Doctor Who - Revelation Of The Daleks Details

Time is the greatest healer...

Let's be clear ? were this a modern Doctor Who story it would have been discharged in half the time. Which is not to say that Revelation of the Daleks is bad 90 minutes of entertainment. Arguably, it is Colin Baker's greatest televised adventure (and I include Arc of Infinity in that assessment), and a shining example of what could be achieved within the budgetary constraints under which the original series was produced. Its director ? Graeme Harper ? is only the second person from Classic Who to make the jump to the New Series, and it will be interesting to see how he realises his block of David Tennant adventures with enhancements both to the money he can spend and the technology he can use.

My real problem with this DVD is that I don't like the overall package. For starters, this presentation is not as the story was originally transmitted (a Jimi Hendrix track cut from episode two's soundtrack on cost grounds for goodness sake). The DVD cover hails new CGI effects but, as far as I can see, these amount to little more than overlaying the original laser beams from Dalek guns etc. with more emphatic versions. The effect that really needed fixing ? the levitating Davros ? is still as unconvincing as it ever was. The disc has a commentary track, although the omission of the witty and erudite Colin Baker from this is unforgivable. We are treated to the usual affirmation of how good most of what is seen on the screen truly is (veterans of these commentaries will know the form), with the performance of Jenny Tomasin being singled out as the weakest link (and once Eric Saward has voiced an initial criticism, the others seem to jump in like a pack of unprofessional wolves to rip the poor actress apart). There are a couple of interesting revelations though, not least Lord Olivier's agent declining the pivotal role of the mutant on his client's behalf. The cast that was assembled is actually extremely good, the inclusion of William 'No Place Like Home' Gaunt, Alexei 'Young Ones' Sayle, Clive 'Keeping Up Appearances' Swift and Eleanor 'Secret Policemen's Ball' Bron making the list read like a who's who of British comedy. Overall, I think that Revelation of the Daleks holds up pretty well as a Doctor Who adventure, but those who have only seen the rejuvenated version of the series will doubtless find it an inferior, creaky relic?

[Highly rated reviewer]

Good story and not bad overall

All dalek stories are generally pretty good to watch, and this was a really good story. I never thought much of Colin Baker as the Doctor, but this is one of his better stories.

An interesting storyline, but special effects were still rather cheap at this time.

This DVD has the story in 2 parts, although it was also shown on TV when repeated as 4 parts.

Worth seeing if you are a Doctor Who fan or like daleks, otherwise nothing special.