Yojimbo/Sanjuro Blu-Ray Boxset from Criterion vs DVD Boxset

Yojimbo/Sanjuro BluRay Set Vs. Yojimbo/Sanjuro DVD Set from Criterion
With the coming of BluRay discs one question always is on the back of people's mind is it worth double, triple, or quadruple dipping on movies that you have already bought? To answer that question is really hard, but should come down to some factors. 1. How much do you love the film? Is it one of your all time favorites or is it on the bottom of the list? 2. How good was the transfer before? If it was one of the first releases on DVD the transfer could look terrible. 3. What type of film it is? Certain types of films like Action, Sci-Fi, Horror, and Fantasy it can really make a differance in between a BluRay and DVD. Today I'm looking at Yojimbo/Sanjuro BluRay Boxset vs Criterion's last DVD release for them. Yojimbo falls into category factor 1 and 3, Im not worried about the transfer being of bad quality considering Criterion did the release before. To understand the Criterion Collection it is owned by Janus Films who currently sells World cinema, mainstream cinema classics, and critically-successful “obscure” movies. Using the best available source materials, the company produces technologically improved versions, thus, The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928), M (1931), and the Children of Paradise (1945) discs contain film-cleaning and film-restoration demonstrations, comparing the restored and un-restored images; not every film company approved of the comparison exercise — the Toho Company took exception to the restoration demonstration in Criterion's first DVD release of Seven Samurai (1954); the re-issued version does not contain it. So you get the best when it comes to this companies transfers. Both of these films being looked at today are being directed by Akira Kurosawa considered by many including myself the greatest director in film history and starring Toshiro Mifune easily the greatest actor to grace the Japanese Cinema. Another actor to grace these productions is Takashi Shimura another regular who Kurosawa uses often and has a great onscreen chemistry with Mifune.
Yojimbo/Sanjuro
On the Box
Thanks to perhaps the most indelible character in Akira Kurosawa’s oeuvre, Yojimbo surpassed even Seven Samurai in popularity when it was released. The masterless samurai Sanjuro, who slyly manipulates two warring clans to his own advantage in a small, dusty village, was so entertainingly embodied by the brilliant Toshiro Mifune that it was only a matter of time before he returned in a sequel. Made just one year later, Sanjuro matches Yojimbo’s storytelling dexterity yet adds layers of world-weary pragmatism that brings the two films to a thrilling and unforgettable conclusion. Criterion is proud to present these Kurosawa masterworks in new, high-definition digital transfers and Blu-ray editions.
Restored high-definition digital transfers (with uncompressed monaural soundtracks on the Blu-ray editions)
Optional Dolby Digital 3.0 soundtracks, preserving the original Perspecta simulated sound effects (DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray edition)
Audio commentaries by Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince
Documentaries on the making of Yojimbo and Sanjuro, created as part of the Toho Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create
Theatrical teasers and trailers
Stills galleries of behind-the-scenes photos
New and improved English subtitle translation
PLUS: Booklets featuring essays by film writers Alexander Sesonske and Michael Sragow and comments from Kurosawa and members of his cast and crew

Yojimbo

On the Box
To rid a terror-stricken village of corruption, wily masterless samurai Sanjuro (Toshiro Mifune) turns a range war between two evil clans to his own advantage in Akira Kurosawa’s visually stunning and darkly comic Yojimbo.
Story - A+
Yojimbo is one of the most copied films in the history of film even still to this day it is being rewritten and remade. Yojimbo is almost 50 years old now since it was originally released and is as brilliant today as it was when it was released very few films can say it withstood the test of time like this film and translates into just about any culture. Alot of this is to due with the simple factor Kurosawa wrote the story in such a way that any culture could relate to it by the settings characters, and storyline. Which is why All Movie Guide gives it a 5 out of 5 and it finishes #139 on the top250 films on IMDB and #15 out on the foriegn film list after all these years including two other Kurosawa film finishing ahead of it Rashoman and the Seven Samurai. Some of the films it has been remade as is Django, A Fistful of Dollars, Last Man Standing, the Zatoichi 2003 remake, and El Mariachi.
Video Quality - A BluRay

Criterion's new Blu-ray edition of Yojimbo is a direct upgrade of the 2007 DVD release. The film is now offered in stunning 1080p high-definition. Contrast is very good, with deep, detailed blacks and overall image texture is nicely refined. Very light grain remains, preserving the proper film-like experience. Thanks to the restoration work, age-related issues are minimal. Slight variation in contrast and detail is visible from scene to scene, but other than the occasional missing frame (presumably damaged, also seen on the DVD), the visual presentation is consistently excellent. And it is a vast improvement when comparing the 99 release by criterion of this film I am now amazed Criterion ever had their name on that release

Special Features - B
This is the same special features as on the DVD release except for an addition of the DTS HD Master Audio. I can't complain much for an almost fifty year old film it has alot with it. However probably most likely to do with Toho it is missing one feature I love from almost every Criterion release the restoration process special feature comparing it to the original and in this case I would of loved to have seen a DVD to BluRay transfer comparrison for prints. I was left speechless by the one Warner made when they released Wizard of Oz onto BluRay.
Sanjuro

On the Box
In Kurosawa’s sly companion piece to Yojimbo, jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan’s evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a “proper” samurai on its ear.
Story - B
While not quite as good as Yojimbo and originally intended to be a different film altogether pressure from Toho after the success of Yojimbo forced Kurosawa to rewrite the script and gear it to be a sequal for Yojimbo. Which in the end takes away from the film despite that fact it is still a good film it doesn't quite seem like this story is meant for a sequal for Yojimbo or that character Sanjuro neccessarily fits in completely. If this was made by almost anybody else, but Kurosawa it might of gotten a higher rating. AMG gives it 3.5 out of 5 Stars I think rightfully so and it recieves an 8.0 out of 10 on IMDB.
Video Quality - B

