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March 15th, 2019 322 comments

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Doctor Who The Macra Terror DVD

Available to order in the UK from www.amazon.co.uk

Also available to order in the UK from www.zoom.co.uk

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Please note ALL formats contain both the B&W and Colour versions.

BBC Studios to release brand new animation of 1967 Doctor Who missing serial The Macra Terror

The standard and reversible covers…

The 4 x 25 min missing episodes, which were originally part of Doctor Who’s (now mostly lost) fourth season, have been animated for the first time, to be released on DVD, Blu-ray, special edition Steelbook and digital download.

Originally broadcast in four weekly parts from 11th March to 1st April 1967, and starring Patrick Troughton, Anneke Wills, Michael Craze and Frazer Hines, no full episodes of this serial are known to have survived on film.

Fortunately for fans, a complete audio recording of all four parts still exists. Now, 52 years later, the four episodes will be brought back to life through the power of animation, available on disc and digital download, in both colour and black and white, from 18th March 2019.

Anneke Wills says, ‘Back in 1967 “There’s no such thing as Macra!” was the cry; and for many years after there was no such thing as “The Macra Terror”. Now, thanks to the magic of animation, we can see the story come to life again. I can’t wait to see this adventure and how gratifying to have a little more of Ben and Polly’s time with the Doctor available to be seen by new generations.’

The Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and his companions arrive on a human colony in the far flung future. The colony appears to be a giant recreational complex – a holiday camp for rest and relaxation. Everyone looks happy and carefree but all is not as it seems. The colony has been infiltrated and brainwashed by a race of giant parasitic crab creatures called the Macra.

The Macra have only returned once since, 40 years later, coming face to face with the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) and Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) in the 2007 episode Gridlock.

Paul Hembury, Executive Producer, BBC Studios says, ‘After the success of Shada, we were very excited by the possibility of further animations. We are therefore delighted to be able to bring fans these missing episodes in a completely new form.’

Special features for the DVD and Blu-ray release include: Animation Gallery, Behind the Scenes Film and Audio Commentary.

Doctor Who: The Macra Terror will be released on digital download, DVD (RRP £20.42), Blu-ray (RRP £25.52) and special edition Steelbook (RRP £40.84) on 18th March 2019.

A special screening of Doctor Who: The Macra Terror will be held at the BFI Southbank, London on the 16th March 2019. Tickets will go on sale to BFI members on Tuesday 5th February with public sale opening on Tuesday 12th February. Further information will be available soon via the BFI website.

Doctor Who: The Macra Terror will be released on digital download, DVD (RRP £20.42), Blu-ray (RRP £25.52) and special edition Steelbook (RRP £40.84) on 18th March 2019.

A special screening of Doctor Who: The Macra Terror will be held at the BFI Southbank, London on the 16th March 2019. Tickets will go on sale to BFI members on Tuesday 5th February with public sale opening on Tuesday 12th February. Further information will be available soon via the BFI website.

Special features for the DVD and Blu-ray release include:

