Binro The Heretic 2007-08-31

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

The above is just one of the memorable lines uttered by Tom Baker's Doctor in this, what is regarded by many as the start of the so-called 'golden era' of Doctor Who. First broadcast in 1975 at the end of the fourth Doctor's second season, the serial sees Baker really hit his stride whilst Elisabeth Sladen exudes confidence; the resulting chemistry cementing the series' greatest double-act until Lalla Ward's Romana came along.
Not really one of the much-vaunted 'gothic' stories, this is more of a 'Boy's Own' romp, the action switching from Antarctic wastes to the mansion belonging to the sinister Harrison Chase, an unhinged billionaire botanist. Featuring green slimy monsters, ingenious methods of disposing of one's enemies and a host of 1970s TV stalwarts (plus the aforementioned John Challis), the story romps along at a cracking pace.
Whilst it is easy to mock the (clearly) polystyrene snow, rubbery aliens and fake locations, these are exactly what gave 1970s (and to a lesser degree) 1980s 'Who' its charm and great appeal. I have watched this story more than any other and it never fails to remind me of why I am such a fan of the show.
"Mr Stevenson, what you have done could very well result in the destruction of the entire human race..."

2005-08-06

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

This outstanding classic six-part creepy chiller is a hybrid of 'The Avengers', John Carpenter's 'The Thing' and 'The X-files', and very effective it is too. This is directed by Douglas Camfield who also directed the excellent 'Terror of the Zygons'.

Unless you got to see this the first time round, or are a serious Doctor Who fan, or have UK Gold, I sometimes wonder how many people that were brought up on Tom Baker actually ever saw this, as it was never repeated on the BBC, which is a great shame, because not only is it first class, it's also considered to be one of the best episodes from the original series, plus it features an excellently menacing John Challis ('Boycie' - 'Only Fools and Horses') as Scorby.

Finally, when this eventually comes out on DVD, I really hope that it gets a fresh new lease of life, i.e. people who never saw it the first time round and younger fans brought up on Russell T Davies Doctor Who. I would love to know what they make of it. I can just imagine a very amusing John Challis commentary when released on DVD.

2003-06-03

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

This story is the highlight of the Tom Baker era and one of the best Dr.Who stories of them all. The Antarctica scenes are well done and the story never sags across six episodes. The transformation scenes are almost painful to watch and the large Krynoid at the end is surprisingly effective.
Scorby (played by John Challis- Boycie from Only Fools and Horses) undergoes genuine character development over the course of the story so that we're almost saddened by his (somewhat gratuitous) demise.

Evoking memories of The Thing From Outer Space this was one of the last truly creepy Doctor Who stories - sublime.

Stu 2003-01-17

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

One of the best Tom Baker stories. It's got atmosphere, and for John Carpenter fans, it has a director who know's his stuff, who know's how the series works. Douglas Camfield who directed this has always reminded me of Carpenter, but by tv standards. He know's what his budget is, but he pushes it to it's limitations and is creative with it. Apart from just 'one' scene in Antarctica, where fake snow is evident, the scenes there are brilliantly filmed, that even John Carpenter himself would admire the work of a director, who like himself had to use his creative talent as opposed to huge budgets to bring a film in on time and to a high standard.

2001-05-28

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

This is definitely one of the best DW adventures. Tom Baker is absolutely wonderful as the Doctor and here, he gives one of his best performances. He and Elisabeth Sladen are so natural together and they make a wonderful team. There are some great supporting performances, most notably from Tony Beckley as Harrison Chase an insane megalomanic millionaire. John Challis is also really good as Chase's No1 heavy, Scorby. Great plot Get it.