Sanjuro arrives on Blu-ray in an excellent 2.35.1 AVC encoded 1080p anamorphic widescreen transfer. The black and white image is incredibly crisp and shows far more detail than was present on the previous standard definition releases that Criterion has released over the years. Clarity is striking while contrast looks to be set properly. Fine detail and texture is always strong, you'll really notice it in the facial close ups where you can make out every little hair and all of the grit on the cast members faces. There aren't any problems with mpeg compression artifacts or edge enhancement and while a welcome and natural coat of grain is evident throughout, there are only the mildest instances of print damage to note. There are a few scenes that look softer than others and there are some instances where you might notice a bit of flickering but Kurosawa fans can rest assured that this is a big step up from the standard definition releases and a completely worthwhile upgrade in the visuals department.

Special Features - B
This is the same special features as on the DVD release except for an addition of the DTS HD Master Audio. I can't complain much for an almost fifty year old film it has alot with it. However probably most likely to do with Toho it is missing one feature I love from almost every Criterion release the restoration process special feature comparing it to the original and in this case I would of loved to have seen a DVD to BluRay transfer comparison for prints.
Box Set
Overall B+
As I said in a post on facebook don't buy this set if all your looking for is more special features than the 2007 release because you will be dissapointed. However if your looking for the best transfer to date with uncompressed video and audio quality this release is for you. Which is why I chose to buy this set again. Again I urge people to consider the factors i listed above before double or triple dipping.

Up next I am going to look at a British TV series called the Sweeney a cop show from the seventies that changed the way cop shows were made and looked at featuring the late John Thaw and singer/actor Dennis Waterman.

Doctor Who Vengeance on Varos

Doctor Who Vengeance on Varos
What would happen if a Doctor Who crossed paths with one of Stephen King's novels? It is a good question to ask because alot of authors novels have been used as a basis for a serial for Doctor Who. Was any Stephen King novel possibly the basis for a serial made during the classic series? The answer to that question is simply yes, but which novel. Could it have been Christine? Bessie a car with a soul and she wants the Doctor all for herself killing off people the Doctor's friends and companions along the way. How about Cujo? A robotic Dog K-9 who gets a strange form of rabies and now has his sights set on killing the Doctor and his companions. Well it is definately not either of those two novels, but which novel could it be then? To answer that question you will have to know that Stephen King also writes under the pseudonym Richard Bachman
. One of Bachman's more popular novels that was later turned into a movie with Arnold Schwarzeneggar was the Running Man which was released in 1982. However one Doctor Who serial Vengeance on Varos featuring Colin Baker as the 6th Doctor and Nicola Bryant as Peri has some striking simularities to this story as well. So if you like Stephen King books this serial might be just for you. Vengeance on Varos was written by Philip Martin and directed by Who veteran Ron Jones who in the end directed six serials for Doctor Who during the Davison and Colin Baker era including Black Orchid, Timeflight, and Mindwarp. Vengeance is also one of the few Who serials that has a great supporting cast of actors coming into it Martin Jarvis as the Governor, Jarvis known for playing the leads in a lot of British Shows throughout the 60's-80's, Jason Connery as Jondar, Jason the son of legendary Sean Connery made one of his first on screen appearances before becoming Robin in the 80's Robin Hood TV series, and veteran actress Sheila Reid who has graced both television and the silver screen for years. With all this said from this basis alone Vengeance on Varos has a lot going for it when you just take a look at the cover.
On the box
On the planet Varos, prisoners and guards alike are subject to the severest forms of punishment, which are the broadcast to the masses as entertainment.
For the Doctor, Varos is the only hope for him to locate the rare mineral Zeiton-7, which powers his ailing Tardis. But when he and Peri arrive, they are caught up in events beyond their control...
Freeing the rebel leader Jondar and incurring the wrath of the sinister alien Sil are just the beginnings of their ordeal. Hunted through the concealed terrors of the Punishment Dome, the Doctor becomes the subject of Varos's latest TV entertainment. But this is one show he is not expected to survive beyond the cliffhanger...
Story - A
Vengeance is possibly the best serial of Colin's era as the Doctor. Wonderfully written script combined with some of the best actors to ever have a guest appearance on Doctor Who. Nothing is really overdone or underdone. Possibly the only thing holding this story back is the use of simular sets and lack of different settings. Otherwise you cannot say much against this story or how it was filmed.
Video Quality - F
Vengeance by far is the worst DVD I have viewed from the Doctor Who range when it comes down to video quality. It looks uncleaned almost like a layer of white covers the entire print. The movement of characters through the entire two serials are jumpy and unexplained movements from them like sudden jerks of motion out of nowhere to make things worse you had a line that would also appear quite often on the top mostly and sometimes the botton of the screen that appears to happen out of nowhere that gets real annoying something simular to what I am showing below.
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Special Features - F
This is one of Doctor Who's first DVD releases and has less than the standard that comes with any Doctor Who release. So even though I would like to give a higher rating it is below par in this area and has 6 out of the usual and missing the radio times billings.
Overall - D-
This is as about as bad as it comes to a Doctor Who release on DVD it deserves a better transfer, more special features, and to be vidfired. The only thing saving this DVD is the serial itself from getting an F in my book. My suggestion wait for the rerelease.

