BBC WORLDWIDE has released the final packshot designs for the forthcoming NEWS SERIES story 'compendium' that archives SERIES 1 to 7 (and the SPECIALS, plus 120-minutes worth of Extras) in one single BLU-RAY 29-discs boxset.

The first four series has been 'upgraded' from DVD quality to BLU-RAY quality, and as DOCTOR WHO bounds into an new era with a new Doctor there has never been a better time to on on a trip of lifetime.

The BLU-RAY boxset content is:

New to Blu-ray/ 1080p Resolution:

• Doctor Who: The Complete First Series
• Doctor Who: The Complete Second Series
• Doctor Who: The Complete Third Series
• Doctor Who: The Complete Fourth Series

Included in1080p Resolution:

• Doctor Who: The Complete Tenth Doctor Specials
• Doctor Who: The Complete Fifth Series
• Doctor Who: The Complete Sixth Series
• Doctor Who: The Complete Seventh Series

Bonus Blu-ray disc content includes:

• "The Doctor Who Ultimate List of Lists" from BBC AMERICA's The Brit List - BBC AMERICA's pop culture correspondent, Asha Leo (@ashaleo), is joined by special guest John Barrowman ("Torchwood," "Doctor Who") to announce the rankings of the "Top Five Companions," "Top Five Scariest Moments," "Top Five Best Monsters," "Top Five Guest Stars" and "Top Five Things You'll Only See on Doctor Who." Rankings are based on votes from readers of BBCAMERICA.com's Anglophenia blog.
• Doctor Who at the Proms 2010 - Doctor Who's own Karen Gillen and Arthur Darvill host a spectacular evening of music from the series played live by the London Philharmonic Orchestra at London's historic Royal Albert Hall.  Includes video projections, appearances by the monsters and a special guest appearance from 11 th Doctor Matt Smith.  For the first time, the collection will include the full 90-minute concert and has been remastered in 5.1 Surround Sound. 
• Doctor Who: The Best of the Christmas Specials - This previously unreleased special from December 2011 takes an inside look at the very best moments from the incredible Doctor Who Christmas specials that have captivated audiences around the world. A collection of fans from the celebrity, comedy, sci-fi and digital worlds discuss their favourite moments from both David Tennant and Matt Smith era Christmas episodes.

The BLU-RAY boxset is released on 4 November 2013.

UPDATED 11.10.2013 00:01BST (10.10.2013 11:01GMT)

Following the lifting of a BBC PRESS OFFICE embargo, we can detail the 11 CLASSIC SERIES episodes have been returned to the BBC ARCHIVE, and were screened, for the first time in over 40 years, at a Press Event held in Central London yesterday.

Nine of these 11 have been missing from the archive.

The previously missing episodes recovered are:

• DOCTOR WHO - THE ENEMY OF THE WORLD is now COMPLETE (six episodes) with episodes 1, 2, 4 5 and 6 recovered and remastered.
• DOCTOR WHO - THE WEB OF FEAR is now (still) PARTLY-COMPLETE (five of the six episode now retrieved ) with episodes 2, 4, 5 and 6 recovered and remastered. Only episode 3 remains missing.

BBC DVD will be releasing both stories via iTunes from 11 October 2013, with DVD releases to follow.

• DOCTOR WHO - THE ENEMY OF THE WORLD DVD - 25 November 2013
• DOCTOR WHO - THE WEB OF FEAR DVD (with an episode 3 Telesnaps presentation) - Early 2014 - Note: The print for this DVD release will be 'further restored' compared with the iTunes release. The iTunes download has been cleaned but is of unacceptable viewing standard at this stage. eyeofhorus.org.uk recommends that unless you have money to waste, fans may want to wait for the full DVD release, complete with Studio cast commentary and VAM Extras.

REPORT: BBC PRESS EVENT SCREENING - 10 October 2013

The BBC Press Event screened two of the recovered and remastered episodes. These were THE ENEMEY OF THE WORLD episode one and THE WEB OF FEAR episode two.

Attending the screening was Frazer Hines (Jamie), Deborah Watling (Victoria) and actor/writer, Mark Gattis, all of whom were genuinely surprised and overwhelmed by the missing episode haul and having a 'sneak preview' of the restored material. Following the screening there was brief Q&A focusing upon the recovered episodes.

eyeofhorus.org.uk was fortunate to sit behind both Hines & Watling, and it was beautifully heartening and touching to see the TARDIS crew briefly clutching hands and Hines whispering excitedly, "Here we go...", as the iconic theme music and Troughton's face loomed large on the screen. Certainly, it was a moment when the hairs on the back of your neck tingled with anticipation. Here was 'New' CLASSIC DOCTOR WHO, that i'd never seen before.

For THE ENEMY OF THE WORLD rehearsal process, Frazer Hines recalled Patrick Troughton's initial vocal demonstration for his doppelganger, Ramon Salamander, to which had 'ribbed' the lead actor in saying, "Salamander is not Welsh! Are you going to play him like that?"

Though it was 46 years since she had seen THE ENEMY OF THE WORLD, Deborah Watling admitted that she could recall the script content: "For Victoria, I knew the next line..." Adroitly, Frazer cheekily added: "You didn't on the set!"

