenes making of The episode actual locations visited with The popular Then & Now segments an extensive photo Gallery so popular with These releases and The ever popular audio commentary To all four episodes featuring Elizabeth Sladen and famed character actor Michael Sheard who features in This story. What more can I say it's Tom Baker The floppy hat and The long scarf along with Liz Sladen as his Girl Friday need I say more.

Stalking mummies, pyramid powered war missiles, a space-time tunnel, an ancient god rising from his tomb, a cryptic message beamed from Mars ...In 1975 `Doctor Who' blended science fiction and Egyptology to create a pyramid-shaped high point in the series' legendary `Gothic' period which has stayed popular with fans ever since. An essential, 5* DVD for your `Doctor Who' collection.The premise is terrifyingly simple: if Sutekh the Destroyer frees himself from his 7000 year old tomb, that's it. No second chances, no plan B, no sequel. He will destroy all life, everywhere and nobody will be able to stop him - "not even our lot" says the Time Lord. This lends an edge to Robert Holmes' terrific script; the Doctor is faced by an undefeatable enemy and he knows it. Tom Baker is at his very best, making the Doctor seem more alien, more brooding, even with flashes of anger, almost as if - it's so unusual that it takes a while to sink in - almost as if the Doctor is afraid.Of course, he's still going to do whatever it takes to stop the servants of Sutekh before they can free their master. Three episodes of tense conflict with brilliant cliff-hangers then unfold against the verdant setting of a country estate in spring 1911, supported by very impressive interior sets, special effects, music and excellent character acting. The relationship between Marcus Scarman (Bernard Archard) and his brother Laurence (Michael Sheard) is both tragic and memorable. Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah has a good story and is right in the heart of the action, which for a U certificate feature has many surprisingly scary moments.When all else fails, the Doctor is forced into the inevitable confrontation with Sutekh. The opening of episode four is as powerful as anything ever seen in `Doctor Who' with a famously chilling performance from Gabriel Woolf as the still trapped, masked, near-motionless Sutekh. It's after this that a few stones seem missing from the fourth side of the story's structure. Part of this fourth episode follows a pattern familiar from a previous `Doctor Who' (and in later years, elsewhere). It's a good enough segment in itself, but has the feel of a slight anti-climax after the high drama before it.Fortunately, we're then back to full speed for the final minutes when the story takes the worst possible turn. Only the Doctor could save the day as he does; defeating the undefeatable enemy and without breaking the logic of the narrative. This is definitely a 5* tale even with the slight dip in episode four. Almost 40 years after first being broadcast, `Pyramids of Mars' is still found near the top of most favourites lists, including mine.The DVD picture quality shows this was a very early release; it's good but not quite as crisp as later releases. Similarly, the commentary is interesting but lacks the technical quality of the sound on later commentaries, as here the feature audio does not fade in and out as the participants share their memories.DVD Extras include the usual interesting `making of' documentary, a look at the locations 30 years later, a good Photo Gallery and `Serial Thrillers', a fascinating 40+ minute documentary about the era of producer Philip Hinchcliffe - to many, the golden age of the programme. Finally, if you know your classic `Doctor Who' and don't laugh at `Oh Mummy' - you're probably in a sarcophagus!NOTE: The DVD menu shows clips from the programme as background, so if you don't know the story already, press `Play' ASAP.

Another great classic story from the 4th doctors era and if people of a certain age watched a childrens show called Grange Hill you may be able to pick out a certain actor who played schoolteacher Mr Bronson aka Michael Sheard who has starred in various stories for doctor who over the years and fun fact for a link between classic and new actor Gabriel Wolf voices a character called Sutekh in Pyramids of Mars and The Devil in The Satan Pit for 10th Doctors era. Watch for Tom Baker dressed as a mummy and make the obvious joke but this is one story that yet again has stood the test of time.

Pyramids of Mars is one of the best Tom Baker offerings. A really good story line with some excellent supporting actors. Creepy and atmospheric. A nod to 'Spearhead from Space' in some ways, but it does not lack originality and is well out there. A strong script and Baker on top form. Watch out for the Dr's hat. It keeps appearing and disappering in some scenes when donned. A really great episode and one of my favourites. Some good extras too...

A timeless classic of one of the best Tom Baker Dr Who stories, in my opinion.So glad that I bought this DVD now and one that I will never ever part with.When I first watched this on television as a young lad I have to admit that I did get a little scared by the mummies and the mighty Sutekh.But after watching the first episode I was truly hooked on it after the cliff hanger ending. That's the best thing about watching Dr Who on DVD's.They have the original parts unlike the VHS versions that have complete stories with no cliffhangers.If you're an avid fan of classic Dr Who stories like me, then this has definitely got to be in your collection.

The BBC doing what it did so well with a period piece, and Doctor Who still being taking seriously by the corporation. Some of this formula was to be repeated with Horror Of Fang Rock. Everything is a joy, Tom Baker shows us why his Doctor is still so beloved and the wonderful Elisabeth Sladen show us that this is one of many stories to prove how this team were so popular.Apart from the money running out by the time the Tardis arrives on Mars, and the fans who go mad over continuity sit back and enjoy, this is Doctor Who @ its best.