  • Audio Commentary: Toby Hadoke presents an audio commentary track on all four episodes of ‘The Macra Terror’, featuring cast and crew from the original 1967 production – Frazer Hines (Jamie), Terence Lodge (Medok), Anthony Gardner (Alvis), Maureen Lane (Majorette) and director, John Davies. Commentary produced by John Kelly and recorded in London on 4th January 2019.
  • Episode Reconstructions: Surviving film frames, fragments of existing footage and set photographs are brought together with the original unedited audio to reconstruct a presentation of the original now lost live-action production of ‘The Macra Terror’, as seen by viewers of BBC 1 in 1967. Produced by Derek Handley. Available to watch with or without an optional narration track read by Anneke Wills.
  • Bonus Mini-Episode: A ten-minute animated short, built around an otherwise lost Doctor Who episode from 1968 starring Patrick Troughton and Frazer Hines. Directed by AnneMarie Walsh.
  • Animation Test: Prior to the project being formally commissioned, this short animation test (of a scene from episode 3 of ‘The Macra Terror’) was produced in March 2018, to investigate the feasibility of mounting the production in full.
  • Animatics: A selection of scenes showing how the new animated production of ‘The Macra Terror’ went from initial storyboards to final animation. Storyboard art by Adrian Salmon.
  • Animation Gallery: A gallery of artwork from the development, pre-production and animation of the new animated version of ‘The Macra Terror’, including character art from Martin Geraghty and background paintings from Graham Bleathman, Colin Howard and Lydia Butz.
  • Teaser Trailer: A short teaser trailer animated by Rob Ritchie, produced to promote the announcement of a new production of ‘The Macra Terror’ in December 2018.
  • Alternative Black and White presentation: The full four-part animation is also available to view in an alternative black and white format on disc 2.
  • 1992 Audio Presentation: In 1992, the BBC Audio Collection released ‘The Macra Terror’ on audio cassette, in a special release narrated by Colin Baker. It was the first time that the story had been made commercially available by the BBC and that audio-only release is included here in full.
  • Surviving Footage: Less than two minutes of original footage still exist from the 1967 production of ‘The Macra Terror’. These film fragments have been painstakingly restored and digitally remastered for this release, with considerable improvements made to the overall picture quality and resolution of this unique footage. Film restoration by Peter Crocker.
  • Behind the scenes film: In 1967, during pre-production of ‘The Macra Terror’, film cameras visited the visual effects workshop in Uxbridge where work was underway on construction of the Macra props. Special effects props and models from other Doctor Who stories can also be seen in the workshop, including parts of a Cyberman from ‘The Tenth Planet’ (1966) and an aeroplane from ‘The Faceless Ones’ (1967). This footage is accompanied by a new audio commentary track from Doctor Who visual effects designer and BBC visual effects historian, Mike Tucker, explaining some of the effects techniques and props featured in the film.
  • Censored Scene: A reconstruction of a scene from episode 2 of ‘The Macra Terror’ that was heavily re-edited by censors for the episode’s Australian television transmission in November 1967.
  • Title sequences: ‘The Macra Terror’ saw the debut of a new title sequence for Doctor Who – the first time the programme had made such a change. The title sequence is presented here in full, remastered in HD and in a number of alternative versions.
  • Photo gallery: A collection of 36 photographs taken during the production of ‘The Macra Terror’ in 1967, featuring original design department set photographs and Radio Times publicity images. All presented in HD.
  • Production Paperwork: A full set of original camera scripts, studio schedules, floor plans and other materials are available to view by accessing disc 2 via your computer’s DVD or Blu Ray ROM drive.

Additional extras exclusive to Steelbook:

  • Gridlock: The Macra returned to Doctor Who in 2007, in this episode starring David Tennant and written by Russell T. Davies
  • Audio commentary: Julie Gardner, Travis Oliver and Marie Jones discuss the making of ‘Gridlock’ in this audio commentary track from 2007.
  • Doctor Who Confidential – Are we there yet?: A documentary looking at the making of the 2007 story, ‘Gridlock’.


Categorised under: Doctor Who DVDs, DVD, Featured

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322 comments

  • Anonymous

    December 6th, 2018 - 12:01am

    Is this by the same people who did ‘Power’? I ask, as this style seem’s different for ‘Macra’?

    Reply
    • doctor whom

      December 6th, 2018 - 9:26am

      looks the same to me, i think it looks different because its colourised?

    • Anonymous

      December 6th, 2018 - 7:26pm

      Gordon?

  • Doctor whom

    December 5th, 2018 - 11:31pm

    2019 looks like a good year!!

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    December 5th, 2018 - 9:05pm

    I’d love these I hope they do a couple of Hartnells in future too

    Reply
  • Steven Taylor

    December 5th, 2018 - 7:30pm

    I can’t wait and 100% buy it but jamie doesn’t look much like Frazier Hines much

    Reply
  • Whotube

    December 5th, 2018 - 7:05pm

    I would love dalek master plan or the celestial toymaker. Lets hope they do them in the future

    Reply
  • Chris P

    December 5th, 2018 - 6:47pm

    Sounds great. Really liked this on audio.