On the location filming of THE ENEMY OF THE WORLD (episode one) on Climping Beach, Frazer Hines recalled that "... it was Pat's idea to don the 'Long Jonhs' for the swimming sequence. Personally, this sequence was a highlight of this missing episode. Troughton skipping across the beach (Matt Smith would love the comic dexterity of his Chaplain-esque movement) eventually disrobing and dashing into the surf, only to return moments later completely and inexplicably dry. Time Lord Instant drying or a hidden hairdryer stuffed in to his 'Long Johns'? The assembled audience of 'hardened' journalists were audibly amused by these scenes.

On THE WEB OF FEAR (episode two), Deborah Watling commended the studio design of the London Underground tunnels and stations: "Claustrophobic. Brilliant".

On seeing her Father, Jack Watling, on screen as Professor Travers, Deborah Watling was truly moved: "Seeing Dad on the screen again after so long. Lovely."

On her working relationship with Patrick Troughton, Deborah Watling: "Pat to me was another Dad. We had a chemistry."

On seeing THE ENEMEY OF THE WORLD's iconic scene between the Doctor and Astrid ("Which Law? Whose philosophy?"), Mark Gattis commented that it is only through seeing Troughton;'s performance on screen that the words (listened to on audio CD up until today) have more meaning, depth and "...justice...".

On being informed about the MISSING EPISODES recovery, Deborah Watling: "I thought it was another hoax. It was confimed-ish. I'm thrilled.
Frazer Hines: Gives me hope that more of series will come out of the woodwork.

On the NEW SERIES (from BBC WALES) compared to the CLASSIC SERIES, Deborah Watling: "It was innocent and kind of enthralled you. A charm about it. (on the NEW SERIES) Of course, I watch it.
Frazer Hines: Matt (Smith) has Pat's mannerisms.

Discussion Mark Ayres (audio track restoration) indicated that overall the sound tracks for the restored material involved only a marginal reliance upon "off-air recording", with a precise "...syllable..." addition within episode two of THE WEB OF FEAR (Anne Travers taking to Harold Chorley). This was due to a poor digital edit undertaken in 1968.

Print Restorer, Peter Crocker indicated that whilst all the newly recovered THE ENEMY OF THE WORLD episodes have been fully restored (including the use of VidFIRE), the iTunes digital print for THE WEB OF FEAR will be later re-mastered specifically for its 2014 DVD release. Interesting, both stories were originally edited digitally (as opposed to "tape and razor blade") and included a number of '...black frames..." (due to editing limitations at the time i.e. the videotape had no 'time-coding' capability) which were common-place in the industry at the time. In effect, Crocker's restoration has tightened-up episode by exorcising the errant '...black frames...'

Overall, the clarity and definition for THE ENEMY OF THE WORLD is superbly sharp if you consider the age of the film print recovered from Nigeria, however, as discussed above, the quality of THE WEB OF FEAR does not deserve purchase via download.

So, there are now 97 missing episode from the DOCTOR WHO archive. Any more out there?

MISSING EPISODES overview (from 11.10.2013)

UPDATED 08/10/2013 15:51: BBC NEWS is CONFIRMING that a number of "...permanently lost..." CLASSIC SERIES episodes have been FOUND, and will be available to download/watch later this week. A BBC PRESS BRIEFING is due on Thursday according to Sources.

Today, the non-BBC publisher, RADIO TIMES has published an articles that "lost episodes" from the Patrick Troughton era will be available for purchased online - via iTunes and other online platforms - from Wednesday 9 October.

Officially, 106 of the CLASSIC SERIES episodes remain unaccounted for, and recent hunt had led BBC Archivists to Ethiopia TV station, where, it is claimed, a large haul of missing episodes have been found.

On Tuesday (8th), there is a London-based event hosted by BBC WORLDWIDE that will announce recent developments. UPDATED: Any news conference has been delayed until "...the end of the week..." according to UK news sources.

Visit the RADIO TIMES website article

UPDATE: 24.09.2013 - With thanks to BBC DVD, the Press Review copy of DOCTOR WHO - THE TENTH PLANET has arrived and will be reviewed shortly. However, yes, it is the 1966 WILLIAM HARTNELL INTERVIEW for a local TV station that is the jewel in this year's BBC DVD releases.

Hartnell: "...I'm a legitimate character actor..."

The final artwork for 18 November's CLASSIC SERIES two-disc release, DOCTOR WHO - THE TENTH PLANET has been published by BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS.

RRP £20.42.

On 30 September 2013, BBC DVD is releasing the innovative DVD series, DOCTOR WHO - THE MONSTER COLLECTION jointing celebrating the heritage bound within of the CLASSIC SERIES and the future hope developing throughout NEW SERIES.

This first set of DVD's feature a complete CLASSIC SERIES story and one from the NEW SERIES.

• DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS and THE HUNGRY EARTH/COLD BLOOD
• TERROR OF THE AUTONS and THE END OF TIME PARTS ONE + TWO
• GENESIS OF THE DALEKS and THE STOLEN EARTH/JOURNEY'S END
• THE DALEKS (THE DEAD PLANET) and ASYLUM OF THE DALEKS
• THE TOMB OF THE CYBERMEN and RISE OF THE CYBERMEN/THE AGE OF STEEL
• THE TIME WARRIOR and THE SONTARAN STRATEGEM/THE POISON SKY

RRP £10.20 (AMAZON Pre-order price £7.00).

UPDATE: 21.09.2013 - The Press review copy of DISC ONE has arrived and includes a fantastic version of episode one - DOUGLAS CAMFIELD'S DIRECTOR'S CUT which includes the deleted scene of the TARDIS arriving invisible in Scotland. (see right for screengrabs).