Next up on the agenda is Akira Kurosawa Yojimbo/Sanjuro BluRay vs DVD side by side comparison from Criterion.

Doctor Who Easter Eggs

When it comes to hidden features on DVD Doctor Who is no stranger to this so to help out here is a list of where you should be able to find hidden stuff. While some are pointless others are nice.
Lost in Time

BBC test card and countdown clock for broadcast of episode 3 of The Crusade

From the main menu on disc 1 wait until the rotating circles around William Hartnell's head pause and a sound effect is played in over the theme music. Then, from the top item on the menu press the up arrow and the Doctor Who logo top left is highlighted in green. Press select and you'll see a BBC test card and countdown clock that cued up the broadcast of episode 3 of The Crusade.

Introduction from Frazer Hines for an episode of The Underwater Menace

From the main menu on disc 2 wait until the rotating circles around Patrick Troughton's head pause and a sound effect is played in over the theme music. Then, from the top item on the menu press the up arrow and the Doctor Who logo top left is highlighted in green. Press select and you'll see an introduction from Frazer Hines for an episode of The Underwater Menace.

The Keys of Marinus

8mm Cinefilm

On the special features page, so down to the PDF materials option, enter it, then press the left key to highlight the Doctor Who logo. Press enter and you'll see 8mm cinefilm footage shot by grams operator Patrick Heigham.

The Aztecs

BBC Enterprises Globe

On the first special features menu page, go down to "Intro Sequences" and press left to highlight a hidden "Doctor Who" logo. Select this and you'll see a black and white BBCtv Enterprises rotating globe logo.

The Dalek Invasion of Earth

Sid

On disc 2, move down to the talking daleks option and hit the left arrow, a hidden Doctor Who logo lights up. Press select and you'll get a clip of a Dalek creature, who in a later egg appears to be called Sid!

Sid's Date

On disc 2, navigate to the second main menu, move down to the photo gallery option and hit the left arrow, a hidden Doctor Who logo lights up. Press select and you'll get a clip called "Sid's Date"!

The Chase

Enter+++Enter+++Zero+++Stop

On Disc 2, navigate to Daleks Beyond the Screen and press right to reveal a hidden logo. Press Enter/OK to watch a mini-documentary about the Mechonoids.

The War Machines

Unused Clips

Go to episode selection, and episode 2, click right to highlight a Green Doctor Who Logo, you will see a few unused clips of a War Machine attacking soldiers, minus sound.

The Tomb of the Cybermen

Clean Second Doctor Opening Titles

On the main menu, with "Play All" highlighted, hit the up arrow and the Doctor Who logo at the top left of the main menu page becomes illuminated. Hit select and you'll get some clean 2nd Doctor opening titles.

VidFIRE Test Footage

On the main menu, with "Play All" highlighted, hit the up arrow and the Doctor Who logo at the top left of the main menu page becomes illuminated. Then hit the right arrow and a Cyber logo appears on the third picture from the right, you can select right twice more and the Cyber logo moves right, but if you hit left until you get to the image of the 2nd Doctor you get a circle appearing. Hit select and you'll get some test footage of the Doctor and Victoria in the main control room.

Abominable Snowmen Audio Trailer

From the second special features menu page, select "Audio Options", hit left to highlight the Doctor Who logo then hit enter. You'll get an audio trailer for the story, The Abominable Snowmen.

The Wheel in Space (Lost in Time Box Set)

Background Voice

Leave the commentary running for Episode 6 and right at the end you will hear audio chatter

The Mind Robber

Continuity announcements from 1992 repeat

Navigate down to Episode Selection on the main menu, hit left to highlight a hidden Doctor Who logo and press select to reveal some BBC2 continuity announcements from the 1992 repeat.

The Seeds of Death

Video Clip of Commentary Team

On disc 2, move down to the Tardis Cam No. 5 option and press left, a hidden Doctor Who logo appears. Hit select and you'll see a video clip of the audio commentary team commentating on a clip from the story.

The War Games

On Location

On disc one, on the main menu, navigate to Subtitles and then press left to highlight the Doctor Who logo. Press Enter/OK to listen to 20 minutes of behind the scenes audio from the location filming.

The Trial Of Doctor Who

On disc two, go to Subtitles, navigate down to Info Text On and press right to highlight a hidden logo. Press Enter to see the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre’s interpretation of the last episode.

Force field film footage

On disc three, on the main menu, navigate to Subtitles and then press left to highlight the Doctor Who logo. Press Enter/OK to see the film footage of the force field effect seen in Episode Ten.

Spearhead from Space

Unused Third Doctor Title Sequence

On the main menu, with "Play All" highlighted, hit the left arrow and the Doctor Who logo at the top left of the main menu page becomes illuminated. Hit select and you'll get a set of unused 3rd Doctor titles.

Doctor Who and the Silurians (Beneath the Surface Box Set)

"The Ambassadors of Death" Trailer

At the end of Episode 7, keep the DVD Playing to see a full Colour Trailer for the following Serial "The Ambassadors of Death"

*** The only way to view the Egg is if you either watch Episode 7 using the Episode Selection option or by watching the end credits via the Scene Selection option. The Egg doesn't play if you use the "Play All" option. Barry Letts, Terrance Dicks, Nicholas Courtney and Caroline John also did a commentary for the trailer and to hear their comments you need to use either the Episode Selection or Scene Selection Options. (Thanks to David French)

Inferno

Studio Countdown Clock for Episode 7

On disc one select episode 7 from the episodes menu. The video starts 27 seconds in at the title sequences. Rewind to the beginning to get a studio countdown clock from that episode.

