March 24th, 2015
164 comments
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What Next For Doctor Who Classic DVDs?
Now that the majority of known episodes have been released on DVD, what would you like to see happen to the range?
Season box sets, Doctor box sets?
Early B+W episodes colourised (which would no doubt be hugely expensive), or should they stay as they are?
Animated missing stories? or do we already have everything we need?
Below are some examples of what individuals have achieved
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Dalek Jimster
September 1st, 2024 - 1:22am‘Resurrection of the Daleks’ really needs new CGI update, it lacks a lot of CGI? Which is a shame, cause its a great story, 1 of my favourite classic Dalek stories. I’d love to see it released with a new cgi option.
Gordon
September 1st, 2024 - 9:25amYou might possibly get that with the season 21 blu ray set
Prowl1701
September 1st, 2024 - 9:02pmI really hope it gets updated effects on the season 21 collection set, it needs them.
Keiran
June 20th, 2018 - 1:12amWhy is it that germany releases silver nemesis (extended cut) as part of a limited 1000 copies collectors addition and charge £150 roughly for the set, but the bbc cant be bloody bothered. They release enemy of the world twice and some others multiple times in several box sets but the silver nemesis extended vhs version just gets left behind. Hell they release newly found stories as special features in other stories dvds, but once again the silver nemesis extended vhs version, nope. Hell i would pay anything up to £900 for that extended story remastered and on dvd. Oh but the costs… well then just wack it on itunes for download atleast for the people who are used to the vhs version.
Gordon
June 20th, 2018 - 9:02amWasn’t really that bbc couldn’t be bothered just there was no budget for a second disc. It’s not the only story that had stuff not included as a lot of the McCoy extras didn’t make it. Simple fact that most of the McCoy stories aren’t big enough sellers for them to budget a 2nd disc.The German company that released it spent a fortune unsuccessfully trying to find the original negs of the deleted scenes so they are well within their right to sell it in any way they pleased. I doubt it will be just kept to that set anyway. It will probably end up in the s25 blu ray set if it gets that far. The restoration team have said they will do omnibus versions of daemons sea devils and seeds of doom if the range continues so i imagine the se of silver nemesis will happen if it carries on
Anonymous
December 31st, 2018 - 1:55pmAn interview about the dvd range in dr who magazine said that they could never do the extended cut as JNT had to cut together a soundtrack over the cast track which faded in and out inbetween the original episodes. Sadly, they wont re release this with the extended version as they cannot fix the sound issues
IsItNeil
February 13th, 2018 - 8:24pmThe enemy of the world special edition is now confirmed for release in March.
With this renewed interest in classic DVD releases and with the BBC having already produced and released in Germany a 1000 limited release that includes “the new restoration of the extended version of silver nemesis”. A uk release of this potential my including the 7th doctor revisited and new Andrew cartnell interview is a total no brainier now. The work has been done so a uk release would cost almost nothing for the BBC with the work already done. They could even release a 2 disc special edition to include the original DVD and extras without needing to do any more production on the DVD. Like it or not. Want it or not. With the discs already produced I feel this is an almost certainly in one form or another for release.
While the momentum for new classic series DVDs is there I would also give my vote to releases of
1. The crusade.
2. The curse of fatal death
With no previous DVD and this and a making of already in the can I feel this is also a easy one for BBC worldwide. I’ve heard the arguments about its charity status but this was made available for purchase not only on VHS but also digital download through iTunes and other routes so there are no clearance issues for DVD that aren’t as manageable as other DVDs released.
I agree we as fans would really want a Web of Fear special edition but with ep 3 KNOWN to be out there this is not gonna happen any time soon. I’ve heard the cries for a special edition with animated or other ep 3 recreation but putting emotion, fandom and opinion aside – commercially BBC worldwide are not gonna go this route while we have a standard DVD and the missing ep3 known to be out there for definate.
Likewise… As much as fans we know that the underwater menace DVD was a total mess… Commercially this isn’t gonna get a special edition release any time soon. Looking at it as a business would you really release a special edition of this before the crusade that’s had no complete dedicated release: no reconstruction and no extras or behind the scenes / making of features. ?? I don’t think so. Or even before releasing the silver nemesis special edition. For which they have already produced the assets. As I fan I don’t disagree with what’s ideal and what’s wanted but BBC have to be commercial as well.
After the successes of power of the daleks and shada I think evil of the daleks with animation is more likely that web or underwater.
Jamy
December 17th, 2017 - 11:19pmAnimate all missing episodes
Rerelease some of the region 1 titles that have become rare…missing a handful and they’re trying to sell them for absurd prices on eBay and such
Um, Blake 7!!!