The final artwork for 30 September's CLASSIC SERIES release, DOCTOR WHO - TERROR OF THE ZYGONS has been published by BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS.

Read the review

Answering the Brigadier's space/time telegraph, the Doctor (Tom Baker), Sarah and Harry arrive in the village of Tulloch, near Loch Ness.

A series of attacks have taken place on local oil rigs, and many are blaming the legendary monster. The Doctor discovers the creature to be the Skarasen - cyborg pet of invading aliens the Zygons.

Their own planet having been destroyed and their spaceship crippled, these deadly shape-shifters are now intent upon taking control of the planet Earth.

DVD EXTRAS (two-disc set):

COMING SOON TRAILER - THE MOONBASE (now planned for release in 2014).

STUDIO COMMENTARY - producer Philip Hinchcliffe, writer Robert Banks Stewart, production unit manager George Gallaccio, make-up artist Sylvia James and sound effect producer Dick Mills, moderated by Mark Ayres.

SCOTCH MIST IN SUSSEX - Cast and crew look back at the making of this story. With actors John Levene and John Woodnutt, Philip Hinchcliffe, Robert Banks Stewart, designer Nigel Curzon, costume designer James Acheson, visual effects assistant Steve Bowman, writer and historian Simon Farquar and the director's son, Joggs Camfield.

REMEMBERING DOUGLAS CAMFIELD - The life and work of respected director Douglas Camfield is remembered in this documentary. With actors Celia Imrie, Peter Purves, Jonathan Newth and John Levene, Philip Hinchcliffe, Robert Banks Stewart, director Graeme Harper and Joggs Camfield.

THE UNIT FAMILY PART 3 - The concluding part of the series looking at the stories featuring the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce. With actors Tom Baker, Nicholas Courtney, Katy Manning, John Levene and Richard Franklin, producer Barry Letts and script editor Terrance Dicks.

DOCTOR WHO STORIES: TOM BAKER - Tom Baker talks about his work on the series in this interview originally recorded for 2003's THE STORY OF DOCTOR WHO.

DOCTOR WHO STORIES: ELISABETH SLADEN - Elisabeth Sladen remembers her time as Sarah Jane Smith in this interview recorded for THE STORY OF DOCTOR WHO.

MERRY-GO-ROUND: THE FUEL FISHERS - Elisabeth Sladen flies out to visit North Sea oil rigs and learn about the process of oil exploration in this schools programme from 1977.

SOUTH TODAY - Tom Baker interviewed on location in Sussex during the Terror of the Zygons filming by the BBC's regional news programme SOUTH TODAY.

RRP £20.42.

The final artwork for 18 November's CLASSIC SERIES release, DOCTOR WHO - THE TENTH PLANET has been published by BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS.

RRP £20.42.

With thanks to BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS (DVD).

The Press Review copy of the 26 August 2013 newly restored and animated (episodes two and three) release, DOCTOR WHO - THE ICE WARRIORS has arrived and will reviewed shortly.

In the meantime, see right for screengrabs.

Read the review

BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS (DVD) has revealed an ethereal cover/packshot for the forthcoming released of DOCTOR WHO - THE COMPLETE SERIES SEVEN DVD boxset, and details of its content.

The six-disc set will be available on standard DVD (£51.05) and HD Blu-ray (£57.18), and is released on 28 October 2013.

BBC Worldwide releases all thirteen blockbuster episodes from the seventh series of the iconic sci-fi series Doctor Who on Blu-ray and DVD on October 28, 2013. In addition, the set includes the 2012 Christmas Special, and exciting bonus features including behind-the-scenes featurettes, " Doctor Who at Comic Con", specials "The Companions" and " Doctor Who in the US," and more. These latest adventures test the Eleventh Doctor ( Matt Smith ) and prove that even a madman with a box needs help sometimes.

Say farewell to the Ponds all over again. Meet the enigmatic Clara for the first time - and the second, and the third. Face enemies new and old, follow the Doctor to the one place he should never go, and learn the secret to a really great soufflé. With a cliffhanger ending that will leave fans breathless, this set arrives just in time to catch up before the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special on November 23, and the Doctor's regeneration in this year's Christmas Special.

In the first part of series seven, the Ponds ( Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill ) make their final voyages with the Doctor. They save a spaceship full of dinosaurs, don Stetsons in the Wild West and are even kidnapped by the Doctor's oldest foe. But when they arrive in Manhattan the Weeping Angels are waiting for them - and the Doctor has to say goodbye to his companions forever.

The 2012 Christmas special, The Snowmen , brings the Doctor a new friend ( Jenna Coleman ) in Victorian London - but has he already met her before? And will she be able to pull him from his mourning in time to save London from the chilling menace that threatens it? The final eight episodes of series seven see the Doctor and his new companion battle monsters on distant alien planets, become trapped in a Russian submarine with a deadly passenger, chase terrifying ghosts, and come face-to-face with an army of upgraded Cybermen. When his friends are kidnapped, the Doctor and Clara are forced to visit the fields of Trenzalore, where the question that must never be answered is finally asked . and the Doctor uncovers the secret of the Impossible Girl.