Clean Version of Inferno Opening Titles

On disc two navigate down to Next on the first menu and press the left to reveal a hidden Doctor Who logo. Press select for a clean version of the Inferno opening titles.

Carnival of Monsters

Clean Pertwee Opening Titles

Navigate to the subtitles menu screen, and then click left from 'Feature' option to highlight a hidden Doctor Who logo and hit select. You'll now get a clean version of the regular Pertwee opening title sequence.

Clipboard
Click left on audio options and that reveals a Hidden Doctor Who Logo, press enter and you will be shown a 30 Second clapperboard slide from episode 2

Frontier in Space

Alternate theme music titles
On Disc Two, select Subtitles from the menu, highlight 'Special Features', then press down. The Doctor Who logo turns green. Press Enter to see the VT Clock from Episode 5 leading into the start and end credits with the alternative 'Delaware' theme. This is from a rough cut of episode 5, which was also used on the old VHS release.

Planet of the Daleks

Alternate opening commentary
On Disc 2, select 'Multi-Colourisation' and press the right arrow, a green Doctor Who logo appears. Press enter for a commentary out-take from Episode Three, recorded in case the colour recovery wasn't viable.

Continuity
After the end of Episode 6 leave the disc running to see a continuity announcement for The Green Death and an advert for the Doctor Who Theme record.

The Green Death

Continuity Announcements

On the first menu hit the left arrow when the top option's highlighted to reveal a hidden logo. Press select and you'll get a compilation of continuity announcements from the orginial broadcast of The Green Death and from a BBC2 repeat.

The Time Warrior

Short Doco on "Firsts"

Go down to Special Features on the Main Menu and Click Left, The Doctor Who Logo should turn green, click it and you should see a short documentary about "Firsts" in the show - Title Sequence, Use of the Word "Part" etc.

Terrance Dicks Clip

Go to 2nd Special Features menu, scroll down to 'Back', click left for a Dr Who logo that leads to a short clip of Terrance Dicks discussing a photo.

The Monster of Peladon

Jon Pertwee Races Lord Montague

On the second disc of The Monster of Peladon, go to 'Where Are They Now?' and press left to highlight a hidden Doctor Who logo that leads to a clip of Jon Pertwee having a traction engine race with Lord Montague.

Behind the Scenes Audio

Again, on the second disc, go into PDF Materials, press right to highlight a hidden logo that leads to an audio extract of behind the scenes material from 1974.

Robot

Continuity Announcements

Go down to Special Features on the Main Menu and Click Left, The Doctor Who Logo should turn green, click it and you should see Continuity Announcements for that story; "Robot".

The Ark in Space

Production Slate

Navigate to the Episode Selection option on the main menu, press the up arrow when on episode one to highlight the Doctor Who logo and hit select. You'll now see a production slate used during the filming of this story.

Doctor Who Blackpool Exhibition

Navigate to the Special Features menu page, move down to the Tom Baker interview option, press the left arrow to highlight a hidden Doctor Who logo and hit select. You'll see what appears to be a promotional film for the Blackpool Doctor Who exhibition.

Another Advert for Doctor Who Blackpool Exhibition

Keep watching at the end of the 4th part for another advert for the Blackpool Doctor Who exhibition.

Planet of Evil

Hidden Hinchcliffe

On the first Special Features menu, left click on Continuities, a green Doctor Who logo should appear click it to watch "Hidden Hinchcliffe"

Pyramids of Mars

Continuity Announcements

Navigate down to the special features option on the first menu and press select. Go to the second page of special features and move down to the Oh Mummy option and hit left to highlight a hidden Doctor Who logo. Hit select and you'll get continuity announcements from the original broadcast and from a later BBC2 repeat.

The Brain of Morbius

A Letter to Robert Holmes

On the second page of special features, go town to set tour, click left to highlight and a Green Doctor Who logo should appear, click it to get an amusing little piece....

Short Feature on General Facts about the Brain of Morbius

Go to the episode selection page, go onto the "Main Menu" button and click left a green Doctor Who logo should be highlighted, when clicked you should get a short feature about general facts and trivia related to The Brain of Morbius and things connected to it (very silimar to the one on "The Time Warrior")

The Hand of Fear

Nationwide interview with Liz Sladen

On Play All from the first menu press left, right and then left again to highlight the Doctor Who logo. Hit select to get an interview with Liz Sladen from Nationwide.

The Deadly Assassin

Trailer
Press the left arrow on the photo gallery option to see the very end credits for "Hand of Fear" and a trailer for "The Deadly Assassin".

The Talons of Weng-Chiang

Clean 4th Doctor Opening Title Sequence

On the second menu of extras on disc 2, move down to trailers and continuity and hit the left arrow and a hidden Doctor Who icon lights up. Press select and you'll get a clean version of fourth Doctor opening credits.

Continuity Announcement

Audio-only continuity annoucements can be heard on some episodes when you play the Audio Commentary.

Horror of Fang Rock

Production Slate

On the Special Features menu move down to the Antiques Doctor Who Show, press the left button to highlight a hidden Doctor Who logo. Press select and you'll see a production slate from episode 3.

The Invisible Enemy (K9 Tales Twin-Pack)

K9 on the Generation Game

Go to the special features menu, go down to Visual Effect and click left to reveal a green doctor who logo, click it to see K9's very own appearance on the Generation Game!

Image of the Fendahl

Leela doll

On the first page of Special Features go to Trailer and press left to highlight a hidden logo. Press OK/Select to see Louise Jameson talking about the doll of Leela.