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    December 5th, 2018 - 6:41pm

    So, season 18, the macra terror steelbook and DVD, well, after Christmas is sorted

    Reply
  • doctor whom

    December 5th, 2018 - 6:25pm

    hope they do highlanders or the faceless ones next!!!

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    December 5th, 2018 - 5:48pm

    Hope there’s more special features of course. I’d be delighted if there was an info text track.

    Reply
    • Gordon

      December 5th, 2018 - 11:22pm

      Doubt it. The turn around time from completion to release wouldn’t give it nearly enough time to complete it

  • Who rules

    December 5th, 2018 - 5:05pm

    Can you tell me why my comments have not been posted?

    Reply
    • booboo

      December 5th, 2018 - 5:15pm

      i cant see any that have not been posted, but some along with many others were on moderation whilst i was out

    • Anonymous

      December 5th, 2018 - 6:40pm

      I love the animation they are going for

      Very 2000’s bbci backgrounds
      With the Doctor and Co looking like something out of the doctor who annuals

    • J

      December 5th, 2018 - 6:40pm

      I love the animation they are going for

      Very 2000’s bbci backgrounds
      With the Doctor and Co looking like something out of the doctor who annuals

    • Who rules

      December 5th, 2018 - 7:09pm

      My bad boo boo, sorry. This is one of the stories I really hoped would be animated, so very happy

  • Prof Horner

    December 5th, 2018 - 4:54pm

    Question, if they do The Wheel in Space. Would they do a colour Blu-ray version, given two episodes survive?

    Reply
    • Gordon

      December 5th, 2018 - 4:59pm

      I’d imagine they would just do it in black and white. I doubt they would want to colourise eps 3 and 6.

  • Who rules

    December 5th, 2018 - 4:51pm

    Loved this story right from when I read the target book in 1987!

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    December 5th, 2018 - 4:51pm

    Can’t wait !

    Reply
  • Kevin

    December 5th, 2018 - 4:50pm

    Great news, always happy to see some new old who. 🙂

    Reply
  • Ianto

    December 5th, 2018 - 4:44pm

    Brilliant news!!!!

    Reply
  • Type 40

    December 5th, 2018 - 4:41pm

    Wonderful news!

    Reply
  • Lee Berry

    December 5th, 2018 - 4:34pm

    Let’s hope that the BBC will please do this with other classic missing adventures. I do not want telecast pictures with the audio like on episode 3 Web Of Fear, please do Evil Of The Daleks, Wheel In Space.

    Reply
    • doctor whom

      December 5th, 2018 - 6:28pm

      yes, i love evil of the daleks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Anonymous

    December 5th, 2018 - 4:13pm

    I hope it has the classic logo or it will clash with my collection.

    Reply
    • Steven Taylor

      December 5th, 2018 - 7:35pm

      It will definitely be in the normal design

    • Anonymous

      December 5th, 2018 - 7:55pm

      Likely a reversible cover with new logo on show and classic on inside for collectors

  • the patient

    December 5th, 2018 - 4:07pm

    Well its not Wheel in Space or Evil of the Daleks but I am still excited!

    Reply
    • Gordon

      December 5th, 2018 - 4:14pm

      I think Macra Terror is a better story than both of those personally

    • Who rules

      December 5th, 2018 - 4:18pm

      I always liked this one right from when I read the target book in 1987 (31 years!) And then i heard the cassette tape in 1992 it just cemented my enjoyment of it. Really looking forward to this release. Not bothered if the cover doesn’t match, I just want the episodes!

    • Anonymous

      December 5th, 2018 - 4:44pm

      Really like this stort

    • Tim M

      December 5th, 2018 - 7:59pm

      I hope it has a reverse cover and it matches the classic DVD releases. I will probably buy both the DVD and steelbook.