The incredible list of guest stars includes John Hurt ( Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy ), Warwick Davis ( Willow , the Harry Potter films) Liam Cunningham ( Game of Thrones ), David Warner ( Titanic, TRON ), Dougray Scott ( Hemlock Grove, Ever After: A Cinderella Story ), Ben Browder ( Farscape ), David Bradley ( Game of Thrones ) Jessica Raine ( Call The Midwife , The Woman in Black ), the mother-daughter duo of Dame Diana Rigg ( Game of Thrones ) and Rachael Stirling ( Women in Love, Snow White and the Huntsman ), and the voice of Sir Ian McKellan ( The Lord of The Rings films). The episodes are written by lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat, as well as Neil Gaiman, Mark Gatiss, Neil Cross, Chris Chibnall, Toby Whithouse and Stephen Thompson.

"value Added Material" (DVD Extras):

• Behind the scenes featurettes for every episode plus "The Making of the Gunslinger" and "Creating Clara"
• Other Featurettes including: "Doctor Who in the US," "Last Days of the Ponds," "Pond Life," "The Science of Doctor Who," "The Companions," and "Doctor Who at Comic Con"
• Prequels to episodes: The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe, Asylum of the Daleks, The Snowmen (x3) , The Bells of Saint John and The Name of the Doctor (x2)
• Audio commentaries for episodes: The Snowmen, Cold War, Hide, and The Crimson Horror

UPDATED: 25.07.2013 - With thanks to BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS (DVD).

Today, eyeofhorus.org.uk was given access to a sneak preview of the forthcoming THE FOURTH DOCTOR TIME CAPSULE, the limited edition (5000 unit worldwide and numbered on the reverse of the wraparound slip-cover) celebrating Tom Baker's contribution to the drama series.

Encapsulated within a substantial & solid "Gallifreyan casket" (devoid of text or extraneous images bar a Regulatory BBFC Certificate logo), the contents are stored with die-cut padding for safe-keeping over the coming years.

We've been given assurance that the Tom Baker 5" highly detailed action figure (PLANET OF THE SPIDERS/ROBOT styled) will not be issued by CHARACTER OPTION separately.

The three discs (see below for details) are exquisitely designed with the Gallifreyan Rassilon logo, whilst the novel's cover features a 'time cogs' design (from INVASION OF TIME).

Furthermore, Tom Baker's 'letter to Fandom' is a double-sided tome that echoes his "...Fans created me...Their confidence gave me my confidence... I wanted to be wanted..." comments from the charming honest & candid on-camera AN INTERVIEW WITH THE TIME LORD. If you thought you knew the actor, this interview will change your mind. It is as close to a 'Confessional' you will get from him.

Tom Baker: "...Fan love is stronger than normal love..."

The vanilla copy of DOCTOR WHO - TERROR OF THE ZYGONS is a wonderful addition to the DOCTOR WHO DVD collection but, sadly, without the 'value added material' Extras some fans may wish to by this separately on the 30th September. However, I do query of the 'restoration process' as it could have been more thorough as the number of vertical scratches detract (in one scene, it looked as if Sarah-Jane was crying as the white scratches emulated tears. Ideally, this, due to the extensive location work captured on 35MM film, would have been an exceptional choice for Blu-ray release.

However, there a few questions to be asked or options considered (1) Why release the Extra'd version of TERROR OF THE ZYGONS so quickly after this product? Or include the Extra'd version in this product and set a 24-month moratorium for its singular release? (2) The letter from Tom Baker may have been better if the actor could have personally signed (at least) 1000 copies as part of a "Gold Edition" of the THE FOURTH DOCTOR TIME CAPSULE, embossed with a Seal of Authencity. (3) And why release this set now? Better pre-Christmas or at the beginning of 2014 or, to celebrate the 40th. anniversary of the Third/Fourth Doctor regeneration, on 8 June 2014?

Overall, from our sneak preview, THE FOURTH DOCTOR TIME CAPSULE exceeds all expectations in its level of production quality, creativity of content and DOCTOR WHO themed design, making it an ideal gift for any CLASSIC SERIES fan.

THE FOURTH DOCTOR TIME CAPSULE rating:

UPDATED: 09.07.2013 - How wrong can we/anyone get! The Fourth Doctor online teaser was for BBC WORLDWIDE's Fourth Doctor "Time Capsule" collector's set and not for the SE3D.

Available from 29 July, this DVD-Audiobook-Toy limited edition set (5000 units) also contains a hand-written (well, it's pre-printed as Mr Baker's a little busy at the moment...) note signed by Tom Baker. RRP £62.99.

The content:

• Exclusive video interview with Tom Baker
• DVD (no Extras) - TERROR OF THE ZYGONS (with "shape-shifting" cover)
• CHARACTER OPTIONS Fourth Doctor (post-regeneration styled with Third Doctor clothing) toy
• CHARACTER OPTIONS Fourth Doctor Sonic Screwdriver
• Art Cards featuring the Fourth Doctor's companions
• Audiobook GENESIS OF THE DALEKS
• Novel TOMB OF THE VALDEMAR written by Simon Messingham
• Collector's box (Gallifreyan styled)

An ideal Christmas gift.

Ahead of the SPECIAL EDITION 3D episode , the BBC has launched the first (?) of a series of mini-teasers featuring CLASSIC SERIES incarnations of the Doctor.

The first features the Fourth Doctor. Spoilers? Not really, as key elements of the feature-length (60-minute) episode have been officially revealed by Matt Smith and Steven Moffat themselves.

TWITTER #theFourth

To celebrate the enduring legendary status of DOCTOR WHO, BBC DVD is issuing a set of six DVD 'compilation' featuring the Time Lord's most feared monsters, combining the CLASSIC SERIES and NEW SERIES.