The Invasion of Time

Disc 2

The Coronet of Rassilon

On disc two, go to the second menu page, go to Radio Times Listings and press left to reveal a hidden logo. Click it to watch Colin Mapson discuss this prop

The Ribos Operation (The Key to Time Box Set)

Choose "Info Text" then "Play all", for a slide of information about a possible schedule change for "Doctor Who", from Saturdays to Thursdays.

(Thanks to Whenisayrun, goodasgearon and Whopix)

The Armageddon Factor (The Key to Time Box Set)

On the second menu page, click right on "continuities" to see the original transmission breakdown from Episode 5

Destiny of the Daleks

Countdown Timer

On the second Special Features Menu click left on Audio Options where a (Small) Doctor Who logo should be highlighted, You will then be taken through a Sequence of the Four Countdown Timers used on each Episode Prior to Tramsmission.

City of Death

MkIII Jagaroth Battlecruiser Instruction Booklet

On disc two, from the first option, Paris in the Springtime, hit the left arrow to reveal a hidden Doctor Who logo. Press select to gain access to a computer generated instruction booklet for a newly purchased MkIII Jagaroth Battlecruiser.

Douglas Adams Interview

On disc two, from the third option, Prehistoric Landscapes, hit the left arrow to reveal a hidden Doctor Who logo. Press select to see an interview with writer Douglas Adams, discussing, mainly, getting drunk with the director Ken Greive.

Good Woolf. Bad Woolf

On disc two, from the fifth option, Photo Library, hit the left arrow to reveal a hidden Doctor Who logo. Press select to gain access to "Good Woolf. Bad Woolf" out-take from the Eye On Blatchford featurette with Gabriel Woolf.

Tom & John

On disc two, from the seventh option, Doctor Who Annual, hit the left arrow to reveal a hidden Doctor Who logo. Press select to see a short sketch starring Tom Baker and John Cleese.

Continuity Announcement

After the Episode Four credits you get the BBC continuity announcer telling you that next week it's "The Creature From the Pit".

The Horns of Nimon

Sock Puppet Sketch

On the special features page, go to 'Read the Writer', then press right to highlight a hidden Doctor Who logo. Press enter to see a sketch by the sock puppets.

The Leisure Hive

Original Broadcast Continuity Announcements

Navigate down to the second option of the first menu, press the left button to highlight a hidden Doctor Who logo and hit select. You'll then get a series of continuity announcements from the original broadcast of this story.

Warriors' Gate (E-Space Trilogy Box Set)

Matt Irvine & An Axe

On the second special features menu, go down to Continuity, click right and a green Doctor Who logo will be highighted on the left, click it to see a short clip of Matt Irvine talking about props in "Warrior's Gate"

The Keeper Of Traken (New Beginnings Box Set)

Anthony Ainley Clip

There's a short clip of Anthony Ainley after Episode 4

Castrovalva

Parade Float Clip

On the main menu, navigate to Audio Options and press left to highlight the Doctor Who logo. Press Enter/OK to be treated to a short clip of the Fifth Doctor on a float with assorted monsters at the Lord Mayor of London’s Parade on 1 January 1982.

The Visitation

Continuity Announcements

From the second page of the special features menu, highlight the first option and press the left arrow to highlight a hidden Doctor Who logo. Press select to access continuity announcements from the original BBC1 broadcast, including adverts for the Longleat and Blackpool exhibitions.

Black Orchid

BBC Idents & "Black Orchid" Cefax


Go to the second part of the special features menu, go down to Points of View and click left, a green doctor who logo should appear, click it to see some BBC Idents and Announcement for this story

Earthshock

Cyber-related comedy sketch

Navigate down to the special features option on the first menu and press select. Move down to the 40th Anniversary Celebration option and hit left to highlight a hidden Doctor Who logo. Hit select and you'll get a comedy sketch featuring a clip of Earthshock that's been over-dubbed!

Arc of Infinity

Davros Trailer

Type the number 1975 on one of the Special Features menus to view a Davros Box Set Trailer.

*** You may need to push the Key button on your DVD remote control for the Egg to work and you may also need to press Enter when you key in the numbers (Thanks to David French)

Mawdryn Undead

TARDIS Information System

Go to the first Special Features page, navigate to Deleted and Extended Scenes and press left to highlight a hidden logo. Press Enter/OK to see a short presentation of interesting facts about the story.

Studio Floorplans

Go to the second page of Special Features, navigate down to Set Photo Gallery and press left to reveal a hidden logo. Press Enter/OK to see the studio floorplans for the story (these are also on the disc as a PDF).

Terminus

Studio Countdown Clocks

Got to the first page of Special Features. From Audio Options, press up to highlight a hidden logo. Press Enter/OK to see the countdown clocks from each of the four episodes.

TARDIS Information System

Go to the second Special Features page, navigate to Menu and press down to highlight a hidden logo. Press Enter/OK to see a short presentation of interesting facts about the story.

Enlightenment

TARDIS Information System

On Disc One, go to the first Special Features page, navigate to Single Write Female and press left to highlight a hidden logo. Press Enter/OK to see a short presentation of interesting facts related to the story.

The boob tube story

On Disc One, on the second Special Features page, go to Coming Soon and then press left. Press Enter/OK to see Peter Davison and Janet Fielding talk about a costume mishap the latter experienced.

Photo Gallery – Making the Guardian Trilogy DVD box set

On Disc Two, on the first page of Special Features, navigate to Finding Mark Strickson and press left. Press Enter/OK to see a gallery of photos.

