Search - Doctor Who & The Daleks on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1965 DVD Release: 11/20/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 23 mins Studio: Anchor Bay Members Wishing: 14 Genres: Science Fiction, Sci-Fi Disaster Film

Dr. Who was/is the longest-running entertainment series ever to run on the BBC, and for a variety of reasons, including its sassy humor, delightfully idiotic sets and special effects, and some first-class star-turns by a series of usually underrated actors in the title role, it generated a fanatic and devoted following in the U.K. One of the earliest "Doctors" in the movies was the great horror favorite Peter Cushing, and in this movie he saves the universe and, not incidentally, our dear old earth, from domination by the mostly robot and decidedly anti-biological Daleks (predecessors of the Borg, no doubt), a group of endearingly awfully designed (and made) A-frame shaped robots which, when massed together, appear to be engaged in a bumper-car race. No matter, the story races along at a furious and improbable pace, punctuated by wisecracks and gags, most of them from the almost-wise Doctor himself as he races about in his infinitely large (on the inside) antique London telephone booth known as "the Tardis" (Time And Relative Dimensions In Space), protecting the innocent. Fans of the series will be delighted with the film, but as is so often the case, newcomers to the series will wonder what all the fuss is about. The cumulative cheesiness of the whole Dr. Who concept does take quite a bit of getting used to, and any attempt to take the series or this movie seriously is doomed to failure. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

Peter Cushing - Dr. Who
Roy Castle - Ian
Jennie Linden - Barbara
Roberta Tovey - Susan
Barrie Ingham - Alydon

Even before Doctor Who & The Daleks was released in 1965, the peculiar doctor had already captured the hearts and minds of England's youth through his black-and-white television show which had premiered in 1963. But when the good doctor made the leap to the big screen, in wonderfully surreal Technicolor, and starring the great Peter Cushing, full-on Doctor Who mania really took over. Although intended as kiddie matinee fare, the film has more than enough colorful and imaginative action sequences to keep others entertained as well. Anchor Bay Entertainment's disc has been offered in a sumptuous widescreen transfer (2.35:1 enhanced) with its original English language mono soundtrack. The picture is breathtaking, allowing the film's primary color palette to really stand out. The print is in remarkably good shape and this new transfer gives the original source material a sparkle that it had previously lacked on home video. Also, seeing this film in widescreen for the first time on DVD likewise adds to the film's enjoyment. Included on the disc is a very nice commentary track with actresses Jennie Linden and Roberta Tovey, moderated by film journalist Jonathan Sothcott. The track is a fond recollection of making the highly influential film and is filled with plenty of amusing anecdotes for Doctor Who fans. Also included on the disc are poster and still galleries, an informative history of Doctor Who, and a couple of theatrical trailers. The disc is available separately or as part of the Doctor Who Collection, which includes the sequel Daleks Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. and the excellent documentary Dalekmania. ~ Derek Hill, All Movie Guide