Daniel Potter
October 24th, 2017 - 2:08pmI would be quite content if they made as many incomplete or totally missing stories into animation as possible. I have every DVD release from both classic and the new and would love to see these missing episodes to stories animated. It would be a waste of time and money re-releasing as specials or boxsets just because you can or indeed colouring the black and white versions.
Jon Skaro
January 8th, 2018 - 6:59pmI agree. I want to see Fury from the Deep and The Abominable Snowmen animated next. I already have Evil of the daleks & The Faceless Ones on DVD!
IsItNeil
October 3rd, 2017 - 9:57pmIf I had any influence I would want on DVD:-
1. The Crusade
2. The Curse of Fatal Death
3. The Web of Fear S/E [+special
features]
4. Silver Nemesis S/E [2 Disc as per
Battlefield and Fenric with extended
version and US Documentary]
5. Evil of the Daleks Animated
All of the above I believe are viable and marketable and in keeping with the rest of the range. In my eyes these should be released on DVD as a must. I say Web for a s/e first as there would be no issues or discussions over recon episodes. Plus it is in The top 20 most popular stories so should get the s/e treatment and would sell well. Also there is no reason Nemesis shouldn’t get the same treatment as Fenric and battlefield. The reasons and backgrounds are the same and the end product in same manner and just as marketable and popular. I would animate Evil first as it roughly the same length as Power plus they already have the animation templates for the 2nd Doctor and the daleks giving them a head start and reason to keep costs down meaning more viable to produce.
Of course then…in an ideal world I would want:….
* Enemy of the world s/e
* Underwater Menace s/e
…..to bring the features up to the level of the rest of the range. Although I accept their viability is questionable.
Pyramids of Mars
Ghost Light
Leisure Hive
Earth shock
…s/e RERELEASES would also be ideal but again I don’t think the BBC would consider them viable and I can see the limited potential.
IsItNeil
October 3rd, 2017 - 10:01pmIt would also be nice to see a DVD of the Doctor Who Special Editions of Pointless Celebrities and Weakest Link. Also absent from DVD is the 2013 Culture show special “you, me, and Doctor Who” and the 11 Doctor specific “The Doctors Revisited”. All of which I feel would be popular DVDs or extras in a box set.
Jon
January 8th, 2018 - 6:45pmI’ve got Evil of The Daleks animated already!
Nozza
April 30th, 2017 - 1:19pmI would like to see a animated Evil of the Daleks DVD release. I want to see Doctor and Jaime meet Victoria for the first time. I know the story is available on Big Finish audio but… it’s just not the same. I bought the Power of the Daleks animated DVD release from Amazon when that came out and that worked really well, the atmosphere and suspense of the story transitioned really well in my opinion. I hope they can do the same again.
Jon
January 8th, 2018 - 6:48pmGot it already!
David
April 30th, 2017 - 1:03amThe Crusades needs its own stand alone release with animation for episodes 2 and 4.
The Underwater Menace needs to be re-released with animation for episodes 1 and 4.
The Evil Of The Daleks episodes 1, 3 to 7 need to be animated and released as a stand alone DVD release.
Animate Mission to the Unknown and The Daleks Masterplan episodes 1, 3 to 4, 6 to 9 and 11 to 12 in a double DVD box set.
Then do a Revisitation 4 box set with Dalek’s Invasion of Earth, Pyramids Of Mars and Earthshock.
Revisitation 5 box set with The Two Doctors, The Leisure Hive and The Curse Of Fenric.
There doesn’t have to be any new content but put the cover’s artwork on the discs. In other words replace all the silver discs.
David
April 30th, 2017 - 1:27amAnd Ghost Light too. They should just re-release all the early 2003 to 2005 releases with new artwork and standardised the covers so they all look the same with BBC DVD in the top left corner of the front of the cover, and replace all the silver discs with artwork from the cover on the discs.
David
April 30th, 2017 - 1:30amRevisitation 6 with Horror Of Fang Rock and Ghost Light
David
April 30th, 2017 - 1:33amOr maybes two more Revisitation box sets.
Revisitation 5 with Dalek Invasion of Earth, Pyramids Of Mars, Earth Shock and Ghost Light
Revisitation 6 with The Leisure Hive, Horror Of Fang Rock, The Two Doctors and The Curse Of Fenric.
David
April 30th, 2017 - 2:07amAnd Enemy And Web Of Fear need special edition re-releases as the original releases are just bare bones, no extras or commentary.
David
April 5th, 2017 - 11:00pmI would like to see an animated release of Marco Polo and The Crusades and The Space Pirates to complete seasons 1, 2 and 6.
The Werewolf
April 6th, 2017 - 2:11amI don’t think they’re allowed to do The Crusades.