The Five Doctors (25th Anniversary Edition)

Disc 1

New Series Commentary

Go to Audio Options in the Special Features menu, go down to Companions Commentary and click right on your remote, you should get a green doctor who logo, click it to hear a commantary by some of the New Series Team; David Tennant, Helen Raynor and Phil Collinson

Disc 2

BBC Video Release

Go to Nationwide on the DVD menu; hit left, a green logo should appear, click it and you get the clip of the BBC Logo being eaten by the Black Triangle as present on the original BBC Video release of the Special Edition.

Warriors of the Deep (Beneath the Surface Box Set)

Mat's Models

On the Second Special Features menu, go down to "Science in Action", click Left and a Green Doctor Who logo will appear, click it to see Matt Irivine discus the models used in the story.

Resurrection of the Daleks

VT Countdown

On the first special features menu page, select "BBC Trailer" and press left to highlight a hidden "Doctor Who" logo. Select this and you'll see an original VT countdown used before the programme.

Clean opening and closing titles

On the second special features menu page, select "Photo Gallery" and press left to highlight a hidden "Doctor Who" logo. Select this and you'll get the 5th Doctor's opening and closing title sequences without any story
captions/credits added.

Planet of Fire

Countdown clock compilation

Highlight 'The Flames of Sarn' and press left to reveal a hidden Dr Who logo. Clicking on this gives you a short compilation of the countdown clocks for the story.

Planet of Fire Factoids

On the audio menu on disc one choose Isolated Score making sure that the words are highlighted, then press the right button on your remote and the DW logo should go green. Selecting this gives you a short piece on facts from the story.(Thanks to Oliver Dale.)

The Twin Dillema

Silent film rushes

On the first page of the Special Features menu, scroll down to the "Breakfast Time" option, then hit left to highlight a hidden Doctor Who logo. Press play to see silent film rushes from the location recording of the story.

Attack of the Cybermen

The Cybernetic Autonomous Dalek

On the second page of the Special Features menu, move down to "The Cyber Generations" then hit left. The Doctor Who logo will appear on the screen, and clicking on this will take you into "The Cybernetic Autonomous Dalek", a short extra piece with Professor Kevin Warwick.

The Mark of the Rani

Continuity from Original Broadcast on BBC1

Navigate down to Special Features on the first menu and press the left arrow to highlight a hidden Doctor Who logo. Press select to see continuity clips from the original BBC1 broadcast.

The Two Doctors

Clean Sixth Doctor Title and Closing Credits Sequences

On disk 1, move down to the epsiode selection option and hit the left arrow, a hidden Doctor Who logo lights up. Press select and you'll see a clean version of the 6th Doctor's opening titles and closing credit sequences.

Timelash

Continuity Announcements

Go down to Special Features on the Main Menu and Click Left, The Doctor Who Logo should turn green, click it and you should see Continuity Announcements for that story; "Timelash".

Revelation of the Daleks

Compliation of clips of the original cast members

Navigate down to the second option on the main menu, Episode Selection, and hit the left arrow to highlight a hidden Doctor Who logo. Press select to see some of the original cast re-recording some of their lines.

Remembrance Of The Daleks: Special Edition

Out-Take

Go to 1st Special Features menu, scroll down to 'Remembrances', click left for a logo that leads to an out-take of Sophie Aldred preparing one of her intros for the Deleted Scenes.

Ghost Light

Musical Interlude

On the main menu move down to Episode Selection and press the left arrow to reveal a hidden Doctor Who logo. Press select and you'll get the unexpurgated version of the song that Gwendoline is heard playing in the story.

Continuity Announcements

On the Special Features menu move down to Writer's Question Time and press the left arrow to reveal a hidden Doctor Who logo. Press select and you'll get the continuity announcements from the original BBC broadcast. Also included with the continuity annoucements is the original version of Part One's end credits, which mistakenly spelt Katharine Schlesinger's name as Katherine.

The Curse of Fenric

Continuity Announcements

On disc 1, navigate down to the special features option on the first menu and press select. Move down to the Claws and Effect option and hit left to highlight a hidden Doctor Who logo. Hit select to view BBC1 continuity announcements made before the original broadcast of all four episodes.

Re-scoring Fenric

On disc 2, navigate down to Recutting the Runes and hit left to highlight a hidden Doctor Who logo. Hit select for Mark Ayres talking about the re-scoring of the special edition of The Curse of Fenric.


Music Options

When you play Part Two using the Music-only option, you can hear the opening and closing theme tune sans sound effects. When you play Part Three using the Music-only option, you can hear the sound effects sans the opening and closing theme tune.

Spot the Haemovores

When Watching on Disc 1 using the 'Play All' option and Info Text turned on, in between episodes 2 & 3, You get a 'Spot the Haemovores' challenge


The Movie

Jon Pertwee Dedication

Hit left on the "Play Movie" option and the logo on the main menu page becomes illuminated. Hit select and you get a dedication caption to Jon Pertwee who died shortly before the UK TV premier of the 8th Doctor TV movie.


The New Series DVD's

The Complete First Series

Rare launch trail

On Disc 4 go to Set Up and then press down, highlighting a hexagon. Press OK to see the rarest cut of the launch trail.

The Complete Third Series

The Blink Easter Egg

On Disc 4 go to Scene Selection and navigate through to the second page of Blink scenes. Go to “9. Keep Looking” and press up to highlight the word “Blink”. Press OK to see The Doctor’s complete message to Sally.

The Infinite Quest

David Tennant’s pirate voice

On the Main Menu go to Extras and press up to highlight part of the TARDIS console. Press OK/Select to watch Tennant recording his silly pirate voice.