All six volumes are release on 30 September 2013. RRP £9.99 (TBC)

• DAVROS - GENESIS OF THE DALEKS (1975), STOLEN EARTH/JOURNEY'S END
• THE DALEKS - THE DALEKS (1963), ASYLUM OF THE DALEKS (2012)
• THE CYBERMEN - TOMB OF THE CYBERMEN (1967), RISE OF THE CYBERMEN/AGE OF STEEL (2006)
• THE SILURIANS - DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS (1970), THE HUNGRY EARTH/COLD BLOOD (2010)
• THE SONTARANS - THE TIME WARRIOR (1973), THE SONTARAN STRAGEY/THE POISON SKY (2008)
• THE MASTER - TERROR OF THE AUTONS (1971), THE END OF TIME PARTS 1 AND 2 (2010)

BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS has issued the final cover for the 5 August 2013 release of the CLASSIC SERIES, DOCTOR WHO - THE GREEN DEATH SPECIAL EDITION DVD (RRP £20.42).

The advance-release Press Review copy has arrived and will be reviewed shortly. The two-disc set contains the same content as the 2004 release with the addition of all-new material (highlighted below).

• Commentary with actors Katy Manning (Jo Grant), producer Barry Letts and script editor Terrance Dicks
• NEW CONTENT - Bonus commentary with actors Richard Franklin (Captain Yates) and Mitzi McKenzie (Nancy), moderated by Toby Hadoke (episodes 3 - 5); with actress Katy Manning and writer Russell T Davies (episode 6)
• NEW CONTENT - The One With the Maggots Cast and crew look back at the making of this story
• Global Conspiracy? A spoof investigative report looks at the strange happenings in the village of Llanfairfach.
• Visual Effects An interview with the story's visual effects designer, Colin Mapson
• Robert Sloman Interview
• Stewart Bevan Interview
• Wales Today Two pieces from the BBC Wales news programme - a mute 1973 film insert from the filming of THE GREEN DEATH, and a 1994 item with Jon Pertwee opening the new country park that was built on the site of the colliery used in the story
• NEW CONTENT - Doctor Forever - The Unquiet Dead . In this unique interview, new series creator Russell T Davies and then BBC Controller of Drama, Jane Tranter, talk about the genesis of DOCTOR WHO's rebirth on television
• NEW CONTENT - What Katy Did Next A look at Serendipity , the TV series that Katy Manning presented after leaving DOCTOR WHO
• PREVIOUSLY RELEASED - The Sarah Jane Adventures - Death of the Doctor This two-part story from 2010 sees Katy Manning reprising her role as Jo Grant and a guest appearance by Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor. Optional Commentary with actress Katy Manning and series creator Russell T Davies
• Radio Times listings (DVD-ROM)
• Programme subtitles + Production information subtitles
• Photo gallery + Easter Eggs
• NEW CONTENT - Coming soon trailer - THE ICE WARRIORS
• Digitally remastered picture and sound quality

Read the review

BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS has issued the final cover for the 5 August 2013 release of the CLASSIC SERIES, DOCTOR WHO - THE GREEN DEATH SPECIAL EDITION DVD.

BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS has issued the final cover for the 15 July 2013 release of the first CLASSIC SERIES Blu-ray, DOCTOR WHO - SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE (1970).

03.05.2013 - The Press Review copy has arrived and a full review will be online shortly. In the meantime, screengrabs (see right).

On 3 June 2013, BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS revisits a Jon Pertwee classic from 1971, DOCTOR WHO - THE MIND OF EVIL as a "colourised special edition" two-disc set.

Read the review of the THE MIND OF EVIL - SPECIAL EDITION DVD

The Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Jo (Katy Manning) travel to Stangmoor prison to investigate a machine which can remove evil from the minds of criminals. However, the man behind the scheme - Professor Kellerman - is in fact the Doctor's arch-nemesis, the Master (Roger Delgado), and is planning to disrupt a United Nations peace conference. Inside the Master's machine is an alien parasite which can make people see their greatest fears, and is growing stronger all the time. Can the Doctor stop both the Master and the unearthly parasite?

This six part story was originally broadcast in colour, but only a black and white print remains. However, as a bonus, the only colour footage left is included on the end of the video.

The following list represents the DVD EXTRAS for disc two:

• THE MILTARY MIND (dur. 22' 43") - shot back in 2009 on location at Dover Castle, this look at the making of the story is made unexpectedly poignant by the appearance of Nicholas Courtney and Barry Letts, who both passed away in the intervening years. Featuring actors Nicholas Courtney, Pik-Sen Lim and Fernanda Marlow, director Timothy Combe, producer Barry Letts and script editor Terrance Dicks. Narrated by Cameron McEwan.
• NOW AND THEN(dur. 7' 06") - the latest in our long-running series visits the filming locations used in the story to see how they have changed over the years.
• BEHIND THE SCENES: TELEVISION CENTRE (dur. 24' 00") - back in 1971, at around the time The Mind of Evil was in production, presenter Norman Tozer visited Television Centre to find out what went on over 24 hours in the life of what was then an incredibly busy `television factory'.
• PHOTO GALLERY - production, design and publicity photos from the story.
• COMING SOON - a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.
  

25.04.2013 - The Press Review copy has arrived and a full review will be online shortly.

On 27 May 2013, BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS revisits a Jon Pertwee classic from 1971, DOCTOR WHO - INFERNO as a "special edition" two-disc set.