  • Anonymous

    December 5th, 2018 - 3:59pm

    Amazon has gone down! Nooooooooo!!!!!

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      December 5th, 2018 - 7:56pm

      Read it properly, it’s not on sale until midnight

    • Anonymous

      December 5th, 2018 - 11:52pm

      Err, no I meant that Amazon had gone down for me. I know it’s not on till midnight but I wanted to order a book as well

  • Anonymous

    December 5th, 2018 - 3:54pm

    One of my favourites. Can’t wait to order it!

    Reply
  • Tim M

    December 5th, 2018 - 3:26pm

    ‘The Macra Terror’ is a great story. Looking forward to seeing it animated.

    Reply
  • Matt P

    December 5th, 2018 - 1:50pm

    I suppose the more animated stories become available, the more chance those full seasons can be released in blu ray box sets…..

    Reply
  • doctor whom

    December 5th, 2018 - 1:10pm

    does any one have any news on the wheel in space DVD that was on amazon a few months ago?????

    Reply
    • Mark Belsom.

      December 5th, 2018 - 3:02pm

      As far as I know the missing episode’s aren’t being animated,yet.

    • doctor whom

      December 5th, 2018 - 6:51pm

      thanks!

    • Gordon

      December 5th, 2018 - 11:48pm

      According to rob ritchie he expects the animated mini wheel in space mini ep will be an extra on the Macra Terror. Seems a bit odd place to put it especially if they plan to do a wheel dvd release later the same year

  • sideways

    December 5th, 2018 - 1:04pm

    can’t wait just hope the dvd matches the rest and not ruined by the new logo or at least have a double sided cover

    Reply
    • The Flying Shark

      December 5th, 2018 - 1:06pm

      The new logo will definitely be on it, but they’ll probably have a switchable cover with the roundels on too.

    • doctor whom

      December 5th, 2018 - 1:07pm

      so do i.

    • Anonymous

      December 5th, 2018 - 1:13pm

      I’d imagine they’ll sell it with the full-size image and new logo visible ‘on the shelf’, with the old logo/roundel format on the reverse? If Big Finish can do reversible covers with different logos so can the BBC. I could be wrong but that’s what I imagine. The people who want all their DVDs to have the same logo are probably mostly the same people who want all the DVDs to have the roundel format they usually provide the reverse cover for!

    • Anonymous

      December 5th, 2018 - 3:30pm

      if it doesn t you can
      aways print it off the internet

  • Duncan Parsons

    December 5th, 2018 - 12:48pm

    Wonder if the 10 minute wheel in space segment be an extra on this.

    Reply
    • doctor whom

      December 5th, 2018 - 1:32pm

      there will probably be a trailer for it but i think there has already been plans to release the hole story on DVD in 2019

  • Anonymous

    December 5th, 2018 - 12:44pm

    Wondering if I should hold off from buying this? Don’t want to double-dip if they release a Special Edition later?

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      December 5th, 2018 - 7:58pm

      Steelbook will be the special edition, likely will only get new extras etc when it eventually hits a “second doctor season collection” blu ray but that won’t be for years to come

  • the ergon

    December 5th, 2018 - 12:42pm

    Are both black and white and colour options on the same dvd?

    Reply
  • William

    December 5th, 2018 - 12:30pm

    How many more stories do they have left to animate?
    Do you think they would put these in the Collection Box Sets?

    Reply
    • Gaz

      December 5th, 2018 - 1:08pm

      I think that’s *exactly* why they’re releasing them.
      I suspect they’ll release the full existing series first, then by the time they’ve done that, most of the missing eps will be animated so they can release complete Seasons 1-6 🙂

    • Gordon

      December 5th, 2018 - 3:01pm

      Think it was about 19

  • doctor whom

    December 5th, 2018 - 12:04pm

    wow, can’t wait finally some brilliant news, i always look forward to a classic DVD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply

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