Kamelion Tales Box Set

Kamelion Tales features two Doctor Who Serials The King's Demons and Planet of Fire both from the 5th Doctor era featuring Peter Davison as the Doctor. Both serials hold some historical importance to the timeline of Who. King's Demons welcomes aboard new companion Kamelion while Planet of Fire welcomes aboard Nicola Bryant as Peri and sees the departure of two companions Turlough and Kamelion. Why put two serials together in this case? The King's Demons was only two episodes and is in my opinion somewhat boring while on the otherhand Planet of Fire is a one of Davison's best serials. Both serials are also the only ones to feature the character of Kamelion. Kamelion was a shape changing android John Nathan Turner planned to use in the show, but with limited mobility and constant technical problems in the end turned into a useless prop. With all that said the concept of Kamelion was great and makes this boxset highly desirable on that factor alone.

The King's Demons by Terence Dudley
On the Box
England, March 1215. King John is visiting the castle of Sir Randolph Fitwilliam. The arrival of the TARDIS disturbs a medieval joust, but the Doctor and his companions are proclaimed to be friendly Demons by the King, who seems strangely interested in their "blue engine"
It soon becomes clear that niether King John or his Champion, Sir Gilles Estram, are who they appear to be. One of the Doctor's oldest and deadliest enemies the future of democracy on Earth, and he must be stopped!
Story - C
The King's Demons is just your average historical setting story that deals with the Magna Carta. Nothing really happens great to make this a better story or a story that stands out more than others. With the exception of this being a Master story and the appearance of a new companion this serial really has nothing else going for it.
Video - A
You really can't get much better than this on a Who release. With only two eps and a bare minumum of special features it looks nearly flawless because almost all the space on this disc want towards video and audio quality.
Special Features - C-
Besides the usuals this disc gets very few one on the history of Kamelion and one on the Magna Carta and how it has effected us. I expect more on features for Who serials, but it easy to tell the majority of the budget went towards making the other story in this release a better DVD.
Overall- B- This is not a bad release or a great release, but for an average story with less than two eps do the fans a favor and make up for it in the special features section.

Planet of Fire by Peter Grimwade
On The Box
A Strange Signal from Earth draws the TARDIS to the island of Lanzarote, where Turlough rescues a young American girl, Peri, from drowning. Among her possesions is an artefact bearing ab alien symbol - the same triangular mark that Turlough has branded into his arm.
The Mystery deepens when Kamelion falls under the control of a powerful mind, and the Tardis travels to volcanic world of Sarn. As Turlough is forced to face his past, the Doctor must stop his oldest enemy from harnessing the rivitolzing powers of the Numismaton Gas.
Story - A
Planet of Fire is one of the best 5th Doctor stories made with great work all around on everybody's end with great acting, great story, and great directing it turns out to be one of Who's best stories. This episode was directed by veteran Who worker Fiona Cummings and written by another Who veteran Peter Grimwade who both wrote and directed alot of Who serials. Planet of Fire also marks another milestone in Who's history it is the first time since Adric joined the crew of the Tardis that the Doctor had only one travelling companion in years. Unfortunately a Tardis with almost three companions and the Doctor is too much for me and is easily why I enjoy his era the least, but this story sets everything staight for me in that aspect and returns Who to the way it should be one travelling companion.
Video - A regular edition/B special edition
I saw no artifacting whatsoever on either edition however for some reason the regular edition proved to be clearer despite some extra effort going into putting extra scenes into the special edition I would of thought it would of been clearer on the video sequences i can't fault film scenes in either edition because of the choice of film they used despite some of the earlier serials seem to have better sequences
Special Features - A+
What is there to say about this release besides Planet of Fire in my personal opinion is #2 on special features and only gets narrowly beaten by War Games. Besides the usuals you get Fiona Cummings herself coming back to do a director's cut Special Edition with new scenes and CGI sequences, the original version, and six different documentaries. Maybe the only drawback to the Special Features is on one of the documentaries called Calling The Shots it features a song from the group called Girls Aloud "Call the Shots" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHoF3a6Q9Wk. As a result of the choice to use this song for in a feature other region releases won't have this special feature. No draw back for the R2 release.
Overall - A
This serial and how it was released is easily one of the best examples of why I can justify buying them individually versus seasons. Great video quality topped with Special Features that other great series like Star Trek wish it could have good job production team.
Box Set
Value A
For less than 5 pounds more I you get two serials and it is really three when you count two editions of Planet of Fire. A decent amount of special features on Planet of Fire that makes up for the lackluster of features on King's Demon more than it should
Overall B+
Despite being having one of the best released serials in the history of Who on DVD. You still can't forgive the Production Team for not having a making of King's Demons a standard documentary on almost every Who feature. I heard more about other serials like the Awekening in this release than I did about King's Demons. If I didn't buy every Who DVD it is easy to see why I could skip on King's Demons if it didn't have Planet of Fire with it. Which is really the only reason why this release doesn't achieve the A rating.

