STORY PLOTLINE
Arriving on the planet Dido in the late 25th Century, the time travellers come upon a crashed spaceship from Earth. Its two occupants - a paralysed man named Bennett and a young girl, Vicki - are living in fear of a creature called Koquillion, a native whose people have apparently killed the other members of the human expedition.
A prophetic story title. DOCTOR WHO - THE RESCUE heralded a new beginning for the series that could have spiralled downwards toward mediocrity & predictability. Surprisingly, the iconic THE DALEK INVASION OF EARTH became the first "marker of change" for the series with the unexpected departure of Carole Ann Ford (with William Hartnell pleading with the actress to reconsider her decision).
With THE RESCUE a new chapter was written and, with some forty-five years later, 2|entertain BBC DVD has given younger fans of the special effects laden NEW SERIES to be captivated by David Whittaker's masterful character-led story of suspense and emotional distress.
If compared to Russell T Davies' DOCTOR WHO formatting, THE RESCUE would be favourably regarded. Especially next to tediously flabby VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED .
Firstly, credit is attributed to technical re-presentation of this 1964 broadcast. The picture adjustment and VIDFIRE treatment permits the Director's, Christopher Barry, vision to be revealed for the first time since transmission. This new clean-up, crisp version allows a "limelight" focus on the work of Studio Lighting expert, Howard King; it demonstrates a practical knowledge of how the DOCTOR WHO drama should be lit, even if a number of his techniques were admittedly "experimental".
This DVD release demonstrates that, unlike the NEW SERIES, viewers will not need endless special effects, dialogue blanketing incidental music, colonically-challenged dashing down corridors or a shouty-shouty Doctor.
THE RESCUE is an example of BBC drama and not a science fiction romp for children as they devour their fish fingers and beans-means-Heinz.
Unfortunately, the DVD EXTRAS fail to match the quality of the story. A (understandably) doddery commentary (ineptly hosted by a chap called Toby) from William Russell (Ian Chesteron), Christopher Barry (Director) and Raymond Cusick (the legendary Designer who frequently visited the studio at 04:00AM to ensure that the stagehands had erected the set correctly) will cure insomnia, as will the twenty-one minute talking heads documentary (MOUNTING THE RESCUE) that is endemically problematic (the documentary primarily interviews the commentary team, whom recant the same "tales" from their commentary).
Christopher Barry on the second season of DOCTOR WHO: A second year courtesy of the Daleks.
William Russell on newcomer Maureen O'Brien: A talented actor.
Raymond Cusick on his set design: A set inspired by THE SENSORITES set. Cheap.
William Russell on his "leading man status": I was always the "action man".
Christopher Barry on the music: The music was used on THE DALEKS . Used for saving money. Sydney Newman hated it; "Why did you used Tristram Carey's music?"
Another problem is that, unlike the "commentary facilitator", the commentators do not/had not been given access to the "official" DOCTOR WHO production notes-letters archive thus elucidating comments more substantially. It becomes tiresome when a contributor says, "I'm sorry but I can't remember". BBC DVD make them remember for a more entertaining & professional DVD EXTRA commentary - it stop making the actors & crew member looking pitiful.
The most theilling part of the commentary was the final thirty seconds as the entourage comment on the literal "cliff-hanger" that dovetails into THE ROMANS . A superb modelshot of the TARDIS teetering on a cliff edge and then tumbling down the precipice.
MOUNTING THE RESCUE is like a Christmas cracker. The expectation is better than the experience itself. The content is misbalanced and could have included more interview coverage with Maureen O'Brien herself (she produced a nice analogy that THE RESCUE was the DOCTOR WHO re-working of Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST) as opposed to the Scottish fan (and the DVD commentary team input). A disappointment.
The additional extras are for "true" fans without any form of "life" to enjoy, though "Coming soon." is always exciting - even if the next CLASSIC SERIES DVD is ATTACK OF THE CYBERMEN .
Considering that the story delivered all "tick-boxes" of content, DOCTOR WHO - THE RESCUE DVD release is shamefully misrepresented, though the treatment by THE RESTORATION TEAM elevates the purchase to "if you have spare cash" or "wait until HMV goes into "Credit Crunch" Administration when the DVD will be sold at half price" rather than "a must buy".
Regretable.
