Jon PertweeDoctor Who - Death to the Daleks [DVD] [1974]

I remember watching the first episode of this back in 1974 & being bowled over the acting of Elisabeth Sladen......the first time I had seen her.....and the atmospheric, genuinely frightening camerawork used for her ordeal lost on the mistbound planet surface.I hadn't watched "Doctor Who" for a few years, but was so impressed I got hooked again.But in fact the story fails to live up to the promise of that episode. Only the novelty of the Daleks being disarmed, and the superb performance of Arnold Yarrow as the subterranean alien, makes it memorable.Generally it's a rather tired four-parter with too many familiar Terry Nation devices being trotted out.Jon Pertwee seems subdued & lacklustre, Lis Sladen made to be too much the stereotypical, screaming girl companion.

Only a four part adventure this time round but a wee gem all the same.I grew up watching Doctor Who in the seventies and eighties so Tom Baker was my Tardis hero and not Jon Pertwee.Until very recently I had never seen this one so I was more than pleasantly surprised by how good it was was.I won't spoil the plot but I found the extras just as entertaining.There are some great interviews and behind the scenes footage but not only for this TV story but also for the Amicus movie "Doctor Who And The Daleks" starring Peter Cushing and Roy Castle.

This 1973 serial has had its fair share of critics over the years; however I have just watched the DVD for the first time, after becoming a fan of the story via the excellent Target novelisation, with its terribly exciting image of an exploding Dalek on the front cover, (not nearly as impressive when seen on TV of course!)To be honest I think it actually stands up very well, and in many ways is much more indicative of the direction in which the TV show was going to go in the 70s than how it had been previously. Running around a quarry made up to look like an alien planet, The Third Doctor and his (relatively) new companion Sarah Jane Smith encounter a band of Earth mineralogists, and are soon stunned by the arrival of a Dalek flying saucer, as well as being ambushed by a band of natives, seemingly mutated beings in tattered cloaks.There is a twist in the tale, meaning that the Daleks and the humans (plus the native Exxilons) have to join forces for a while, in order to unearth what lies within the gleaming white citadel on the hill and save their own skins. The real strength of the story lies in its depiction of the labyrinthine citadel innards, and there are some great SFX considering when this was produced.Admittedly, neither The Doctor, Sarah, nor the Daleks have much to do in this story, but it remains a tautly directed and well produced nugget from what was really the start of a golden era for Doctor Who, and is well worth a look, whether you're a fan or just curious.

Classic Dr who Brilliant, Darleks, A robot snake monster, A helpful cave creature dude that helps the Dr, this is from the classic days, the 70s doctor who’s are a lot of fun, The 60s, 70s and some 80s Dr who’s are the best, Although all three Darlek adventures are good with John pertwee, I felt this was better than day of the darleks and planet of the darleks,

The usual rehash of old ideas by Terry Nation leads to a typically poor Pertwee Dalek story, especially the last episode which is a complete waste of time as the story has run out of ideas by this point.The Daleks look good and so do the Exxilons, the directing and costumes are commendable and yet as whole it doesn't quite work somehow.The Dalek committing suicide is downright silly as is the Daleks testing their gun on a model TARDIS.I don't know, it's all very watchable but ultimately unsatisfying.

The greatest Dr Who against the deadliest enemy. Television heaven.As a child this was must watch television, as an adult you watch this and realise just how lucky you were.The story is brilliant, the cast is fantastic and Pertwee is in a class of his own.If you are thinking about buying this DVD, and remember John Pertwee with fondness you will not be disappointed.Wonderful television.

One of my fave who stories since it was first out on vhs. Dark, weird & haunting, never discussed as a classic but right up my spooky alley!

Pertwee was MY Doctor, and this is one of the earliest stories that I remember from my childhood.It goes without saying that the production values of the 1970's cannot possibly compare to those of today, but apart from a few minor glitches it still on the whole holds up.Look past those minor glitches, and you find a fascinating story, well acted and well told.And, Daleks with machine guns! What more needs to be said?