Time Flight/Arc of Infinity Box Set

There are quite a few Doctor Who serials out there some are great and well some are just downright awful. Which leaves the question how do we offer these serials that may sell less to get people to buy it who would normally stand there ground and wouldn't buy this set. 2E has came up with a few answers to this problem release them with a lot more extras than normal as they did with the Twin Dilemma, release a bad story with a good story as in the case with Peladon Tales, and release two bad stories together as they have done with the set I am about to review today. On the Doctor Who Dynamic Rankings the two stories I am about to review today finish 193 and 225 out of 229 stories made. So it is safe to say most fans don't care for either of these stories. In the process reviewing this set I even had talked with writer Rob Shearman in the middle of it. Rob's first question was why am I submitting myself to this. He thought I was just going thru the series chronologically to submit myself to this terror. It really all came down to I needed to look at some bad stories and review so Im not playing favorites and see what I think of them. Rob put it the best so your reviewing Doctor Who The Clunkers Set. So with all this negative views already being said lets get to the reviews themselves
Time-flight
Is a 5th Doctor serial with Peter Davison and written by Peter Grimwade and falls directly after the classic Earthshock serial.
On the Box
The Tardis arrives by accident in the middle of terminal one at Hearthrow Airport. One of the Supersonic Concordes has disappeared midair and the Doctor, Tegan, and Nyssa
soon become involved in a hunt for the missing airplane. But what connects its disappearance to prehistoric Earth and why is a mysterious sorceror so interested in the doctor's Tardis? A Flight through time will reveal all.
Story - F
I will be the first to admit I hate this story. The story as said above had the misluck of being featured directly after Earthshock which could make any serial that was mediocre look even worse. Does TimeFlight fit in that category? No it made a bad story even worse. Why is this serial so bad? It all comes down unneeded storylines, effects, boring set designs, and more. This serial changes storyline directions more than almost any other storyline making a lot of this serial useless. Perfect examples the aftermath of Earthshock was said and done no need to drag it into this story taking up screen time there. Also without revealing too much this a Master story so the plot changes about one or two eps into it into something else simular to the X Files. Effects we didn't see many in this one except stock footage and maybe a few more here and there which leads me to believe this was the last story filmed in that season meaning the budget was gone by then. Sets are just very boring almost all one color making the story seem boring, and it is just a comibination of all this into one makes a bad story.
Video Quality - A
Overall I saw nothing wrong with this story everything clean and smooth in the video
Extras - A
Well 2E tried to make up by putting alot more extras than usual on this set besides the usual Commentary, Radio Time Listings, Trailers, and Photo Gallery. Other extas includes Janet Fielding talking about playing Tegan, Deleted Scenes, Interview with the writer Peter Grimwade, Outtake Fluffs and Gaffs from the production, and behind the scenes making of this story.
Overall - D
You should be buying this release because you like the story and not because of the special features or your just finishing the collection. The Special Features does make up some, not enough for me to give this story any other rating higher than a D.
Arc of Infinty
Falls directly afte TimeFlight and is written by Johnny Byrne. With Special Guest Stars Colin Baker and Michael Gough.
On the Box
Travelling with Nyssa in the Tardis, The Doctor is attacked by a malign entity - being part of pure antimatter seeking to cross the dimensions. Although the invader is successfully repelled, the Tardis is immediately recalled to Gallifrey, where the high Council of Time Lords sentence the Doctor executed to prevent any further attempts at bonding. It seems there is a traitor on Gallifrey. And what links the Renegade and the disappeareance of Tegan's cousin in Amsterdam? Two fates interwined must battle for the future of the entire universe...
Story - B
Despite the bad rankings I quit enjoy this story for many reasons and i can't see why people don't like it. Very interesting sets, effects, and a decnt story altogether in one. Not to mention a an idea really only looked at once before and only in the other dimension. Sure some of the acting is over the top from certain people, but it is enjoyable. The other good thing is that the Doctor is down to one companion this time a nice breath of fresh air compared to when the Tardis was crowded by three companions.
Video - B
The video itself is oustanding, but some of the film sequences itself look terrible and outdated for when it was made.
Special Features - A+
The commentary features actors Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton and Colin Baker.
Keith Barnfather has produced Anti-Matter from Amsterdam (dur. 34' 55") a new documentary which looks at the making of Arc of Infinity. Featuring actors Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sarah Sutton, Ian Collier, Paul Jerricho and Alistair Cumming, along with script editor Eric Saward, with writer Johnny Byrne and narrator Sophie Aldred filmed on-location in Amsterdam.
Keith has also produced The Omega Factor (dur 14' 55") in which writers and actors involved in the various Omega stories look at the character and motivations of the renegade Time Lord. Featuring co-creator Bob Baker, writer Johnny Byrne, actors Stephen Thorne and Ian Collier, and writer Nev Fountain, who continued Omega's story in an audio play from Big Finish.
A Deleted Scenes package (dur. 2' 54") is taken from a timecoded viewing copy of an early edit of the last episode.
Under Arc Lights (dur. 11' 30") goes behind-the-scenes in the studio courtesy of timecoded viewing copies of some of the studio recording sessions. Both of these features were put together from tapes given to Ian Levine by the story's director, Ron Jones.
John Kelly has produced a CGI Effects option, giving the viewer the option to watch the story with eighteen of the original video effects sequences replaced by new CGI versions. You can also choose to watch the story with isolated music.
A BBC1 trailer and continuity announcements are included, along with the usual photo gallery, 'Coming Soon' trailer and production information subtitles. For completeness, the 1983 Doctor Who Annual and Radio Times listings are included.
You don't get much better on a Who release than this
Overall - B+
Ill stand by and support this serial and along with the extras you really can't beat this DVD release.
Time Flight/Arc of Infinity
Value - A+
Overall - C
No matter what you do if something stinks it stinks. It is like taking AXE body spray and spraying it onto somebody who smells bad they still smell like crap. In the case of this release masking in my opinion one awful story with a story I like and putting in alot extra features still is not going to make that story any better and as a result even though the boxset is really at a good value TimeFlight really takes away from the value of this set and some people could say the same about Arc of Infinty.