2000-07-25

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

The TARDIS materialises in the long-forgotten tomb of Yetaxa - once a high priest - during the lengthly reign of the Aztecs. Barbara dons a funky bracelet found next to Yetaxa's corpse and leaves the tomb, only to be captured by high priest Autloc and his Warriors... Meanwhile, the Doc and the others leave the tomb only to find the exit close behind them. There they are reunited with Barbara, who (because she's wearing Yetaxa's bracelet) has been mistaken for Yetaxa himself! Barbara sticks her nose in as usual, and tries to stop the practice of human sacrifice. The Doc must persuade her not to interfere, whilst also trying to find an alternative entrance to the tomb in order to leave in the TARDIS.......

The Aztecs is perhaps the best tale from Hartnell's reign, beating The Dalek Invasion Of Earth by a whisker, a virtually flawless production which is still so enchanting after all these years. The story is fast paced, featuring a superb musical score, some eye-popping costumes and a marvellous villain in John Ringham's scheming Tlotoxl. My enthusiasm knows no limits!

James

2000-03-18

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

The Aztecs was, in short, a magnificent episode. What you normally get from a Hartnell episode is lots and lots of padding and slow, boring bits but the Aztecs is completely different. It is a fast paced story with a good plot and wonderful acting, especially from John Ringham as Tlotoxl and Keith Pyott as Autloc. William Hartnell is, as usual brilliant as the Doctor and the other regulars all give good performances. This is a real gem and definitely worth buying.