Anonymous
April 6th, 2017 - 3:31amBBC Worldwide wouldn’t foot the bill in case they get any bad publicty from it, if somebody else paid though that would be a different matter.
Andrew Gilbertson
January 27th, 2017 - 1:55pmAnimated reconstructions all the way. As long as there’s still one episode that can’t be eatched, there’s work to be done, and my interest in that trumps any repackage, set, colorization, or re-release that does exist. And definitely the one that would get my money every time.
Digital_Archivist
January 1st, 2017 - 5:06amAfter years of deliberation (mainly due to the rather high price), I’ve decided to invest into buying Classic Who (only when on special). At £5.99 at Amazon, most of the Classic Who DVDs are worth it. I have collected all of the Jon Pertwee era episodes. I will collect Tom Baker next. I’m not so keen on the Hartnell or Troughton eras (they had a different feel & I’m not really sure if I want to buy something I’m not keen on. I probably will stop at the Davison era. He wasn’t my favourite Doctor but there were some very good stories during his time as The Doctor.
Do you think more Doctor Who will receive blu-ray releases from the Classic Series? I believe Spearhead from Space is the only Classic Who story to receive a HD release.
Regards
_Digital_Archivist
Rob
January 1st, 2017 - 9:42amIf you are in the UK, I would check out CEX if you have one local as some stories can be picked up for as little as £3 on DVD. Amazon (used sellers) are a place I’ve picked up a few bargains too. eBay is another option for bargains or better priced DVDs too.
The TV movie is a Blu Ray and of course Power of the Daleks is being released in February on Blu Ray too
TheClassicsAreAce
January 1st, 2017 - 11:34amHave you bought the Revisitations box sets? They, especially Revisitations 1, may help you collect the ones you want. Also, Revenge of the Cybermen is in a box set with Silver Nemesis, they are both considered as poor Cyberman stories. Although you want to stop after Peter Davison’s era, I suggest you at least get Sylvester McCoy’s last 2 seasons as the stories from then have decent prices on DVD and the episodes were of better quality, especially Season 26.
David
April 5th, 2017 - 10:14pmSpearhead got a Blu-ray release because I believe all four episodes exist as 35mm colour film so could easily be transferred into HD. Most DW serials though were done on video tape with 16mm film inserts, well up to 1986 they were.
The Outcast
April 30th, 2017 - 2:38pmWhat about 7 though. Remembrance, Survival and Curse of Fenric are great stories.
Weeping Angel
December 27th, 2016 - 12:52pmi would love season box sets so we didn’t have to keep buying single ones. plus they would be cheaper
Digital_Archivist
January 1st, 2017 - 5:10amIn my collecting The Pertwee Years, I bought some in box sets (even if they contained stories from other Doctor Who actors), this way I am saving. I’ll just write a master list of what is in each boxset and when I’m following the correct run order of the show, I will know what boxset to pick up. Would prefer the Pertwee era in one of two giant boxsets (rather than single DVDs), less costly, too. In the end, I’m just happy to have these released.
Will the DVD releases look okay on my 2012 65″Panasonic Vera HD TV set?
TheClassicsAreAce
January 1st, 2017 - 11:19am@Digital_Archivist They probably would look good, however if your Blu-Ray player stretches 4:3 DVDs then you should change the aspect ratio on your TV when watching.
mark
December 27th, 2016 - 10:38amCombine with Big Finish and film the audio adventures, some issues around actors ages, but I guess stand ins could be used
The Outcast
December 27th, 2016 - 11:17amI’d rather they make new stories rather than film preexisting ones.
Mark pratt
October 8th, 2016 - 12:14amAnimate the lost episodes
James Gibson
September 6th, 2016 - 10:58amDEFFINATLY not colourised episodes as part of the overall draw/charm of the older episodes is the fact that they are and always were black and white….but I really hope they decide to animate some of the missing stories especially the missing Patrick troughton dalek stories…
Benjamin John
September 5th, 2016 - 7:16pmHi there What know to want is next classic DoctorWho
The last DoctorWho dvd was the underwater menace starting second Patrick troughton
Anonymous
September 5th, 2016 - 7:58pmDVDs are done unless more episodes are recovered or the BBC orders animations for TV broadcast.
Mark pratt
September 1st, 2016 - 12:28pmIve just started to collect the classic dr who dvds im saddened that many harnell and troughton are missing probably lost forever because the bbc had a clear out the fools they should redeem themselves and animate them or find actors n actresses that look like the casts at that time and remake them in black and white of course
booboo
September 1st, 2016 - 12:36pmhindsight is wonderful thing, at the time there was no good reason to keep them.
Re-doing them with different actors would be cost prohibitive and besides, people want to see / hear the originals not substitutes
Animation / or recovery is the only way forward and we will have to wait and see if there is any future in that