Binro The Heretic 2008-05-08

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Frontier in Space (AKA The Space War) is a little gem from the latter days of Jon Pertwee's tenure as the eponymous Timelord and the last story to feature Roger Delgado as The Master, due to his being killed in a car crash in Turkey shortly after the story was filmed. The opening episode is superb - it is the year 2540 and someone seems determined to provoke a war between the two most powerful empires in the cosmos: Earth and Draconia. Arriving on board an Earth Spaceship, The Doctor and Jo are caught-up in these machinations, but see that the invading Draconians are really Ogrons - previously seen as brutal henchman of The Daleks. Someone is manipulating soundwaves to make people see what is not really there, in order to force the two governments into conflict and mutual destruction.
The action switches between the ship, Earth and a penal colony on the moon; The Doctor ends up there after the warmongering Earth General, Williams, convinces The President that the Timelord is behind the attacks.
In terms of visuals, The lizard-like Draconians are a great addition to Doctor Who's canon of alien threats - they are essentially peaceful but once provoked make formidable adversaries. The Ogrons are slightly less effective with their ape/clown looks but are still good fun and their former masters even make a brief appearance towards the end...Overall it is a solid slab of 70s Doctor Who; there are weaknesses (The Ogron eater) and strengths (The Draconians) but it is essentially good (if slightly padded) fun.

Mr. Andrew Young 2006-08-10

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

I certainly enjoyed this story from Jon Pertwee's era as the Doctor. Here, he tries to avert a war in the distant future between earth and the lizard-like Draconians. About halfway through the story, we realise that it is the Master, excellently played by Roger Delgado, who is manipulating the events, along with the help of the ape-like Ogrons. Then, in the final episode, we discover a far greater enemy waiting in the wings. Episode 6 must have been quite a surprise to viewers when broadcast back in 1973.
Pertwee is at the peak of his powers as the Doctor, and the interaction between him, Katy Manning as Jo Grant and Delgado is excellent.
One disappointment for me is the exit of Delgado's Master, although no-one would have realised at the time that this would be Delgado's final appearance. The character does not get the exit he deserves, simply disappearing amidst some confusion. It would be a few years before the Master, played by a different actor, would return in the Tom Baker story, The Deadly Assassin.
This story ends with a cliffhanger and leads nicely into the following 'Planet of the Daleks.' Personally, I feel that this one is the better of the two. If you can cope with the 1970's special effects, then get hold of this and watch it some evening.

2005-09-18

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Frontier in Space is very good science fiction. Only a small fraction of the story is on an actual planet- the rest is in space. It could pass for an early Star Trek or Space 1999 episode. The Dracions are fabulous aliens, but the Ogrons haven't improved. THEY AREN'T ANY WORSE!!!... But you'd expect them to have changed since The Day Of The Daleks. It's good to see them without the Daleks.
If you just want a simple, but entertaining story featuring good effects, ideas and acting, buy this rare gem!

D. Evans 2004-10-31

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Alongside The Green Death, Frontier in Space, is the best story of season 10. Jon Pertwee is as good as ever, and Roger Delegado gives a fine performance in his farewell story. The story is similar to something you might expect Star Trek to do, in that involves a potential war breaking out between 2 empires, which has been deliberately manipulated by a third party, who will then take control afterwards. A good storyline, with good effects, and good characterisation. This story deserves a DVD release soon.

2001-10-09

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

What a great story , which thoroughly justifies its six episodes . The story involves an war between earth and an alien planet over the destruction of transporters, which has been deliberately started by the master for his own devious means.I love the ape like ogrons and Roger Delgado is utterly superb as the master. I advise any Who fan who has not seen this epic to do so soon. It is just a pity that the six parter that follows on from Frontier in space , Planet of the daleks , is not availiable on video.