Read the review of the INFERNO - SPECIAL EDITION DVD

Still chafing at his exile to the planet Earth, the Doctor is called in to observe the Inferno drilling experiment of Professor Stahlman. Stahlman's search for a new form of energy goes horribly wrong when a green slime emitted from the drill site transforms any who come into contact with it into primeval monsters. Meanwhile, after experimenting with the TARDIS console, the Doctor finds himself transported sideways in time to a parallel version of the Earth, where the Brigadier is an eyepatch-wearing fascist and Stahlman's experiments threaten to destroy the world.

• Commentary with actors Nicholas Courtney (The Brigadier) and John Levene (Sergeant Benton), producer Barry Letts and script editor Terrance Dicks.
• Production Notes + Digitally remastered picture and sound quality.
• Can You Hear the Earth Scream? (dur. 34'45") Actors and production team recall working on the story in this specially-shot featurette.
• Hadoke versus HAVOC (dur 27’33”) – Presenter Toby Hadoke reunites surviving members of the HAVOC stunt team and trains with them to perform a stunt himself. Will he survive to become an honorary member of HAVOC? With stunt arranger Derek Ware and stunt men Roy Scammell, Derek Martin and Stuart Fell.
• Doctor Forever – Lost in the Dark Dimension (dur 27’26”) - the penultimate instalment of our new five part series looking at how Doctor Who was kept alive in the years between the end of the classic series and the beginning of the new. In this episode we look at the various attempts to bring the show back during that period. With current and former Doctor Who Magazine editors Tom Spilsbury, John Freeman and Gary Russell, former BBC range editor Steve Cole, actor David Burton, writer Adrian Rigelsford, director Graeme Harper and new series executive producer Russell T Davies. Narrated by Zeb Soanes.
• The UNIT Family - Part One (dur 35'35") - a featurette looking at the Earthbound Doctor's 'family' during his exile to Earth and his new role as the scientific advisor to the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce.
• Visual Effects Promo Film (dur 6'00") - an excerpt from an early attempt to 'sell' the experience and facilities of the BBC Visual Effects Department to new clients. This short film features model effects filming from the Doctor Who stories The Ambassadors of Death and Inferno, a watertank sketch from Marty Amok featuring Marty Feldman, model shots from The Caves of Steel and the filming of the forced-perspective model pier for the explosive finale of the missing DOOMWATCH episode, Survival Code.
• Deleted Scene (dur 1'56") - a short deleted scene which was never seen in the original BBC transmission of the story, featuring a rather too obvious Jon Pertwee as the voice of a radio presenter.
• The Pertwee Years Intro (dur 2'43") - a short introduction to the story's final episode from Jon Pertwee, originally presented as part of BBC Video's The Pertwee Years VHS release.
• Photo Gallery (dur 6'10")
• Easter Egg 1 (dur 1'01") - clean opening title backgrounds including the special 'volcano' graphics used for this story.
• Easter Egg 2 (dur 0'40") - VT countdown clock for episode 7.
• Easter Egg 3 – Being David Burton (dur 5’20”) – actor David Burton talks at greater length about his career and casting as the Doctor.
• Doctor Who Annual - an Adobe PDF version of the 1971 Doctor Who Annual, supplied as a PC-ROM feature for access by PC and Mac users.
• Coming Soon - a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release (THE MIND OF EVIL)
• Radio Times Listings in Adobe PDF format.

BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS has released details of DVD & BOOK combination celebrating the 50th anniversary of the series.

The six-disc boxset includes all the (current) regeneration stories including an animated version of the Hartnell-Troughton changeover.

Released on 24 June, RRP £42.99.

BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS has released details of the forthcoming Jon Pertwee 1971 six-parter, DOCTOR WHO - THE MIND OF EVIL and is released on the 3 June 2013 (UK release).

• Commentary - stereo. With actors Katy Manning, Pik-Sen Lim and Fernanda Marlowe, director Timothy Combe, producer Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks and stunt arranger Derek Ware. Moderated by Toby Hadoke.
• Programme subtitles.
• Subtitle Production Notes.

• THE MILITARY MIND (dur. 22’ 43”) – shot back in 2009 on location at Dover Castle, this look at the making of the story is made unexpectedly poignant by the appearance of Nicholas Courtney and Barry Letts, who both passed away in the intervening years. Featuring actors Nicholas Courtney, Pik-Sen Lim and Fernanda Marlow, director Timothy Combe, producer Barry Letts and script editor Terrance Dicks.
• NOW AND THEN (dur. 7’ 06”) – the latest in our long-running series visits the filming locations used in the story to see how they have changed over the years.
• BEHIND THE SCENES: TELEVISION CENTRE (dur. 24’ 00”) – back in 1971, at around the time The Mind of Evil was in production, presenter Norman Tozer visited Television Centre to find out what went on over 24 hours in the life of what was then an incredibly busy ‘television factory’.
• Photo Gallery - production, design and publicity photos from the story.
• Coming Soon - a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.
• RADIO TIMES Listings and the 1971 Kellogs Sugar Smacks promotion in PDF format.

Read the Episode Guide.

BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS has released details of the forthcoming Jon Pertwee 1968 six-parter, DOCTOR WHO - THE ICE WARRIORS and is released on the 26 August 2013 (UK release).

