D. Evans 2004-09-29

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

With over 150 stories broadcast, opinion is often divided as to which are the best and worst Doctor Who stories. Ofcourse the usual level of consensus, will see Caves of Androzani, somewhere near the top, and Timelash,Time Flight, and Time And The Rani, at the opposite end. But then in the middle you get stories such as Seeds of Death, Ambassadors of Death, and The Planet of Fire, which people seem to give less attention too, they are simply seen as ok. I think Planet of Fire perhaps deserves a little more recognition. In the documentary accompanying The Leisure Hive, reference is made to the producer John Nathan Turner favouring style over storyline, certainly in Planet of Fire, the fantastic location of Lanzorate, does help distract from a rather weak storyline. But then the writer, had to include in this one, the introduction of a new companion, the departures of 2 old ones, and the reintroduction of The Master. Despite all these requirements the story is still enjoyable. Nicola Bryant as well as being one of the best looking companions, has an immediate on screen chemistry with Peter Davsion. It is shame that they would only be together for one more adventure. Mark Strickson is also good, in his final adventure, as the tragically underused Turlough. The more relaxed pace of the serial is further welcomed, after the intensity of the previous adventure, Resurrection of the Daleks. I would recommend this, as a good purchase.

Adrian Sherlock 2004-05-28

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Another fine Dr.Who serial for Peter Davison, Planet of Fire is not as totally entertaining as TimeFlight, but has better production values by far with impressive location filming in Lanzarote and eye candy in the form of Peri in a bikini, as well as a very impressive Master in a black business suit and using Kameleon to give him a robotic and inhuman alter ego. The religious themes are interesting and the use of sex appeal and flashy locales to catch the attention makes a change for Dr.Who. Davison is hard nosed here, despatching first kameleon, then the Master, despite the costume variation which makes him look like a six foot something school boy! Quirky to be sure, but great fun!

2001-10-15

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Kinda pointless, not to say churlish, to critique the shortcomings of British TV Sci Fi, primarily because Dr. Who fans will need this vid anyway, regardless of irrelevances like the dodgy sets, the semi standard outdoor location shots or even plot and acting: 'We all know that!' we chime as one and a convoluted discussion of Postmodern aesthetics ensues.
But to cut to the chase, what makes this the single Dr. Who vid the non fan should buy is the bikini scenes featuring the utterly babeticious Nicola Bryant. They are not extensive but she sends the Pulchitudometer into the red therein by the simple virtue of being stacked AND timelessly gorgeous!
No excuses for this endorsement - one singularly beautiful woman preserved amid the annals of TV history: priceless and worth the admission price alone.
Now if only Hilary Dwyer had become the doc's companion too....

2000-12-23

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Enjoyable Davison story, some nice twists, including the master and his tardis, and first story with companion Peri. a Worthwile video.

paul.nash2@btinternet.com 2000-11-05

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Peter Davison's second to last story saw the exit of Turlough and the first appearance of Peri (surely the series' sexiest companion). It doesn't have one of the strongest storylines but in hindsight you feel sad that Davison is going (to be replaced by Colin Baker, who never got close to adequately replacing him). Doctor Who never recovered from Davison's departure, despite the quality of the Colin Baker storylines. I was a teenage lad when this was on TV so you won't be surprised to know that it was Nicola Bryant who got my attention.