• Commentary - Episodes 1, 4, 5, 6 with actors Frazer Hines, Deborah Watling and Sonny Caldinez, designer Jeremy Davies and grams operator Pat Heigham, moderated by Toby Hadoke.
• Commentary - Episode 2 commentary made up of original archive recordings or readings of text written by Brian Hayles, Derek Martinus, Martin Baugh, Bernard Bresslaw, Peter Barkworth, Wendy Gifford and Sylvia James.
• Commentary - Episode 3 commentary by Patrick Troughton’s son, Michael.
• Programme subtitles.
• Subtitle Production Notes.

• COLD FUSION (dur. 24’ 31”) – Cast and crew look back at the making of the story. With actors Frazer Hines, Deborah Watling and Sonny Caldinez, designer Jeremy Davies and James Bresslaw, son of the late actor Bernard Bresslaw.
• BEANEATH THE ICE (dur. 10’ 31” ) - A look behind the scenes of the animated THE ICE WARRIORS episodes. Producers Chris Chapman and Niel Bushnell, together with animation director Chris Chatterton from Qurios lift the lid on the process used to bring Varga and his Warriors back to life.
• VHS Links (dur. 19’ 19” ) – the introduction to the story and linking material covering the two missing episodes, as used on the VHS release of the story in 1998. Includes the BBC Video “Adjust your tracking control” caption for a true sense of nostalgia!
• BLUE PETER Design-a-Monster (dur. 10’ 04”) – the competition launch and subsequent winners of the 1967 Design-a-Monster competition, which ran during the transmission of THE ICE WARRIORS.
• DOCTOR WHO STORIES - FRAZER HINES part two (dur. 13’ 48”) - the second part of this interview with Frazer Hines shot in 2004 for THE STORY OF DOCTOR WHO looks at his later appearances in the series.
• Photo Gallery (dur. 3’ 53”) - production, design and publicity photos from the story.
• Coming Soon (dur. 1 min approx.) - a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.
• RADIO TIMES Listings in Adobe PDF format.
• Programme subtitles.

Read the Episode Guide.

DVD EXTRAS confirmed (20 March 2013)

On 6 May 2013, BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS revisits a Peter Davison classic from 1982, DOCTOR WHO - THE VISITATION as a "special edition" two-disc set. The original single-disc release was issued in 2004.

RRP £20.42.

DVD Disc 1

• 4 x 25 mins approx colour episodes with mono audio
• Studio Commentary Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton and Matthew Waterhouse, director Peter Moffatt
• Film Trims (dur. 5' 32") - including extended / deleted scenes.
• Directing Who - Peter Moffatt (dur. 26' 13") - about the work of the director of this and several other Doctor Who stories
• Writing a Final Visitation (dur. 12' 50") - an interview with the story's writer, Eric Saward
• Scoring The Visitation (dur 16' 19") - Mark Ayres interviews composer Paddy Kingsland about his music for the story
• Picture Gallery (dur. 5' 12")
• Isolated Music – option to view the story with the isolated music score.

DVD Disc 2

• Grim Tales (dur. 45’ 09” ) – cast members Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton are taken on a trip back to the filming locations used in the story by fellow TARDIS travelling companion Mark Strickson. A slice of a very impressive cake awaits them at the manor house in return for their memories of the time…
• The Television Centre of the Universe – Part One (dur. 32’ 12”) – Blue Peter presenter Yvette Fielding takes Peter Davison, Mark Strickson and Janet Fielding on a trip through BBC Television Centre, meeting up with old friends and colleagues as they reminisce on their time spent working in the iconic building. With film traffic supervisor Neville Withers, assistant floor manager Sue Hedden, costume designer Odile Dicks-Mireaux, production assistant Jane Ashford, make-up artists Joan Stribling and Carolyn Perry, BBC producer and writer Richard Marson
• Doctor Forever – The Apocalypse Element (dur. 27’ 29”) – the latest instalment of our new series looks at the work of those who kept Doctor Who alive in the form of audio adventures following the TV’s show’s cancellation in 1989. With actors Colin Baker, William Russell and Lisa Bowerman, new series executive producer Russell T Davies, Big Finish executive producers Jason Haigh-Ellery, Nicholas Briggs and Gary Russell, Big Finish producer David Richardson, BBC range editor Steve Cole, writers Mark Gatiss, Robert Shearman, Paul Cornell, Joseph Lidster and Justin Richards, AudioGO commissioning editor Michael Stevens. Introduced by Ayesha Antoine.

DVD EXTRAS confirmed (16 March 2013)

On 27 May 2013, BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS revisits a Jon Pertwee classic from 1971, DOCTOR WHO - INFERNO as a "special edition" two-disc set.

Still chafing at his exile to the planet Earth, the Doctor is called in to observe the Inferno drilling experiment of Professor Stahlman. Stahlman's search for a new form of energy goes horribly wrong when a green slime emitted from the drill site transforms any who come into contact with it into primeval monsters. Meanwhile, after experimenting with the TARDIS console, the Doctor finds himself transported sideways in time to a parallel version of the Earth, where the Brigadier is an eyepatch-wearing fascist and Stahlman's experiments threaten to destroy the world.

• Commentary with actors Nicholas Courtney (The Brigadier) and John Levene (Sergeant Benton), producer Barry Letts and script editor Terrance Dicks.
• Production Notes + Digitally remastered picture and sound quality.
• Can You Hear the Earth Scream? (dur. 34'45") Actors and production team recall working on the story in this specially-shot featurette.
• Hadoke versus HAVOC (dur 27’33”) – Presenter Toby Hadoke reunites surviving members of the HAVOC stunt team and trains with them to perform a stunt himself. Will he survive to become an honorary member of HAVOC? With stunt arranger Derek Ware and stunt men Roy Scammell, Derek Martin and Stuart Fell.
• Doctor Forever – Lost in the Dark Dimension (dur 27’26”) - the penultimate instalment of our new five part series looking at how Doctor Who was kept alive in the years between the end of the classic series and the beginning of the new. In this episode we look at the various attempts to bring the show back during that period. With current and former Doctor Who Magazine editors Tom Spilsbury, John Freeman and Gary Russell, former BBC range editor Steve Cole, actor David Burton, writer Adrian Rigelsford, director Graeme Harper and new series executive producer Russell T Davies. Narrated by Zeb Soanes.
• The UNIT Family - Part One (dur 35'35") - a featurette looking at the Earthbound Doctor's 'family' during his exile to Earth and his new role as the scientific advisor to the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce.
• Visual Effects Promo Film (dur 6'00") - an excerpt from an early attempt to 'sell' the experience and facilities of the BBC Visual Effects Department to new clients. This short film features model effects filming from the Doctor Who stories The Ambassadors of Death and Inferno, a watertank sketch from Marty Amok featuring Marty Feldman, model shots from The Caves of Steel and the filming of the forced-perspective model pier for the explosive finale of the missing Doomwatch episode, Survival Code.
• Deleted Scene (dur 1'56") - a short deleted scene which was never seen in the original BBC transmission of the story, featuring a rather too obvious Jon Pertwee as the voice of a radio presenter.
• The Pertwee Years Intro (dur 2'43") - a short introduction to the story's final episode from Jon Pertwee, originally presented as part of BBC Video's The Pertwee Years VHS release.
• Photo Gallery (dur 6'10")
• Easter Egg 1 (dur 1'01") - clean opening title backgrounds including the special 'volcano' graphics used for this story.
• Easter Egg 2 (dur 0'40") - VT countdown clock for episode 7.
• Easter Egg 3 – Being David Burton (dur 5’20”) – actor David Burton talks at greater length about his career and casting as the Doctor.
• Doctor Who Annual - an Adobe PDF version of the 1971 Doctor Who Annual, supplied as a PC-ROM feature for access by PC and Mac users.
• Coming Soon - a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.
• Radio Times Listings in Adobe PDF format.

BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS DVD has released details of the animation of DOCTOR WHO - THE ICE WARRIORS lost episodes.

BBC CP DVD has engaged Quiros, animation specialists, to replace the lost visuals of episode two and three, synching with a re-mastered audio track (Mark Ayres), and the entire project will be coordinated by Chris Chapman.

On 6 May 2013, BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS revisits a Peter Davison classic from 1982, DOCTOR WHO - THE VISITATION as a "special edition" two-disc set.

When the (fifth) Doctor tries to take Tegan back to Heathrow Airport, the Tardis arrives in the 17th century instead of the 20th century. The time-travellers discover that a space capsule has landed nearby and its alien occupants intend to wipe out life on Earth by releasing rats infected with a great plague.

RRP £14.99.

BBC DVD has confirmed that William Hartnell's final First Doctor episode, currently 'lost' from the BBC archives, will be fully animated using the same technology technique known as Thetamation seen in this month's DVD release, DOCTOR WHO - THE REIGN OF TERROR [read our 10/10 review].

The release date for the four-parter, DOCTOR WHO - THE TENTH PLANET has not this scheduled.

However, this is the confirmed timetable:

• 25 February - THE ARK IN SPACE Special Edition (read our review)
• 11 March - THE AZTECS Special Edition (read our review)
• 6 May - THE VISITATION Special Edition
• 27 May - INFERNO Special Edition
• 3 June - THE MIND OF EVIL (Colourised)
• 24 June - TEROR OF THE ZYGONS
• 15 July - SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE Blu-ray Edition
• 5 August - THE GREEN DEATH Special Edition
• 26 August - THE ICE WARRIORS
• 16 September - SCREAM OF THE SHALKA

The other incomplete story, THE UNDERWATER MENACE, has yet to be scheduled for release.

On 11 March, BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS is releasing a two-disc special edition DVD revisitation of William Hartnell's DOCTOR WHO - THE AZTECS (1964).

Review of THE AZTECS SPECIAL EDITION DVD (online now)

The Doctor (William Hartnell), Ian (William Russell), Barbara (Jacqueline Hill) and Susan (Carol Ann Ford) find themselves stranded in Aztec times when the TARDIS is trapped in a tomb. Proclaimed a goddess by the Aztec priests, Barbara attempts to change the course of history by forbidding the human sacrifices which are part of the Aztecs' religion. It is up to the Doctor to find a way back into the tomb and recover the TARDIS, before the priest Tlotoxl (John Ringham) unmasks Barbara.

The second disc includes a shortened reconstruction of the missing story, DOCTOR WHO - GALAXY 4, using off-screen still, audio recordings and animation, plus the recently recovered episode three to tell the story. Other new DVD EXTRAS include:

• CHRONICLE - THE REALMS OF GOD
• DR. FOREVER - CELESTIAL TOYROOM (review of DOCTOR WHO toys over the years)
• IT'S A SQUARE WORLD - the very first DOCTOR WHO skit with Clive Dunn.
• A WHOLE SQUARE GOING - behind the scenes of the 1965 movie, DALEKS INVASION EARTH: 2050AD.
• TRAILER of a forthcoming DVD release: DOCTOR WHO- THE ICE WARRIORS.